Casual Beach Wedding Dress

The style you choose for your dress will depend on a variety of factors, including how casual the wedding is, the weather and time of year, your body shape, and your personal sense of style.

Straps and Sleeves

Strapless dresses are popular choices for weddings; they are fun, yet elegant, and perfect for a summer wedding. Spaghetti strap dresses are another popular choice. If your nuptials will be a very casual affair, a pretty halter dress may work well. For a fall or spring casual beach wedding dress, you may want to consider cap, three quarter length, or sheer overlay sleeves since the weather will be a bit cooler than a summer beach wedding.

Length

Many informal wedding gowns are shorter in length, but the choice is really up to you. Shorter styles can still be very classy, but fitting for a casual wedding. Tea length dresses are among the most popular choice for informal beach weddings. Longer dresses present difficulty for a beach wedding due to the sand and saltwater. If you love the look of a long dress, you may want to consider wearing your longer gown only for pictures. Alternately, you could wear a more formal gown for the ceremony and change into a shorter gown for the reception.

Material

For a causal beach wedding dress, you may want to avoid heavier materials like brocade, velvet, and heavy silks. Instead, many brides opt for lighter, flowing fabrics that drape well and are less prone to wrinkling. Fabrics such as the following may work well for beach weddings:

• Crepe: A thin delicate fabric with a creased or crinkled appearance.
• Charmeuse: A soft, light fabric with a slight sheen.
• Duchesse Satin: A light blend of rayon and silk, a great alternative to heavier satins.
• Damask: A woven fabric that has the look of brocade without the weight.
• Chiffon, Batiste, and Illusion Nets: These fabrics are lightweight and can be layered for very feminine looks.

If you are opting for a fall wedding when the weather is cooler, slightly heavier fabrics are more appropriate. Whatever material you choose, it should be breathable, have a texture you like, and be comfortable enough that you can relax in it during your wedding and reception.

Cuts and Body Type

Look for dress styles that complement your body type. If you have a boxy figure, look for necklines and cuts that give the appearance of curves. If you are more curvaceous, look for styles that draw attention away from problem areas, but don't rule out fitted dresses even if you have a less than perfect figure. Tailored dress will almost always look better than something too baggy or shapeless.

Embellishments

For a casual beach wedding dress, go for minimal embellishments on your dress. Heavy beading and extravagant embellishments may not be comfortable, and heavily sequined attire will take away from your natural beauty and the beauty of your surroundings. Instead, opt for a few well chosen accessories to highlight your appearance.

Colors

White and ivory still top the charts when it comes to wedding dresses, but a casual beach wedding dress is the perfect place for color. Anything from soft pastels to bright reds and blues and hibiscus prints is acceptable. As long as you feel comfortable and it works for your wedding, colored dresses can make a bride glow and lend a cheerful touch.

Costs, When, and Where to Shop

One of the best aspects of a more informal gown is that the cost is almost always lower than a traditional bridal gown. Costs can range from thirty dollars for a department store sale dress to over a thousand dollars for a brand name designer casual dress.

If you are shopping from dress departments rather than in formal wear shops, you want to look in spring and summer for the best buys. These spring and summer styles are the types of dresses that usually work best for beach weddings. Department stores, dress shops, outlet stores, resale shops, and online retailers are all possible places to shop for a casual beach wedding dress. Some places, such as Hawaiian Wedding Shop and A Traveler's Blessing, specialize in beach wedding, travel, and casual wear.