Photo: Dear Wesleyann
If the aisle of your impending wedding is made of white, soft sand, and your ceremony backdrop consists of roaring ocean waves, then you’ve come to the right page. As if wedding dress shopping isn’t overwhelming enough, choosing the right dress for a beach wedding is no easy task. Since the venue is typically more casual and the weather is warmer, there are a few extras to consider before saying yes to your dream beach wedding dress.
Light, airy, and delicate should refine your search. Look for fabrics and silhouettes that won’t weigh you down and will keep you feeling cool and calm in the heat. Think a streamlined silhouette and shorter train — or skip the train altogether; the less volume, the better. Stray toward lighter fabrics like silk, chiffon, and organza. And if you’re jetting off to a tropical island for a destination wedding, keep in mind how well the dress will travel — some fabrics wrinkle more easily than others.
And don’t forget about the venue — a private beach along the French Riviera gives you a little more leeway to rock a more dazzled gown than a low-key affair on a Caribbean island for which a simpler, strapless sheath gown may be more well-suited.
If you still can’t decide which way to go, these seven dresses from the Spring 2017 collections are sure to give you a bit of beachy inspiration.
Photo: Courtesy of Delphine Manivet
Delphine Manivet’s Gautier sheath dress is light and breezy, with a jewel neckline to show off those toned arms while keeping them cool in the sun’s rays.
Photo: Courtesy of Jenny Packham
Jenny Packham’s romantic empire-waisted Candie gown emits a soft bohemian feel, made complete by a bodice accented with detailed embellishments.
Photo: Christian Siriano for Kleinfeld
This minimalistic number by Christian Siriano for Kleinfeld screams sexy, with a plunging neckline and hugging silhouette, perfect for a sandy walk down the aisle in Bali.
Photo: Courtesy of Houghton
This strapless Houghton Hathaway gown is laidback and casual, yet still chic, making for a vision billowing in balmy breezes.
Photo: Gerardo Somoza (from Brides.com)
A simple silhouette and gathered sweetheart neckline on Ivy and Aster’s Amelia dress adds a dash of whimsy and elegance, reflecting the vibes of a beach.
Photo: Courtesy of Tony Ward for Kleinfeld
While a bit more voluminous than the standard beach wedding dress, this ballgown stunner is sheer and light in layers, perfect for a more glamorous beach affair.
Photo: Courtesy of Jenny Packham
A beaded cut-out bodice mimics the shells of the sea in this lightly pleated ivory chiffon Wynonna gown by Jenny Packham.
See More: Beach Wedding Details That Are Anything But Cheesy