Photos: 10 Gorgeous Gowns for Your Summer Garden-Party Wedding

A Secret Garden: Warm-weather celebrations call for fabrics that are light and easy, silhouettes that move and twirl, and details that are soft and sweet. Shot on location at the Camden Children’s Garden. 

When a shorter, more whimsical frock is exactly what your celebration calls for. Ellis of London tea-length layered tulle dress with lace overlay and shimmery embellishments, $924 at La Belle Mariée, Langhorne. Floriography floral slingbacks, $160 at BHLDN.com. Cashmere cardigan, $174 at Lord & Taylor, King of Prussia. Amano Studio orange flower earrings, $12 at Open House, Midtown Village. Brilliant-cut platinum diamond ring, $15,000 at J.M. Lichterman, Washington Square West.

When even the straps of the dress are gorgeous, you know you’ve found a winner. Florentine by Sareh Nouri, a guipure lace mermaid gown with sweetheart neckline, $5,000 at Elizabeth Johns, Ardmore. Alexis Bittar purple flower earrings, $228 at Open House, Midtown Village. Platinum three-stone oval diamond ring, $17,000 at J.M. Lichterman, Washington Square West. Kimberlin Brown Mexican matrix opal ring with pink sapphires and diamonds, $6,550 at Egan Day, Rittenhouse.

In a shape so perfectly simple, all they’ll see is you. Alberta by Anna Maier, a floral Italian lace fit-and-flare gown with fluted skirt, $5,000, and Haute Bride rose-gold crystal earrings, $288, both at the Wedding Pavilion at Van Cleve, Paoli. Hila blush five-strand beaded bracelet, $48 at Verde, Midtown Village. 14-karat white-gold diamond cluster band, $6,000 at J.M. Lichterman, Washington Square West.

It’s hard for a summer bride to resist a dress the color of the sea. Oceana by Monique Lhuillier, a tiered pistachio tulle strapless gown, $5,377 at the Wedding Shoppe, Wayne. Sorrelli dangle turquoise earrings, $44, and Alexis Bittar bangle, $198, both at Open House, Midtown Village.

Go for a skirt you can twirl in all night long. Lazaro floral-print silk organza ball gown with strapless sweetheart neckline, draped bodice with Chantilly lace and floral accent, asymmetrical draped skirt with horsehair detail and chapel train, $4,565 from Unveiled, Washington Square West. M. Saachi pale blue magnetic clasp bracelet, $24, Metal Monk Flower earrings, $28, and Pin & Tube green stretch bracelets, $10 each, all at Verde, Midtown Village.

Because sometimes it’s the pretty little details that let you know it’s the one. Le Spose di Gio silk chiffon gown with lily of the valley-topped capped sleeves, $5,360 at the Wedding Shoppe, Wayne. Metal Monk Flower earrings, $28 at Verde, Midtown Village.

We love a corset with enough floral detail to make it sweet— but with a silhouette that makes it sexy. Chantelle by Hayley Paige, an ivory tulle ball gown with strapless lace corset bodice, cascading tulle skirt with double horsehair edging and lace appliqué, $3,630 at Philly Bride, Old City. Sara Gabriel Vanessa tulle flower hair clip, $107 at the Wedding Pavilion at Van Cleve, Paoli. Hila blush five-strand beaded bracelet, $48 at Verde, Midtown Village.

Spring and sun call for breezy fabrics that’ll flow wherever you go. Claire La Faye Flowers for Zoe A-line chiffon dress with gathered skirt, pull-up drape detail and embroidered tulle bodice with floral detail, $2,600 at Lovely Bride, Old City. Sara Gabriel Freya hair ribbon with Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls, $257 at the Wedding Pavilion at Van Cleve, Paoli. Pin & Tube drop earrings, $24 at Verde, Midtown Village.

It’s a special dress that’s a showstopper no matter which way you look at it. Mila by Watters, a blush off-the-shoulder fit-and-flare gown with ballerina lace, illusion neckline and deep V-back, $3,140 at the Wedding Pavilion at Van Cleve, Paoli. MacKenzie & Zoe Hillary headband, $180 at Elizabeth Johns, Ardmore. 

Lazaro sherbet floral ball gown with Chantilly lace corseted bodice with beaded overlay, sweetheart neckline, ballerina straps and chapel train, $6,050 at Bridal Garden, Marlton. Haute Bride rose gold floral hair comb, $414 at the Wedding Pavilion at Van Cleve, Paoli. C. Sparkle diamond enclosed dangle earrings, $138 at Open House, Midtown Village. Kimberlin Brown Mexican matrix opal ring with pink sapphires and diamonds, $6,550 at Egan Day, Rittenhouse.

This article originally appeared in the spring/summer 2016 issue of Philadelphia Wedding.

Photography by Trevor Dixon. Styling by Wendy Oswald Kinney. Hair and makeup by Alayna Rakes. 

Read other goodies from our spring/summer 2016 issue here. 

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