##What to Wear to a Destination Wedding
Destination weddings are fun right up until you open your suitcase and realize the dress you planned to wear makes absolutely no sense for the location.
I’ve made this mistake before. A dress can look perfect online and feel completely wrong once you add heat, sand, cobblestones, wind or a very long outdoor dinner.
So before choosing what to wear to a destination wedding, check three things: where it is, what the dress code says and what the weather will actually be like.
After that, choosing the dress gets much easier.
For a Beach Wedding
Beach wedding dressing sounds simple. Find a pretty summer dress, add sandals, done.
Not quite.
If the invitation says beach formal or cocktail, you still want to look like you’re going to a wedding rather than dinner at the resort.
A midi or maxi usually works best. I like lighter satin, chiffon and anything with a skirt that has some movement. Florals are an obvious choice, but a simple dress in coral, pink, blue or green can look even better.
One thing I wouldn’t wear is a maxi with a huge amount of fabric at the bottom. Sand gets everywhere, and carrying your dress around all evening gets old very quickly.
And don’t wear stilettos on the beach. There is no elegant way to sink into sand every three steps.
For an Italian Wedding
If someone invited me to a wedding at an Italian villa, this is where I would bring out the dress I’ve been waiting for an excuse to wear.
A floral maxi, fitted satin midi, off-the-shoulder dress or something with a really beautiful neckline all feel right.
You can also get away with more color here. Red, raspberry, yellow, olive, chocolate, blue — you don’t need to stay in the usual wedding-guest pastels.
The only thing I would think twice about is the shoes.
Those beautiful little European streets are less charming when you’re trying to cross them in a 10cm stiletto. If the wedding is at a villa, vineyard or old hotel, a block heel is usually the smarter choice.
If It’s Black Tie, It’s Still Black Tie
A destination doesn’t cancel the dress code.
If it says black tie, I would wear a long dress. It doesn’t have to be a huge, heavy gown — especially somewhere hot.
A simple satin maxi can look formal enough with the right cut. So can a one-shoulder dress, halter gown or something with an open back.
This is also one of those times when a strong color can look incredible. Burgundy, emerald, cobalt, deep pink and chocolate all work well for an evening wedding.
You really don’t need to add much after that. A small bag, earrings and good shoes.
Cocktail Is Easier
For cocktail or semi-formal weddings, a midi is probably the dress I would pack first.
It solves most problems. It’s dressy enough for the wedding, easier to walk in than a gown and doesn’t feel ridiculous if the reception turns out to be more relaxed than expected.
That doesn’t mean it has to be safe or boring.
Wear the fitted dress. Wear the bright color. Wear the floral print. A tasteful cutout or open back is fine too, depending on the wedding.
A dressy mini can also work, particularly for a resort or city wedding. I would just avoid anything that feels more like a club dress than a wedding guest dress.
You usually know the difference when you put it on.
You Don’t Have to Wear Pastels
Destination wedding outfits always seem to come with the same palette of pale pink, sage and powder blue.
They’re pretty. They’re not compulsory.
If you look amazing in red, wear red. If you always choose black, you can wear black to most evening weddings too. Burgundy, chocolate, orange, cobalt and deeper greens are all good options.
The color I would still avoid is white.
I’d also be careful with ivory, cream and extremely pale champagne. Even if technically you know it’s beige, that’s not much help when every photo makes it look white.
Think About the Heat Before You Buy the Dress
This is the boring part that actually matters.
If the wedding is somewhere hot, check the fabric and lining before falling in love with the dress.
Heavy fabric plus full lining plus 32-degree weather is not a particularly glamorous combination after an hour outside.
Chiffon, lighter satin and other fabrics that don’t feel too heavy against the body are much easier. If you prefer a fitted dress, make sure you can comfortably sit in it for a few hours.
And find out whether dinner is outside.
I’ve been fooled by warm daytime temperatures before. By 10pm, sitting outside in a sleeveless dress can feel very different. A wrap or light jacket takes almost no room in your suitcase.
Shoes Can Ruin an Otherwise Perfect Outfit
I am all for wearing the beautiful shoes, but check what’s under your feet first.
A hotel ballroom? Wear whatever you like.
Grass? Block heel.
Cobblestones? Lower or wider heel.
Sand? Flat sandals or wedges.
If you’re determined to wear high heels, pack flats for later. By the time everyone is dancing, nobody cares what is on your feet.
What I Actually Pack for a Destination Wedding
I try not to pack one very specific accessory for every single outfit. That’s how you end up travelling with six handbags for a three-day wedding.
One small evening bag that works with several dresses is enough. The same goes for jewelry.
I would usually bring the wedding dress, something easier for the welcome dinner and a relaxed dress for brunch or the day after.
Then there are the boring things: fashion tape, blister patches and a travel steamer.
Not exciting, but I’ve needed all three more often than I’ve needed the fourth pair of heels.
And if possible, the actual wedding outfit goes in my carry-on. Losing my shampoo is annoying. Losing the dress the day before a wedding is a different situation entirely.
So, What Would I Wear?
For a beach wedding, probably a light midi or maxi and flat or block-heel sandals.
For an Italian villa, give me the romantic dress and good earrings.
For a city wedding, I’d go cleaner and more fitted.
And for black tie, I’m wearing the long dress.
That’s really all a destination wedding outfit guide needs to tell you. Dress for the wedding, but also dress for where the wedding actually is.
You don’t want to spend a weekend in Mallorca thinking about your hem dragging on the ground or counting the minutes until you can take your shoes off.
Pick something you feel great in, make sure you can walk and sit in it, and leave some room in the suitcase.
You’ll probably buy something while you’re there anyway.
With love,
Anna
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