’Tis the season for beautiful winter weddings: a sleigh ride to the chapel, bridesmaids in rich velvet, and your ringbearer bundled up in his little wool suit. Charming? Absolutely. But what does the fashionable bride do to keep herself warm when Jack Frost crashes the wedding? We have some suggestions:
Select your dress accordingly. If you are planning a winter wedding, especially in northern climes, think ahead and select an appropriate bridal gown.
Long sleeves will probably be a must, and you might want to select a gown in a lush,
warm fabric, such as a heavy taffeta, moire, or velvet. If you have your heart set on a gown with a revealing neckline, consider a chiffon or net
illusion neckline to cover your bare skin. If you don’t plan to have long sleeves (and even if you do), you might want to select a pair of
gloves to keep your hands or arms warm in route to and from the ceremony and reception locations -- even if you don’t plan to wear them once you set foot inside.
Consider cheating underneath. If you are expecting very chilly weather, you might want to sneak a set of thermal
leggings or tights under your gown -- as long as no one will see them. Don’t worry about bulk; there are sleek silk thermals that will fit you closely and keep you warm. If you plan to show a little leg during the garter toss, bring conventional stockings and sneak into a restroom to change into them after you’ve arrived at your cozy reception location.
Favor your feet. Those lovely white pumps look great with your gown, but they could mean trouble if the weather is wet, icy, or snowy. Consider wearing a pair
of all-weather shoes or boots for your trek to the ceremony, and switch to your dress shoes once inside the ceremony location. Your gallant new husband can then carry you to your transport to the reception location -- or consider donning the boots again for the ride to your next stop.
Find an appropriate cover up for getting around. Your dress is beautiful and you want to show it off, but don’t let vanity keep you from being sensible about bundling up against the weather. It would be terrible to catch a cold and spoil your honeymoon fun. Keep in mind that virtually everyone will have already arrived at your ceremony location before you do, so they won’t see you until you make your big entrance.
If you anticipate a drop in the temperature,
consult with your seamstress or bridal salon and see what they advise. The experts might have some creative solutions that complement your gown.
If you need to wear a coat en route, you can ditch it just inside the door, before anyone sees you. You don’t need to purchase a new coat for the occasion, especially if you already own a good
overcoat. Don’t worry about whether or not the color matches. If the problem is the wet, not the chill, a traditional
trench just might do the trick. Don’t forget to bring an
umbrella -- the biggest you can find. If the forecast includes showers, you might find it worth the trouble (and money) to splurge on a super-sized umbrella, like you those available in a golf pro shop.
If the weather is just a little chilly, you might decide to splurge on a beautiful new cashmere
cardigan in white or ivory. When shopping, look for something that’s a little roomy in the arms (to fit easily over your gown) and features pretty fasteners (we love the pearled button look). You can wear it over your shoulders, buttoned just at the throat, like a cape, or slip into the sleeves for added warmth. The only kind of cover-up you should avoid altogether is anything that’s a pullover; putting it on and taking it off will muss your hair and makeup.
If the cold isn’t expected to set in until late in the day, you might decide in advance to borrow your new husband’s
tuxedo jacket to keep away the chill as you bid your guests farewell. Just be sure to run the idea by him in advance -- he might be concerned about the cold too!
Inspect your coat or cover-up well in advance of the big day. Make sure it is clean and that the pockets are empty -- you wouldn’t want to discover a leaky ballpoint pen in the pocket on your big day.
Make staying warm a part of your wedding look. Embrace the seasonal weather. Select a beautiful cover-up to complete your wedding wardrobe and wear it with panache. The hot look for Winter 1999-2000 is the
pashmina. Pashmina is the Hindi word for cashmere, and these luxurious wraps are made from the super-soft cashmere of Himalayan goats. A pashmina is a pricey choice, but you’ll wear it again and again throughout the season. We recommend you pick one in soft pink, ice blue, or lilac, to wear again with black and gray eveningwear once your wedding day is over.
Another dramatic choice is a sweeping
cloak or cape. Consider one in a rich velvet or trimmed with fur (real or faux, per your politics). A cape or cloak has the added benefit of being easy to get into or out of quickly. Compliment this look with
fur or faux fur trimmed mittens or a muff to keep your hands toasty.
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