Months of planning, the dress fits perfectly, the shoes are a dream. And then, somewhere between the ceremony, the champagne reception and the first dance, it starts to burn: on your thighs under the dress, along the edge of the corset or on your heel in your new shoes. Chafing is one of the most common little wedding-day problems that hardly anyone talks about. The good news: it can almost always be prevented. Here you will find out where chafing happens on your big day, when to protect your skin and what belongs in your emergency kit.
In short
On your wedding day, chafing mainly happens in four places: thighs, the corset edge under your arms, your back and your feet. Apply an anti-chafing stick to all of these areas while getting ready, test your dress and shoes beforehand in a dress rehearsal and give your maid of honour a stick to reapply before the party.
Why chafing happens on your wedding day of all days
A wedding day is a marathon for your skin. Many brides are on their feet for 12 hours or longer. On top of that come things you rarely have all at once:
- A dress you only wear once: corsets, lace, sequins and seams sit close to the skin. When walking, hugging and dancing, they rub against the same spots for hours.
- New shoes: wedding shoes are often kept for the day and hardly broken in.
- Warmth and excitement: summer heat, lots of people and nerves make you sweat more. Damp skin rubs much more than dry skin.
- Hardly any breaks: between photos, congratulations and the dance floor there is no time to change or sit down.
Under a long wedding dress there is one more thing: your thighs touch with every step, and heat builds up under several layers of fabric. By the way, this does not only affect brides with fuller thighs. Most women's legs touch when they walk.
The 4 chafing zones for brides and how to protect them
1. Thighs under the wedding dress
The classic. Under a floor-length dress nobody can see what you are wearing underneath, but cycling shorts quickly get hot under several layers of tulle, and thigh bands can slip while dancing. The most comfortable option is an anti-chafing stick: it puts an invisible protective film on your inner thighs so the skin glides past instead of rubbing. You can read more about the different solutions in our guide Sore thighs in summer.
2. Corset and underarms
Strapless dresses and corsets fit tightly so they stay in place. Exactly where the edge ends under your arms, the fabric rubs with every arm movement, when hugging guests and when dancing. Apply the stick along the edge where the dress sits on your skin.
3. Back and neckline
Lace, beads and lacing on the back look beautiful, but they can scratch. In your dress, though, you can hardly reach your own back. That is the perfect job for your maid of honour or bridesmaid while you get dressed.
4. Feet and wedding shoes
New shoes, hours of standing and dancing: heels, toes and straps are typical blister spots. Before putting on your shoes, apply the stick to the places where they press or rub, for example on the heel and under the strap. Most important of all, though: break your shoes in beforehand.
“I used the Summersaver stick at my wedding and was so glad to have it with me! Especially under my wedding dress on that warm day, it was my little helper against chafing. It also really helped when the sequins on the side of my dress rubbed against my skin. That meant I could keep celebrating and enjoy the day.”
Juana, bride
For your big day
SUMMERSAVER Woman
- Invisible protective film for thighs, corset edge and feet
- No oily film, no white marks
- With coconut and almond oil, delicate peach scent
- Small enough for your bridal clutch
Your timeline: when to protect your skin on your wedding day
- At your final fitting: notice where the dress presses or rubs when you walk, lift your arms and turn. Those are your spots for the big day. Try the stick on an inconspicuous inside area of the dress at the same time.
- In the weeks before: break in your wedding shoes at home, 20 minutes at first, then longer. That way you find out in good time where they pinch.
- While getting ready: apply the stick to clean, dry skin before putting on the dress: thighs, feet and the places where the corset edge will sit. Let it absorb briefly before you step into the dress.
- Before the ceremony: your maid of honour checks your back and reapplies if needed.
- Before the party: reapply once between dinner and the first dance. That is when most of the dancing and sweating happens.
Checklist: what belongs in the bride's emergency kit
A small emergency kit in your maid of honour's bag saves many a moment. These things have proven themselves:
- an anti-chafing stick for reapplying
- blister plasters in different sizes
- safety pins, a small sewing kit and double-sided tape
- tissues and powder for shiny spots
- hairpins and a small comb
- a painkiller, glucose tablets or a cereal bar and a small bottle of water
- deodorant, lipstick and refreshing wipes
- comfortable ballet flats or flat shoes for the party
To keep everything together, the essentials fit into the SUMMERSAVER Beauty Bag.
Tips for wedding guests
Guests are also on the go for a long time on a wedding day, often in summer, in a dress and in shoes they rarely wear. A few tips:
- In a dress or jumpsuit: apply the stick to your inner thighs in the morning. Under a summer dress, that is more comfortable than cycling shorts.
- In a suit: men chafe too at long celebrations with lots of dancing. For them, SUMMERSAVER Sport with its fresh mint-bergamot scent is the right choice.
- For the restroom basket: many couples put a basket of little essentials for their guests in the restroom. A stick is exactly right there. With the SUMMERSAVER Woman set of 3 you have one for yourself, one for your maid of honour and one for the basket.
A little gift idea for your bridesmaids
Looking for a thank-you for your bridesmaids? A Beauty Bag with a SUMMERSAVER for the day itself and a Rose-Love bracelet as a keepsake make a lovely, practical gift that already comes in handy while getting ready.
Frequently asked questions
Does SUMMERSAVER leave stains on the wedding dress?
The stick absorbs without leaving an oily film or white marks. Still, apply it before getting dressed, let it absorb briefly and test it at your fitting on an inconspicuous inside area of the dress. Especially with silk and very light, delicate fabrics, you are on the safe side this way.
How long does the protection last on the wedding day?
That depends on how warm it is and how much you dance. On a long wedding day, we recommend reapplying once before the party. Give the stick to your maid of honour for that.
What is better under a wedding dress: stick, cycling shorts or thigh bands?
Under long wedding dresses everything works, but cycling shorts quickly get warm under several layers of fabric, and bands can slip while dancing. A stick adds no bulk and can be reapplied. Many brides also combine them: a stick and thin, seamless shorts. You will find a detailed comparison in our guide Sore thighs in summer.
Does the stick also help against blisters in wedding shoes?
It reduces friction where the shoe rubs and so helps prevent blisters. If a blister has already formed, cover it with a blister plaster. Do not apply the stick to open areas.
And if it has already happened?
If the skin is red but not broken, you can apply the stick so that it does not rub any further. You can read what else you can do in our guide Chafed thighs: what to do?
Read more
- Sore thighs in summer: causes, tips & quick help
- Chafed thighs: what to do? First aid & care
- No more chafed thighs: how to protect yourself on your summer holiday
Photos: jamomente.photography
