| People today lead very casual lifestyles. We wear | | | | late-night snacks to the wedding guests. That is a |
| jeans to cocktail parties, bring the dog to work, | | | | perfect example of laid-back wedding style. |
| and rarely get dressed up. It is only natural that | | | | Many couples looking to achieve that feeling of |
| many couples are bringing this laid-back attitude to | | | | casual elegance opt for destination weddings. |
| their weddings. | | | | There is something about being married on the |
| What is laid-back style, anyway? Well, it is the | | | | beach that helps everyone to feel more relaxed. |
| opposite of formal, stuffy, or prim and proper. | | | | It helps that most tropical islands have that "Don't |
| Having a laid-back wedding can mean having a | | | | worry, be happy" vibe about them. |
| very casual get-together for only your closest | | | | For a laid-back beach wedding, the bride would |
| friends, or it can be a more planned out affair, | | | | look for a simple flowing wedding gown in a |
| just with all of the details kept intentionally | | | | breezy fabric like chiffon. Forget about structured |
| relaxed. | | | | hairstyles; the perfect hair for a beach wedding is |
| I'll give you an example of what a laid-back | | | | either loose and flowing, or a messy bun at the |
| wedding could look like. They are not necessarily | | | | nape of the neck. Accessories should also reflect |
| any less expensive than more formal weddings, | | | | this relaxed attitude: silk flip-flops, a pearl pendant, |
| it's just a matter of making choices to keep the | | | | and a tropical flower in the bride's hair may be all |
| style very casual and to make guests feel very | | | | that she needs. |
| at ease. One bride I knew had a wedding for 200 | | | | To help get your guests into the right frame of |
| guests on her family's property. This woman liked | | | | mind, set the scene to make them feel at ease. |
| things that were nice, but also relaxed and | | | | For a beach wedding, get your guests to slip out |
| easy-going. | | | | of their high heels by providing shoe racks where |
| She chose a custom made wedding gown, but in | | | | they can park their city shoes. Have baskets of |
| a style that was not very fitted. It was a slightly | | | | flip-flops on hand so that everyone can get into |
| crumpled silk taffeta strapless gown in a style | | | | the swing of things. Add to the laid-back vibe by |
| that she said looked like a down comforter (not | | | | having playing "The Wedding March" on the steel |
| every woman's idea of a dream dress, but it | | | | drums instead of a violin. All the little details will |
| worked for her). The dress was above all, very | | | | add up to the relaxed feeling that you are trying |
| comfortable, and accessories were also kept very | | | | to create. |
| easy. The bride wore ballet slippers, a very plain | | | | Your wedding should be a reflection of you and |
| veil, and some simple bridal jewelry that was | | | | your lifestyle. That is why more and more |
| custom made for her. As you can guess from | | | | couples are deciding to have a casually elegant |
| the custom bridal jewelry and one-of-a-kind gown, | | | | wedding that match how they live their lives. The |
| for some brides, casual elegance still means | | | | laid-back feeling of these weddings makes for a |
| careful planning. At the end of the evening, the | | | | very fun time for all of the guests. |
| bride had a hot dog cart come out to serve | | | | |