What should I wear to my destination wedding?

 Where should I shop for my destination dress?

 How can I transport my dress?

 I answer these questions everyday.  I'm an expert in the field of destination dressing.  I have logged 30 years in a bridal salon dressing  brides.  The last 10 years, I've dressed hundreds of destination brides.  I've spoken to a lot of brides after their destination wedding.  They've all said...dress comfortably!

The rule of thumb is:  Let the setting of the wedding dictate your attire.  Here a compliation of suggestions on the bride should wear to her destination wedding based on many real live destination brides.  So, here's my tips on shopping, choosing and transporting your destination wedding dress,  whether it be on the beach, on a cruise, in Las Vegas or in the Caribbean!

The beach wedding   

A beach wedding is usually in a warm, tropical location and you want to be cool and comfortable and able to navigate on the sand or onto the platform where the wedding is being held.

If you are getting married on a beach, you need light, airy and little to no train because you don't want to drag it across the sand. Make sure the dress is not see through in the sunlight so you don't have to wear an additional slip under the dress.  A good quality dress will have a good quality opaque lining so you won't have to wear a slip which will make the dress warmer.  Since most slips are some form of nylon, it will make you really warm. 

Chiffon is one of the best fabrics because it will billow in the ocean breeze, is lightweight and comfortable.  Polyester chiffon of silk chiffon are both great fabrics.  The majority of brides will pick chiffon over other fabrics for a beach wedding.

Organza is also lightweight but not as billowy. Organza has more body than chiffon.

Georgette or lightweight crepe flows nicely and is easy to transport.

If you choose a satin dress, choose a lightweight satin that won't wrinkle when you wear it.   Crunch the fabric up in your hand.  If it springs back to shape with little wrinkling, its a winner.  Polyester satin will wrinkle a lot less than silk satin. 

Avoid  a too heavy satin and heavy silk because they will be too warm and cumbersome.  Plus, if you get spray from the ocean on your dress, the spray will stain the fabric.  You'll get a water ring that may not come out.   

Lace is the hottest trend in destination gowns.  Lace is feminine and flirty and looks amazing on the beach.  

You don't need to wear a full length dress on the beach, tea length dresses are perfect for the beach!  Tea length is mid calf, but you can also go to a knee length dress for the beach.

The real life bride doesn't usually wear a swim suit to her wedding, that's left to the celebrities.  But if you do decide that's what you want to wear, make sure its tasteful.  Years from now, you may cringe at the photos.  But, getting married in a swimsuit gives a totally new twist to ....taking the plunge! 

DO NOT FORGET to pack your sunscreen!! 

The Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexico

Use the same guidelines as the beach. 

If you are getting married in a more formal setting at an all inclusive resort where you are married at a wedding podium or gazebo outside, you can wear pretty much any style of wedding dress from simple to elaborate. 

The groom can wear dressy beach attire...no shorts, please if you are dressing in a dress.  Think light weight linen pants and shirt or a linen suit.  

If you are at an all inclusive resort, he can wear a tux, your gown can be as formal as you choose. 

DO NOT FORGET to pack your sunscreen!!

Cruise Ship

A wedding on a cruise ship can be indoors in the ship chapel, in one of their lounges or special rooms or on the deck.  I've dressed brides in formal wedding dresses to informal dresses, with trains and without trains.  Weddings ON the cruise ship is are done while the ship is in port and usually before the ship sails. 

Some weddings take place in the island when the ship docks.  They usually wear wedding attire, if it takes place on a beach, the groom doesn't wear a tux.

DO NOT FORGET to pack your sunscreen!!

Mountain Resort

The formality of the ceremony will determine what you should wear. 

If you are marrying outside, you will dress less formally than you would if you marry inside a resort. Don't wear a long train if you have to walk a distance.

If you are marrying outside, its not necessary for the groom to wear a tux, a nice suit will work. 

Shopping for your destination wedding dress!

There are bridal salons that specialize in destination dresses.  Make sure you tell your bridal consultant  the details of your wedding so they point you in the direction of destination dresses.   AVOID full crinolines in the skirt.  It will be hard to transport and uncomfortable if you are in a tropical climate.

Did you know you can buy a bridesmaid dress in white or ivory?  If you want a simpler dress with a minimal amount of beading, you must check out the bridesmaid styles.  They are less expensive, come from the same manufacturers as the wedding dresses and may be more appropriate to the occasion.  You can even find maids dresses with small trains .  You can also buy "separates"  in tops and skirts.  You'll be able to pair so many different looks to design your perfect look.

Have you tried Ebay?  Ebay is a treasure trove of dresses.  You 'll have to fight your way through a lot of cheap import knock off dresses, but there are a lot of bona fide dress bargains on Ebay.  Check out the sellers feedback.  Its there for a reason.  Amazing deals on wedding dresses on Ebay, Click Here!

And buy a name brand dress, not a knock off.  For more information, please check out this guide to avoid being ripped off :eBay Guides - Buyer Beware, Ebay Wedding Dresses, Buy Smart

Also check out  Budgetweddingdress.com  for great deals on your wedding dress.

Transporting your destination wedding dress!

When shopping for your dress, in addition to finding a style that makes you look fabulous and is PERFECT for the location....you have to find a dress that will travel well. 

If you are flying, take the dress in your carry on.  Don't put in in your checked suitcase, the airline can lose you luggage and you won't have your dress!  Call the airline first and tell them you are transporting a wedding dress and you intend to carry it on.  Some planes have hanging closets where they'll allow you to hang it in a garment bag.  Not all airlines allow this, so call and ask if you can put it in the first class cabin closet.  Or you can fold your dress in your carry on and keep it with you.  For directions on how to fold and pack your wedding dress, click here.

Resorts that specialize in destination weddings will steam your dress once you arrive.  Find out from your wedding consultant or make arrangements to have your dress steamed when you arrive at your destination.  A lot of major hotels and resorts will provide the service for you if you request it in advance.  If they don't provide the service on the grounds, ask for a referral and make arrangements in advance to have your dress steamed after you arrive. 

If you have to fold your dress, take white tissue paper and lay the dress on the tissue paper and fold the paper and the dress in thirds vertically.  Then lay the dress inside a plastic dry cleaner bag.  Lay the bag flat with the dress folded in thirds vertically, then fold up the dress and bag together horizontally until it fits into your carry on.  The bag and the tissue paper will help keep out a lot of wrinkles.  I've had to transport gowns for family members using this technique and there was very little wrinkling. My own gown didn't even need ironing or steaming!

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