Pairing Your Wedding Dress to Compliment Your Venue

by Tess Man, Tess Mann Haute Couture and Couture by Tess

Where you choose to say, “I do,” and what you will wear is at the top of any wedding planning experience. It’s likely you have a vision of what you want for your big day, flowing sleeves and a long train to accompany the magic of your forest wedding or sheer sleeves with a tight bodice to be the queen in your castle venue. Here are some looks put together for you from fashion designer, Tess Mann, with Couture by Tess and Tess Mann Haute Couture for the perfect pairings.

Cancun Seaside | Cancun, Mexico

Choosing the right dress for your beach wedding is about the fabric, length, and style. A lightweight, breathable fabric is a must as beach weddings are typically in the elements with some heat. Cotton, linen, silk, chiffon, and lace are perfect fabrics for summer sun. If you plan on hiking through the sand to your ceremony, an ankle-length or even shorter dress would fit perfectly for this environment. A high-low hem with complimenting sparkly shoes would be a stunning and practical idea. A bohemian, simple, flowy wedding dress would look amazing alongside your seaside ceremony.

Italian Villa | Tuscany, Italy

Complimenting your venue with your dress will not only make your pictures look on point, but it will also radiate the vibe of your surroundings. Italian villas are chic and dignified. Choosing a dress with these attributes will help you look like you’ve always belonged there! The color of your dress under warm-toned villa lighting will be a very important factor in determining between an off white/palest ivory, ivory, gold champagne, cocoa or blush dress to name a few options. Some Italian villas hold a gothic style of architecture, which would fit perfectly with a layered, sleeved dress with some movement. Lightweight and elegant will always be the norm in Italy. A deep v-neckline will help accentuate the body and add a touch of spice.

Irish Castle | Kildare, Ireland

Feeling like royalty when you are getting married is a dream for many little princesses growing up and may be the dream come true for you. The accessories added will make the dress pop, as well. A veil, tiara, or large hair piece will tie in the elegance of your dress and venue. Elegance and grandeur as your dress fluidly flows behind you when you walk down the aisle of your wedding in an Irish castle would leave all of your guests astonished. Lace, embellishments, and sleeves would be a tribute to the past of a traditional royal feel.

French Vineyard | Provence, France

Vineyards and wineries are perfect venues for weddings. They are beautiful, commodious, and they also have great wine! Allowing nature to compliment your dress allows for a variety of styles and colors. A backless, romantic silk, and bright dress will help illuminate you in the sunshine, allowing you to sparkle while staying cool. Having a textured dress with lace or layers will play well with the aesthetic and grain of the natural setting with the trees, greenery, and picturesque views.

Australian Forest | Kuitpo Forest, Australia

Having an enchanted forest wedding sounds like something right out of a movie, so you have to look the part. Woodland weddings call for softness and femininity as you prance around the woods with your Prince Charming. This is your chance to wear something unique, flirty, and fanciful. Billowing sleeves coupled with a graceful, long skirt could look enthralling in the winds of spring and fall time.

Sedona Desert | Sedona, Arizona

When it comes to a desert wedding, there are many things you’ll have to take into consideration. Fabric choice is a priority. It will be hot and dusty. Picking a dress with a breathable fabric for your day is essential. Stiff, thick fabrics can limit movement and become hot and stuffy, which can be uncomfortable to wear for hours. Slip dresses, lace, and light texture are perfect styles to keep in mind when choosing a wedding dress for your desert venue. Light beading and patterned beadwork will highlight those desert sands and make you twinkle in the moonlight.

Colorado Mountains | Aspen, Colorado

A mountainous location is perfect for the adventurous bride and groom. Allowing for an absolutely stunning backdrop and peaceful environment for your wedding. Choosing a more relaxed style of dress would compliment the windy weather and natural, rugged scenery. Small floral details and lace can help pull off this look making your dress really stand out amongst the greenery while giving you a dazzling look for your guests and pictures. Adding a puffy sleeve will also add to the whimsical feel of the outdoors.

New Orleans Jazz Hall | New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is just the right fit for the party girl bride! A nightlife style wedding is a celebratory and exciting one, making it difficult to choose the perfect eccentric, yet elegant dress. The lights, loud music, and fun taking place all around you definitely calls for sparkle. Throw the rules to the wind when it comes to a nightlife environment and don’t shy away from feathers, fringe, sparkle, and color. Picking a lively and comfortable dress that creates movement will show out. Unique details such as precision beadwork and crystals could make for some really fun and flashy pictures.

Shopping for your wedding dress is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you want to make special. With so many different styles, it can get overwhelming. Knowing what details to look for in a wedding dress can make your search much easier and help lift some weight off your already full plate of planning a wedding. Starting your search early is best. You need time for ordering the production of a couture gown in your measurements, shipping or production of special fabrics and materials and for any alterations that need to be made once it arrives. Most importantly, the bride’s confidence is what matters most with her happiness shining as bright as her smile on the most special day of her life.

About Tess Mann, Fashion Designer

Tess Mann is the fashion designer behind the Tess Mann Haute Couture and Couture by Tess labels in addition to owning a bridal boutique under the name, Couture by Tess Bridal. Tess has been in the bridal industry since 2013. Prior to her formal entry into the industry, she had been designing since she was a young teenager, however chose a different career path in order to serve her country for over twenty years as a federal officer. In September 2018, Tess became a United States Trademark Designer with her designs being protected by the United States Patent Office. After serving the Memphis, Tennessee area for a little over six years providing luxury bridal couture, Tess and her husband, Joe, opened Couture By Tess Bridal on 31 W. Broad Street in Cookeville, Tennessee in November of 2019. Tess is also the talk show host of Couture Chats with Tess on Youtube where she interviews fashion and event industry professionals.

Photos courtesy of Tess Mann, as taken from a recent fashion show hosted by Tess Mann.

Credits: Designs by Couture by Tess/Tess Man Haute Couture; Venue: Ozari; Models: Premiere Model Management; Videography: Forerunner; Photography: Barrett Dennison/El Osiris Films; Catering: G Catering; Rentals: Quest Events Nashville; DJ + Production: DJ Who; Custom Runway Music: HolyOrders with Tyler M. Terry; Swag Sponsor: Wellness Bliss Box; Event Planning: Meredith Events; PR: Meredith Corning