Destination Weddings: Deciding Where and What to Wear

This post brought to you by Caribbean and Latin America Marriott and JW Resorts. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Belle The Magazine.

Are you thinking about exchanging vows in an exciting local around the world? Does the vision of a sandy beach and a beautiful seaside soireés with a stunning sunset as a background make your heart skip a bit? Well, we’ve definitely got the thing to cure that, the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA). This famously stunning region of the world offers the ideal seating for a romantic beach wedding and more… But since Mexico and the Caribbean are so big and fantastic, you may be asking yourself how to pick the right location for your dream wedding? That’s why we’ve teamed up with the Caribbean and Latin America Marriott and JW Resorts to help you choose where to get married and how to do it in style. They came up with an interactive tree-style quiz — Marriott Resorts Matrimony Quiz to help brides decide on the destination and CALA resort that is right for their wedding. And on our end, we created an easy-to-follow destination wedding dress code guide to help brides choose the right look for them and their groom. 

Where to Marry: In our minds, it’s tough to beat CALA's diversity as a destination for your wedding. The Caribbean and Latin America are gifted with miles and miles of gorgeous coastline with beaches on the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean to tie the knot. All countries have an incredibly friendly relationship with the United States and while they may speak other languages, many locals understand English and American dollars are happily accepted. The food is fantastic and the people are friendly, and in addition to amazing beaches to say “I do”, CALA offers activities as diverse as exploring ruins or playing golf on a pro course. With 8 Marriott and JW Resorts properties in 7 beautiful Caribbean and Mexico destinations you are sure to find the place for your dream destination wedding below… Take the following quiz, discover which one is these spots is the right fit for you, and then click on the resort’s image to request more info for your upcoming nuptials!

         

What to Wear: Now that you choose your perfect CALA location, let’s decide on your wedding day look. Shall we? Here is my advice...

• Skip the big dress and think light. Let’s face it, a ballgown belongs in, well, a ballroom. Walking on the beach carrying a 10 pound gown won’t be easy. Instead, choose a lightweight fabric sheath or mermaid silhouette so your dress flows in the ocean breeze.
• Let your guy go informal. While many brides envision their groom in a tux, black wool is a no-no in tropical climates. Lightweight cotton pants are great options for the beach.

• Ditch the heels and the veil. Sand and high heels just don’t mix. Wear flat-sole sandals, espadrilles or wedges — shoes that won’t sink into the sand. And think twice about a long veil, when marrying outside. If it’s windy, it will be a nightmare for you and the photographer. Instead, accessorize your look with fresh flowers, a birdcage veil or a fascinator.
• Consider an updo. Humidity and heat will be in the horizon for your wedding day, so an updo will keep you looking polished all night. If wearing your hair down is the only option, invest in the services of a hair stylist, who can do touch-ups throughout the day.

Deciding on where to have your destination wedding is a difficult task, specially once you’ve narrowed it down to a region as beautiful as the Caribbean or Mexico. What kind of cultural experience are you looking for? Will the experience be turn-key or will it be a challenge to manage from overseas? Don’t forget to take the quiz to help you decide the destination that best fits your needs, and connect you, worry-free, with the CALA Marriott or JW resort that’s perfect for your big day.