How to Find the Perfect Destination Wedding Dress

There is something so romantic about a destination wedding. You can just picture it can’t you, getting married at sunset as waves quietly crash behind you, the sun gently kissing your skin, the warm sand between your toes and the refreshing sea breeze as it lightly blows through your hair. It’s perfect.

While jetting off with your groom to an exotic or tropical location can make for a more memorable occasion, the combination of sand, sea, tropical heat and wind can certainly make finding the perfect wedding dress a little more challenging.

Though to make your dress hunting a little easier here are 5 tips to help you find the perfect destination wedding dress that will be both comfortable and stunning.

1. Determine what dress shape you want

There are so many different dress shapes to choose from for your destination wedding, though it’s important not to neglect comfort for style. It can be easy to forget that you will spend around 10 hours in your wedding dress on your wedding day, so you definitely need to make sure you’re comfortable.

While pretty, A-line and ballerina skirt dresses have too much material and can get rather hot, and while elegant, mermaid and sheath dresses can be difficult to walk in, particularly on the beach. For ultimate comfort and ease of movement consider a slip dress or a straight line dress with (or without) a slit.

2. Work out what bodice design you like

The most common bodice design for a destination wedding is sleeveless, simply because it is cool and comfortable. Depending on your preference and what most suits your body shape, you can choose to have wide straps or spaghetti straps, a halter top with an open back or even a strapless gown.

Also consider whether you would prefer a simple, elegant design or a bodice that has more beading and embellishments.

3. Choose your material wisely

The material you choose for your destination wedding dress is incredibly important. First and foremost you will want to choose a fabric that is wrinkle resistant for ease of packing and travelling.

If you are having your wedding in a tropical location you will also want a breathable, airy, and lightweight fabric, such as georgette, chiffon, crepe, organza or even cotton. Satin or satin blends can also be a good choice.

In warmer climates it is best to avoid fabrics like silk that will show all signs of perspiration, and polyester or polyester blends that will be heavy and cling to you.

4. Decide on the length

While the traditional wedding dress with a long train is beautiful, it isn’t the easiest or the most practical choice for a destination wedding. Not only is it harder to transport to your destination given its larger size and the chance of it getting creased, it is also difficult to move around in, warmer given the extra material and harder to keep clean due to it dragging, particularly if you are getting married in the sand.

Most destination brides choose an ankle length dress which still gives the traditional look, without the added complication floor length gowns have. Though you can also choose to use your destination wedding as an opportunity to be a little less traditional and have a shorter dress length or a dress that is shorter at the front and longer at the back.

5. Pick your colour

While white and variations of white are always ideal for a wedding dress, if your destination wedding is less traditional, you could also choose a different colour for your wedding dress to make it even more memorable.

Looking for some wedding and bridesmaid dress inspiration? Check out our Spring Summer 2013 Collection.