There’s something inherently British about getting married in the summertime. It’s not that we Brits don’t appreciate warm weather. We live in a country where three dry days is deemed a drought emergency, after all.
It’s just that every summer, we always seem collectively delude ourselves into thinking that June, July, and August might possibly, just maybe this time, be filled with sunshine and dry fields. We book marquees in meadows, venues with picturesque lawns for champagne picnics, and photos underneath ancient oaks, fingers crossed and hoping that the hourly forecast updates from our phones will stay at 100% chance of sunshine. Mine is admittedly not the best track record when it comes to British summer weddings.
There was the one in July held in the Cotswolds. Wind so strong, it blew the poor bride’s veil sideways so much she looked like a weird superhero.
Then there was the August wedding in Yorkshire where the entire marquee began to sink into the increasingly muddy ground.
And let’s not forget my cousin’s “midsummer wedding” in Wales. You know it was bad when Pachelbel’s Canon had to be cut short mid-play because the string quartet had to take cover from the deluge. I mention all this not to disparage the lovely people in my life who insisted on getting married during the height of buzzing Brit barbecue season.
Most of these weddings were wonderful (minus the weather) and perfectly memorable for all the right reasons. It’s simply because every time I get invited to a summer wedding, I swear I learn the same lesson over and over again: Summer weddings in the UK require special preparation. We always show up inappropriately dressed and hope for the best.
Guys rock up in linen suits that will instantly crease and shirt fabrics so lightweight, they become translucent when damp. Women seem determined to wear shoes that will eventually turn into mush should they get wet and carry giant umbrellas better suited for a Hieronymus Bosch painting than a summer garden fête. I vowed that after sogging through yet another wedding dolled up like I was going clubbing at Libya-on-Sea I would never attend a summer wedding uninsured.
Here in the UK, common sense dictates that while you should always hope for the best, you should also prepare for the worst. If you’re getting married here between May and September, you should do the same with your outfit. Accepting that fact you’re probably going to get wet or muddy at some point is step one.
Outfitting yourself appropriately is step two. Let’s begin. The key to pulling off a summer wedding without sacrificing dignity should rain occur is ensuring you actually look like you belong at a wedding while doing it.
That might sound stupidly obvious, but when you’re running around online catching up with old college friends through their Facebook’s Wedding Events tab it’s easy to lose sight of what constitutes seasonally appropriate attire when every man and his mother is wearing matchy-prints. Ditch anything that’s obviously swimwear or safari gear, but think lighter weights and breathable fabrics. Stay away from bright whites and pale fabrics that will show water marks like a crime scene.
Juniors and lightweight worsteds will be your new best friends when it comes to summer wedding weatherproofing. Not only do they tend to feel much lighter than your standard winter-weight wool suiting, but these high-twist yarns also provide better water resistance and recovery than their coarser, winter counterparts. Even if you get caught in a downpour, you’ll still look sharper than 90% of the guests.
Once you’ve narrowed down your fabric choices, go with darker colours. A dark blue or charcoal grey will conceal any water marks should you get caught out and about. Personally, I love wearing my Anglo-Italian fresco suit for summer weddings as it seems to come through whatever inclement weather God throws at us these days smelling only of whiskies and rebellion.
If you want to stick with summer linens and cottons, consider just wearing them on top instead of full-on. A linen or cotton jacket over tropical wool trousers will give you all the summer vibes without leaving you completely exposed. When the rain does come, just remove your jacket jacket (note how I said remove, not “remove and attempt to not soil”) and stuff it (inside out, always inside out) into your arm until you find shelter.
Same goes for shirts. Stick with a breathable cotton or linen top, but go with longer sleeves and a sturdy knit tie to avoid brimming rain collecting off of your collar. Footwear is where many summer weddings outfits autumn apart, literally.
Save the suede shoes for winter and go with something leather instead. Calves in a mid-to-dark shade with a leather sole (preferably Dainite rubber if you’re expecting Storm Christoph levels of rainfall) will hold up significantly better should you get caught out. Opt for something with subtle broguing or texture to hide rain spots, rather than glossy smooth leather.
Tan or dark brown leather loafers or half- brogues are my personal go-to’s for summer weddings. Just make sure you treat them with a high-quality waterproofer a day or two before the big day. Don’t cheap out and get one of those spray ons either.
Go cream, work it into the leather several hours before you wear them, and let it fully absorb. Should the forecast look particularly ominous, go with leather Chelsea boots and slightly longer trouser hem. They’ll keep your feet and legs drier than standard oxfords and keep you looking sharp.
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No one’s scrutinizing your ankles during the best man’s speech. Ok, so you’ve got your suit, trousers, and shoes figured out. Now what?
Well that all depends on the actual weather we’re expecting come wedding day. If it’s gonna rain, you’ll need to layer. If it isn’t, you might not.
Luckily, a traditional three-piece suit actually offers some fantastic layering options. Wear your waistcoat for chill outdoor periods, ditch your jacket when it warms up, and sport both come ceremony time for maximum ooohs and aaahs. Just make sure your waistcoat is made from a similarly breathable wool as your suit.
You want to stay warm, but you don’t want to feel like you’re wearing a parka. If you prefer a more casual suit option for summer weddings, go with a lightweight blazer and odd trousers combination. Think navy hopsack blazer, grey tropical wool trousers.
Just keep your jacket cut slightly longer than you’d typically wear it. It gives you some extra coverage should the rain hit your trousers and will hide any unsightly dampness should you be forced to take a seat on a rain-dampened chair. Now for the great British summer wedding controversy: Raincoats.
Hear me out before you write me off as a proponent of the sweaty golf-style monstrosities you see hapless British tourists fleeing beach cafes with. When I say raincoat, I mean packable. Lightweight, easily packable raincoats.
Norwegian Rain makes some of the best on the market, but there are lighter options from Mackintosh and unbelievably well priced packs from Uniqlo that work just as well. Pick something minimal in cut and colour that won’t draw attention to itself when you’re not using it and can be whipped out at a moment’s notice when needed. Tuck it into an inside jacket pocket or keep it in a slim tote at the ready.
The British summer wedding veteran carries an umbrella at all times. A good one. No pool umbrellas that require two hands to manage through crowds and will likely snap under the pressure of an actual British summer downpour.
Find yourself a classic stick option in a muted colour with a wooden handle. London Undercover and James Smith & Sons both make beautiful ones that double as gentlemanly accessories when not in use. Pro-tip: you can surreptitiously hide behind said umbrella during bouts of small talk with the uncle no one ever asked for discussing when you’re going to “knuckle down and settle.” I also like to keep a lightweight cashmere scarf on me for summer weddings.
Not only does it look great hanging out of your blazer lapel, but it can also protect your shirt collar from running rain and provides an extra layer should temperatures drop as they inevitably will around dinner time. Just stick with darker shades and something thinner so as not to look too bulky or like you’ve lost your winter coat. Hats are a bit iffy with modern weddings.
A proper felt hat is too formal and old-timey for most ceremonies these days, but being shirtless or wearing a running cap isn’t an option either. If you must cover your head, go with a classic Panama. They provide excellent rain resistance without looking like you’re headed golfing at St Andrews.
Remember: Panamas don’t actually ever repel water, they simply resist it. Wear one with caution. Lastly, always be prepared with an emergency kit just in case.
Tuck away a small plastic bag in your jacket with these essentials: Depending on how optimistic the forecast looks, you might also want to consider… Sticking with these fool-proof guidelines, you’ll be Weds-ing through summer like a pro in no time.
Though your insurance policy will vary based on predicted rainfall and venue location, I field-tested my approach at my dear friend Rob’s wedding last summer and it worked wonders.
Despite inclement forecast odds, we were blessed with near-perfect weather all day. That is until the bride and groom’s outdoor photo session. Minutes after they said “cheese,” the clouds burst open and unleashed everythingusive with business as usual as guests sprinted for cover.
But not me. I whipped out my secret weaponry (as calmly as one can manage when their front door is suddenly being blasted by the equivalent of a fire hose) staying perfectly dry and offering makeshift shelter to a grateful bridesmaid. Sure, I got a bit damp when helping to lift the marquee back onto its sinking platform during the reception, but my gear kept everything else rain-ready and manageable.
Did I mention this before? I’m a bit biased when it comes to weddings. I like being dry.
But if there’s one thing worse than having your summer wedding outfit ruined by a British Summer downpour, it’s watching adorable new couples drag themselves through photo albums of guests looking like drowned rats ten years down the line. Stay dry out there!
