Destination Wedding Packing List: The Ultimate Guide to Travel-Ready Wedding Style for Bridesmaids & Guests
- Emma Hamrick
- Dec 19, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 27, 2024
If you’re like me, your IG timeline is simply flooded with photos of long-lost high school acquaintances and co-workers from three jobs ago getting rings, popping champagne, and walking down the aisle. And if you’re like me, there might be two or three or seven weddings in the coming months that you’re planning to attend, or even more, stand up in. Ah, the joys of reaching your late 20s!
As I’ve just entered this seemingly perpetual wedding season, I was quickly thrown into the fire when I was asked to be a bridesmaid for my brother’s wedding. To add to the excitement, the wedding required travel to my hometown near Detroit, Michigan. Unlike my countless visits to Detroit in the past, this trip required some extra packing considerations, so here I am to share some words of wisdom for the other bridesmaids or wedding guests to be out there. Check out this perfect packing list for a destination wedding, outfit inspiration, and tips for members of the wedding party!
The Basics: The Perfect Packing List for Destination Weddings
Two Comfortable Travel-Day Outfits
One Athleisure Outfit for Working Out
One “Casual” Outfit for Each Day of Your Trip Depending on the Weather & Planned Activities
One Rehearsal Dinner Outfit
One Wedding Day Outfit
One Pajama Set for Every 2 Days of Travel
Underwear for Each Day of Travel
Make-up including what you’d wear for a “special event”
Jewelry that you plan to wear at the wedding, plus an everyday necklace and pair of earrings
Your Carry-On Essentials
Dressed to the 9’s: Outfit Ideas for Destination Wedding Festivities
What to Wear to the Rehearsal Dinner for a Destination Wedding
Rehearsal dinners range in formality, so pinpointing exactly what to wear can be difficult. I've found that brides often request bridesmaids to wear the same color for the rehearsal. My favorite tip for brides and bridesmaids is to consider wearing your wedding day shoes during the rehearsal itself to make sure you're confident in walking down the aisle wearing them. Aside from that, here are a few ideas of what to wear to casual, semi-formal, and formal rehearsal dinners:
What to Wear the Morning of the Wedding (for Bridesmaids)
Many brides will purchase matching robes, pajamas, or "swag" for the bridesmaids to wear while getting ready. My sister-in-law let us pick our outfits, so I opted to wear some Victoria's Secret pajamas that I already owned that just so happened to be the color of our dresses. If you're a bride shopping for matching bridal party attire, or a bridesmaid looking for something to match your bride's selected theme, here's some inspiration from some of my favorite spots:
What to Wear to a Destination Wedding as a Guest
Wedding guest outfits can be challenging for any nuptials, but special considerations must be made for destination weddings. Will the out be bulky or does it need a special suitcase to accommodate it? Will the outfit require an iron or steamer? Is there a dry cleaner near the wedding location to make your outfit look its best? If you're flying, do you feel comfortable putting your outfit in a checked bag? With all of these factors in mind, here are a few destination wedding outfits for any season:
Where to find the Best Bridesmaid Accessories for a Destination Wedding
When it comes to accessories for destination weddings, I always recommend opting for inexpensive options. Traveling with expensive jewelry is always a risk, and there's a good chance items could go missing after a fun evening out. Most of the below options are from Amazon:
Wedding-Worthy Extras for Bridesmaids: The Items You’ll Find Helpful on Wedding Day
Tote Bag – My sister-in-law gifted us tote bags as part of our bridesmaid gifts and OMG I would’ve been lost without one! I recommend packing a small, packable tote bag to carry around the essentials, as well as your “getting ready” clothes and any after-party outfits (or pajamas!) you need.
Comfy Clothes and Fresh Underwear – When the DJ wrapped and the lights came on, I was ready to be out of my dress and into something cozy. Consider keeping a comfy set in your bag for later.
Flip Flops – Heels get old quickly. I like these sandals that pack down nice and small.
Mini Steamer – Keep a steamer on-hand to steam out any wrinkles gained during your travels quickly.
Lint Roller – Speaking from experience, this is especially important if you’re getting ready in a family home with pets.
Make Up Wipes – These saved the day when the mother of the groom accidentally got make-up on his jacket before walking down the aisle.
Blister Protectors – I saved the bride’s heels by keeping these in my tote bag all day.
Blutooth Speaker – Having a small but powerful speaker like this one can come in handy, especially if you’re getting ready at a hotel or the venue itself.
Reusable Water Bottle – You know I don’t go anywhere without one! My favorite for on-the-go moments like wedding day is this one.
Extra Bobby Pins – You will absolutely find a need for these (especially when pinning the veil in the bride’s hair).
Stain Stick – Always a nice to have.
Handkerchief – I’m a crier, and my bridesmaid dress didn’t have pockets. I tucked a handkerchief inside my dress’s neckline so that I could dry my tears during the ceremony. Tissue would’ve disintegrated in the dress, so I was glad I picked up these ones online.
Extension Cords – Between cell phones, steamers, and hair tools, I can guarantee that having a few extra plugs will be necessary. This one is my favorite.
Wedding Invitation – If you’re in the bridal party, you probably know where you’re going. But this is helpful to have to send pictures to lost partygoers, or to have as a backup for the bride’s detail shots.
Gift for the Couple – Don’t be like me and avoid a day-of-the-wedding emergency trip Hallmark for a card. Make sure this is in your bag before you leave.
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