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.

New England Destination Wedding Ideas

Tropical beaches and islands are not the only option for destination wedding locations. There are many other beautiful and unique settings which also make for memorable weddings. A great region of the United States which is popular for destination weddings is New England. Let these ideas help you get started on planning a New England destination wedding of your own.

If you love all things classic and timeless, a great location for your New England destination wedding would be Connecticut. Known for its preppy good taste, Connecticut would be a terrific spot for a wedding with classic style. Picture yourself wearing a simple strapless gown with pearl bridal jewelry to exchange your vows in an old white clapboard church. Follow with a reception at a country club or in a tent. This would be an absolutely picturesque location for a wedding in the early summer. Decorate the wedding with pink peonies and garden roses for a beautiful classic effect.

For an autumn wedding, you would be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful location in the country than Vermont. The blazing foliage, crisp clear days, and cool nights make Vermont in the fall one of the best places to be. Be aware that peak foliage season does vary a little from one year to the next, and that the higher elevations will get their best colors earlier. So if you were having your wedding in the mountains of Stowe, a wedding at the very end of September or the first days of October would be ideal timing, whereas if you opt for a site like the quaint town of Woodstock at a lower elevation, early to mid-October would be better for foliage. Treat your guests to seasonal delights like fresh apple cider, local Vermont cheeses, and butternut squash soup. Just be sure to plan a minimum of a year ahead, because fall foliage season in New England is very busy!

The rocky shores of Maine would make another marvelous site for a New England destination wedding. This would be a perfect choice for a summer wedding, as the weather will be glorious – not too hot and not too cold. The beautiful town of Bar Harbor would be a great choice for a Maine wedding, as would any of the small coastal towns. A simple style of wedding would be best suited to the rough natural beauty of the Maine coast, so picture the men in khaki trousers and navy blazers instead of tuxedos, and the bride in a crisp organza wedding gown with delicate pearl bridal jewelry. Play up the unique features of Maine by choosing a lobster or a lighthouse motif for your wedding. Speaking of lobster, how could you serve anything else for a Maine wedding dinner?

New England has many other wonderful locations for a destination wedding. There is the scenic Mt. Washington Inn in New Hampshire, the shores of Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket in Massachusetts, or any of the numerous ski resorts for a winter wedding.

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.

Get the Aloha Vibe for Your Wedding

How does a destination wedding to Hawaii sound? Pretty great after the long winter, if you ask me! Of course, when we think of Hawaii, pictures come to mind of leis, lush tropical flowers, and hula dancers. Those are all fantastic, but don’t overlook the appeal of an ultra-laid-back beachy vibe: embroidery, ruffly bikinis for the honeymoon, and washed out peachy colors. This fun post on 100 Layer Cake is just the inspiration you need to grab that Aloha vibe.

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.

Plan an Unforgettable Beach Wedding

The key to planning a memorable wedding is all in the details. The accents that you select are what will give your wedding special character and help to set a tone. For a beach wedding, take a look at these ideas for the little things that will make your wedding unforgettable.

Give your wedding guests a hint of what is to come with wedding invitations with an island flair. Look for stationery that features a tropical symbol embossed on the top, and then weave that motif into the rest of your wedding design. The style of the invitation can range from subtle (a pearlescent sand dollar on a white invitation) to the frankly festive (giant fuchsia hisbiscus blossoms printed on stock with a vellum overlay).

Certainly the wedding attire will help to set the tone for a beach wedding. Choose flowy chiffon dresses for the bride and bridesmaids. Accent them with beach theme wedding jewelry. There are many wonderful styles of beach wedding jewelry from which to choose. There are earrings and necklaces with sparkling Swarovski crystal starfish or seashells, silver palm tree necklaces, and much, much more. For extra special bridesmaid gifts, consider beach wedding jewelry that can be personalized, such as monogrammed shell pendants. They make an incredible keepsake from your wedding!

Your place cards are another detail that can be dressed up with a beach theme. One of the most elegant ideas is to use shells as place card holders (you can purchase ones which have little slots cut into them to hold the cards). They will look wonderful on the dinner table, and the shell place card holders will be a great thing to pull out for your dinner parties later on in your married life. Another fun idea is to put the place cards into small picture frames with seashells on them. The frames can double as the wedding favors, which is very handy. The beach theme favors will be the perfect way to thank your guests for being a part of your fantastic tropical wedding.

Divine Accessories for Destination Weddings

Destination weddings have a fun and festive feeling unlike any other kind of wedding. The sun, the sand, and the ocean views just have a way of putting everyone into a happy frame of mind. The details of your wedding should reflect this laid-back attitude. These are some divine accessories for destination weddings.

Let’s start with the bridal jewelry. Anything too heavy or formal will look out of place at the ocean. Look for sets of wedding jewelry with a beach motif or natural flair, such as kehsi pearl necklaces or silver seashell bracelets. A monogrammed shell necklace is a wonderful choice for the bride; it also makes a great idea for the bridesmaid jewelry. Other styles that are pretty for the beach are open and airy tin cup necklaces, very delicate crystal earrings, and bridal jewelry with a pop of color.

The best wedding hairstyles for the beach have a soft and natural effect. Gentle waves cascading down the shoulders, softly tousled buns, and loose modern braids are the types of hairdos most suited to a destination wedding. To accent your wedding hair, choose a headpiece that is also relaxed and uncontrived. Remember that the kind of ornate tiara that is perfect for a ballroom reception will seem out of place in a natural setting. Nice choices include a scattering of hairpins, a double row headband, or a large silk or fresh flower.

Next comes the veil. When you are being wed outside, it is wise to select a veil that will not drag on the ground. You don’t want to get to the altar only to find that your cathedral length veil has accumulated all sorts of debris on the trip down the aisle! Twigs and tulle do not mix. A crystal beaded border on the veil not only looks gorgeous twinkling in the sunlight, but helps to weigh it down and keep it from blowing around too much.

The accessories for destination weddings really are not the same as those that work for a traditional wedding. You will find that you have a lot more freedom to choose pieces that are fun and whimsical. Beach wedding accessories really give you the chance to express your personal style on your wedding day.