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The Dreamiest Wedding Dresses For Every Destination

Be it the French Riviera or the Colorado countryside, a dreamy destination is often top of the list for a bride-to-be’s big day. Here, we’ve selected some of the most spectacular wedding venues around the globe – as well as the chicest bridalwear to style out the celebrations

Words Eanna Morrison BarrsFashion editor Jasmine Dunne
Fashion

Whether you’re returning to a meaningful location or gathering your loved ones for a far-flung celebration, your wedding destination provides a beautiful backdrop for your big day – as well as plenty of inspiration for the dress. “The venue and destination should be front of mind when thinking about the fashion styling for a wedding weekend,” says New York-based bridal stylist Gabrielle Hurwitz. “I try to pull from the colors, textures and overall vibes [of the location] so the fashion feels like an extension of the setting,” she continues, explaining how she curates head-to-toe looks for her clients’ wedding wardrobes. Among the most stylish brides, it’s customary to take the site under consideration – a glamorous gathering in the French Riveria sets a different mood to a laid-back affair in the Rocky Mountains, after all. If you’ve set the date and booked the venue, but are still searching for the perfect dress, let these incredible weddings – and their locations – inspire you.

Sofia Richie Grainge (wearing Chanel) and Elliot Grainge celebrated in style (Photograph: Norman & Blake)
Richie Grainge wore another custom Chanel creation for her rehearsal dinner (Photograph: Norman & Blake)

Riviera romance

The glitz and glamour of Côte d’Azur have always drawn an A-list crowd, and the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in particular, is a dream destination. Sofia Richie Grainge held her wedding here in 2023, wearing three captivating Chanel haute-couture looks across the weekend – for the rehearsal dinner, ceremony and after-party. If you, like Richie Grainge, are considering multiple looks over a couple of days, try styling versatile separates. Danielle Frankel’s ‘Anais’ bustier and ‘Dean’ floor-length skirt make a gorgeous duo for the service, and the latter can be swapped out for a more minimalist silhouette or shorter length come evening. However, if you’d prefer to make your second entrance in a completely new outfit, opt for Vivienne Westwood’s draped ‘Doll’ mini dress. It’s a fashion-bride favorite for a reason, guaranteed to flatter every figure with its effortless draping and corset-style bodice.

Venus Williams wore a custom Georges Hobeika gown for her wedding in Palm Beach, Florida (Photograph: David Bastianoni)

Coastal elegance

With an azure-blue ocean and golden sands as the backdrop of an elegant coastal ceremony, all that’s needed to complement the scenery are swirling motifs and saltwater pearls. Consider one of Clio Peppiatt’s signature hand-embellished silhouettes for a modern take on the bridal beach gown. The new and exclusive ‘Droplet’ style is exquisitely adorned with crystals and beads that mimic the effect of water glistening against the sunlight, whereas the ‘Seashell’ mini – another NET-A-PORTER exclusive – features beaded starfish and coral motifs for a more literal homage to the setting and will ensure all eyes are on you at the after-party. A billowing veil is also a must in your wedding wardrobe to capture a dramatic, wind-swept moment à la Venus Williams, who held two coastal weddings last year, one in Ischia and another in Palm Beach, respectively.

Stylist Madison Childs Boniface and Jordan Lee tied the knot in Paris – the City of Love (Photograph Norman & Blake)
Childs Boniface wore an archival Valentino Garavani gown with romantic rosettes (Photograph: Norman & Blake)

Chic city break

There’s nothing chicer than a wedding in one of the world’s fashion capitals – whether that’s New York, Milan, London or Paris. Stylist and vintage curator Madison Childs Boniface chose the so-called ‘City of Love’ as the destination for her wedding earlier this year. Her ‘something old’ was an archival Valentino Garavani gown with romantic rosettes that set the mood for the main event: “I found myself imagining a wedding that could live up to the dress. Its sense of history helped guide the vision for the entire celebration, ultimately leading us to Paris,” she explains. If you’re also drawn to the golden glow of streetlamps and a backdrop of landmark buildings, look to Vivienne Westwood’s ‘Sybyl’ gown for your ‘something new’. It has a modern off-the-shoulder neckline and a draped satin silhouette that is well-suited to town hall nuptials or city soirée. Plus, the length is perfect for roaming the streets post-ceremony, as are the sturdy flared heels of Amina Muaddi’s ‘Ami’ leather pumps.

Model Taylor Hill walked down the aisle barefoot in a tiered Etro gown on a ranch in Colorado (Photograph: Cedar & Pines)

Countryside charm

For an outdoor celebration in the countryside, an ethereal or bohemian-inspired wedding dress is a divine choice. Take your cue from model Taylor Hill, who walked down the aisle barefoot in a tiered, custom Etro gown on a ranch in Winter Park, Colorado, with scenic views of the Rocky Mountains behind her. Our editors agree, a down-to-earth destination like hers – including rustic farmyards, renovated barns and hilltop vineyards – calls for the airy, crinkled organza of Danielle Frankel’s ‘Henrietta’ gown. The gorgeous strapless style flows gracefully from the drop waist, allowing for ease of movement while maintaining a sense of occasion. Wear yours with Manolo Blahnik’s ‘Iacopo’ sandals – which, like Hill, you can kick off at any moment – and Foundrae’s ‘Infinite Gratitude’ pendant, a future heirloom crafted with exquisite sapphires and a diamond-encrusted infinity symbol, as your ‘something blue’ and a lasting reminder of your special day.

Kate McGrath and husband Spencer Foust were married at Villa Cetinale in Siena, Italy (Photograph: Norman & Blake)
The bride wore an embellished tulle gown by Elie Saab (Photograph: Norman & Blake)

Garden-estate grandeur

If you’ve selected a venue steeped in history – think storied castles, manor houses and villas – it’s essential to choose a showstopping dress. “With a venue that grand, the wedding dress needed to have presence, but at the same time, still feel effortless,” says Hurwitz of the embellished Elie Saab tulle gown her client, Kate McGrath, wore for a wedding at Villa Cetinale – a 17th-century estate in Tuscany. A “big, dramatic ballgown” was the ideal silhouette for the elaborate setting, which was framed by towering cypress trees and Baroque architecture. Rebecca Vallance’s ‘Vanilla Dreams’ gown evokes a similar fairytale feel, cut from pearlescent cloqué with structured bodice and voluminous skirt that feels like it’s made for running through the walled gardens come midnight. Add an extra-long veil and Repossi’s 18-karat white gold and diamond cuff for a wedding-day look that’s worthy of an enchanting estate.

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