Getting married in Greece or any other Mediterranean country? Congratulations!
In this blog my dear friend Jenny from the Frock Goddess shares her top tips on what to pack for a destination wedding in a warm climate.
We assume that you’ll already have the essentials on your list that you would normally take abroad such as passport, money, toiletries, sunglasses, and your wedding dress etc! Therefore, this guide aims to give advice about the things that you might not have thought about, or that you wouldn’t need for a holiday abroad.
You’ll be taking A LOT of stuff with you for your destination wedding, so you’ll probably be checking in a few bags between you. We recommend that all of the absolutely essential items listed below should be taken as carry-on luggage on the plane rather than being checked in. The last thing you’ll need is the stress of your wedding dress or other important items going missing if anything happens to your checked in luggage!
Your Dress
Unless you are getting married in the winter it’s likely to be very hot on your wedding day. Therefore, you should keep your dress light, loose and simple. The fewer layers you have in your dress, and the less restrictive it is, the less chance you’ll overheat!
Natural fabrics that are breathable such as cotton, silk and bamboo silk are a much better option than polyester or tuille.
A simple, single layer drapey silk or cotton dress will look fabulous and be much easier to wear than a multi layered, corset, polyester dress with lots of tuille and bling.
As well as keeping you cooler on the day, a lighter dress will be easier to transport on the plane too.
We recommend that you carry your wedding dress in a garment bag to keep in protected.
Unpack and hang up your dress and veil as soon as you get to your hotel room. If you happen to have a mini steamer you could take this with you to deal with any creases when you get there. If not, hang them in the bathroom when you’re having a bath or shower to help the creases drop out.
It’s best to avoid ironing your dress or veil unless you are super confident with the fabric.
Looking for that perfect laid back wedding dress that is ethically made using sustainable fabrics? Just press here.
Your Shoes
There is a good chance that a Mediterranean destination wedding will involve you walking on cobbled streets or a beach at some point! Therefore, it would be best to avoid delicate heels if at all possible.
For a beach wedding your safest bet is strappy flat sandals (or bare feet!)
For non-beach weddings you could go for flats, wedges, or block heels as these will be much easier to walk in.
You might want to take a spare pair of comfy shoes to slip into for evening dancing.
Other Bride clothes/accessories
Don’t forget the following as well as your dress and shoes:
- Veil
- Wedding day jewellery/hair pieces (wrap these carefully or stuff them in socks to protect them)
- Wedding day clutch or evening bag to carry your phone and lippy on the day. Press here for the perfect clutch.
- Underwear
- Getting ready robe
- Wedding day makeup
- Perfume
- Something old, new, borrowed & blue
- A wrap or cover up for cooler evenings
- Strapless swimwear to avoid tan lines before the wedding.
Documents
We recommend that you keep copies of all your essential documents all in one folder. This could include: travel information such as boarding passes etc, hotel reservations, insurance documents, supplier agreements, licences etc
Bride’s emergency Kit
- Nail polish/nail kit – for touch ups or broken nails
- Plasters
- Small sewing kit including needle, thread, pins, and scissors
- Safety pins
- Painkillers
- Snacks – plenty of them!!
- Tissues (there will probably be happy tears at some point!)
- Touch up make up
- Hair pins for hair emergencies
Tips before you leave
Leave copies of important documents at home with someone who is not travelling to your wedding in case of any emergencies
Check data roaming charges for your mobile phone and discuss a temporary change to your mobile phone plan if you need to use data whilst you are away. If you can’t get reasonably priced data roaming remember to turn your data roaming off whilst you are abroad to avoid hefty fees.
Packing tips
Keep liquids in sealed bags well away from your wedding clothes.
Try not to pack more than you’ll realistically use/wear for the rest of your trip. You’ll already be taking A LOT of wedding related stuff, so it could get expensive to take more than you need for the rest of you trip.
Above all don’t forget to take the time to enjoy the trip and the wedding! A destination wedding will bring you and your guests’ memories to treasure. The whole thing will go so quickly so try to enjoy and appreciate every moment.
About the Author
Jenny Haworth, the founder of Frock Goddess, has been passionate for fashion, designs and sewing for over 30 years.
Apart from actually planning her wedding all by herself in the beautiful destination of Victoria Baths in Manchester, she also addresses some of the problems of sustainability in the fashion and wedding industry.
She is truly committed to sourcing sustainable fabrics were possible; reducing waste; and designing dresses and outfits that can be worn more than once.
To find out more about Jenny and shop from the Frock Goddess press here.
For your daily dose of wedding inspiration, make sure you follow her on Instagram.
