At a recent wedding in the Scottish Highlands, a Kansas City bride stood barefoot on a scenic hillside as her 92-year-old grandmother was carried to the ceremony by two local men in kilts. Guests gathered among ancient stone ruins while the sound of bagpipes drifted through the air. This was a moment shared by one of Rachael Rogers’ destination wedding clients. Rachael is the founder of For the Story Vacations, a planning service specializing in European weddings. Her client’s experience is a perfect example of how setting, story, and atmosphere can come together in a way no traditional venue can match.
Today’s destination weddings are not simply about the scenery. They are about choosing an experience that feels deeply personal and often quite stylish. For brides curating an intimate and unforgettable wedding abroad, Europe remains the dream. Alongside Rachael, we spoke with Janay A. Joy, founder and bridal alchemist at High Vibe Bride, and couture gown designer Nataliya Meyer of Lucia’s Sarto. Together, they weighed in on three popular European destinations, each paired with looks as transportive as the venues themselves.
Every destination offers its own kind of wonder. Picture basking in the golden light of Tuscany, taking in the coastal elegance of the Amalfi Coast, or embracing the windswept drama of the Scottish Highlands. The setting, itinerary, and fashion create an experience that is as memorable as it is beautiful. Here is how our experts recommend bringing each location’s character and charm to life.
Tuscany: Golden Light, Lace, and La Dolce Vita
There is something about Tuscany that invites you to slow down. For many brides, this region offers a softer kind of luxury. The feeling is relaxed and intimate. Weddings here tend to be small. “I plan a lot of elopements in Europe — very small — sometimes with a maximum of 10 guests, 12 including the couple,” Rachael said. The wedding festivities might begin the night before. Rachael has seen canapés and cocktails on the lawn, a sunset toast with a local rosé, and dinner under string lights stretched across a villa’s courtyard.
Nataliya, who works with many Kansas City brides planning multiday weddings in Europe, recalled one celebration where the bride wore a corseted short dress with a puffy bottom made of Mikado satin. “It had scalloped lace and just a little beading at the chest. I think she wore lace gloves to match. It was beautiful,” she said.
The next day might begin early, before the sun crests the hills. One of Rachael’s couples started their wedding morning with a sunrise hot air balloon ride, floating above the vineyards as the landscape turned gold. The bride wore a white outfit with close-toed shoes, her hair tied back, and minimal makeup. After landing, they shared pastries and coffee as part of a relaxed bridal breakfast. By afternoon, the wedding party reconvenes at the villa — often a private estate nestled in the Chianti region. Ceremonies take place in a hilltop village like San Gimignano or in a vineyard with views that need no decoration.
These experiences are intimate and intentionally low-key. There is no cathedral or elaborate processional — just the couple, their nearest and dearest, and a view that does most of the work. Most brides wear just one dress for the day. “They are not bringing two wedding dresses,” Rachael said. “They bring a lot of stylish clothes for the experience — but not two gowns.”
Janay’s go-to advice for a bridal gown in a setting like this is to keep it light, layered, and romantic. “For Tuscany, I would advise floaty, dreamy fabrics like organza, chiffon, or tulle,” she said. “I am visualizing more of an A-line cut — something ethereal and chill.” The colors are usually warm and sunwashed. “A champagne or nude lining with an ivory lace overlay creates this layered look,” Janay said. “The dress blends with the setting, but still makes her stand out.”
After the ceremony, the celebration continues on-site. The villa becomes the natural backdrop for the reception with a slow, elevated meal prepared by a private chef, with wines curated by an on-site sommelier. Guests might dine under the stars, surrounded by candlelight and the clink of glasses. “It is a really special evening and experience to be able to have, and it is obviously a lot more intimate because it is entirely private,” Rachael said.
Amalfi Coast: Sleek Silhouettes and Barefoot Glamour
The Amalfi Coast dazzles. For brides drawn to beauty and glamour, this stretch of Italy offers a destination wedding that feels like a film set. Morning begins on the water like one of Rachael’s clients who started her wedding day aboard a private catamaran. Wearing a bikini with Prosecco in hand, she was surrounded by a small circle of guests. Others might opt for attire that is slightly more refined, but just as relaxed. Nataliya recommends keeping the look simple and sun-ready. “You want to consider yacht etiquette,” she said. “So I would wear flats, and a dress that is not very long because you don’t want to be hot. You have to be able to move.” Her ideal outfit would be a white or cream ensemble, closed-toed flat shoes, and a look that feels airy and not fussy.
By afternoon, the ceremony unfolds on land. Rachael’s clients opt for either a cliffside villa or a luxury hotel where couples exchange vows in a private space overlooking the sea. “You’re not going to get more exclusive and special than that,” she said. “Everything has ocean views, that is what the Amalfi Coast really is.” The coastal light here is bright and direct, which makes the bridal gown especially important. “A sleek and clean look could be gorgeous for the Amalfi Coast,” Janay said. Her top fabric picks include Mikado, a structured textile with a subtle sheen; and crepe fabric, a matte option with a bit of stretch and effortless drape. For a silhouette, she envisions either a cinched A-line dress with pleats and a slit, or a clean sheath that skims the body. “Choose something that is sleek and modern, but still moves,” she said. As for color, ivory remains the most flattering — and most forgiving — under the Italian sun. “We don’t really see a lot of brides choosing a bright neon white,” Janay said. “The photographs are edited so light that it makes the dress look too bright.”
Many brides consider a veil, but coastal winds can be a challenge. “You could do it,” Janay said, “but you would have to pin it to an extreme level.” Her work-around is a veil with beaded or laced edging to help weigh it down without sacrificing softness. As the sun sinks and the air cools, some brides choose to change into a shorter outfit for dinner. Others stay in their gown but swap heels for sandals — or go barefoot entirely. Nataliya said, “It depends on the setting, but comfort always wins out in the end.”
Scotland: Misty Vows and Enchanted Details
Not every bride wants a ballroom. Some are drawn instead to wild cliffs and wind-brushed ruins. For those who crave mist and magic, Scotland offers a wedding day that trades perfection for something more poetic.
The celebration might begin the night before with a local tradition. “Scotch tastings are really big in Scotland,” Rachael said. The couple and their guests toast what is to come, often in a centuries-old distillery or private lodge. Brides don’t dress down for the occasion. “I have seen most of them wear a backless dress that is easy — maybe a slip dress that is three-quarters length, flowing, and elegant,” Nataliya said. “Even if the dress is simple, they will add something dramatic like a scarf worn backwards that drapes to the floor.” Cream, off-white, and champagne tones are popular, and the mood is polished but effortless.
On the wedding morning, some begin by exploring historic villages before the journey to the ceremony begins. “The unique thing with these places is a lot of people want to go out,” Rachael said. “They want the photos. Brides know their dresses are going to get covered in mud or water. And I don’t mean like you are off-roading — but they are willing to hike to get to that special ceremony spot.”
The ceremony often takes place at a cliff’s edge or among the remains of a medieval ruin. Guests hike or walk together, pausing for photos or a glass of champagne along the way. At the top, a bagpiper might be there to welcome everyone to the ceremony site. This is where bridal fashion takes its most expressive turn. “I have seen brides go two ways with this location,” Janay said. One approach is pure fantasy. “Think dreamy, like you are running through the castle — layered skirts, petticoats, and flowing fabric,” she said. Brides sometimes add metal armbands, Viking braids, or a shoulder-draped tulle cape that catches the wind like wings. The second idea is more grounded but equally romantic: a sheath gown with lace overlay. “I have seen laces with bold leafy or vine patterns, or more of a Celtic knot kind of look,” Janay said. “Very whimsical and of the fae.” Color palettes reflect the landscape — dove gray, steel blue, and even gowns with green appliqué.
Footwear follows form and function. Janay has seen brides wear hiking boots or Wellingtons, while Nataliya often sees embroidered Converse sneakers worn under ball gowns — a practical and playful choice. “Some of the castles in Scotland are so old that the castle contracts actually restrict heel height,” Nataliya said. “Sometimes they will say no stilettos, or no heels above a certain height, because the cobblestones are fragile or uneven.”
As the evening settles in, guests return to a nearby castle or lodge — not for a formal reception, but for something quieter. “One couple stayed at a castle and they had spa treatments and a post-wedding relaxing day,” Rachael said.
Smart Packing for the Stylish Traveler
Of course, pulling off a celebration as transportive as these requires more than just the right setting. It also takes careful planning — especially when it comes to what you pack. Bringing a wedding wardrobe across borders calls for strategy, and Nataliya has plenty of experience guiding her globe-trotting clients through best practices. “Unless you are flying private, don’t count on being able to hang your dress,” she said. “Roll it in a hard suitcase, and schedule a steaming with your destination host.” She also recommends using the box the dress originally came in, which can often fit inside standard luggage. “Avoid vacuum sealing,” she advised, “because it can crease fabric too harshly. Also, keep nail polish or liquids in separate luggage. If you must pack other items around the dress, choose dry, clean layers only.”
In the end, the most remarkable destination weddings don’t just reflect the setting — they are shaped by it. The gowns, gatherings, late-night festivities, and windswept ceremonies are all part of a story that unfolds across time zones and terrains. Brides today are not just choosing dresses, they are choosing experiences.
Featured in the May 31, 2025 issue of The Independent
By Monica V. Reynolds
