Destination Weddings: Dressing the Part…

Open your favorite social media account, and you will see pictures of happy brides and grooms in exotic locales, with the setting sun in the background and a champagne flute in their hands… There are several reasons so many people are opting for destination weddings these days – probably the foremost being limiting the wedding party to close friends and family, who will spend the time and money to go to a foreign country to share in your happiness. Cost is another reason: wedding costs add up – from the venue, flowers, and food and drinks, to the rings, dress, and decor. Destination weddings let you take a vacation at the same time and let nature surprise you with the unique backgrounds!

When you’re planning a destination wedding, it’s important to pick the right wardrobe. In doing so, first consider the location you’ve chosen. More often, people lean toward warmer, tropical locations, like St. Thomas, Cabo, or anywhere with a beautiful background that doesn’t require packing heavy coats. That could mean gardens, beaches, or a sunny countryside. At these beautiful places, the best dresses are typically lighter and brighter colors. Due to the location’s warmth, embroideries and sequins tend to be lighter in weight, without sacrificing the intricacy and shine. You’ll see flowy drapes of all shapes across the body for a formal, yet airy look.

Next, you’ll want to think on the climate itself and the spot where you plan to marry. Will you be married in a gazebo or directly on the sandy shores? Decide on the length and style with this in mind. Tropical places tend to be more humid depending on the season, and while a sheer, light dress is gorgeous in the breeze, it may not do so well in the gusty wind. On the other hand, a silk gown might stick to you if the climate gets too hot or damp. If you’re walking down a sandy or grassy aisle, think twice about a long train and/or veil. If the train or veil is important to you (as it is to many brides), find a location with a stone floor or wooden boardwalk. You don’t want to look back and see that your train has gathered dirt and sand grains.

The time of day can determine the color of dress. For sunset or late afternoon weddings (which are more common), go toward the bright reds, white, ivory, or mango. At sunset, orange is not the best choice; the bride may blend in with her background, rather than the background accenting her. However, for midday weddings, try for ice pinks, pistachio greens, ivory (works for anything), or coral; these colors look much more vibrant in the broad sunlight.  

Now, for footwear and wedding hair. Footwear is very dependent upon style preference, formality of the occasion, and the aisle floor. Some brides don’t even wear shoes if the setting is casual enough, but one thing is for certain: if you’re walking on sand with no aisle tiles, count heels out. They’ll sink right into the sandy earth. Flats, wedges, or flat strappy sandals would be great options for this situation. Otherwise, a pair of strappy pumps go well with any destination wedding gown, as they combine formality with ease. As for hairstyle, I love the look of updos for destination weddings. Not only does it help the hair stay out of the bride’s face for photos and vows, but it allows her beauty to radiate like the tropical sun.

By the weay, no one likes packing–let alone for a wedding halfway across the world. It doesn’t have to be impossible, though. Dresses, like the ones at Silk Threads, are easy to transport and are made in a way that they rarely wrinkle. Look for these qualities in your dream destination wedding gown. Don’t worry about packing a second dress for the reception, either. Choose a dress that can be reformatted into a shorter dress that is less layered–something easy to dance in later.

Finally, don’t forget about the groom. Light linen suits in pastel colors are in vogue, with a heavier jacket or suit if there is an indoor reception. Silk Threads has designed for several grooms who chose destination weddings – from light jackets paired with linen pants, to formal ethnic sherwanis designed to be lightweight enough for the beach.

Less complicated doesn’t have to mean less beautiful – and you can keep yoru culture and traditions alive, even if you are not in a hotel ballroom….