Destination Dress

Think Like An Artist

I read an article in a destination wedding magazine and the author of the article wrote "when you're picking your bridesmaids dresses, think like an artist. Your bridal party will be part of the canvas that is your beach wedding."
I love that thought.  Years ago your bridal party all wore the same dress in the same color with the same accessories and the same shoes.  Today brides have much more freedom and they really do get to think like an artist.  Brides can have their ladies in the same dress but different hues, or different dresses different hues or different dresses same hue...the options really are endless.  I really love the current trend of picking a designer and a fabric (be kind, if you're getting married on a beach don't make your bridesmaids sweat in satin) and letting your bridesmaids choose the style and color that fits them best (within bridezilla's guidelines of course :) )

LulaKate: Dresses in Amethyst, Petunia & Passion Dupioni
Prices upon request

And I love these colors together as well.  The bridesmaids are wearing the same dress in different shades and the orange flowers really pop against the pale hues.  Very tropical!

Photo Credit: JenOSullivan

I have a mild obsession with JCrew...no I really do...I love everything about them but I REALLY love that they offer brides and bridesmaids the ability to mix and match and get creative...I just browsed the site and came up with this little combo:


JCrew: Dresses are all Silk Taffeta in Spiced Wine, Bright Dahlia and Violet Dust
Prices are all $225

Here's another sample of JCrew dresses in many styles and a fabulous color scheme (ps you know I love those necklaces!)

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Medina

Remember, your bridesmaids are part of the canvas...Don't feel like you have to be too matchy matchy and always remember that your bridesmaids are your best friends...make sure they're happy and comfortable! 

Destination Dress

The Blushing Destination Bride


In honor of Valentine's day...all things pink!!  There's a trend that hit the runways in 2010...the blush pink wedding gown.  I love it, and I think if you have the right skin tone for a romantic pale pink...you should totally rock it and not worry about tradition.  Destination weddings are a great way to utilize a blush colored gown, they accentuate the element of fun and would look great up against a tropical sunset. Venturing outside the world of white isn’t for many brides but a fashion forward and fun option for those who live outside the box.

I love these two barely there pink with romantic white lace:

Alvena Valenta AV 9914

Rum pink silk duchess satin A-line ball bridal gown with full double box pleated skirt. Winter white alencon lace adorns scalloped sweetheart torso and creates illusion of a dropped waist. A deep border of winter white alencon lace surrounds hem. Covered buttons and loops over zipper down center back, chapel train.

Jim Hjelm Style: JH 8863

Blush Silk Satin trumpet bridal gown, V-neckline with soft drape front and back, sleeveless bodice with Ivory Alençon lace midriff, Ivory satin ribbon, godets at back, chapel train

This one is bold and fun and festive!

Edgar Bonilla – Leah Style 6352

No post about wedding dresses would be complete without Vera Wang.  Iconic. Beautiful. Amazing.

Supersize it with a bold bow that brings a fashion-forward feel to a blush duchess-satin mermaid gown. 

Photo Credit Brides.com

Or go ethereal and romantic with this peachy blush color from Vera as well

Another of my favorite designers, bold and texture comes to mind when I hear Ines Di Santo

CHERISE - Rose petal pink gown with rouched bodice, dropped waist and strapless sweetheart neckline. Neckline and left hip feature Baroque beading and delicate Organza petal detail. Made in 

unique Italian Silk Shantung. Also available in off white.

And for the finale, the always classic, always beautiful...Amsale.

Pale pink softens the asymmetrical tailoring and structure of a minimalist marvel. The slim, silk-faced satin ball gown’s side buttons and shoulder bow provide an elegant finish. 

So you've decided to wear pink down the aisle...what about having your bridesmaid wear ivory??

Happy Valentines day!

Destination Dress

Top Tips...Tweaked.

I read an article in the latest issues of Destination Weddings and Honeymoons (Feb 2011 issues) titled "Dress Quest" that inspired this post.  The article were top tips from the editors on finding the perfect dress...so I'm tweaking them :)

1a. Consider your location.  The article suggests that if you're getting married on a beach you should opt for tea length or short gown. I completely disagree.  Just because you're getting married on a beach doesn't mean you have to limit yourselves.  If you've always dreamed of a princess gown...wear one. If you dreamed of a flowy chiffon dress...wear one.  I wore a big ol gown and I have no regrets.  I do have half the beach stuck in the hem of my dress but that is neither here nor there.  And the hem situation was mainly caused by the early morning trash the dress session (more on that fabulous experience later...).

1b. Veils...If you're getting married in a location where beautiful ocean breezes could cause your veil to whip around and smack your husband across the face (not beautiful)...you may wish to forgo the veil and choose a hair flower or real flowers for your hair.  I completely agree - it was so windy on my wedding day a veil would never have worked.  I opted for white orchids in my hair (actually, my hairdresser gave me those, total bonus)

2. Mind the temperature.  Agreed, this is very important.  If you're standing in front of the mirror at an air condintioned dress shop and you're starting to feel a little hot maybe even a little sweaty...this would not be a good dress for a beach wedding in Mexico.  If you're getting married in a cooler climate you can totally pull off heavier materials like silk satin.  If you're getting married like me in 95 degree heat on the beach go for a lighter weight fabric like taffeta or chiffon.  My dress was Taffeta and it was quite lightweight...I did not melt :) And ladies please don't forget about your bridesmaids...no one wants a sweaty hot mess of a bridesmaid and plenty of designers offer many options for materials.

3. Time it right.  SUPER IMPORTANT!  When it comes to alterations...give your seamstress the date you :LEAVE for your wedding, not your actual wedding date. Many seamstresses will even hold your dress in their shop and wait until the very last minute to steam it so you can pick it up the day before you leave and it doesn't have to spend too long stuffed in a bag.  You'll have enough stresses the few days before your wedding...you don't want your alterations to be one of them.

4. Fight Wrinkles...I didn't follow this rule, I am a bad example...  I admit it, taffeta wrinkles super easy...BUT many resorts offer a pressing service as part of their wedding package.  If you suffer from separation anxiety and refuse to let the hotel remove your dress from your room (like me) then I suggest the following:
- bring a travel steamer and steam your dress the night before your wedding
- pack your dress in it's garment bag with tissue paper
- pick a dress with lots of texture so any wrinkles you miss with the steamer aren't noticeable (this was my tactic)

5. Trust your gut.  Everyone reacts differently when they find "the one"...most important...make sure you listen to yourself over everyone else.  You're the only one who will really know which dress is "The Dress".  Most importantly, don't limit yourself.  A ball gown, a chiffon empire dress, a tea length party dress...any one will be beautiful as long as you feel beautiful in it.

And just to prove that you don't have to limit your dress selection if you're getting married in the sand...I'm posting some pictures of REAL beach brides having a blast in their dresses:

Yep that's me!

All photos are from Elizabeth Medina Photography.  I had the pleasure of working with Elizabeth, she is an absolute dream.  www.elizabethmedinaphotography.com