Few settings are more picturesque for a wedding ceremony than a beach. Any bride-to-be planning a seaside ceremony needs a dress to match the beauty of the locale. Beach ceremonies also bring on a unique set of sartorial challenges for brides, given the uneven terrain and unpredictable climate that can make it tricky to pick an appropriate ensemble. You'll also want to consider beach winds. "For brides concerned about an overly windy wedding day, consider selecting a midi-length or floor-length dress," says Gillian McHattie, a stylist at Stitch Fix. "No one wants a Marilyn Monroe-esque wardrobe malfunction mid-vows."
Choosing a wedding dress for beachside nuptials is equally complex and fun, permitting you to think beyond traditional bridal looks and play with breezy wedding dress silhouettes, comfortable materials, and details unique to coastal aesthetics. To take the stress out of finding the perfect dress for the occasion, we researched and found the best beach wedding dresses for every bride's style and dress code.
This dress doesn't shy away from gorgeous details, yet the long, flowy silhouette feels suitable for a laid-back beach ceremony. Constructed with delicate embroidery, tiered ruffles, a deep-V neckline, and a unique racerback, you'll remember this gown forever.
Size Range: 36IT-42IT | Material: Polyester | Length: Maxi
Best One-Shoulder
Cult Gaia Rinley Dress
Featuring a gold hardware-adorned singular strap and a breathable linen construction (with adjustable back straps), this dress provides the perfect ensemble for a summer beach wedding. Pair it with gorgeous gold accessories and high heels for the big day.
Size Range: XXS-XL | Material: 52 percent linen, 46 percent viscose, 2 percent spandex | Length: Maxi
Best Off-the-Shoulder
Reformation Butterfly Dress
Effortless, romantic, and versatile, this dress is ideal for saying "I do" with your toes in the sand. The fitted bodice and off-the-shoulder neckline give the design shape and structure, and the flouncy midi hemline will flow nicely with a coastal breeze.
Size Range: 0-12 | Material: 100 percent viscose | Length: Midi
Best Strapless
Retrofete Adele Dress
Strapless options keep you cool during warm-weather seaside weddings, and this simple, drop-waist dress with a sheer flowy skirt allows for playful accessorizing with bold jewelry, strappy-heeled sandals, and a chic, short veil.
Size Range: XXS-XXL | Material: 100 percent polyester | Length: Maxi
Best Sleeveless
Saint Laurent Silk Maxi Dress
Contemporary brides hosting a beach wedding will be obsessed with this sleeveless, backless dress that's simultaneously stylish and sexy. With a plunging V-neckline, thin, delicate straps, and a pooling hem, this 100 percent silk gown is something special.
Size Range: 36-42 | Material: 100 percent silk | Length: Floor-length
Best for the Minimalist Bride
Cami NYC Dorthea Dress
This design is perfect for brides with minimalist tastes. We're big fans of the subtle cutout and dainty pearl accents along the bust, which adds a little extra detail to a streamlined look. The ultrathin spaghetti straps and midi hemline also make this a beach-worthy ensemble.
Size Range: 00-12 | Materials: 73 percent acetate, 27 percent polyester (self); 95 percent viscose, 5 percent spandex (lining) | Length: Midi
Most Sophisticated
Jil Sander Crochet Maxi Dress
Crochet is a classic beachy detail, and we love how it's incorporated into the bodice of this Jil Sander dress in a sophisticated way. Plus, this dress is still perfectly bridal with an empire waist and full-length, A-line style.
Size Range: 34 DE-42DE | Materials: Proviscose® rayon | Length: Maxi
This dress is a romantic bride's dream with its lace skirt, ruffle trim, sweetheart neckline, and rosette detail on the bust. We can't help but imagine standing at a seaside altar with this hemline flowing in the breeze.
Size Range: IT36-IT46 | Materials: 70 percent cotton, 30 percent polyamide | Length: Maxi
We love the delicate, self-tie halter straps on this dress, not to mention the tiered ruffles across the body. The finishing touch is the gorgeous open back, which is made to be shown off at a seaside ceremony.
Size Range: US 2-US 10 | Materials: 95 percent polyester, 5 percent elastane | Length: Maxi
Best Whimsical
Willowby by Watters Persephone Wedding Gown
Fit for a fairy-tale wedding by the shore; this flowy gown features a dreamy sweep train, embroidered lace sleeves, and a corset bodice with dynamic detailing.
Size Range: 00-15, Plus 16W-24W | Materials: Soft netting, polyester stretch charmeuse, tulle, rope trim | Length: Floor-length
Best Linen
Reformation Baela Linen Dress
Lightweight and breathable, linen is an excellent fabric for a beach wedding in the summer. This dress has a midi hemline to make walking in the sand a breeze, and the flouncy off-the-shoulder neckline plays up the boho aesthetic of seaside nuptials.
Size Range: 0-12 | Material: Linen | Length: Midi
Cotton is another light and breathable fabric option perfect for staying cool at beach weddings, as seen in this all-over lace dress. We're especially fond of the A-line silhouette and tiered detailing, which add dimension and movement.
Size Range: UK 6-UK 16 | Material: 79 percent cotton, 21 percent polyamide (body); 100 percent silk (lining) | Length: Maxi
Best Long Sleeve
Silvia Tcherassi Ada One-Shoulder Maxi Dress
Long sleeves provide brides with extra coverage if it's breezy by the shore, and this option has a nautical rope shoulder detail that feels optimal for a beach wedding. The off-the-shoulder design, billowy sleeves, and silk lining promote comfort in warm temperatures.
Size Range: XS-XL | Materials: Viscose/acetate (body); elastane/silk (lining) | Length: Maxi
Best Mini
Cult Gaia Kendria Crochet Dress
We can't get enough of this perfect minidress for casual beachside ceremonies. Beachy and bohemian with the hand-crocheted body and flower embellishments yet unique enough to wear on your special day, this option is our favorite with a short hemline.
Size Range: XXS-XL | Material: 100 percent polyester (shell); 100 percent lyocell (lining) | Length: Mini
Best Jumpsuit
SAFIYAA Bridal Omi Crêpe Jumpsuit
This jumpsuit opts for simplicity with a few gorgeous bridal details, like the exaggerated flower at the neckline and the subtle cape train. We can't help but picture this tailored, strapless option with a white sand beach in the background.
Size Range: FR34-FR46 | Materials: 92 percent polyester, 8 percent elastane (body); 100 percent polyester (lining) | Length: Full-length
Best Casual
Marlies Grace Ocean Cotton Maxi Dress
If your beach wedding dress code is casual, consider this gorgeous cotton option for tying the knot. Fashioned with a shimmery shell detail inside the stunning chest cutout, this breezy dress is perfect for the seaside.
Size Range: XS-L | Materials: 95 percent cotton, 5 percent Lycra | Length: Full-length
Best Sheer
Natori Lace Gown
This dreamy dress is romantic and timeless, and the lightweight lace material works well for warm seaside nuptials. With a simple scoop neck, scalloped hemline, and an allover floral lace design, this option stands out without feeling too over the top for a beach wedding.
Size Range: XS-L | Materials: Lace (nylon, cotton, poly) | Length: Floor-length
Black-tie affairs by the beach require a fancier gown option like this strapless number with pretty floral appliques, a structured corset bodice, and a universally flattering A-line silhouette. Our favorite part, though? The removable puff sleeves.
Size Range: 0-19, 20-26 (standard and plus sizes available) | Materials: Nylon, polyester (body); polyester (lining) | Length: Maxi
Best Slip Dress
Khaite The Nonya Crepe Satin Maxi Slipdress
This simple and elegant slip dress is an ideal choice for a beach wedding. The lightweight dress has a plunging neckline, low back, angled side slits, and delicate spaghetti straps for a stylish and dramatic entrance. It features a loose but fitted look thanks to a concealed hook and zipper at the side.
Size Range: 2-12 | Materials: 83 percent acetate, 17 percent viscose (body); chiffon (lining) | Length: Maxi
Best Embellished
ROTATE Bridal Alberty Floral-Appliqué Mesh Gown
This strapless all-over embellished gown will make a statement as you walk down the aisle. The floral appliqués over the sheer mesh fabric give the dress a romantic look. Lined to about the mid-thigh, the dress features a sheer overlay throughout. The gown is fitted at the bodice with a flowing skirt that drapes to the floor.
Size Range: 2-16 | Materials: 95 percent polyester, 5 percent elastane | Length: Maxi
Best Lightweight
FARM RIO Gathered Linen-Blend Maxi Dress
This lightweight linen dress is as easy and carefree as a beach wedding. It slips on and off over the head, with a loose fit that’s easy to wear. The floor-length dress is fully lined with a scoop neck and a low scoop back. The main attraction of this sleeveless dress is the large, lovely flowers at the drawstrings of the shoulder straps.
Size Range: XXS-XL | Materials: 55 percent linen, 45 percent viscose (body); 100 percent viscose (lining) | Length: Maxi
What to Look for in a Beach Wedding Dress
- Fabric: Since beach weddings typically happen in the summer or late spring, you may want to choose a beach wedding dress in comfortable, breathable fabrics for warmer weather. McHattie recommends lightweight lace, linen, or cotton-silk blends.
- Length: When getting married on the beach, it's important to consider wedding dress length. McHattie recommends avoiding long trains on a beach wedding dress as they drag in the sand and quickly become dirty. "A more casual bride might opt for a midi-length dress to avoid dragging the hem through the sand, but floor-length dresses are certainly also popular," says McHattie. "If opting for a floor-length silhouette, I recommend selecting a hemline that gently touches the ground but won’t drag behind you and collect sand as you walk down the aisle."
Why Trust Brides
Madison Barber is a commerce writer at Brides, not to mention a fashion and shopping obsessive. She spent hours researching the best wedding dresses for a beach ceremony, deciding on only the chicest options for Brides readers. Jessica Booth and Emily Cieslak contributed to earlier versions of this article and spoke with industry experts for their insight.
- Gillian McHattie is a stylist at Stitch Fix.