Finding and Choosing Your Destination Bridal Gown

Destination weddings come with their own unique set of wedding planning challenges. From the guest list to accommodations to the reception, each little detail is planned from afar. An additional challenge for many brides is finding a destination wedding gown that not only suits their personal style, but also travels well and works with the setting of their wedding day.

Finding and Choosing a Destination Wedding Dress

For many brides, finding the perfect wedding dress is a priority that sits at the top of the list. While magazines and websites overflow with the latest in wedding dress fashion, there is a notable absence of bridal attire suitable for the destination bride. Before buying a wedding dress for a destination wedding, a bride may want to consider the following:

• Location and formality of the wedding - A lightweight, flowing wedding dress is perfect for the beach, but not for a dramatic cathedral.
• Services at the destination - Will the wedding dress require special care, such as dry cleaning, before the wedding? If so, will those services be available at the hotel or resort?
• Venue restrictions - Ask religious venues about any dress code, such as not showing bare shoulders or requiring a floor-length wedding gown.

By considering what style of wedding dress may be the most practical for the destination bride, wedding dress shopping is made easier. A bride can easily eliminate wedding gowns that do not suit their personal needs. In addition to looking at traditional wedding dresses, brides-to-be should also consider these options for their destination wedding:

• Informal wedding dresses, which usually do not have a train and are more simple in design
• Bridesmaid dresses and mother-of-the-bride dresses that are available in white, ivory, or champagne
• Formal or evening dresses available in major department stores
• Custom-made wedding gowns from a local seamstress or dressmaker

Destination Wedding Accessories

Beyond the wedding dress, bridal accessories should also be considered when choosing a destination wedding dress.

* Wedding Shoes - When choosing shoes for a destination wedding, it is important to consider environmental factors. Shoes with a high heel, for instance, will sink into sand, making them impossible to wear throughout a beach wedding ceremony.
* Bridal Veils - A long, cathedral-style wedding veil can add to the drama and emotion of a wedding in a historic cathedral or castle, but can blow about feverishly in the wind during a beach wedding. Veils should enhance the appearance of the wedding dress, not distract during the ceremony.

In addition to packing the wedding dress and accessories, it is also important to think about the overall care of the dress. A small sewing kit may come in handy for loose beads or buttons, while a portable steamer can help remove any wrinkles that developed during packing and traveling. Considering practicality, style, and reality before buying a destination wedding dress can help eliminate some of the stress that comes with planning a destination wedding. Annalise Kaylor