How to Get Your Wedding Dress to a Destination Wedding

For most brides, nothing is more important than their wedding gown (other than the groom, of course!). Imagine what a nightmare it would be to arrive at your dream destination location to tie the knot and realize that your wedding gown got lost somewhere en route. No bride wants to walk down the aisle wearing her crystal bridal jewelry and a t-shirt from the hotel gift shop! This is why the number one rule of traveling with your wedding dress is never put it in checked luggage. Never. Ever. Anyone who flies has a horror story about lost or delayed luggage. If it is the most important dress you will ever wear that is stuck in limbo somewhere, it would be an absolute disaster.

When flying with your wedding gown, you must hand carry it on the plane with you. Do not rely on the lightweight garment bag that the bridal salon provides. Those bags can tear or even crack in extreme heat or cold. The bridal salon bag should be placed inside a proper piece of luggage, such as a real garment bag made for travelers. Call ahead to your airline and let them know you will be bringing your wedding dress on board the airplane. Many airlines are actually pretty accommodating of brides and will allow you to stow your precious cargo in the first class cabin closet or even in the pilot’s closet. You might even get a glass of champagne on the house.

Some brides prefer to ship their gowns ahead to their wedding destinations rather than try to get it onto a plane. There is some risk in this choice, since there is always the chance that the dress will not show up. It might be insured, but what good will that do you if you have nothing to wear when you walk down the aisle? If you determine that shipping your wedding gown is really the best method, send it overnight with a very reliable carrier like FedEx so you can track your precious package every step of the way. Send it at least a week before your wedding, just in case of delays. You can make plans with your venue’s wedding coordinator to receive and store the gown until you arrive.

While you are making plans to transport your wedding attire, remember to think about your wedding accessories. Things like crystal bridal jewelry sets, headpieces, veils, and wedding shoes are small enough to easily pack into a carry on bag. Then when you arrive at your wedding destination, you will have everything you need to look incredible on your wedding day.

Bridesmaid Gifts for Destination Weddings

When you are having a destination wedding, it can be nice to select bridesmaid gifts which tie in with the style of your celebration. Jewelry is always one of the most popular bridesmaid gifts. Everyone loves receiving jewelry as a gift, after all, and it has the timeless quality that makes it a lasting keepsake of your wedding. If you are having a destination wedding, why not select bridesmaid jewelry which coordinates with your theme? For a beach wedding, you could give your attendants monogrammed shell pendants or crystal shell necklaces. Other fantastic ideas for beach wedding jewelry are crystal starfish pendants and earrings. If your destination wedding is headed for a cold weather location like a ski resort, a crystal snowflake pendant would be a fabulous gift idea.

Since destination weddings always involve travel, luggage and accessories are always a terrific bridesmaid gift option. Personalized pieces are especially thoughtful, such as a monogrammed duffel or garment bag. A monogrammed cosmetic bag is another great gift idea, either on its own or as part of a set of coordinating luggage. Just for fun, add a personalized luggage tag in each bridesmaid’s favorite colors to her bags. Great travel bags are a bridesmaid gift that your friends will enjoy for many years after your wedding.

Another neat idea for destination wedding bridesmaid gifts is a bag of items to make her trip more pleasant. Fill a cute mini tote bag with the little things which will make the trip more relaxing and the hotel room feel more like home. Small bottles of fancy lotion will be just the thing for battling the dry air in the plane. A fragrant candle in a travel tin will help the hotel room smell wonderful. A pair of soft slippers will feel wonderful to put on at the end of the wedding reception. If you are headed to the beach, throw in a pair of flip flops to get her in the island spirit. For a wintery destination, a soft scarf in her favorite color will keep each bridesmaid feeling warm and pretty.

A personalized travel journal would be a terrific bridesmaid present for your friend who likes to journal. Emboss her initials in it to make the gift even more special, and don’t forget to include a pen! If you have a bridesmaid who enjoys scrapbooking, a new scrapbook would be a fun bridesmaid gift. Start it off with a page featuring pictures of the two of you together, and then she can have fun filling in the book with pictures, tickets, stationery and other mementos of the trip and your wedding. Another wonderful idea is a picture frame. You could choose one made from a sea glass mosaic for a beach wedding or a classic bridesmaid theme frame.

Renting a Wedding Gown

This is a look at the pros and cons of renting a wedding gown…

Without a doubt, the number one reason to consider renting a wedding dress is the cost. It will definitely be a more affordable option than if one were to purchase a comparable gown. For some brides, the idea of spending a big sum of money for a dress to wear one time is just too hard to stomach. Renting a gown could also be an option for a bride who wants to wear two gowns for her wedding instead of just one.

Some brides also like the idea of renting a bridal gown for a destination wedding so they do not have to deal with transporting a big dress on a plane. This is particularly popular among Vegas brides. All they have to do is pack their bridal jewelry sets and grab their fiances on their way to the plane. In fact, there are even some places which offer one stop shopping: tuxedo rental, wedding gown rental, and wedding venue all rolled into one. A word of caution: while you will find a number of places in Las Vegas where you can rent a bridal gown, this service is not very common in many locations.

That brings us to one problem with wedding dress rentals: many towns do not have any shops which offer rental gowns. Even in areas which do have stores that do rentals, the choices will be far more limited than if you were shopping for a wedding gown to purchase. Another major concern about renting a wedding gown is the fit. Some stores permit no alterations and those that do will still have a limit on how much you can change the dress to fit you. Brides who are not a standard size will likely find that renting a gown is impractical.

Also keep in mind that you must return the rented wedding gown in the condition in which you received it. If someone spills a glass of red wine on you at the reception, you will end up having to pay for the dress. Don’t overlook the sentimental aspects of wedding gowns either. For many brides, their wedding gowns, bridal jewelry sets, and veils become cherished mementos from their weddings; would it make you sad not to have your bridal gown to someday pass down to your daughter? While renting a wedding gown can be a very practical answer for some women, clearly it is not a good idea for every bride.

Beach Wedding Music

Beaches are fun and relaxing places, and a beach wedding should embrace that spirit. Just as you select the perfect bridal gown and beach wedding jewelry for your celebration on the sand, you should put the same amount of thought into the music for your party. Think about the different feeling created by a string quartet as compared to a steel drum band, and you will get the idea! Speaking of a steel drum band, that can be an excellent musical option for a beach wedding. It has a strong association with Caribbean islands like Jamaica, which are famous for their laid back attitude. To evoke the spirit of Jamaica even more, hire reggae singers to accompany the steel drums.

Another fun idea for beach wedding music is 1960s beach and surf music. The most famous songs are those by the Beach Boys. Upbeat and popular among all generations, Beach Boy songs would be a lot of fun for dancing at the reception. Earlier during the ceremony, the bride could march down the aisle in her wedding dress and beach wedding jewelry to the sounds of instrumental surf music. Play up the 1960s California vibe of the music by making your grand exit from the wedding reception in a vintage ’60s convertible. So fun!

Yet another wonderful option for beach wedding music is Hawaiian and Polynesian style music. This would be the natural choice for a luau theme wedding (or rehearsal dinner). The bride and groom can wear beautiful floral leis during the ceremony. Create continuity by serving the foods which match the style of music, such as pineapple and pork. You can add to the fun of the Hawaiian music by featuring a short performance by some hula dancers at the reception. After they dance, have them give a quick lesson to your guests so that everyone can have fun dancing the night away hula style at your wedding.

The very special vibe of beach weddings deserves to be enhanced with the right music. By choosing the style of music which matches your wedding location, you will be able to design a wonderful atmosphere for your reception. When all of the wedding details work in harmony, the entire event will feel magical.

Tropical Winter Wedding Ideas

Does getting married in the winter months mean giving up the dream of a tropical theme wedding? Not necessarily! Destination weddings are always an option for a winter beach wedding, and it is also possible to create a wedding with a tropical flavor right in your own hometown. These are some fun ideas for tropical winter weddings.

The ultimate in a tropical winter wedding would be a destination wedding to a sunny resort. For a destination wedding in the winter, the bride can essentially plan it like any summer beach wedding, since after all, it will feel like summer where you are headed. A flowy organza or chiffon wedding dress worn with a simple veil will be gorgeous. The great news is that bridal salons do not follow seasons, so you can order a summer weight bridal gown at any time of the year. A tropical pearl necklace made of unique keshi or coin pearls is the perfect bridal jewelry. The bride can carry a bouquet of tropical flowers in bright colors like fuchsia or orange.

If you choose to have a beach theme wedding at a cold weather site near your hometown, the key is to totally transform the space. You need to make your guests forget that outside is cold and snowy by creating a tropical paradise inside the venue. A great place to start is by renting potted palm trees. Your guests will instantly get into the island spirit when they enter a room lined with palms. The trees could even be used to line the aisle of the ceremony site so that the bride can walk down an aisle with a beachy flavor.

Bright colors and tropical flowers will also help to transform a venue into a mid-winter island paradise for your wedding. The great news is that some of the flowers which are readily available during the winter months come from the tropics or have a tropical feeling. Showy white flowers such as white amaryllis and even white poinsettias are easy to come by in the winter (stay away from the red varieties, which will look too Christmasy). Bring in bright color with hot pink and orange lilies, and use beachy accents like palm fronds and beach grass in the bouquets and centerpieces.  A steel drum band, island flavors like pineapple, and a wedding cake decorated with tropical flowers will help to complete the transformation of a winter wedding venue to an island paradise.

Destination Wedding Idea: Europe

What could be more sophisticated and exciting than getting married in an historic European city or town? Picture yourself exchanging your vows in a magnificent Renaissance cathedral or entertaining your guests in a centuries old stone castle – how romantic! Europe offers many incredible options for a destination wedding, from the vineyards of Tuscany to the green glory of Ireland to the romance and thrill of the City of Lights. In fact, the hardest part might be narrowing it down to one location!

When planning a wedding far from home, a wedding coordinator on site is an absolute must. This goes double if you will be getting married in a non-English speaking country, if you are not fluent in the local language. Besides, working with vendors from afar is hard enough; dealing with different time zones makes it very challenging. Luckily, it is quite easy to coordinate with your wedding planner via email. Send lots and lots of detailed pictures of the flowers and other decorations that you want to ensure that everything is as you expect on your wedding day.

Definitely indulge in local cuisine and wedding customs for a European wedding. There is no point in going all the way to Italy to get married if you are going to insist on serving the standard American “beef or chicken”! Give your guests a real taste of what makes your host country so special, whether it is the finest French wines, Irish music, or Spanish tapas for the cocktail hour.

While you need not follow the local wedding attire traditions to the letter, definitely make sure that your bridal gown and sets of jewelry suit your location. If you are being married in a breathtaking cathedral, wear a gown with a cathedral length train. For a celebration in the English countryside, look at romantic yet low-key wedding gowns and bridal jewelry sets. And of course if you intend to be a Parisian bride, nothing but the latest and most chic gown will do – ooh la la!

Destination Wedding Planning Tips

Let these destination wedding planning tips help you to plan the long-distance wedding of your dreams…

Find a resort with an on-site event coordinator. Planning any wedding can be challenging for a first time bride. Making arrangements across many miles can be nearly impossible without someone local on the scene. Many popular resorts have their own in-house coordinators who can do all the legwork for you in sourcing caterers, florists, and musicians – take advantage of the service!

Choose attire which suits your destination. For a tropical wedding, bridal gowns in lighter fabrics like chiffon or organza are popular. Add some beach wedding jewelry to complete the look. Bridesmaid dresses in a similar fabric and a sunny color like mango will look wonderful; give your attendants beach theme jewelry as your wedding gifts to them. Black tie is too formal for a ceremony on the sand, so consider khaki suits or a jacket and trousers for the groom and groomsmen. Remember that many islands can be windy; choose a wedding hairstyle which will keep your hair out of your face, and consider a veil which is weighted with crystals or pearls to keep it from flying around too much on a breezy day.

Double check paperwork. You now need a passport for virtually any trip outside of the U.S., and it can take months for a passport to arrive, so get one right away. Find out if you need any additional paperwork to travel to your wedding location, such as a visa. You can check online to see if the government recommends any special vaccinations, which can be completed well in advance of your trip. One critical bit of planning is the marriage license. Each country will have its own particular requirements and may require the bride and groom to bring certain documents. Don’t forget about what you need to do once you get home to make your marriage official in your home state.

Gorgeous Beach Wedding Dresses

The beach is one of the most wonderful places to hold a wedding ceremony. There is nothing quite like the sand under your feet, the ocean breezes, and the smell of the salt air. Such a special wedding calls for an equally special wedding gown. These are some tips on finding a gorgeous beach wedding dress to make you feel amazing on your big day.

Halter necklines are always fantastic by the water. They are not too formal, very flattering, and have a summery appeal which is great for any warm weather wedding ceremony. There are lots of different halter necklines available, from little wispy gowns which suit a fashion forward bride with very little cleavage, to more structured wedding dresses done in midweight fabrics such as silk gazar. Finish it off with beach theme wedding jewelry like crystal starfish dangle earrings.

Strapless gowns are always pretty for a bride, and they are lovely for a beach wedding. A lightweight organza wedding dress with an empire waistline and a slim A-line skirt would be comfortable and beachy. Choose a dress with special details, such as organza streamers in the back which will flutter in the ocean breeze. If the beach you have chosen for your ceremony site tends to be fairly windy, pull your hair back into a casual knot at the nape of your neck and accent it with a few pretty hairpins.

One shoulder bridal gowns are very popular this season, and would be a very stylish option for a beach wedding. Select one in a sheer fabric like organza or chiffon, which will gently float over a solid underlining. A cluster of organza flowers flowing over the shoulder or a large chiffon bow will give your one shoulder wedding dress the perfect amount of detail. When shipping for any style of beach wedding dress, it is a really good idea to try it on in bright sunlight to make sure that it will not be too see-through in the direct sun.

Formal Resort Weddings

If you are planning a destination wedding to a tropical resort, the chances are that almost all of the advice you come across will be geared towards casual beachy weddings. But tropical does not always have to mean barefoot on the sand, and it is possible to plan a wedding which is elegant in an island setting. At long last, here are some tips on how to plan a gorgeous formal resort wedding.

The ideal gown for a formal resort wedding will be one which is light enough to feel comfortable in a warm climate, but with the special details that will make it feel glamorous. Metallic gold accents will make any bridal gown look opulent and regal. Layers of a lightweight silk such as organza or tissue taffeta will be fresh and breezy, and gold metallic embroidery or a gold sash will increase the elegance factor. Strappy metallic gold sandals, a veil with a beaded edge, and elegant beach wedding jewelry will complete the effect. Especially lovely is beach wedding jewelry with Swarovski crystals which will twinkle in the sunlight.

A tropical wedding certainly calls for tropical flowers. As beautiful as the classic round bouquet of roses is, it in no way relates to the spirit of the tropics. A better option would be a more splashy bouquet featuring wildly glamorous exotic orchids in a bright color. Hot pink, sunshine yellow, or lime green are all gorgeous resort wedding flower colors. Make your bouquet more regal with an ornate bouquet wrap in a metallic ribbon. You can also think about scattering some sprays of Swarovski crystals in among the flowers to coordinate with your bridal jewelry and to catch the sun.

Any fine resort should have elegant menu options available to serve for your wedding reception. Fresh fish, simply prepared, is always a nice choice for the main course at dinner. It can be dressed with a fresh fruit salsa and elegantly displayed on the plate with several side dishes. Keep in mind that a grand presentation will make any type of food appear more elegant. Try to treat your guests to the local specialties of the tropical destination which you have selected for your wedding. Your guests will no doubt have the time of their lives.

Tailoring Wedding Stationery to Your Theme

The invitations and other stationery which you choose for your wedding will help to set the tone. When you have a special theme or location, the invitations can be a great way to introduce your wedding to your guests. These are some tips on tailoring your wedding stationery to your theme.

Beach theme weddings are among the favorites of brides everywhere. Whether you will be heading off to a sunswept destination for your wedding, or simply putting on some great beach wedding jewelry and carrying a tropical bouquet in your backyard, there are some very special beach invitations available. Think about the type of beach wedding you intend to have – is is more classic with simple pearl jewelry and a tailored strapless dress on a New England beach with a lobster dinner on the sand, or it is going to be at a Caribbean resort, complete with steel drums and drinks in coconuts? For the first style, classic white invitations embellished with a red engraved lobster across the top would be ideal, or go with an invitation embellished with a bright hibiscus for the tropical wedding.

Winter Wonderland weddings are another hot theme, and one which translates easily into wedding invitations. Select crisp white stationery which is decorated with silver snowflakes. One of the prettiest versions of this would be to print the invitations on vellum laid over a snowflake patterned paper. Tie it together with a festive metallic silver ribbon or a red velvet bow for the perfect finishing touch. For your save the dates, what about using antique postcards depicting horse drawn sleighs in the snow? Simply lovely.

Having a vineyard wedding? Invite your guests with style! The most restrained option would be an invitation which features an engraved image of a bunch of grapes across the top (somehow a picture of a bottle of wine just does not feel bridal enough). Or get really creative, and design your wedding stationery to resemble vintage wine labels. This would be a wonderful way to really get your wedding theme across in a fun manner. Your guests will surely be in the spirit of things when they receive these special and unique invitations.