A wedding is a chance for any bride to shine. This is where she can show off her personal style to the rest of the world. One of the most important decisions any bride must make is where to hold her wedding. For many brides, the beautiful destination wedding is an ideal choice. This is how they can combine the wedding and the honeymoon at the same time. If you are thinking about a destination wedding, you'll want to consider your wedding dress even more carefully. The right wedding dress will make your special day even more memorable and bring in pictures just as lovely as the setting.

Weather Conditions

One of the single most important considerations for any bride is the weather where she's going to hold her party. Any bride should know about likely weather conditions in her intended location before she plans her big day. For example, if she's choosing a destination in the tropics, rain is likely along with periods of sun. A dress that can keep her dry and make it easy to cope with hot weather is a must.

Using Materials

The wedding dress materials are another thing to keep in mind. Many places overseas have specific requirements for entrants. For example, if you are holding the wedding in an ancient French cathedral, you might be asked to make sure your neck and arms are covered. The dress should also ideally be made from materials that travel well. You don't want to unpack that dress only to find out that it wrinkled the second you try on it. Look for easy care fabrics that require only minimal care when you're far from home.

Your Bridesmaids

Most brides will have at least a few attendants. You'll probably invite children to be part of the processional. You might also want to invite an old friend to be there as your maid of honor. You'll want to have a dress they can handle as you enter the wedding space. You'll also want your bridesmaids to have dresses that fit well and travel with them when they arrive. It's best to have as many fittings as you need well before you leave. Everyone in your bridal party should be comfortable being part of the wedding party.

A Color Scheme

Colors play a vital role in any wedding. Many brides have a color scheme in mind for the wedding setting before they do anything else. Your dress should reflect the choices you've made in wedding plans at your destination. For example, if you are holding a wedding in a lovely Vermont town during the fall, consider adding a touch of autumn color to the overall look. Many brides also like the idea of having a dress that has a hint of color such as ivory or even pink to it. Find out what colors are popular at your destination and use them in your dress.

Prep in Place

Weddings in a location such as a beach can be a fabulous way to celebrate. At the same time, the beach has issues such as sand and stones that can get on your dress and in your shoes. You'll want to make sure you have a dress that allows you to push sand away and shoes that you can pull off if something isn't working. Many brides also worry about looking pale when they're there. A spray tan and some sun before you leave can help set off that lovely dress you've chosen even better.

Little Details That Count

It's the little things that matter when it comes to creating the ideal dress for your wedding day. You'll want to have a tiara, the right shoes and a veil that works well with the dress you've brought. You'll need to make sure you can bring it to your destination. Find out in advance if you might have to pay duty when bringing jewelry from one place to the next on an airline flight. Make sure you have a safe place to keep such items in your hotel room before your big day. Hotel management can help with this process.

Courtnie is the founder & CEO of TravelBash. After years as an ambitious fundraiser, she took her passion for travel full-time. She has lived all over the U.S. and abroad and after planning her own destination wedding, she decided to help other couples plan their big day abroad too. She has written “Passport to Paradise: The Complete Destination Wedding Guide,” a top seller on Amazon. She has also been featured in Travel + Leisure, Destination I Do and The Washington Post. As a certified travel advisor, expert event planner and natural connector, she uses her powers to create VIP travel experiences.