How to Choose Your Destination Wedding Dress

Planning a destination wedding can be tricky business. You’ve got to figure out most of your vendors from afar and put a lot of faith in your planner. One thing you can do from your hometown? Find your dream dress. When hitting the shops, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.

Here are some tips on choosing your destination wedding dress.

Research your fabrics
No, you don’t have to apply to fashion school, but you should learn a thing or two about fabrics since you’ll be transporting your dress. Some materials are easier to travel with than others, so look into those first. Chiffon is a fan favourite because it’s lightweight and doesn’t wrinkle easily. If you want something with a little more oomph, tulle is great. Its pretty lightweight and holds its shape, so you won’t have to deal with fixing any mangled layers. Definite no-nos include weightier textiles or materials that wrinkle easily (like silk).

Think about transportation
Transporting a multi-layer ball gown definitely isn’t the easiest thing in the world, but it can be done. You may have to book an extra seat on the plane for it or beg your flight attendant to stash it for you, but it’s not impossible. However, if you opt for a lighter alternative, you may be able to fold it up and pack it in your carry-on (this is great because you’ll know its whereabouts at all times). Don’t forget to purchase a portable steamer - you don’t want to deal with a wrinkled gown on your big day.

Don’t sacrifice your style
You don’t want to settle for a dress just because it travels well. This is your wedding day, and you only get one, so you should be absolutely head over heels for your gown. If the boutiques you’ve visited don’t have any frocks that fits the bill, you may want to consider going for a custom design. This way you’ll get something that looks and travels like a dream.

Consider skipping the train (or cathedral veil)
A lengthy train or massive veil will add a lot of extra bulk to your (probably already overstuffed) luggage, so you may want to consider something a bit more modest. Also, if you’re escaping the great white north in favour of the sand and seas, having a ton of material dragging behind you is just asking for trouble. We suggest saving yourself the hassle and going with something more reserved, it’ll give you more room in your suitcase and keep you from overspending on something that may get ruined when you walk down the aisle.

Be mindful of your budget
You want to look like a million bucks on your big day, but you don’t have to push beyond your budget to get those results. In fact, if you’re hosting a destination wedding you may be able to cut down your wedding dress budget even more. Going for something sleek and simple that travels well is probably favourable to an extravagant, poofy Vera Wang gown.

Skip the outfit change
Nowadays, many brides invest in a second dress to wear during their reception. However, if you’re doing a destination wedding, you may want to find a gown that serves double duty (looks stunning for your walk down the aisle but is comfortable enough to wear all night long). Think about it, adding a second garment bag to your flight may be more trouble than it's worth and a it’ll eat up more of your budget. Plus, you can use that extra space in your luggage for an extra pair of shoes or some must-have decorations.

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