Don’t be rushed in choosing your gown: Grab your maid of honor, your sister, or your mother and start shopping. Look for a destination wedding dress in bridal shops and online retailers, such as BeachComberBride.com and eDressMe.com. Resorts such as Sandals Resorts also offer a full line of dresses for the bride, bridesmaids, and the flower girl with all of the accessories. Some of the designers who specialize in destination wedding gowns include Jessica McClintock, Rina di Montella, Mon Cheri, The Dressy Gup, Alfred Angelo, and Sophia Tolli.
While shopping try on lots of dresses and take the time to make a decision. Ensure that the dress you choose makes you feel spectacular and beautiful. If not, leave it for someone else! You have dreamed about your wedding dress since you were a little girl. Be sure to choose one which lives up to your dreams and is best for you. You want the dress you choose to have the “wow” factor!
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| It’s essential that you carefully consider where you are getting married before choosing your dress. It should suit both you and your wedding location. |
Pick the location first. Your dress should blend harmoniously with the location. Destination wedding gowns can range from a very traditional full length wedding dress to a casual sarong. Destination wedding attire tends to be more casual and generally is much less formal and fussy than what you would wear to a traditional church wedding. A ballroom gown would not work on the beach, and wearing flip-flops would strike a wrong note if you get married in a castle. The setting, whether it is on the beach or in a beautiful garden, is lovely enough that you don’t have to detract from it by wearing heavy fabrics or lots of jewelry. If you are getting married on the beach, remember that the ocean breezes can cause a long cathedral veil to become unruly, and a long train will drag in the sand.
Destination wedding dresses are usually made of simple construction with basic lines, avoiding the lace, satin, and pearl creations of the top wedding designers. Stick with informal destination wedding gown styles that feel tropical or beachy, such as a lightweight, flowing dress, slip-dresses, mermaid shapes, or even layers of wild ruffles. Wedding gowns include spaghetti straps, capped sleeves, or a romantic and sexy off-the-shoulder look. If you are the traditional type of bride, you might want to wear a sleeveless gown with the floor-length skirt – just remember the hem is going to get dirty. Also remember that a dress right to the ground will not allow the air to flow under it which could make the dress very hot in a humid climate!
Choosing fabrics for a destination beach wedding dress. When choosing a beach wedding dress, opt for something that is lightweight and that flows with the island breezes. Those of us who live in cold-weather climates tend to forget in January or February how hot and humid the Caribbean and Mexican climates can be. As a bride, you want to select a fabric so that you will be comfortable in your destination climate. If you are going to a steamy, tropical paradise, choose lightweight materials like airy silks that breathe, chiffon, organza, charmeuse, or crepe, and avoid heavy fabrics such as satin and brocade. Choose a dress that is cool and comfortable with fabrics that are light and wrinkle-resistant so that it is easy to pack for travelling. Try to find a fabric that is washable so there is no worry about sand and water affecting the look of the dress.
Fabrics to avoid in a destination wedding dress would be anything that stains easily or tends to be too heavy. Fabrics that wrinkle or pucker are also poor choices if it’s humid, as is heavy beading, which weighs a dress down. While a crinoline is pretty, it probably won’t travel well, nor feel good on your skin while standing in the warm Caribbean sun.
Cotton is cool and lightweight but is not generally used in traditional wedding dresses. However, it is used for embroidered, Mexican wedding dresses and tropical print sarongs and pareos.
If you want to do a “trash the dress” photo shoot, pick a dress that is light and flowy.
Will it travel? Before you buy your wedding gown, consider how you will get it to your destination and how well the fabric will bear up under travel. The longer the train, the more difficult it will be for transporting the dress. Carry your dress with you on the plane rather than checking it in your luggage. I suggest using a lightweight carry on bag that will hang in the first class garment bin. If this is not an option, place it close to you in the overhead carrier bin.
Be sure to check with the airline ahead of time to inform them that you will be carrying on your wedding attire. This notice is especially important if your dress is oversize. There may be an extra fee but you will be expecting it. Once you are on board the plane, ask the flight attendant to place your outfits in the closet in the first –class section. Some airlines will insist that you put your dress in your luggage. Some fabrics such as linen, satin, and organza wrinkle severely when packed. Call the hotel ahead of time and ask if they can press your gown on the morning of the wedding. Most hotels offer this service
In addition to packing the dress and accessories, it is also important to carry a small sewing kit for loose beads and buttons. A portable steamer can help remove wrinkles that developed during packing and traveling.
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| Make sure you choose a dress that flatters your body. Many would say this dress is more suitable to an evening cocktail reception, but on this bride it is positively stunning and totally works! – Photo courtesy of Arnaud Brichet. |
Like the traditional wedding dresses, the most popular colours for destination weddings are light colours such as white, or off-white. For the bride who prefers colour, champagne, rose, or light slate gray are all nice, non-traditional choices suitable for a destination wedding.
Popular destination wedding dress designs include long, halter style dresses, the classic strapless gown, and those with low, cut-out backs. Make sure that the style you choose, whether it is a sheath, A-line, or an empire waist, plays up your assets and makes you feel gorgeous. The dress should be soft and fluid, not clingy, as well as lightweight, and easy to pack. You are best with a dress made of fabric that fits and moves with your body. If you do select a strapless dress, buy yourself a strapless bathing suit to avoid tan lines.
What about footwear? When choosing your wedding footwear, there are a number of ideas for beautiful but suitable footwear to wear with your island wedding dress. The traditional satin, three inch pumps sink in the sand, making them impossible to wear throughout the beach ceremony. Lose the pantyhose. You could opt to go barefoot for your beach wedding but be sure to have a pedicure the day before the wedding. You could also choose simple, flat, one-strapped sandals, or dyed to match your dress flip-flops embellished with jewels or flower designs.
Comfort is the number one consideration when choosing your destination wedding dress. You want to look beautiful and appear “cool” as opposed to being red-faced from the heat on your wedding day! Considering practicality, style and reality before buying your destination wedding dress can help you succeed in having an enjoyable day and creating the wedding of your dreams!
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Cathy MacRae is a certified wedding and event planner, and owner of Creative Weddings and Occasions and Del Sol Destination Weddings. Located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she plans wedding for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area. She is also a destination wedding and honeymoon travel specialist helping couples plan their weddings in paradise all around the world. For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at info@delsoldestinationweddings.com.