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.
1. BHLDN Ludlow Gown
SHOP NOW: BHLDN, $975
2. Suzanne Howard Space Gown
SHOP Now: Suzanne Howard, Price Upon Request
3. Savannah Miller Philippa Silk And Cotton Lace Gown
SHOP NOW: Savannah Miller, Price Upon Request
4. DB Studio Tiered Lace Sheath Gown with Openwork Insets
SHOP NOW: David's Bridal, was $239.95, now $99.99
5. Rime Arodaky Zane Gown
SHOP NOW: Rime Arodaky, Price Upon Request
6. Berta Style 18-04
SHOP NOW: Berta, Price Upon Request
7. Johanna Ortiz El Lenguaje De Las Flores Guipure Lace Dress
SHOP NOW: Moda Operandi, $6,000
8. Danielle Frankel Rena Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Danielle Frankel, Price Upon Request
9. Catherine Deane Genevieve Gown
SHOP NOW: Catherine Deane, $1,650
10. Grace Loves Lace Poet Gown
SHOP NOW: Grace Loves Lace, $1,440
11. Bo & Luca Janis Gown
SHOP NOW: Bo & Luca, Price Upon Request
12. Laure de Sagazan Foster Dress
SHOP NOW: Laure de Sagazan, Price Upon Request
13. Lela Rose The Dawson
SHOP NOW: Lela Rose, Price Upon Request
14. Odylyne The Ceremony The Alyse Gown
SHOP NOW: Odylyne The Ceremony, Price Upon Request
15. Halfpenny London Coral Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Halfpenny London, Price Upon Request
16. Tadashi Shoji Sioux Sleeveless Slit Gown
SHOP NOW: Tadashi Shoji, was $788, now $472.80
17. Margaux Tardits Saly Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Margaux Tardits, Price Upon Request
18. Pronovias Efia Backless Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Pronovias, Price Upon Request
19. Lakum Rose Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Lakum, Price Upon Request
20. Kaviar Gauche Scale Lace Dress
SHOP NOW: Kaviar Gauche, Price Upon Request
21. Nouvelle Amsale Amanda Dress
SHOP NOW: Amsale, $2,495
22. Catherine Kowalski Bridal Stella Beach Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Catherine Kowalski, Price Upon Request
23. Whistles Isla Tiered Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Whistles, $1,299
24. Reformation Poppy Dress
SHOP NOW: Reformation, $388
25. Dreamers & Lovers Vivienne Dotted Lace Dress
SHOP NOW: Dreamers & Lovers, $1,745
26. Livné Clara Wedding Gown
SHOP NOW: Livné, Price Upon Request
27. Laure de Sagazan Welles Dress
SHOP NOW: Laure de Sagazan, Price Upon Request
28. Dreamers & Lovers Azalea Lace Gown
SHOP NOW: Dreamers & Lovers, $1,595–$1,894
29. Wilderly Bridal F115-Lily Lace Nude Dress
SHOP NOW: Wilderly Bride by Allure Bridals, $899
30. Jenny Yoo Catherine in Bridal Crepe
SHOP NOW: Jenny Yoo, $2,395
31. Jenny Yoo Celine in Bridal Crepe
SHOP NOW: Jenny Yoo, $1,800
32. Tadashi Shoji Placid Gown
SHOP NOW: BHLDN, $650
33. Whistles Rose Wedding Dress
SHOP NOW: Whistles, $1,199
34. Grace Loves LaceVerdelle 2.0
SHOP NOW: Grace Loves Lace, $1,350
35. Reformation Winslow Dress
SHOP NOW: Reformation, $268
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