How to Avoid Smelling Like Banana Boat on Your Big Day
Florida Weddings

Getting married on a Florida beach is one of the most romantic ways that a couple could exchange vows. But there’s nothing romantic about a sunburn and there’s very little that’s romantic about two people saying their, “I Do’s” when they smell of Banana Boat (or to be fair, any other kind of sunscreen.) The trick is to find a way to protect yourself while remaining subtle. A lot of this just has to do with finding other ways to protect yourself besides bathing in sunscreen before the ceremony.

While you shouldn’t bathe in it, you absolutely should wear some type of sunscreen. There are many brands available that come in an unscented and non-greasy variety. A light layer of this should be applied so you don’t spend your entire honeymoon in pain. Make sure that you apply it to any area of skin that is going to be exposed to the sun’s rays, such as your face, your shoulders, and your legs if you’re going to be wearing a short skirt or dress, and your arms if you’re going to be wearing short sleeves or a sleeveless dress.

Besides finding a sunscreen that doesn’t have an offensive odour, you can also look for moisturizer that contains an SPF. Moisturizer should be an absolute must anyway if you’re going to be spending a good deal of time in the sun, as it helps keep your skin from drying out. There are many moisturizers available that contain an SPF and not only will the moisturizer not have an unpleasant smell but you may also be able to find one that has a very nice smell. Something such as a mango, orange, or other tropical scent would be a nice touch for your beach wedding.

After you have decided on the type of SPF you will be wearing, you should also work on covering up your skin to add protection from the sun’s rays. The more you cover up, the less sunscreen you will need and this will reduce the chance of any smells becoming offensive. Of course, you don’t want to have to cover up too much, as you are getting married on a beach and want to avoid getting too hot. But there are a few ways to cover up without overheating yourself.

The first way is to pick the right dress to wear. Although you may not want a very long dress draping through the sand, an ankle-length dress can be very nice and will look great in wedding pictures against the waves and the sand. It will probably get some sand on it but chances are, you’re going to get the dress cleaned after the honeymoon anyway. Also ask yourself if you really do want to go sleeveless. It’s possible to find a dress that has a shorter sleeve so at least you’re shoulders will be protected from the sun. If you have a wide neck on your dress or you really want to go sleeveless, consider wearing a light cloth draped over the shoulders to add some more protection. Along with covering up, you can also wear a wide-brimmed hat. There are many fine selections that can be found and it can really add a touch of elegance to your entire wedding ensemble.

Lastly, consider carrying a white parasol. This can be a very charming look and will give you ample protection as it will cover a good portion of your exposed skin. It’s essentially important to remember that even by using a parasol or covering up any other way, there is no substitute for sunscreen. It’s an absolute must for a beach wedding and although you can get away with coverings that compliment a light layer, you simply cannot forego it altogether.