What to wear to a destination wedding

  • March 7, 2024

The venue is booked, the flights are arranged, so now it’s time to focus on one of the most exciting parts of a destination wedding – deciding what to wear. Whether you’re the bride, groom, or guest, choosing the right outfit for a destination wedding may feel a little daunting at first. Of course you need to take into consideration the weather – if you’re saying your ‘I do’s somewhere sunny like Greece, you want to dress for comfort. No one wants to be overheating in their wedding dress on their big day! Whether you’ve already booked your wedding at Le Ciel in Santorini, are still searching for the perfect wedding venue in Greece, or are planning your big day somewhere else, if you’re wondering what to wear to a destination wedding we we have all the advice and inspiration you need right here.

bride and groom walking through sparklers at destination wedding
Credit: White on Black Studio Photography

What to wear to a destination wedding as a bride

Finding ‘the one’ – the dress, that is – should be an unforgettable experience for any bride. When searching for the perfect destination wedding dress, of course you should always go for a gown you love, but there are some things to consider if you want a dress you can dance the night away in.

bride walking through courtyard at Santorini destination wedding
Credit: Lana Visual – The Greece Photographer

Tight, heavy corsets may leave you a little too hot in the Santorini sunshine so look for lightweight structure or more flowing gowns. Spaghetti straps – whether paired with a form-fitting or princess skirt – will help to keep you cool, as will a wedding dress with a low back (a huge bridal trend for 2024).

bride wearing thin strap wedding dress at destination wedding in Santorini
Credit: Zlatkovic Photography

Lace illusion gowns add a glamorous feel to a destination wedding, while soft tulle helps to channel a romantic vibe. If you’d prefer a dress with sleeves, consider floaty, embellished tulle sleeves rather than thick lace, to help keep you cool.

bride standing on clifftops of Santorini at destination wedding wearing dress with tulle sleeves
Credit: Dreamodd Photography

What to wear to a destination wedding as a groom

The last thing the groom wants on his wedding day is to be sweating in a thick suit, especially for a destination wedding. Think about the material of your suit and try to steer clear of heavy fabrics like tweed. A 3-piece suit is a great choice for a sunny wedding, as you’re able to take your suit jacket off after the ceremony and still look sharp.

groom wearing 3 piece suit holding brides hand
Credit: Zlatkovic Photography

While some of our Le Ciel grooms favoured light coloured suits in stylish neutral shades, others opted for traditional tuxes. Whatever you feel comfortable in will always be a style winner.

groom wearing tux holding brides hand in Santorini Le Ciel
Credit: Zlatkovic Photography

What to wear to a destination wedding as a bridesmaid

You want your bridesmaids to feel comfortable in what they wear to your wedding, especially if you’re marrying abroad. Silk slip dresses in soft neutral shades always look effortlessly chic and at home in sunny Santorini. Or, consider multi-way dresses in soft shades of blush or bright pink, which your bridesmaids can wear or tie in a way that suits their style.

bride and bridesmaids wearing pale pink dresses at destination wedding
Credit: Lana Visual – The Greece Photographer

The best thing about a destination wedding is that there are no fashion rules. We love how one of our Le Ciel brides dressed her bridesmaids in matching white maxi dresses. The elegant minimalist cut of the gowns feel fresh and modern, and look fantastic against the whitewashed building of Santorini.

bridesmaids wearing white maxi dresses
Credit: Lana Visual – The Greece Photographer

What to wear to a destination wedding as a guest

Dressing for a destination wedding as a guest is a lot of fun. A wedding in the sunshine is the perfect excuse to wear bright colours and embrace patterns like tropical florals. At Le Ciel we’ve seen guests pull out all the stops for our couples’ big days.

guests wearing colourful dresses dancing with bride at Le Ciel destination wedding
Credit: Kimonas Patiniotis

Ruffles are a huge trend for 2024 and work perfectly on a relaxed off-the-shoulder gown or bright cocktail dress, while florals always hit the style mark. If you’re expecting hot temperatures, consider floaty dresses or shorter gowns to keep cool– and don’t forget a hat makes the ultimate destination wedding accessory.

guests laughing wearing floral dress and off the shoulder dress at Le Ciel destination wedding
Credit: Zlatkovic Photography

Finding the perfect destination wedding venue in Santorini

The Greek island of Santorini provides a jaw-dropping setting for your destination wedding. Le Ciel is Santorini’s most luxurious wedding venue. With stunning views across the Aegean Sea, it offers everything you need for an unforgettable big day. If you’re interested in planning a destination wedding in Greece, we’d love to hear from you. If we can help answer any questions or if you’d like to find out more about Le Ciel, please just click here and we’ll get straight back to you.