What to Wear to a Destination Wedding

For destination weddings, most brides want a fabric that flows and plays with the weather and air around them. Breezy not beaded gowns are definitely a wise choice.

Lightweight, breezy dresses made of fabrics such as tulle, organza, and chiffon are breathable and travel well, but brides can still be comfortable in a ball gown if the material is not heavy. Brides don't have to do the slinky dress, but they have to be sure it isn't heavily beaded.

Designer Vivian Dessy Diamond of the Dessey Group worked with destination wedding coordinators to develop a line of sleek, modern destination wedding dresses made of free flowing fabrics such as stretch charmeuse, lace, and matte satin with small sweep trains. The dresses are available in sizes 0 to 28 with a retail price of $499, below the average wedding dress cost of $1,000.

For the groom, Vanessa Mason, founder and senior designer at Layne Corban, said that the traditional dark tuxedos for formal weddings can be confining in outdoor destination weddings and light weight cotton suits and shorts are the best alternative for grooms. Grooms should opt for linen and two piece suits for comfort at beach weddings.

Alternatives to the dark suit or tuxedo include a white dinner jacket with black tuxedo pants or shorts, a non-pleated tuxedo shirt and patterned cummerbund and tie.

Designer Stephen Geoffrey offers informal tuxedos for destination weddings that feature two-button, single breasted styling with a non-vented back and coordinating pleated trousers.

Destination weddings have become popular because it gives the bride and groom comfortable settings, comfortable clothing and most important a laid back comfortable atmosphere.

Many couples are getting away from the older, traditional wedding and this attire allows them to have some freedom and flexibility during the service and reception with a relaxed and laid back feeling evoking during the ceremony and reception.

So to sum things up... the best fabrics for a destination wedding, be it for a bride or groom, are cotton, linen, lightweight tulle and organza. And the best styles are non traditional styles, mid length dresses, lightweight fabrics, shorts and short sleeved shirts.

Happy Shopping!