Going to a destination wedding soon? Tropical weddings are very different than traditional ones at churches, hotels, or country clubs, and it is important to dress accordingly. Here is your guide to destination wedding guest attire.
First of all, a destination wedding demands an entirely different attitude than a more conventional one. The vibe is more relaxed, more festive, and just plain more fun! Your clothing should be the same. The black cocktail dress that has carried you through three weddings in New Jersey this season is all wrong for a wedding in Bermuda. Too serious, too somber, too dark. This is tip number one: choose something colorful to wear to a destination wedding. Think about how in tropical settings from Miami to the Caribbean, buildings are painted in cheerful pastel colors, and let that palette be your guide.
Next, think about style. Heavily embellished dresses will weigh you down at a beach wedding. Remember to choose fabrics which are comfortable in the sun. Linen and crisp cotton are ideal. You think that cotton cannot be dressy enough for a wedding guest? Imagine a classic seersucker shift dress or a flirty strapless dress in a pink cotton lace. With the right accessories, these styles would be both pretty enough for a tropical wedding and completely comfortable.
Linen is also a great choice, as long as you can stand the wrinkles. Choose a linen dress in a bright color like coral or a gorgeous cool aqua blue. For a dressier destination wedding, pair a linen shift dress with a matching fitted jacket to wear during the ceremony. You can even accessorize the linen suit with a fabulous hat. Be sure to have the hotel press your linen dress for you the day before the wedding; you don’t even want to think about what linen looks like when it comes out of a suitcase!
Every wedding outfit needs the right accessories to pull it all together. The beach is no place for diamonds, so leave your formal jewelry at home. Instead opt for relaxed beach theme jewelry, such as monogrammed shell necklaces or crystal starfish pendants. Another terrific look for a beach wedding is pearl jewelry which is handcrafted from keshi pearls or coin pearls. It is a great pearl look, but less formal than a traditional strand of pearls. Finish your look with dressy flat sandals, such as a metallic gold or silver strappy sandal. No anklets, please!
Hair plays a part in how your wedding attire looks. For a destination wedding, a simple hairstyle which can withstand the ocean breeze and humidity is best. You know your hair best: if it tends to get frizzy, pull it back to keep it under control. A chic knot at the nape of your neck is a good compromise between a hairstyle which is informal enough for the beach but pretty and polished enough for a wedding. Getting your hair braided into cornrows at the straw market the day before the wedding is never a good idea. This goes double if you are a male wedding guest (I only mention this because I have witnessed it firsthand and it was awful!).
With your pretty, breezy dress, beachy jewelry, and fabulous sandals packed, you will be all set to jet off to the destination wedding and have a fantastic time. Once you get into the island spirit, you may just find that a destination wedding is the most fun kind of all.
