What to pack for a Destination Wedding

Whether it is your wedding or you are a guest at the Destination Wedding, the event poses extra packing considerations for your week in Paradise.

If you are the bride hopefully the venue provides all of the wedding decor, programs etc. This will allow you to pack light and not have all this excess luggage.

Assuming you have all the wedding planning under control here is my What to pack for a Destination Wedding packing guide.

1. What to pack for a destination wedding – Start with the event packing

The main reason everyone is going on this holiday is to see the bride and groom get married. So before all else pack what you need to celebrate. Whether you need a dress, a tux or likely something more low key like  khakis and a button down shirt, make sure you have that packed.

Make sure you find out what the bride has planned. Are they getting married on the beach? In a garden? This could impact everything from what pair of shoes you choose (heels and sand just don’t mix) to whether you are packing something ethereal and floaty or something  more structured. Men might want to go with a lighter coloured suit like grey or khaki as opposed to a traditional black to better suit the destination wedding location.

I always keep my toiletries travel size when I am off on a beach holiday but you might want to take a bit more in the way of hair product and makeup to get you through the special day. Don’t get carried away  however what you pack for this event will restrict what you can pack for the rest of the week away.

If you are the bride and groom, make sure you have your wedding dress and outfits packed for not only the ceremony but also for any rehearsal or brunch events you have planned. Pack any jewellery and bridal gifts. Also include your legal documents especially if your wedding in the Tropics will be your legal wedding.

peach dress/ navy lace dress/ floral dress/cotton suit/khaki blazer/light grey suit/khaki pants/short sleeve button down shirt

2. What to pack for a destination wedding – Pack your Bathing suits

What else are you going to need right?! But this time around you might want to give some thought as to what bathing suits you pick depending on what day of your vacation the wedding falls.

Are you sun bathing a few days before the big event? What kind of neckline is your dress? Strapless? Halter? Make sure that you have bathing suit to match.floral one piece/mesh cutout one piece/polka dot convertible/bandeau top/peplum one piece/two piece/cover up

Same goes for the groom and his friends. Are you wearing shorts to the big day? Make sure your bathing suit is shorter than the shorts you are wearing otherwise you could be in for some tan lines too.

I tend to pack all the bathing suits I have on hand because of the humidity things take longer to dry out than they do here at home. Plus bathing suits really don’t take that much room.

Plus when the wedding is over you can get as many crazy tan lines as you like.

3. What to pack for a destination wedding – Outfits for the rest of the week

DAYTIME

This is where you need to be really honest with yourself. Do you plan on going on excursions? Do you plan on playing sports like golf or tennis? Or do you plan on reading on the beach all week? The less you have planned the less you need to pack. Don’t pack things just in case. If it is just in case USUALLY this means it is not going to happen.

Talk to others that are going to be there with you during the week. Maybe they have plans that you will be tagging along with; this could help guide your packing process.

EVENINGS

Nothing will be as formal as the wedding night and maybe the rehearsal dinner. But keep in mind that you will want to wear something that is appropriate for dinner out in a hot climate. I usually stick with sundresses.  I also found myself wearing the flats I packed more than any other footwear because there is always so much more walking in a resort than I remember when packing.

If you are looking for more detailed guidance on what to pack for an all inclusive vacation check out this packing guide here.

How does your packing process change when you are packing for a destination wedding? What process do you go through when determining what to pack for a destination wedding?