Your Wedding Suit Plus British Weather Equals Disaster

So, you’ve set the date, a spring wedding. A very pleasant time of year I’m sure you’ll agree: the evenings are lighter, the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming … and then the heavens open. Yes, spring is really lovely, but what we forget year after year is that it tips it down for weeks on end. In these situations, I always think it is sensible to hope for the best but plan for the worst.

Even though the majority of your wedding and celebrations will probably take place indoors, it is best to be prepared for any weather eventuality, as there will be times when you will be exposed to the spring elements. And, with the English weather being so unpredictable, this advice can easily be applied all year round.

There is nothing worse than being caught off guard in an unexpected shower, add precious and costly wedding attire into the mix, and this fast becomes a nightmare scenario. I suggest buying matching umbrellas for your wedding party, so you can stay dry and look smart into the bargain. When it comes to umbrellas, you can’t beat the timeless classic of the T. Fox and Co offering. Even if it does rain, your wedding photos will still look wonderful with you and your guests wielding one of these.

On the downside, although umbrellas protect your hair and most of your clothes from the rain, they leave your feet vulnerable. It is therefore sensible to make sure your shoes are prepared, and good wax polish is your ultimate weapon against water-related damage. As a tip, you’ll quickly discover that working cold polish into shoes is rather like trying to spread chilled butter onto bread – frustrating and ultimately unsuccessful. To overcome this issue, place your polish and shoes in a warm place, such as a sun filled room, before cleaning. You’ll have the added benefit that the polish penetrates the leather quicker and is easier to buff to a shine. Don’t forget to do the soles and the inner edge of the heel too. Although this may appear odd advice, as these parts of the shoes are out of sight, these areas can be prone to cracking if left unprotected.

If your footwear does get a soaking, it won’t hurt to apply a bit of TLC. Stuff wet shoes with newspaper, and never (no matter how tempted you are) place them directly against a source of heat, such as a radiator, because it will damage the leather. Once they are fully dry, apply some shoe wax as above and you will have sparkling footwear once more.

Shoes are, of course, just one component of your outfit and your thoughts will no doubt be turning to what to wear on the big day. If you are looking for something very special, you may opt for a bespoke suit. If this is the case, you could have it crafted from the latest high tech material. Holland & Sherry offer something called Nanoblock fabric, which is water and stain resistant, meaning that your suit should happily withstand a good British downpour, even if you have mislaid your T. Fox and Co umbrella. It also has the added benefit of being lightweight, so you won’t end up a sweaty mess if your wedding day turns out to be a scorcher.

If you don’t opt for the bespoke Nanoblock suit, but you still suffer a nasty soaking, be reassured that all is not lost. Hang the wet garment on a broad, well-shaped clothes hanger, ideally shaped like a pair of shoulders. You do not want your jacket drying out-of-shape so it no longer fits you. Put wet trousers on a hanger which clamps onto the bottom hem so they are kept in shape by their own weight. Lastly, dry the rain-soaked or damp suit thoroughly in a cool, well ventilated place. Don’t put it away, or return it to the hire shop, until you are sure it is completely dry.

Finally, if you do get caught up in the worst of the weather, at Hemingway we offer a full aftercare service. Your clothes and shoes could even be waiting for you after your honeymoon, clean and pristine like the nasty shower of rain you got caught in never happened, and safe in the knowledge that your day was a success, whatever the weather!

Related Posts:

• Toby Luper Sorts Your Style Questions
• A Suitopian Society
• Win Six Bespoke Wedding Suits With Moss
• Style Me Handsome
• Still Alive