How to Dress Up For Your Destination Wedding? Do’s, Don’ts and In Betweens

Away from all the hustle and bustle, in an exotic location with all the people who matter; your wedding cannot get any better than this! Since it’s a wedding away from home, planning one can have its own complexities. Other than booking venues and vendors, destination weddings demand wedding attire that suits your location, while maintaining your style. It’s also an opportunity to improvise on your wedding look. Traditional wear aside, you now have room to experiment with your look. Going light and breezy if it’s a beach wedding to replicating the Mastani look from Bajirao Mastani if it’s a palace wedding or even considering an urban chic or a bohemian bride look if you’re getting married in the great outdoors of Lonavala, there’s plenty that can be done when it comes to getting married on location. We’ve put together some interesting tips on how you can suavely dress up for your destination wedding.

Get The Basics Right

Photo By: Photobooth 9

When planning a destination wedding, communication and coordination is the key. Sit down with your fiancée to discuss and plan your look for all pre and post wedding functions. Matchy matchy may not always be the thing to do although it’s become a huge trend these days, but you should look coordinated and in sync as a couple. It will certainly not make for a great picture if you come decked like a chandelier in a heavily embellished gown or lehenga and your groom shows up dressed for the beach.

Destination wedding have their own charm, be it the atmosphere or the local attire. What also needs to be taken into consideration is the weather. A heavy work couture or thickly layered outfit could make you feel very uneasy and sweaty, so opt for something light and breezy, yet stunningly gorgeous. As for the groom, suits in light colours and light fabrics are a perfect pick if you have planned for a beach wedding or an outdoor summer wedding. The opposite is true if it’s a winter wedding. Rich silks, velvets, bright colours, layers and heavy embellishments will make you shine and keep you warm if you chose to marry in the winter atop a hill resort.

What about the Casuals?

Photo By: Robin Saini

Destination weddings are similar to being on a mini vacation. Oftentimes, casual fun mixers, ice breaker activities, excursions, sightseeing trips and the like are planned for the wedding party to enjoy the destination and each other’s company. Since you won’t be trudging around in your formal wear all day, the casual wear or resort wear you carry also becomes an important part of your wedding wardrobe. Since you are the red carpet diva of your own wedding, all eyes will be on you and the best dressed, worst dressed verdict will be a subject of much discussion amongst the wedding party. You need to carefully pick your day wear and casual outfits based on your destination and season.

The brides could opt for cool and casual cocktail length or slip dresses in flowing and breezy fabrics, and match them with statement jewellery to add a touch of chicness. The groom needn’t scratch his head too hard when it comes to casuals; he could simply throw in some casual shirts and polo t-shirts, team them up with chinos or jeans for a classic look. Think Chifffons, Georgettes, Malmals, Tissue, Chanderi or organza in prints, florals and pastels with light embellishments for a summer outdoor wedding. Chudi sleeve anarkalis in rich tones and fabrics, bright colours, silks, Benarais, brocade and a little bling can be great for a winter resort wedding. Always remember to keep it comfortable. There ain’t no bigger style statement than a comfortable bride. Don’t forget that neutral shawl or a stole that compliments your outfits to keep you snug during the nippy evenings.

Appropriate Footwear

Photo By: The Creative Lens

If your wedding is at the beach or a grassy lawn, or perhaps in a palace or a fort, forget the stilettos, unless you want to sink in or fall down with fatigue. Not the recommended footwear for brides, stilettos are difficult to walk in when you’re already weighed down by the lehenga and the jewellery. Several surfaces also don’t particularly bode well with the stiletto like the ones mentioned above. Wedge heels or flats are most preferred and recommended since you need to be moving and dancing around in them for long hours. While the groom can stick to his pair, but generally speaking, ditch the thought of shelling out big bucks on any expensive shoes for your destination wedding and focus on the big C – Comfort! Don’t forget to pack those flip flops and even a pair of sneakers for long, early morning walks with your special someone. Ok, no early mornings! Late nights perhaps!

Pack It All Up The Right Way, But Don’t Forget

Photo By: Going Banana’s Photography

The sun!

Carry enough sun block with you. In the form of clothing, accessories or lotion, ensure you are protected from the sun, a little sun kissed tan will make you the glamourous sporty bride but you don’t want a sun burn to ruin the look of your stylish wedding couture. A stylishly cool umbrella could also do the job and look amazing in pictures. You can personalise these umbrellas with bride and grooms names, initials or the wedding date, and take em back home for memories.

Where packing is concerned, if you’re carrying clothes than can get easily wrinkled, consider rolling them rather than folding. This way you can even make enough space in your suitcase to accommodate more things. While most hotels provide iron and laundry facility, it’s always a safe option to enquire and confirm the availability of the facility to avoid any last minute hiccups on your special day.

Keep checking this space for more dope on destination weddings.

Happy reading, happy Shopping! (And, don’t forget the smart packing)