The magic of a destination wedding is one that does not go amiss amidst the local crowd. After all, when the options stand between the idyllic beaches of Koh Samui to the exquisite castle grounds of Ireland and the ethereal garden scapes of Kyoto, it certainly seems as if the world is one’s oyster. When it comes to the wedding guest? We only stand to benefit; not only do we get to witness a momentous moment for our favourite peers or loved ones, we too can stage a great escape to said destination of choice—enjoying the ride along the way. Amidst the euphoric feeling of being away on holiday however, there is an undeniable conundrum that must first be addressed: that of the dress code as a wedding guest.
Whilst the very idea of a destination wedding already calls upon the best in your wardrobe arsenal, make no mistake that some judicious planning should still come into play. For when it comes down to it, it might be the location that matters most—considering many of these locales are often amidst nature. Where wild foliage, sandy dunes or rocky terrains become part and parcel of the romantic journey abroad, as couples hope to incorporate as much of these locations into their ceremonies.
With the aforementioned in mind, it seems your uniforms of choice can be intuitively led by one’s intended destination; think the azure hues of a sea-facing ceremony or the wonderland scapes of a forested winery wedding. Beyond that, it’s also crucial to ensure that you take a practical approach to the dress code. In the event of treading on tricky terrain, perhaps razor-thin stilettos should be reconsidered. Hence, we’ll urge you to heed our advice and plan ahead for any future weddings you may have penned in your calendars. Below, peruse our simple kickstarter guide to dressing as a wedding guest with the destination in mind.
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Idyllic gardens
Seek out the joy of a nature-filled affair as you jet-set to peaceful hillsides and better pastures. For any wedding with lush greenery involved, its only right that the wedding guests are in full spirits too. Emulate your surroundings via bright, vivacious hues, some loud, floral prints and airy, billowy frocks.
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Gabriela Hearst cashmere maxi dress, $5,382
Available at Net-a-Porter.
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Christian Louboutin ankle-strap sandals, $1,303
Available at Neiman Marcus.
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Castle grounds
It’s rare that we ever get to visit such exquisite and rare locales—usually associated with historical moments in time. So when such an occasion comes around, there’s definitely reason to appear dressed to the nines, whilst maintaining an effortless air about you. This undeniably varies for different types of people, some might adopt a chic, sunny mood that contrasts the usually greyish concrete of the castle grounds, whilst others might see the charm of a simple, pared-back alternative that is classic and timeless à la the Princess of Wales. A pair of comfortable loafers or pumps might work better for ascending the oft-uneven steps or slopes usually found in such locations.
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Houses of worship
Whilst destination weddings often include vast, natural locations, it’s also common for many of them to have two ceremonies: one which includes visiting grand houses of worship abroad such as churches or shrines. To play it safe, planning for what to wear to such locations might require a more modest approach—think less skin-baring silhouettes. Whilst it may not be one’s usual approach to a wedding party, the trick is to choose safe yet vivacious colours that still ring in the joyous mood, and opt for interesting details such as a hat or statement purse.
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Nights in the city
A contemporary destination wedding might include leaving the city—for another city. Circa Marc Jacobs’s wedding in 2019. The best-dressed pair of the evening just might have been the Hadid sisters, who played with sexy, tailored suiting that toed the line of black tie and a jubilant night out. For those who are heading to such affairs, we’ll suggest sticking to this dress code: of impeccable suits, Bond-era black dresses and playfully high heels.
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Ralph Lauren Collection one-shouldered gown, $4,074
Available at Net-a-Porter.
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By the beach
Beachside weddings are one of the first things that come to mind when people imagine destination weddings, for good reason. With a sea-facing or any water-facing ceremony, perhaps it doesn’t hurt to lean into its azure hues or the sunset vibe of the evening, and choose your ensembles accordingly. For those who prefer a more casual approach, a two-piece alternative is also something that suits the locale—see the Dolce&Gabbana look below that might be better paired with a woven bucket bag.
