Planning a destination wedding and wondering what type of dress travels well? Whether you’re jetting off to Italy, tying the knot on a beach in Mexico, or hosting an intimate celebration in the French countryside, this guide from Los Angeles' leading bridal salon, Lovella Bridal, shares everything stylish, fashion-forward brides need to know about choosing the perfect wedding dress for their destination event, all without sacrificing style, beauty, or confidence.
At Lovella Bridal, we understand that planning a destination wedding is as exhilarating as it is logistically complex. Choosing the right wedding dress for your celebration abroad, or that you have to travel to adds an extra layer of excitement and challenge. If your wedding plans involve passports and plane tickets, you may be wondering how to pick a dress that travels well without sacrificing the wow factor.
Here’s the truth: You don’t have to limit your wedding dress options based solely on practicality. In other words, you don't have to choose a simple, packable wedding dress that travels well, unless that's what you really want for your wedding! Here is our best advice for picking the perfect destination wedding dress without compromising style.
Watch: How to Pick the Perfect Bridal Dress For Your Destination Wedding
If you are a bride planning a destination wedding, you are probably already overwhelmed with all the logistics that go into planning an event from afar. You are also probably wondering how best to transport a wedding dress and if there is a best style bridal gown to choose for a destination wedding.
Tune in to our latest bridal fashion advice video to learn how to pick the perfect wedding dress for your destination wedding.
Don’t Shop with Limits
One of the biggest mistakes we see brides make when shopping for a destination wedding dress is starting with limitations: Will it fit into a suite case? Will it wrinkle? Should I check it in or carry it on the plane with me?
These are valid concerns but they shouldn’t be your first concern when wedding dress shopping. We always recommend beginning your bridal gown search with one simple goal: Find the dress that makes you feel your most confident, beautiful, and bridal. Try on a variety of silhouettes. Don’t worry about how it will travel. Just see what makes your heart skip a beat.
Just because you are getting married on the beach doesn’t mean you have to wear a flowy boho style wedding dress. Just because you are getting married in a ballroom doesn’t mean you have to wear a princess ball gown. Throw out all of those misconceptions before you begin wedding dress shopping. Go to your bridal appointments with an open heart and an open mind.
Once you’ve found "the" dress, the one that lights you up, we can absolutely figure out the travel logistics. Brides have taken massive ball gowns abroad, down to beaches on planes and boats, up cliffs, and through customs. If that’s the bridal dress you fall in love with, we’ll help you get it there safely.
The Truth About Traveling with Your Dress
So, what are the logistics brides should consider when planning a destination wedding? Here are our best recommendations for transporting a wedding dress:
- Never ship your dress. Even with tracking, packages can get delayed, lost, or damaged.
- Avoid checking your dress with luggage. Airlines misplace bags all the time. Don’t risk it with something as important as your bridal dress.
- Carry it on. Most of our brides bring their dress on board as a carry-on, and it's absolutely doable, even for large gowns.
- Use AirTags. Whether you're carrying it on or packing accessories, add a Bluetooth tracker so you can always locate your dress.
- Get steaming instructions. Ask your seamstress or stylist how to properly steam your gown once you arrive. Don’t rely on hotel staff or a local vendor unless they’re experienced with delicate bridal fabrics.
Dress Styles That Are Travel-Friendly
While we don’t believe in bridal fashion rules at Lovella, there are some bridal dress styles that naturally lend themselves to easier travel:
- Lightweight, flowy gowns: Think chiffon, crepe, or organza. These are easy to pack and less likely to wrinkle.
- Fitted silhouettes: Styles like sheath, slip, or fit-and-flare take up less space and are typically easier to manage.
- Minimal embellishments: Dresses with fewer beads or appliqués are generally lower maintenance.
But again, none of this matters if it’s not "your" dress. You’re allowed to want a big dramatic gown on a tropical island. It’s your wedding. There are no rules here.
Let the Dress Set the Tone
Your wedding dress should be the piece that sets the tone for your entire day. When you feel incredible in what you're wearing, that joy and confidence shines through in your photos, your videos, and every moment you spend with your guests.
So wear the dress that makes you feel like the most radiant version of yourself, no matter where in the world you're saying "I do." You’ll figure out how to get it there and your Lovella Bridal stylist will help you every step of the way.
Wedding Dress Shopping Tips from Lovella Bridal Los Angeles
We hope you have found this advice helpful for deciding what style wedding dress to wear for your destination wedding. For even more helpful advice when it comes to bridal styling and the wedding dress shopping experience, be sure to check out our past posts:
- Should Your Wedding Dress Match Your Wedding Venue?
- Essential Tips & Logistics When Traveling to Buy a Wedding Dress
- What Type of Shoes Should a Bride Wear For a Beach Wedding?
Meet Lovella’s Wedding Fashion Expert in Los Angeles
Our wedding dress shopping tips and advice are from Nayri, Lovella's own, in-house wedding fashion expert. Nayri is truly the expert when it comes to bridal fashion and wedding style. As the Wedding Fashion Expert, Nayri is the top bridal fashion stylist and the best-selling author of the book "I'm Getting Married And I Have Nothing To Wear," the ultimate guide to helping brides find their wedding day style and their perfect wedding dress. You can subscribe to her YouTube channel or listen to her podcast for more helpful and practical advice on wedding dress shopping.
