Vow Ready, Weather Steady: Your Curvy Godmothers’s Guide to Dress Prepping for Any Forecast

Woman in a white wedding dress with bouquet, smiling outside a stone building. Green bushes and stone walls add a charming backdrop.

Mother Nature…the ultimate drama queen. Like a flower girl without a nap or that special wedding guest you’re kinda worried about, no matter the location or season, weather has its own plans. One minute, things are sunny & serene; the next, you’re clutching your veil that’s suddenly become a flight risk & your eyelashes are leaving the venue before you do. Not to worry–your Curvy Godmothers are here with the hacks to keep you & your dress looking flawless, regardless of what the skies pull. Stay Vow Ready & Weather Steady because the only tears your Godmamas will allow on your wedding day, are happy ones.

Sunny with a Chance of Serenity

Warm & Sunny Weddings (Spring/Summer, Beach, Outdoor Garden)
Hot & Humid Weddings (Tropical, Summer, Outdoor)

Ok. You wanna talk trial-by-fire? We recall a New Orleans wedding in June complete with a second line parade under a blazing sun with the best live brass band ever playing us in as we danced from the ceremony space to the reception. Needless to say, a time was had and everyone amassed sweat in places that unbeknownst to them produced moisture. Our tricks ensured makeup stayed on while sweat stayed put. So, believe us when we say that these tips are clutch for sweat-proofing in a sunny locale.

Think About Fabrics

Consider the time & place of your nuptials. Flowy fabrics like chiffon & tulle can be great for a beachy vibe where you may opt for the structure of cotton, linen and organza for a garden shin-dig.

Make-Up Matters

We’ve had brides swear by refrigerating their day-of-skin care and make-up. We know the cold is great for the depuff so, if it can give you a cooling boost during a crazy morning, why not?

Sunscreen under your makeup, use primer or mattifying pore gel. Several pumps of setting spray and blow dryer (on a low setting) will help laminate your look. For extreme humidity, we recommend airbrushed makeup.
Think about an up-do/partial up-do if having your hair loose is prone to making you sweaty & uncomfortable

Beat the Heat

Preventing sweat before its cascading down an area you simply cannot reach, is more than half the battle. Talc-free cornstarch/powder or chafing gel for those thick thighs that save lives! We love Monistat’s Chafing Relief Powder Gel. It goes on like a silky gel, dries like a powder, and works pretty much everywhere.

Albeit dramatic paper or personal battery operated ones, fans are a must on hot days. We live for a custom parasol or foldable fan. Making these available for guests during your ceremony turns sweet heat relief into a uniquely useful wedding favor.

Spare Those Tootsies!

Your wedding is a marathon day where you'll be on your feet a ton and this leads to swelling. But if you want those pretty puppies to make it to the afterparty, lean toward open-toe sandals, espadrilles, or breathable low heels. Strappy sandals, block heels, or ballet flats are a good alternative when you need more coverage in a warm-weather shoe. We highly suggest breaking your shoes in beforehand. You can speed up the stretch by wearing your shoes around a carpeted area with thick socks. Going up half a size could help too!

Avoid heavy materials that trap heat (i.e. leather, suede)
Consider Foot Antiperspirant
Use Thin Gel Inserts between Straps
Pack Comfortable Back-up Footwear

Last Minute Logistics

Spritz Hair w/ Anti-frizz Spray
Stay Shine-Free w/ Oil-Blotting Sheets
Stick Antiperspirant Along Your Hairline (it's a Newscaster’s trick we've used with great success and a perfectly dry forehead)

Chilly, but Make it Chic

Chilly & Cozy Weddings (Fall/Winter, Barn, Castle, Ballroom)

We know a few teas & hot toddies will warm up any winter’s day but you’re probably not planning on double-fisting mule mugs before you exchange vows (unless you are, and in that case–no judgment). But staying warm for photos is imperative so you don't speed through any outdoor moments you dreamed of when you were warmer.

When in Doubt, Accessorize!

Cold weather doesn't mean you have to get your biggest parka for protection. Have items on hand that you can both layer for warmth & that wouldn't ruin your look. This could be a blazer, muff, shrug, gloves…you can live your best Mariah Carey and go full “All I Want for Christmas”--or whatever other winter vibes you’re feeling. We loved a bride’s idea of using her grandmother’s vintage stole to surprise her wife with their new initials sewn on the inside lining.
To keep those feet warm, try closed-toe pumps, velvet booties, or embellished flats & consider fleece-lined insoles for warmth
Nude stockings/fleece-lined nude leggings can be an option to stop the draft of a dress
Keep hand warmers nearby for outdoor photos!

It’s Raining Zen, Hallelujah!

Rainy & Unpredictable Weddings (Spring/Fall, Outdoor, Destination)
Woodsy/Mountain (Lodge, Upstate)

Since water makes knots tighter, old wedding lore states that rain on your wedding day is actually good luck and not ironic like Alanis Morrisette confusingly claimed. While we love this sentiment over tying the knot, no one spends money to have a rainout wedding rivaling the mud-pits of Woodstock ‘99. Follow our prep tips to keep yourself green and serene.

Waterproof flats, dressy boots, or block heels.
Avoid satin—it stains easily!
Bug Spray and maybe avoid perfume until the ceremony
Heel covers are a great secret weapon against quicksanding into wet terrain
Stick to waterproof metals like platinum or gold—humidity can turn softer metals. If costume jewelry is a must, clear nail polish or spray paint beforehand helps slow tarnishing from moisture
Keep your hem in mind, and bustle it!

Consider Us the Wind Beneath Your Veil

Windy & Coastal Weddings (Beach, Cliffside, Destination)

Imagine carefully curating your wedding look down to the rhinestone only to have your sparkly fascinator in the sky like a balloon release. But of course, there are some ways to avoid any unexpected take-offs. Consider a veil alternative like a flower crown or jeweled headband—wind likes to tangle veils and those veils then love to get stuck in a nearby tree during portraits. So, if any part of your bridal look is on the flouncy side, talk to your seamstress about a weighted hem.

Barefoot Sandals, Embellished Flats, or a Wedge
Lightweight and secure jewelry (avoid long dangling earrings that could tangle)
Sturdy clips, Secured Tiaras, or Combs in Hair (that won’t get blown away)
Use extra-hold hairspray/avoid loose curls that could get messy in the wind
Bring Extra Bobby Pins

Listen, Mother Nature loves a grand entrance, but so do you—and only one of you is wearing couture. Rain, wind, heat? Please, darling, we’ve got your back and now you’ve got the hacks, the prep, and the attitude to handle it all without breaking a sweat (literally). So, keep your cool—and if the forecast gets dramatic, just smile and say it’s part of the aesthetic.