Are you planning a beachfront wedding ceremony? Or maybe a mountaintop celebration? If you’re planning to head out-of-town for your big day, a traditional wedding dress likely won’t fit your venue. Glorious as they are, many standard-issue gowns are simply too cumbersome to withstand the harsh elements of sand or snow. Paired with the fact that it’ll likely have to travel for miles yet come out looking picture-perfect on the other side, finding the right gown is no easy feat! For this very reason, many dress designers have created unique destination lines. In general, destination dresses tend to be more streamlined and affordable than their classic counterparts. That being said, don’t think you have to sacrifice style just because you’re having a destination wedding. In fact, Vivian Diamond, designer of the Sandals Destination Wedding Dresses collection, encourages brides to choose what they like. “You should choose a dress that makes a statement because you’re the star, whether you have 10 people or 500 people at your ceremony,” says Vivian. To truly shine on your big day, keep these important factors in mind when shopping for your destination dress.
Location
First and foremost, you must consider where your ceremony is taking place. The style of dress you choose should be compatible with the location and overall theme of your celebration. For instance, tying the knot in Jamaica will require a different type of dress than a fairy-tale ceremony at an Italian villa. And don’t forget about the climate when making your decision. Is it hot and humid, or cold and windy? The type of weather you should expect on location will also influence your choice. After all, you don’t want to be sweating in brocade or shivering in chiffon!
Fabric
Speaking of fabric, this is another important element of destination dresses. Heavy satins are generally a no-go, as they don’t travel well and can be far too hot for a tropical wedding. Instead, Vivian recommends shopping for lightweight fabrics with stretch, such as charmeuse or lace. When designing her collection, Vivian says she thought of comfort first and foremost. To that end, she insisted upon soft stretch linings for all her dresses. In fact, they are actually double-lined to prevent revealing too much when the sun shines! Besides being more comfortable against the skin, lighter fabrics tend to travel better (and take up less room in the suitcase). Minimal embellishment (a.k.a. less beading and embroidery) also helps cut down on unnecessary bulk.
Style
The ideal destination dress tends to have a refined, sleek silhouette. Now is not the time to bust out the princess gown with full crinoline underskirt; nor is a chapel-length train the best idea—you don’t want to take half the beach with you! However, with some minor adjustments, you can still get the look you want. Try an a-line skirt or sweep train instead. Plus, due to the informal nature of destination weddings, don’t be afraid to experiment with different lengths and hemlines. A cocktail-length gown is extremely chic and appropriate for a variety of celebrations. Handkerchief hems and high-low skirts (shorter in front, longer in the back) are also extremely popular for destination weddings.
Transportation
Once you’ve chosen the dress of your dreams, the most crucial concern is how to get it to your location in one piece. If you’re flying to your destination, first decide whether to ship your dress ahead of you, or carry it on. Sending the dress beforehand saves you the trouble of dragging it on to the plane. However, ensure there’s a trusted person at the other end to receive the dress and store it appropriately. Carrying your dress with you will give you peace of mind; and you can unpack it yourself straightaway upon arrival. Make sure you check with your airline ahead of time, though, because some may require you to include the dress with your checked luggage. Contrarily, they may be able to accommodate you by hanging your dress in the cabin. Whatever method of transport you select, be certain to hang the dress as soon as possible. Are you worried about wrinkles? Either arrange for professional services, or pack a portable steamer, or improvise—hanging the dress in the washroom while you enjoy a hot shower may just do the trick!
Comment on "Change of a Dress"
Neither the author nor Wedding Bells necessarily agree with the comments posted below. Read our full policy
You must have a Weddingbells.ca account to article comments. If you do not have an account you can register now.
Post a comment