20 Wedding Dresses Perfect for Destination Nuptials

By Lauren Pardee
September 30, 2011
Vanessa Hicks Photography

Dress for your unique locale with a bridal look that wows.

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Vanessa Hicks Photography

It's important to consider your destination wedding's setting when picking your bridal look. Whether you are getting married on a tropical beach or in the Italian countryside, there are many ways your venue can influence your wedding fashion decision. For starters, your soirée's climate can impact your choice of fabrics. If you're tying the knot in a warm-weather environment, an ensemble with illusion necklines and cut outs can help you keep cool, for example. Your setting's vibe can also help you gauge just how formal, casual, traditional, or unique your outfit should be. While a castle event in England calls for a classically regal gown, a garden chateau celebration allows for a more colorful look. Overall, it's important to consider all aspects of your special day when picking the perfect dress—especially if you're saying "I do" in a unique location.

But what if your fashion tastes don't completely line up with your event location's aesthetic? Not to worry—from necklines and hemlines to materials and colors, there are so many ways to subtly customize your wedding dress to fit your destination. This beachy bride is proof: Although her fête's ocean backdrop was inherently casual, she opted for a polished and romantic gown that still complemented her party's coastal scene. Her lace B'Ellegance Bridal look's form-fitting mermaid silhouette, off-the-shoulder neckline, and wind-blown train offered the feminine, traditional vibe that she'd always dreamed of—and tied her ensemble back to her seaside venue.

To help you find a destination wedding dress, we've rounded up our favorite ensembles from celebrations around the world. Any one of the following looks will wow your guests—and speak to your locale—as you walk down the aisle in your dream setting.

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Classic and Tropical

Alisa Ferris
Island Time: 33 Tropical Wedding Ideas We Love

Looking for a traditional wedding dress for your tropical celebration? Model your outfit after this bride's Blue Tag Bridal gown, which featured embroidery, a lace-up back, a trumpet skirt, and illusion sleeves for a classic ensemble that was breathable, too.

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Royal-Inspired

Abby Jiu Photography
18 Fairy-Tale Castle Wedding Venues in America

Complement your castle venue's regal aesthetic with a wedding dress fit for a queen. This bride looked the part thanks to her lace Carine's Bridal ball gown; its long sleeves and boat neckline offered an equally conservative and romantic look.

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Fashion Hub

D'Arcy Benincosa Photography
The Honeymooner's Guide to Paris

When planning a party in a major fashion hub, opting for a nontraditional, luxe ensemble is a great way to embrace the city's culture. This bride's nude mermaid Inbal Dror original (which featured a structured bodice, ruffles, and crystal embroidery) was a stylish must for her Paris nuptials.

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Homey Vibe

Erich McVey
The 10 Most Romantic Places to Honeymoon in Italy

This newlywed wore a charming tea-length wedding dress by Elizabeth Fillmore Bridal for her celebration, which took place in a quaint Tuscan neighborhood. A relaxed bridal look like this lace ensemble is perfect for an intimate celebration abroad—especially when traveling to your family's countryside homeland for the occasion.

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Sunny Hue

Marisa Belle Photography
24 Yellow Wedding Ideas That Will Make Your Day Bright and Cheery

Your favorite aspect of your destination wedding's locale can influence your big-day look. In this case, the bride's love for the desert's consistent sunshine made this cheerful yellow RISTYLE Consulting dress a no-brainer.

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French Chateau

Christina Bernales
Mermaid Wedding Dresses that Bring the Drama

Go for a classic, romantic look if you're tying the knot somewhere as beautiful as a French chateau. This bride nailed that idea with a lace mermaid gown complete with a flirty off-the-shoulder neckline by David Tutera.

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Casually Beachy

Shanell Photography
27 Stunning Beach Wedding Dresses

Take advantage of your seaside soirée's inherently casual vibes with an airy wedding dress (Carol Hannah created this backless, sand-colored ensemble) that moves in the wind and features a beach-inspired hue, like tan.

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Romantic Red

Greg Finck
20 Bold Ideas for a Red Wedding Color Palette

What better place to wear a red wedding dress than in the city of love? Make a romantic statement in a crimson gown similar to this Vera Wang iteration if you plan to tie the knot in Paris.

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Starry Nights

Carlos Hernandez
30 Celestial Wedding Ideas That'll Have You Starry-Eyed

A celestial-themed gown resembling this embellished The Dress Theory look can festively allude to your destination soirée under the stars.

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Desert Climate

This Modern Romance
20 Desert-Inspired Wedding Ideas for the Boho Couple

A full coverage, light-weight ensemble like this one will protect you from the sun without causing you to overheat.

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Mountain Formal

Copper Hill Photography

A formal gown can contrast a casual mountain in a statement-making (and seriously photographable) way. Note how this Allure Bridal dress made a fashionable impression in this rustic setting thanks to its traditional silhouette, lace embellishments, and button details.

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Boho-Chic

Jana Contreras Photography
Boho-Chic Wedding Ideas for Free-Spirited Brides and Grooms

Get inspired by your desert event's relaxed and dreamy vibe with a modern, bohemian-style wedding dress. This Rue de Seine gown featured lace and fringe details for a playful, contemporary look that artfully complemented this bride's Aztec carpet altar.

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Sunny Threads

The Times We Have
22 Ideas for an Elevated Beach Wedding

A splashy yellow wedding dress similar to this Sarah Seven number is a great option for any nontraditional bride looking to celebrate the warm weather at their sunny seaside locale.

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Historical Tribute

Sylvie Gil Photography
64 White Wedding Bouquets

A European castle venue's rich history can inspire a unique bridal look. This bride's structured Naeem Khan ensemble—which featured intricate embroidery, cap sleeves, a crew neckline, and a grand tulle skirt—was a modern take on traditional royal dressings.

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Creative Garden

Love, The Nelsons
Our Favorite Colorful Dresses from Real Weddings

Wearing a colorful wedding dress with a floral design, like this Carolina Herrera look, is a creative way to connote your destination wedding's garden locale.

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Illusion Back

Anya Kernes Photography
22 Wedding Dresses That Wowed from the Back

This La Soie Bridal wedding dress, which featured an illusion, buttoned-up back, was subtly sexy. We suggest emulating this ensemble at your own beachy affair if you want to keep cool and show a touch of skin.

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Tuscan Sun

Kyle John Photography
The Most Common Wedding Dress Embellishments, Explained

Getting married in Italy? Choose a wedding dress that nods to your picturesque setting. That's why this bride wore a loose fitting A-line Maria Korovilas gown that wowed thanks to Tuscan sun-inspired antique brass accents.

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Traditional Dressings

Merari Photography
12 Unique Wedding Traditions from Around the World

Wearing a traditional garment that speaks to your family's home country is a great way to celebrate your culture's deep-rooted history. This bride did just that in an orange (a classic color for Indian brides!) lehenga.

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Mountain View

Anya Kernes Photography
52 Ideas for Your Spring Wedding Bouquet

If your destination big day features a breathtaking backdrop, don't distract from the view with an over-the-top wedding dress. We love how this bride's simple sheath Sarah Seven gown didn't take away from the mountain landscape. She also wore a capelet, which kept her warm and billowed prettily in the breeze.

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By Lauren Pardee