From Traditional to Tropical: Explore Popular Destination Wedding Styles

It’s happening, your dream day is actually coming to life! You’re engaged, in the midst of planning your big day, and you know you want a destination wedding. You know where you’ll be travelling to, you know what venue you want, and you know who’s going to be invited. It sounds like you’ve got a good number of the big-ticket items checked off your list… right? One thing you may not have thought about is your colour story or theme for the day, and though it may seem like a small detail in comparison to the location, the palette you choose can influence many factors such as your décor, bridesmaids’ dresses, florals, and even invitations!

One of my #1 tips to couples in the beginning stages of wedding-planning is to pick the colours and theme for the day right off the bat. With millions of colour tones and variations to choose from, it can be overwhelming to narrow down your wedding palette to a few options that you love and want to incorporate. Regardless of your taste or vision for your big day, here are a few of the most popular (and timeless) destination wedding themes.  

Boho

One of the most popular and sought-after wedding aesthetics has to be the boho, beachy dream. 

If you’re a boho-loving bride, chances are your destination wedding venue will have at least some outdoorsy details. Use all of the natural beauty to your advantage! Create an even more organic, carefree and effortless atmosphere by incorporating elements of handmade decorations, personalised signage, and lots of lace! Watercolour features are also very popular with boho destination weddings, especially beachy events, and are also something that can be easily DIY’ed. Add as much of your personality as you want, after all, the day is about you!

As far as a colour story goes, think of earthy tones such as green, brown, cream, and blue. The colours you choose should be nature-inspired while also being infused with your personality. At its’ core, a boho theme means going with the flow, so with this theme, nothing is off-limits. 

My Pampas in Paradise invite perfectly encapsulates the boho vibe. With trendy script and pampas grass framing, the theme of your wedding won’t be lost on anyone. WOW your guests by integrating a boho atmosphere throughout the entire experience, starting at the very beginning with an invitation to your dream-worthy event.

View the Pampas in Paradise Template

Tropical

Because you're getting married on a beach, right?

If you’re heading to the Dominican or Jamaica for your destination nuptials, a tropical theme might be the final touch to making the most cohesive and enjoyable event for you and your guests! Immerse yourself into lush greenery, palm leaves, bright flowers, and unique materials such as bamboo and driftwood. Vibrant shades of coral, turquoise and yellow are very popular amongst couples that want to go tropical. Allow your venue to guide your color choices! Are there specific flowers you adore? Select hues similar to those flowers for your decor and bouquet. If your destination is known for exotic animals and wildlife, embrace their influence by including feathers, natural textures, or even animal prints in your wedding design. And if you're surrounded by breathtaking turquoise waters, hold your ceremony on the waterfront to let everyone enjoy the refreshing breeze. 

Some extra fun details you could think about including are: Tiki torches, string lights, different coloured bridesmaids dresses, pineapple motifs, and a barefoot walk down the aisle. Remember, there are no rules—unleash your creativity and tell your own unique story!

The Alexa passport, which is near and dear to my heart, has been a staple in my collection since the beginning of my journey working alongside soon-to-be-married couples. Now this invitation makes a splash, there’s no denying it! With the vibrant leaves framing your crucial event details, and the bold corals trickled throughout, this design is the perfect way to invite your family and friends to a tropical paradise. 

View the Alexa Template

Minimalist

So you like things simple but also want to make an impact?

It sounds like the minimalist style might be the ideal fit for your destination dream. 

Embrace the elegance and timeless beauty that comes with minimalist decor. Uncluttered spaces and a tidy atmosphere allow your guests to feel relaxed and enjoy the beautiful scenery, all while keeping the focus on you - the main attraction of the day! After all, you are going to be in a picturesque location, so use it to your advantage. Save as much elaborate decor from your budget as possible and highlight the natural, romantic beauty of your surroundings. Soft and muted tones such as taupe and blush perfectly complement the minimalist style, adding a hint of warmth and femininity to any destination location. 

Welcome the idea of “less is more” with an emphasis on minimal decor and natural textures. Instead of going big with elaborate floral arrangements and bouquets, make a strong impact with simple foliage such as baby’s breath, dried florals, eucalyptus, and succulents.  

Speaking of eucalyptus being the perfect fit for your minimalist day, my Eucalyptus Sea invite exudes effortless charm while making a lasting impression on the recipient. Featuring a delicate sage green and dusty blue palette with eucalyptus accents, this design tells a story of simplicity and minimalist style. The addition of foiled stems on the back cover brings an extra element of elegance, making it truly special and a stand-out piece of your big day.

Eucalyptus Sea

Traditional

Timeless, elegant, classic.

These are three key characteristics that can be used to describe a quintessentially traditional wedding. At the heart of a traditional wedding is an atmosphere of grace and sophistication that stands the test of time. 

From the decor to the color palette, every element is carefully selected to express a sense of refined and sophisticated beauty. Fabrics such as silk and satin are often found in traditional weddings, used for dresses, pocket squares, table linens, drapery, and more. While white and ivory are the obvious choices for a traditional destination wedding, adding pops of gold and silver can add a significant amount of luxury as well. 

The white florals in my Classic White Rose passport design encapsulate this theme to a T. With dainty rose details throughout and a clean, traditional colour scheme, this invitation encapsulates the ultimate design for any classic bridge and groom. Understated yet beautiful. Chic yet adventurous. Clean yet stylish. If any of these descriptions sound like something that represent you and your partner, this style might be the answer you’ve been looking for! 

Classic White Rose

Modern

Modern destination weddings are all about creating unforgettable memories for you and your guests with a unique experience. Sleek and sophisticated are two words that immediately come to mind for a modern event. If these words speak to you, think about adding components such as geometric shapes and clean lines into your decor. LED signs and acrylic signs fit this theme perfectly!

If you want to keep things simple but also incorporate a contemporary style, here’s a tip for you: Monochromatic colour schemes go hand-in-hand with a modern wedding. If you have your heart set on one particular colour for your big day, say tan or pink for example, try using a few variations on your favourite tone as the colour palette for your event. This way you’re not worrying about shades matching perfectly across fabrics and materials; everything will have a natural, seamless flow. 

Another key factor of modern weddings is the focus on trendy and luxurious elements, which are incorporated all throughout the Luxe Palm style passport invite. The modern fonts stand out and gives a sophisticated energy which is perfectly complemented by the unique sparkle detail on the back of the invite. Say hello to luxury with this best selling design!

Luxe Palm

From a traditional affair abroad to a boho beach dream, the options are endless for your destination dream. This means you can truly create a celebration that tells your unique love story just the way you've always envisioned. Your destination wedding should reflect your personality and relationship with your partner; use colours and style to make every detail pop! Whether your taste is vibrant and sparkly, or soft and romantic, the palette chosen will surely leave a lasting impact on you and your guests for years to come.