Though guests are becoming more reluctant to participate in a destination wedding, especially international events, the popularity of destination weddings continues to hold steady at approximately 25 percent of all U.S. weddings, which translates to approximately 500,000 weddings a year. Additionally, according to the Knot, Wedding Wire, Bridal Guide Magazine and travel resources:
    
    • 80% of couples who have a destination wedding have been married before, accounting for $16 billion in annual spending.
    • 60% take place in a domestic location and 40% international.
    • The popularity of non-traditional, non-religious, destination-type outdoor weddings is also surging as brides and grooms look to barns and ranches, historic homes, beachside and mountain locations.
    
    Though this segment of the market has not significantly changed over the past several years, gown styling serving this niche clearly has. . . as evident in the following gallery of gowns designers highlighted for this bride.
    Bridal companies shown include:
    
  
    • Adrianna Papell Platinum Destination
    • Badgley Mischka
    • Beloved by Casablanca Bridal
    • Christina Wu Destination
    • Demetrios
    • Eddy K Dreams
    • Enchanting by Mon Cheri
    • Jessica McClintock by Clarisse
    • Kenneth Winston
    • Lillian West Collection from Justin Alexander
    • Lis Simon
    • Madi Lane
    • Maggie Sottero
    • Mikaella by Paloma Blanca
    • Monica Loretti
    • Moonlight Bridal
    • Rebecca Ingram
    • Venus Bridal