Destination Wedding bride attire!

[mrsg2b]

Hey there, this issue just came to my attention as I'm embarking on my DW planning "adventure"...
I have a dress I was planning to wear (yes I know you shouldn't buy a dress before you plan the wedding but it's a long story lol!) but it's pretty formal, an anne barge dress with a decent length train, beading etc from her Spring 2006 couture collection... I can try to post pics to give you a better idea of what it looks like.
I absolutely love the dress but now that I'm looking to plan a DW I'm not sure it would be appropriate??? I know I probably want to have my ceremony in a church wherever we go, along with as formal a reception as possible at the resort we choose. I was leaning towards Puerto Rico or Dominican Republic but every dress I see when people are talking DW is sort of more sexy, straight simple silhouettes than formal gown-ish...
Selling a wedding dress, even when it's new is kind of a pain and not easy it seems, and as I said it's a beautiful gown I'd love to wear! Would it be ridiculous?
Your thoughts?

[WebLady]

If you can get the dress to the location then I really think it is mostly about what you want to wear and will feel comfortable in.

Most of the time when the "other" types of dresses are recommended are for beach weddings and/or small DW where it is mostly just the couple.

But again; you can wear whatever makes you feel like a bride :grinhappy:

[gwenshack]

I think it's more than acceptable to wear a formal gown to a DW. You only wear the dress once - so if it gets sand on it or something it's not like it'll really matter right? :)

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

Our wedding/reception is on the beach and my dress happens to be tea length, but I think there is nothing wrong with a more formal dress. Just make sure you will feel comfortable, confidant, and beautiful :) We would love to see pics too ;)

[LovingLife]

Its your wedding, wear what you want and feel beautiful. It's your day. :D

[mrsg2b]

Thank you so much ladies!!! I definitely want a more formal look for my special day, and you're right, I don't care what happens to it after my pictures are taken! Just needed that reassurance I guess...
Now I can fret over some other detail, like getting it over there (wherever "there" turns out to be) in one piece lol!

[bichonlvr]

WEAR it.....You will love it!!!

[Ginger]

Obviously wear whatever makes you feel awesome. However - a friend of mine is having a DW in a hot location (she bought her dress before they landed on the location) and she regrets it because the dress is so formal and "hot" looking (temperature hot, not sexy hot).

[Dani]

Also, make sure it is a dress that is easy to travel with!

[mrsg2b]

Ouch, that's a good consideration... The dress is definitely not something that would be too breathable in a really steamy climate... I just wonder if the weather would be milder in DR in the late fall/early winter?
It's definitely not easy to travel with!!! It's pretty heavy actually :(
What are my options there???

[Ginger]

Ouch, that's a good consideration... The dress is definitely not something that would be too breathable in a really steamy climate... I just wonder if the weather would be milder in DR in the late fall/early winter?
It's definitely not easy to travel with!!! It's pretty heavy actually :(
What are my options there???

What airline are you flying? Sometimes the flight attendants will be very nice and stow your dress in the captains' closet. (Granted, this was before the fare hikes and everything.) Call the airline and ask.

You can also consider shipping it ahead (to your wedding coordinator, hotel, or friends/family in the area).

Where are you going? Check their annual weather on weather.com for the week you're getting married to see what their averages have been over the last several years.
GL

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

I personally think you can find a formal dress that's still breathable and suitable for a DW. My biggest concern was being hot, sticky, and stuck in a dress that I wanted to rip off my body. The dress I chose was the absolute LAST one I ever would have picked, but once I tried it on I was instantly in love with it. http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=2345&prodgroup=123
Of course the model has to be the only one sitting down. LOL.....David's Bridal has an entire section just for beach brides. :D

[Ginger]

I wore a white bridesmaid dress (beach wedding). It was perfect and v affordable.

[RosieAngel]

For my Catalina Island wedding, I made the mistake of wearing a princess dress with chapel train, a built-in crinoline and all of the trimmings. We got it to the island just fine thanks to roomy storage spaces on the ferry. At the wedding, though? I was too hot! While the top half of me was fine, my legs were a sweaty, sticky, disgusting mess the whole evening. And of course, I made things worse by dancing! :bbredface:

So I would definitely choose a dress from a destination wedding collection - I'm a big fan of Demitrios destination wedding dresses, myself, and DB has some cute ones (I think it's the Galina collection?) for hot weather destinations.

[mrsg2b]

That's exactly what I'm worried about-- being a sweaty mess... ahem.. down there... lol! So if I opted for a different dress, do any of you ladies have any know-how about selling a dress that is designer and really top dollar bridal gear? I wouldn't know what to do with the dress I have?

[RosieAngel]

That's exactly what I'm worried about-- being a sweaty mess... ahem.. down there... lol! So if I opted for a different dress, do any of you ladies have any know-how about selling a dress that is designer and really top dollar bridal gear? I wouldn't know what to do with the dress I have?

There are a few options - you can eBay it, which is popular, and there are other sites specializing in selling pre-owned wedding gowns:

This one is where a friend of mine bought her dress! http://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/

This one requires that your dress be less than three years old and retail at least $2000, which makes me think that only top-notch dresses can be sold here! http://encorebridal.com/

Good luck!

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

Also try Craigslist. Good luck :)

[SafetyHarborBrideAtLast]

You could pre-ship it to your hotel rather than attempt to bring it on the plane... buy a very large box that will allow the dress to lay flat, and pack a steamer in your luggage. Just make sure to insure the dress, and that the hotel knows it is coming and has a secure place to keep it.

[mrsg2b]

Rosie Angel, thanks for that website-- this dress is definitely top notch and retailed for well over 2K. I'm thinking I'm going to try to sell it now, just based on the thought of being sweaty and uncomfortable temperature-wise for my entire wedding. Plus I sweat first on my back and forehead so this is a set-up for disaster lol!

[RosieAngel]

Rosie Angel, thanks for that website-- this dress is definitely top notch and retailed for well over 2K. I'm thinking I'm going to try to sell it now, just based on the thought of being sweaty and uncomfortable temperature-wise for my entire wedding. Plus I sweat first on my back and forehead so this is a set-up for disaster lol!

No problem! I hope you get most if not all of your money back!

Eww... back-sweat. Are you going to choose something backless to help with that? I'm pretty thin (size 6/8 now, was 8/10 when I got engaged), but I can't pull off a backless style.

Tell us what you end up getting!

[mrsg2b]

I'm a size 4/6 in street clothes and I definitely wouldn't feel comfortable in a backless style... Not sure why, I guess I want to dress a little sexy but not too too sexy... I'll save that for the honeymoon lol!

[Adicia]

Hey there, this issue just came to my attention as
I absolutely love the dress but now that I'm looking to plan a DW I'm not sure it would be appropriate???Your thoughts?
Wear the dress you love! Absolutely! It's your day and you should look and feel exactly how you see yourself as the most beautiful bride. I know some people have regretted wearing their "dream dress" because it wasn't appropriate to the weather, so you have to consider that. I bought a formal dress that I loved and comprimised by having the train removed because I was going to be walking outside all day and I didn't want to drag a dirty dress behind me. And I carried that dress, the fluffy slip, bra, veil, etc. on plane after plane from Tampa to New York to Bangkok to Chiang Mai and I am so, so happy that I did. On my wedding day and in my pictures, I look like the bride I wanted to be. Loving your dress is so important in my opinion and if you love your dress then wear it!