I am a plus size bride getting married outside in summer and I am worried about sweating too much and being uncomfortable. Any advice on how to dress for the heat?

Nothing can take you out of the beautiful present moment on your wedding day like sweating your face off or feeling like you might faint at the altar (I’ve seen a bridesmaid go down during the ceremony – it’s not fun!). Luckily, there are a few things you can keep in mind to help you stay cool and comfy.

When shopping for your look, really pay attention to the fabric of your outfit. Textured or plush fabrics like brocades, silk Mikado or velvets will be heavier and trap heat. As beautiful as they are, it’s best to put those heavyweight fabrics on the “do not try” list. Focus instead on breathable lightweight fabrics like organza, chiffon, tulle or a natural silk dupioni. If wearing a dress shirt, you could also consider breezy fabrics like cotton or linen. When trying on dresses check in about the fabric of the lining as well since a polyester lining can negate any breathability of the top layer!

There are also details in the cut of your outfit that will help keep you cool. Avoid any tight-fitting long sleeves that can trap heat and restrict your movement. If going with a fuller skirt, see if you can have any of the crinoline removed while still keeping the silhouette you like. The underskirt layers are one of the top ways to add heat to a dress, but if that true ballgown look is what you love it’s okay! You can get a cooling breeze when you’re twirling on the dancefloor.

Remember to keep a few tools on hand throughout your wedding to help stay comfortable in the heat:

♥ Water is an absolute must (let me reiterate: no fainting on your wedding day, babe!)
♥ A handheld or battery-operated fan can be especially helpful in the in-between moments of the day.
♥ A cooling or small microfibre towel will help you wick any access sweat off easily.
♥ Facial rice paper sheets can be a great way to blot your face if you’re starting to sweat there too without removing any makeup.
♥ An anti-friction stick like the ones from Megababe can help on thighs and underarms to prevent chafing in sensitive areas.

For our wedding we really want our guests to have fun with dressing up, but none of the usual dress codes feel like us or the right direction. Can we make up our own dress code? What does that even look like?

You can absolutely make up your own dress code! The key here is to make sure people actually understand it. A lot of my personal styling clients like to take a common dress code and add a descriptor on top of that, like “festive cocktail attire” or “beachy black tie.” Having that familiar dress code as the foundation helps your guests have a base understanding of what they should wear, and your descriptor just adds some flavour and gives your guests a bit of freedom in their own styling.

You can also do something completely new or different! A few of my recent favorite dress codes:

♥ Upstage the Brides (they encouraged full-on Met Gala fashion).
♥ Coachella Chic (a dressy festival feel).
♥ Tiki Disco (encouraging colourful sparkles and tropical prints).
♥ 90s Rom-Com (an autumn wedding where they wanted folks to be comfy, casual and romantic).
♥ Colour Palette Dress Code (the guests were given the three wedding colours and asked to wear something that matched).

My advice, if you’re doing any dress code that isn’t traditional, is to include descriptions of example outfits – or better yet – a little mood board on your wedding website to help folks visualise what you’re asking for. You don’t have to go all out for this, but rather include information you would find in any dress code description (what length of dresses or style suits, colours, style examples, etc.). Giving that jumping off point will help your guests feel excited to dress up rather than overwhelmed with what the hell “wine country white tie” could possibly mean.

Lastly, keep your expectations realistic. While your loved ones want to show up for you, a lot of folks aren’t able to buy a whole new outfit for your wedding and will need to find something in their wardrobe that they can make work for your big day. And as much as you may try, your great uncle might not understand what he’s supposed to wear for a “cunty camp” wedding. All you can do is ask, and all they can do is try. Hopefully you’ll all have fun with it!

This article originally appeared in issue 56 of Rock n Roll Bride magazine. You can purchase the latest copy here, or why not subscribe to never miss an issue?