For brides-to-be planning seaside nuptials, beach wedding dresses can easily feel too fussy when you’re going for laid-back ease. However, saying ‘I do’ with your toes in the sand hardly means your wedding dress should feel anything less than extraordinary. Beach wedding dresses run the gamut from incredibly casual to supremely decorative—it’s all about finding one that suits your personality and style of beach wedding (which can also range from a private ceremony to a formal tented affair). As a starting point, lightweight silk, chiffon or lace are ideal fabrics to look for.
If your goal is a beach wedding dress that’s as casual as your regular assortment of summer frocks, a midi length, high-low hem or asymmetrical silhouette all come with an easy-going sensibility that's still sophisticated. Whether done in cotton, crochet or swingy chiffon, a shorter hemline feels innately relaxed and is definitely something you can easily wear again either for your honeymoon or for warm-weather events like brunches, birthdays, and garden parties. Accents like floral embellishments, lace trim or eyelet embroidery will make an easier dress feel a skosh more spectacular for your wedding day.
For the seaside bride seeking a full gown, simpler, fluid shapes and figure-faltering cuts are best—the beach hardly feels like a time for a voluminous ball gown, diaphanous layers or a massive train. Loosely woven lace, relaxed embroidery, flouncy tiers, and sheer panels give a simpler silhouette a beachy feel, but are elegant and eye-catching details for those craving more design. So long as your dress is flowy and breathable, it’ll be picture perfect against crystal blue water on a sun-drenched day.
Purist beach brides-to-be will love the easiness of a simple slip, chiffon wrap dress or two-piece set. In wispy fabrics, cotton poplin or sleek silk, the effect is unfussy and fresh—the perfect canvas for a colorful lei or blooming flower crown.
If you’re searching for a casually elegant beach wedding dress, scroll through our edit ahead to find your perfect style.
See more: 23 Beach Wedding Shoes and Sandals That are Perfect
Daughters Of Simone Amira Gown
SHOP NOW: BHLDN, $2,200
Savannah Miller Philippa Silk And Cotton Lace Gown
SHOP NOW: Savannah Miller, Price Upon Request
Temptation Positano Maldive Long V Neck Dress
SHOP NOW: Shopbop, $640
Houghton Rose Ivory Gown
SHOP NOW: Houghton, Price Upon Request
Rime Arodaky Zane Gown
SHOP NOW: Rime Arodaky, Price Upon Request
Berta Style 18-04
SHOP NOW: Berta, Price Upon Request
Suzanne Howard Look 11
SHOP Now: Suzanne Howard, Price Upon Request
Danielle Frankel Rena Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Danielle Frankel, Price Upon Request
BHLDN Ludlow Gown
SHOP NOW: BHLDN, $975
Catherine Deane Genevieve Gown
SHOP NOW: Catherine Deane, $1,650
Grace Loves Lace Poet Gown
SHOP NOW: Grace Loves Lace, $1,440
Bo & Luca Janis Gown
SHOP NOW: Bo & Luca, Price Upon Request
Galina Eyelash Lace Halter Sheath Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: David's Bridal, was $499, now $449
One Day Curve Collection Luna Gown
SHOP NOW: One Day, Approximately $3,800
Laure de Sagazan Foster Dress
SHOP NOW: Laure de Sagazan, Price Upon Request
For Love And Lemons La Bella Midi Dress
SHOP NOW: For Love And Lemons, was $31, now $262.98
Katie May Poipu Low Back Gown
SHOP NOW: Shopbop, $1,848
Leanne Marshall Laurence Gown
SHOP NOW: Leanne Marshall, $3,275
Lela Rose The Dawson
SHOP NOW: Lela Rose, Price Upon Request
Whispers & Echoes J'adore Gown
SHOP NOW: BHLDN, $1,650
LoveShackFancy Ryan Dress
SHOP NOW: LoveShackFancy, $795
Merlette Mimosa Dress
SHOP NOW: Matches Fashion, $480
Odylyne The Ceremony The Alyse Gown
SHOP NOW: Odylyne The Ceremony, Price Upon Request
DB Studio Flutter Sleeve Pleated Chiffon Sheath Gown
SHOP NOW: David's Bridal, $179.95
Watters Sonoran Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Watters, $1,329 - $1,759
Halfpenny London Coral Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Halfpenny London, Price Upon Request
Tadashi Shoji Sioux Sleeveless Slit Gown
SHOP NOW: Tadashi Shoji, $788
Margaux Tardits Saly Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Margaux Tardits, Price Upon Request
Pronovias Efia Backless Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Pronovias, Price Upon Request
Stone Cold Fox Cannes Gown
SHOP NOW: Stone Cold Fox, $290
Ted Baker Tie The Knot Tunic Bridesmaid Dress with Applique Lace
SHOP NOW: ASOS, $340
DB Studio Tiered Lace Sheath Gown with Openwork Insets
SHOP NOW: David's Bridal, $239.95
Lakum Rose Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Lakum, Price Upon Request
Kaviar Gauche Scale Lace Dress
SHOP NOW: Kaviar Gauche, Price Upon Request
Zimmermann Radiate Applique Dress
SHOP NOW: Zimmermann, $4,350
BHLDN Edina Dress
SHOP NOW: BHLDN, $300
Nouvelle Amsale Amanda Dress
SHOP NOW: Amsale, $2,495
Heartloom Felix Gown
SHOP NOW: Heartloom, $630
Catherine Kowalski Bridal Stella Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Catherine Kowalski, Price Upon Request
Ulla Johnson Bardot Dress
SHOP NOW: Revolve, $795
Tracy Reese Aspen Gown
SHOP NOW: BHLDN, $550
Christy Dawn The Athena Dress
SHOP NOW: Christy Dawn, $1,800
Whistles Isla Tiered Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Whistles, $1,299
Reformation Poppy Dress
SHOP NOW: Reformation, $388
Theia Maria Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Theia, Price Upon Request
Shoshanna Midnight Rosita Dress
SHOP NOW: Shoshanna, $550
Galina Floral Cutout Lace Tea Length Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: David's Bridal, was $399, now $299.99
THURLEY Luella Dress
SHOP NOW: Shopbop, $495
Dreamers & Lovers Vivienne Dotted Lace Dress
SHOP NOW: Dreamers & Lovers, $1,745
Livné Clara Wedding Gown
SHOP NOW: Livné, Price Upon Request
Mori Lee 6851 Maybelle Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Madame Bridal, $698
Mori Lee Karlotta Cold-Shoulder Fitted Gown
SHOP NOW: Madame Bridal, $699
DB Studio Allover Lace V-Neck Plus Size Sheath Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: David's Bridal, $199.95
Laure de Sagazan Welles Dress
SHOP NOW: Laure de Sagazan, Price Upon Request
Dreamers & Lovers Azalea Lace Gown
SHOP NOW: Dreamers & Lovers, $1,595–$1,894
Wilderly Bridal F115-Lily lace nude dress
SHOP NOW: Wilderly Bride by Allure Bridals, $899
Lace & Liberty Bali Sunset Dress
SHOP NOW: Lace & Liberty, $675
Tadashi Shoji Blythe Gown
SHOP NOW: Tadashi Shoji available at BHLDN, $850
Rachel Zoe Carolyn Open Back Lace Gown
SHOP NOW:Rachel Zoe, $495
Jenny Yoo Catherine in Bridal Crepe
SHOP NOW: Jenny Yoo, $2,395
Jenny Yoo Celine in Bridal Crepe
SHOP NOW: Jenny Yoo, $1,800
Johanna Ortiz El Lenguaje De Las Flores Guipure Lace Dress
SHOP NOW: Moda Operandi, $6,000
Heartloom Felix Gown
SHOP NOW:Heartloom, $630
Monsoon Florence Embellished Bridal Maxi Dress
SHOP NOW: Monsoon, $905
Nouvelle Amsale Frankie V-Neck Crepe Gown
SHOP NOW: Nouvelle Amsale available at Nordstrom, $2,395
Dreamers & Lovers Julia Lace Gown
SHOP NOW: Dreamer & Lovers, $1,895–$2,194
Merlette Kir Dress
SHOP NOW: Merlette, $580
Dreamers & Lovers Lisa Backless Lace Gown
SHOP NOW: Dreamers & Lovers, $1,465–$1,764
Temperly London Long Tassel Fringed Silk-Crepe Gown
SHOP NOW: Net-A-Porter, was $2,650, now $1,855
Gabriela Hearst Louise Herringbone Silk-Jacquard Gown
SHOP NOW: Net-A-Porter, $3,495
Rime Arodaky Misty Dress
SHOP NOW: Shopbop, was $830, now $332
Katie May Noel and Jean by Katie May Constance Gown
SHOP NOW: Shopbop, was $1,525, now $457.50
Roland Mouret Octon Off-The-Shoulder Crepe Gown
SHOP NOW:Matches Fashion, $3,845
Tadashi Shoji Off The Shoulder Popover Gown
SHOP NOW:Nordstrom, $828
Jenny Yoo Paige in Ibiza Lace
SHOP NOW:Jenny Yoo, $1,500
Self-Portrait Penelope Tiered Crepon-Trimmed Guipure Lace Gown
SHOP NOW: Net-A-Porter, $734.69
Tadashi Shoji Placid Gown
SHOP NOW: BHLDN, $650
Daughters of Simone Rori Gown
SHOP NOW: Revolve, was $1,437, now $863
Whistles Rose Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Whistles, $1,199
Costarellos Short Sleeve Cotton Lace Gown
SHOP NOW:Moda Operandi, $3,910
Willowby Udara Flutter Sleeve Lace Faux Wrap Gown
SHOP NOW: Nordstrom, $1,530
Grace Loves LaceVerdelle 2.0
SHOP NOW: Grace Loves Lace, $1,350
Reformation Winslow Dress
SHOP NOW: Reformation, $268
