How to Pack for a Destination Wedding No Matter the Location

2022-09-09 22:54:14 By : Mr. Ben Xu

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What you will need—and use—no matter where your upcoming nuptial event takes you.

2022 is set to be one of the biggest weddings years ever, and reader, I have lived it. I have been to 4 destination weddings since March, and have had at least a wedding a month—sometimes two—for what has felt like the majority of this year. Needless to say, I have traveled quite a bit and, as a result, have refined what to pack down to an art. Which isn't to say that I always pack lightly, but I do try to pack strategically.

Nowadays, every single thing I pack has to have a use or it gets left behind. Want a little preview? There are eye drops that make your eyes look like you're not sleep-deprived from too much time on the dance floor, heels that are actually comfortable to wear for the long-haul, the anti-wrinkle spray that will save your skin when you're running late to a ceremony, and even a blow dry brush that will make you look like you've gotten a professional blowout. Here, the 26 items to bring to every wedding you have, all over the globe.

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I love the Laundress' crease release so much that not only do I keep a mini at my desk, but I always bring a travel-size bottle with me on trips. I've used it to get well-set wrinkles out in a few minutes flat, and the scent gives an already-worn piece a burst of freshness. My only wish: that they made a refillable version for travel.

I don't like bringing a liquid stain treatment with me because I'm always aiming to minimize spill risk. So this two-in-one is a no brainer, whether I am hand-washing my clothes to re-wear or just spot-treating a spill. I've never known it to not work.

There are tons of blow-dry brushes out there, and there are surely benefits to all of them. However, the Amika one has my heart (for travel) because it's one component, and has adjustable temps. Just rough dry your hair or let it air dry, and then go in with this frizz-busting, shine-infusing heated brush. You'll find you get a bouncy blowout that rivals a glam squad, whether or not you have a talent for hair (which, I happen to not...).

I had never found a travel brush or hair detangling device that I like for travel until I found the Manta brush. It's flexible so it doesn't rip my strands when I'm trying to de-knot, it is safe to use with heat (to a certain extent) and it also gives a scalp massage that is beyond. BEYOND.

I have never been one to use a detangling spray, but when Lolavie launched this one I decided to try. This doesn't leave a film on my hair or weigh it down—which is crucial because my hair is fine. The regular size is in my permanent rotation, as is the travel size, which goes everywhere with me.

You might be thinking, "floss? Really?" Yes, really. I never would have believed that I would feel so strongly about this part of my dental care routine, but here we are. Turns out I wasn't using very good floss before. This stuff isn't coated and it's slightly scrubby so it catches everything. Halitosis is never a good look, but especially during cocktail hour. I'm fully converted to this floss for good.

I am a lucky soul who gets the dreaded beer band—bloating and puffiness on the lower half of my face. Particularly when I have been overserved, which I try to avoid, but sometimes at a wedding it can't be helped. I was skeptical, but this chin-strap face mask (you apply it to only the lower half of your face) is killer. It lifts, tones, and sculpts in about a half hour. These are a bit pricey, so I'd say save it for an event that you want to look absolutely bananas good. Bonus: since it's in a sheet mask format, it takes up little to no space.

For a while I was traveling with the Theraface device because of its multiple treatment capabilities, but found that when I was pressed for time I wasn't always using it to the fullest extent. So I went back to ole faithful: the Ziip. It's lightweight, compact, and syncs treatments with your phone depending on your need. If ever you need to find your jawline (or let's face it, depuff your whole face) this will never fail you.

Makeup when traveling needs to be easy for any occasion and pack a serious punch. I have two go-to shades with the Phyto-Rouge Shine: Sheer Blossom, which is slightly peachy, and Sheer Petal, which is a sheer neutral pink. They just make your lips pop with a wash of color and a bit of gloss. Plus they're refillable, so once you zero in on your signature shades, you can just pop a new tube of silky pigment in, slick it on, and be on your way.

Having a blush-lippie pair that pops takes the guess work out of event glam. I swear by Rose Inc's cream blush in the shade Ophelia, a pigmented true-pink that really makes your complexion pop. This formulation is a cream, but it lasts. And the glow it gives? Award-worthy. I find this shade works with the aforementioned lipstick shades seamlessly. It's a combo I'm never without.

I don't use anti-perspirant, just deodorant, which works well for my day-to-day—when it's not summer. However, I started using Kaia Naturals Sweat Powder and have found that it keeps me totally dry, even if it's over 90 degrees and I've been dancing for hours. Nobody wants to be the person who's dripping at a formal event. This is the solution.

I don't care for foundation, and normally just wear concealer. But when I'm taking photos I do like a bit more coverage. What the Foundation gives you a filter finish and is super dewy—just a bit of oomph for your face. And because it's a balm, I decant it into a smaller container for trips—no bulk!

Dry shampoo is a must for any trip. I like Violette_Fr's dry shampoo brush because of its simple format. Just brush it into roots, let it sit, and then rub it out. You get volume, hold, and no more grease. Bonus: the product is super compact and travel friendly as is and it's refillable.

I like to put various self-care products in Evolve Together's decomposable bags for both organizational purposes and to prevent spillage. I also bring along a few of the larger sizes so I can toss, say, damp bathing suits and various miscellaneous items in them without mixing in with my other luggage.

I'm no fan of bras and most of the formal wear I choose doesn't even allow for them. These silicone shields from Gatherall are comfy, reusable, and seamless underneath everything—no need to be NSFW in your friend's wedding photos right?

I get a little shiny from time to time, so instead of packing a powder compact in my clutch, I save space with blotting papers. These are great and truly mattify.

Whether you're sleep deprived or hungover—or maybe you just want to pop a little—these eye drops will make your peepers insanely bright. It's a little red carpet secret from me to you.

I travel with hydration supplements because it's good to stay hydrated, and perhaps even more important when imbibing. I like Cove's daily hydration supplement, which has magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, and vitaminn c, B6, and B12, because it replenishes me after one too many cocktails, but doesn't have sugar—no worsening hangover headaches here!

Nice travel makeup bags really make things more elevated. It really does help you feel more together when you're frazzled and it just looks nice.

Loungewear is great, but I find that all of these sweat sets can take up too much space in a bag. So I like to go with one-pieces for downtime at the air-bnb or hotel. Better still, this is a great comfy piece to get ready in because you step into it—no messing up your hair or makeup by pulling something over your head.

We all like to tell ourselves that we are going to workout over a wedding weekend, but the truth is you're probably not going to. Sorry. However, if you are going to try to do a bit of light movement, take it from me, pack a onesy. You get the activewear compression, but bring less stuff. Just don't pack more than two of them. If you're active everyday, you can just hand wash and re-wear. Trust me.

We all know Birkenstocks are amazing—that's nothing new. But the shearling version is something else. They really are comfy, cozy, and warm. They look great with any casual outfit practically. And given weather can vary, and it almost always seems to be shoulder season—they're wearable in basically every climate no matter the time of year. Just maybe not tropical.

I love a pair of statement shades as much as the next person, but when you're at an outdoor wedding and need to pop on some sunglasses to shield yourself from the bright light, or in my case, hide that you have shed a few tears during the ceremony, it's best to go with a timeless shape that works with any attire. And for that, I reach for my Anine Bing Darias.

No matter where you are going, you need to bring a white button down. Non-negotiable. It's the easiest way to look polished in a pinch, whether you're wearing jeans, cut-offs, or just need a coverup for the pool. Go with a relaxed fit, a la the Joedy from Frank & Eileen, and ooze nonchalance.

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This buttery soft pouch is just about one of the best bags in my collection. It can hold whatever you need for an event, and it's drawstrings double as a bracelet to wear around your wrist. Plus, these unpack to be flat. I get so many compliments on my white one, I'm going to get it in tan and black as well.

I have two pairs of Alexandre Birman shoes, these, and a pair of the Clarita platforms, which are sadly unavailable at the moment. I have worn the latter for 7 hours without my feet hurting, a feat considering they boast about 6 inches of height to teeter on. But when I need a refined and simple shoe that has a sizable heel and is still comfortable, this block-heeled black sandal always does the trick.