Dragonpass Highlights Five April and May Destinations Worth Booking Before Peak Summer Arrives

For couples planning a destination wedding, the smartest dates are not always the height of summer. April and May offer something more appealing: warmer light, fewer crowds, easier travel, and a sense of occasion before Europe’s best-known wedding hotspots tip fully into peak-season mode. For Dragonpass, the leading travel expert, shoulder-season weddings are becoming an increasingly attractive way to get the dream setting without the full summer pressure, especially for couples flying out from London and looking to stretch the ceremony into a more memorable honeymoon escape.

Bridebook says more than two-thirds of UK weddings take place between April and September, while Hitched has previously identified May as one of the most in-demand months for couples choosing their date. With late spring already carrying clear wedding appeal, Dragonpass is spotlighting five destinations which feel especially well suited to April and May, before peak summer prices, temperatures and crowds fully arrive.

Madeira, Portugal
For couples who want spring colour, dramatic scenery and a ceremony that feels quietly cinematic. Madeira in April and May has a freshness to it, with gardens in bloom and the Atlantic light making everything feel a little more elevated.

Bonus honeymoon: Stay on for a few days of clifftop walks, sea views and long, slow lunches that make the wedding feel as though it never quite ended.

Valletta and Mdina, Malta
For couples drawn to warm stone, old-world romance and a setting that feels elegant without trying too hard. In spring, Malta has all the glow of a Mediterranean wedding destination, but with a calmer, more polished mood than high summer.

For the honeymoon: Turn the trip into a sun-soaked minimoon across Malta and Gozo, with harbourside dinners and a slower pace once the celebrations are over.

Bay of Kotor, Montenegro
For couples after something striking and a little less expected. Kotor brings together still water, mountain backdrops and old stone architecture, giving a spring wedding a sense of scale without losing intimacy.

After the wedding: Stay by the bay for boat trips, waterfront mornings and the kind of scenery that does not need much dressing up.

Puglia, Italy
For couples who like the idea of Italy, but want something softer and more understated than the usual marquee names. Spring in Puglia already feels relaxed and beautifully styled, with whitewashed towns, masserias and olive groves doing much of the work.

Stay on for: Keep things local with a few extra days of village-hopping, late lunches and countryside stays among the olive trees.

Marrakech, Morocco
For couples who want an atmosphere from the moment guests arrive. In April and May, Marrakech feels rich, warm and full of detail, with gardens, riads and historic architecture giving the whole occasion a more transportive feel.

Then linger for: Extend the trip with a riad stay and a few quieter days in the desert or the Atlas Mountains.

About Dragonpass

Founded in 2005, Dragonpass is a global digital platform for loyalty, travel and lifestyle services, serving over 40 million members worldwide. The company works with more than 200 banks, card issuers and telecommunications providers, helping partners strengthen customer engagement through integrated, experience-led benefits.

Set within 240 acres of private woodland on the banks of the River Clyde, with sweeping views of the Kilpatrick Hills, this 19th-century Scottish baronial mansion has been quietly transformed into one of Scotland’s most exclusive luxury wedding venues. Just 15 minutes from Glasgow Airport, it’s a sanctuary of elegance where heritage architecture, serene landscapes, and modern indulgence meet in perfect balance.

Earlier this week, the estate played host to a high-fashion bridal shoot organised by Unbridaled Boutique, showcasing the latest Vera Wang Bride collection. With creative direction, impeccable styling, and dreamlike visuals by photographer Lena Sabala, the result was a portrait of modern love wrapped in the romance of Scotland.

The bride moves like a whisper through the property — first in layers of flowing tulle with an ethereal slit and a barely there back, then in a sculpted Vera Wang masterpiece with a structured bodice and a voluminous overskirt. These are not just gowns; they’re statements. Subtle drama. Quiet power. The kind of bridal looks that demand a setting worthy of their energy, and Mar Hall delivered at every turn.

Inside, the grand hall boasts original oak panelling, sparkling chandeliers, and stained-glass windows that cast kaleidoscopic light across the stone floor. The iconic staircase rises with storybook flair, ideal for first looks and timeless portraits. Elsewhere, plush lounges in rich crimson and forest green add layers of mood and intimacy, perfect for cocktail moments or a late-night whisky bar.

Outdoors, the manicured gardens stretch toward the river, flanked by ancient trees and the low hum of countryside stillness. It’s a setting that feels both cinematic and grounding, dramatic yet deeply romantic. Whether you choose to say your vows on the lawn, beneath the sky, or inside the estate’s storied rooms, Mar Hall offers a canvas that’s equal parts majestic and personal.

Then came the cake — and it deserves its moment as a four-tier centrepiece in pale sage green, velvet-textured and adorned with handcrafted sugar florals. Standing tall beside vintage glassware and candlelight, it was more than dessert. It was a sculpture, a delicious embodiment of the shoot’s mood: modern, artistic, and elegantly undone.

The groom, dressed in traditional Highland attire with a contemporary edge, stood as a grounded counterbalance to the bride’s softness. Together, the couple created a narrative that was less about performance, more about presence — each frame revealing touch, texture, and togetherness.

Planning Your Wedding at Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort

• Location: Bishopton, Renfrewshire, Scotland (near Glasgow)
• Venue Type: 5-star Golf & Spa Resort in a restored baronial mansion
• Wedding Capacity: 50 to 250 guests
• Exclusive Use: Available — full estate access including spa, dining, and suites
• Pricing: Exclusive-use weddings from approx. £9,000, with bespoke packages
• Ceremony Options: Indoor civil ceremonies and outdoor lawn ceremonies
• Accommodation: 53 luxury rooms and suites, with award-winning spa facilities
• Key Features: Championship golf course, private gardens, whisky bar, luxury suites

Whether you’re planning an intimate destination wedding or a lavish celebration with every detail considered, Mar Hall is built for exceptional moments. The estate’s experienced wedding team offers full-service planning, bespoke menus, and tailored styling — all delivered with discretion and care.

And for creative professionals, it’s a shoot location like no other. Every frame taken here feels like a frame from a film — full of texture, soul, and timeless composition.

Collaborators
Bridal Styling & Dresses: @unbridaledb x @verawangbride
Photography: @lenasabala
Venue: @marhallresort

Founded in 1905 in London, the pioneers of the wristwatch now lovingly craft over 2000 timepieces each day.

At 24, Hans Wilsdorf founded a company in London, distributing timepieces. His dream was a reliable, elegant watch worn on the wrist, and in 1910, just five years later, a Rolex watch was the first in the world to receive the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision.

What’s in a name?

Who is Mr Rolex? Is there a Mr Rolex? What is Rolex?!

Wilsdorf wanted a memorable name for his watches. Something that was short looked good on the watch and was easy to say and remember in any language. This genius led him to combine random letters of the alphabet, creating different words. However, he struggled to find anything that felt right until one day, riding on the top deck of a horse-drawn omnibus, he claimed that “a genie whispered ‘Rolex’ in my ear”. And so the luxurious brand was born.

Prisoners of War

World War II arrived, and Air Force pilots purchased Rolex watches to replace their inferior standard-issue watches. However, upon capture, their watches were confiscated. Hans Wilsdorf offered to replace all confiscated timepieces immediately, with payment delayed until after the war, and a Rolex Oyster 3525 supplied by Wilsdorf was instrumental in the Great Escape, ordered specifically by Corporal Nutting for timing the patrols of the prison guards.

Hi-tech world firsts

Boasting the world’s first waterproof watch, the Oyster, and the world’s first self-winding mechanism using a perpetual rotor, Rolex led the way with designs and technology that are now incorporated into the heart of modern automatic watches.

They flew over Everest, swum the channel, and set a land speed record behind the wheel of the Bluebird in 1935, on the wrist of Sir Malcolm Campbell. Rolex watches became the watches of achievers, with timepieces designed for deep-sea diving, aviation, mountain climbing and scientific exploration.

Watching Watches

Rolex also quickly became the luxury watch of choice in Hollywood. Scattered across the silver screen, Harrison Ford, Dustin Hoffman and Marlon Brando sported Rolex watches, and a Rolex Submariner was used as a knuckle duster, punching out henchmen in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. This model became known as the James Bond Submariner.

Celebrity status

Favoured on and off the screen, accessorising with a Rolex is a must for many celebrities. Constantly striving to improve the quality, durability, and accuracy of their timepieces, they have developed some of the most exquisite, resilient, and revered watches, giving the brand a celebrity status of its own.

2017 Collection

Still producing exquisite timepieces, Rolex’s 2017 collection is as luxurious as ever.

Rolex shows no sign of winding down just yet. Providing elegance, sophistication and superb accuracy, the brand delivers everything Hans Wilsdorf dreamt it might… and more.

A true Italian fashion stalwart, Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani studied fashion from an early age, holding a passion for beautiful design and fashion.

Early days

Working furiously through apprenticeships with fashion houses in Paris, Valentino sketched endlessly between window dressing and greeting clients. Most of these sketches were lost, however, those that remain show the incredible characteristics of Valentino’s style that was to develop. Drawings of layered white pleats and animal prints gave a glimpse into the designer’s passions and on returning to Rome in 1960, Valentino’s first fashion house opened.

Jacqueline Kennedy

His first major breakthrough came in 1964, when Jaqueline Kennedy spotted a beautiful black two-piece ensemble in black organza, worn by the twin sister of American Vogue fashion editor and friend of Valentino, Consuelo Crespi. On learning that this outfit was ‘a Valentino’, key pieces from his collection, a model and a sales rep went to showcase his work at Mrs Kennedy’s apartment in New York. Six of Valentino’s black and white haute couture dresses were ordered by Mrs Kennedy and were worn during her year of mourning, following the death of her husband, President John F Kennedy. She became a devoted client and lifelong friend, with Valentino later designing the white wedding gown worn by Kennedy at her wedding to Aristotle Onassis.

Red.

Valentino’s success soared and he lived a hugely flamboyant lifestyle. The Maison produced the most opulent fashion, with a distinct shade of red becoming known as ‘Valentino Red’. His empire growing, Valentino’s designs became red carpet favourites, with celebrities adorning the grand designs.

Valentino’s retirement

His final haute couture show was presented in Paris during January 2008, receiving a standing ovation as Valentino took his retirement. The show attracted hundreds of notable names to its audience including Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer and Eva Herzigova.

Valentino Autumn/Winter 2017/18

Haute couture autumn-winter 2017/18 sees blocks of colour, heavy fabrics and layering. Heavy capes and hoods sit alongside whispering fabrics, all devoid of intricate embellishment.

Rockstud and more…

Today the Maison is as successful as ever, having undergone a huge creative evolution since 2008. With haute couture, Pret-a-porter and accessories lines, the brand’s vision has made Valentino one of the most successful houses in the fashion world, standing among the leaders of international fashion.

Being one of the top fashion capitals of the world, it was only right that visitors were able to sit alongside the runway and be amongst the first to view some of the latest collections from world-renowned brands and designers.

Maggie Sottero Designs, Morilee, Ronald Joyce, and Savin London each hosted private Fashion Shows, showcasing their stunning designs and allowing retailers to get a better look at the gowns up close and personal. The Bridal Week London preview shows were also a hit with retailers as nine brands hit the catwalk. These included Bibiana Cabello, Dando London, Ellis Bridals, Evie Young, Kate Fearnley, Lily London, Madi Lane, Seren Moda, and Shikoba Bride. The designs looked stunning thanks to our wonderful models, alongside The Perfect Bridal Company for providing veils and shoes, Jupon Limited for providing headdresses, Propress Steamers for steaming all runway dresses, and MG Hair & Makeup. A huge thanks go to Vicky and her team at SKIN London for putting on a fabulous production that wowed the crowds.

Trends from the Runway

Trend 1 – Sleeves

One of the biggest trends from this year’s runway was its variety of statement sleeves. Ellis, Seren Moda and Morilee were just some of the brands featuring an array of stunning sleeve options with their gowns.

This is an incredibly popular trend at the moment, providing stunning shape, volume, texture and drama, and giving brides multiple options for how they choose to create their wedding day look. Taking inspiration from regency fashion, Ellis Bridals’ structured puff sleeve featured delicate beaded embellishment and balanced out the gown’s deep V-neckline.

Ellis Bridals

Morilee

Seren Moda

The bishop balloon sleeve also made an appearance on this year’s runway, where Morilee’s sheer sleeves added an ethereal and whimsical touch to their A-line dress. Seren Moda’s dropped lace sleeves were a romantic addition to the classic mermaid style, that softly draped from the bodice to highlight the decolletage.

Trend 2 – Bohemian

The catwalk also played host to some bohemian-inspired gowns. Kate Fearnley’s use of tasselled sleeves and lace made this simple and sleek silhouette a stand-out design on this year’s runway.

Kate Fearnley

Shikoba Bride

Bibiana Cabello

This Shikoba Bride gown embodied the relaxed and whimsical bohemian bride, adding layers of crocheted lace, fringing and scalloped trim. Bibiana Cabello contemporary silhouette with a relaxed, floating skirt was injected with a boho twist of ruffle cuff sleeves and broderie anglaise style seams.

Trend 3 – Colour

Shaking up the traditional white colour palette of bridal gowns, pops of colour also made an appearance this year. Each of White Gallery’s SAVIN London and It Was All A Dream gowns were tied together with a stunning exploration of floral colours, and each was finished with hand-painted colour detail.

Ronald Joyce

Maggie Sottero

SAVIN London

Ronald Joyce graced the runway with a blue, sweetheart-neckline ballgown, adorned with bright pink floral embellishment and a matching sheer cape. Maggie Sottero’s satin scarlet ballgown, complete with a ruched bodice and delicate straps, caught every eye and made a bold statement on this year’s runway.

Trend 4 – High-leg splits

It was hard to miss the high-leg splits making their appearance on this year’s runway, as Dando London, Maggie Sottero and SAVIN London each chose to add this flirty element to some of their more traditional silhouettes. Paired with a fitted lace bodice, the slit in Maggie Sottero’s gown complemented its elegant femininity.

Dando London

Maggie Sottero

SAVIN London

SAVIN London showcased a stunning satin gown, complete with one shoulder floral applique and high split, making for a dress that feels demure with a hint of sexy. Dando London brought a slinky, spaghetti strap gown adorned with head to toe embellishment, that certainly wowed the crowd with a super thigh-high slit.

Trend 5 – Structured bodices and corsetry

Exposed corsetry has made a big comeback on the catwalk this year, adding a vintage and couture quality to traditional bridal designs. Seren Moda, Bibiana Cabello and Madi Lane are just some of the brands that highlighted visible bodice structure.

Bibiana Cabello

Seren Moda

Madi Lane

Bibiana Cabello’s high-necked gown mimicked a bustier with well-placed, intricate crochet applique, Seren Moda’s romantic fishtail silhouette was complemented by a deep, angular neckline and exposed corsetry, and Madi Lane’s contemporary sweetheart gown was complete with structured corset lines to cinch the waist.

ORGANISERS
Bridal Week London is part of Ocean Media Group’s Bridal portfolio. Ocean Media Group has been established as the leading event organiser and publisher in the UK and European bridal sector for more than 30 years. Its full wedding and bridal portfolio include Bridal Buyer, bridalbuyer.com, The Bridal Buyer Awards, Bridal Week London, Bridal Week Harrogate, White Gallery, Global Gallery, and The National Wedding Show, Confetti and confetti.co.uk.

Each piece has been carefully crafted with the same attention to detail that Kosibah’s founder and designer, Yemi Osunkoya is known for. “I wanted to give my couture clients as well as any woman who desires comfort and elegance, an option for relaxing at home or travelling on vacation”.

The 10 resort wear separates include camisole and shorts, palazzo pants, slip dress, trapeze dress as well as silk jackets in three lengths, crop, midi and maxi. Colours include honey gold, urban red, navy blue, diamond white and chocolate brown. Sizes range from 2-18 and are made and shipped from New York City.

Yemi O by Kosibah’s Palm Springs Collection can be ordered directly online at shop.kosibah.com and is a black-owned business. #byblack

Founded in 1991 in London UK, Kosibah specializes in figure enhancing contemporary and elegant bridal and evening gowns. Kosibah produces Custom/Bespoke, Made To Order and Ready To Wear gowns and loungewear. Founder and Designer, Yemi Osunkoya counts among his clients, members of the British Parliament, senior staff of the British Royal Family, daughters of a member of the British House of Lords, members of Royal Families from Nigeria and Ghana, Actresses, Singers and other Celebrities.