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  6. 33 Stunning Beach Wedding Dresses
Martha Stewart Weddings

33 Stunning Beach Wedding Dresses

Sarah Schreiber, Senior Digital Editor
By Sarah Schreiber Updated December 16, 2020
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bride wearing backless wedding dress on the beach
Credit: Shanell Photography

These gowns redefine oceanside bridal attire.

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bride wearing backless wedding dress on the beach
Credit: Shanell Photography

If you're planning an oceanfront ceremony, you probably already know that your wedding dress will—in some way or another—play into the location. For some brides, this means donning a slinky, move-with-you silk sheath that won't blow up and away during gusty waterfront vows. For others, this implies finding a wedding dress that keeps them cool and protects them from the sun's rays thanks to shoulder-shading cap sleeves or a full-cover back. Whatever you decide to wear on the big day, keeping the elements top of mind while shopping will only increase your comfort when it's time to celebrate.

To help you search for the perfect beach wedding dress, we've rounded up our favorite gowns that brides wore to their own seaside nuptials. The main takeaway from these brides' looks? Whether you're throwing a nautical-inspired wedding or a fiesta on the sandy beaches of Mexico, most of you will want a beach-ready look that flows and moves as easy as an ocean breeze (just like this bride's floaty, backless number by Carol Hannah). But what if you've always envisioned a dramatic, figure-hugging mermaid wedding dress and a beach ceremony? Here's the good news: You don't have to give up one idea in order to have the other. Believe it or not, traditional ball gowns or trumpet silhouettes can feel right at home on the shoreline—all you have to do is go for it.

Though the silhouette you choose on your sun-soaked big day is entirely up to you, you'll want to make sure that you don't overheat. Several of the following brides prove how statement-making, unexpected beach garments can absolutely work to your advantage on warm-weather beaches. Click through to discover all of our favorite beach wedding dresses. Their versatility will definitely surprise you.

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Lacy Sweetheart

bettina gino wedding couple walking on beach
Credit: Anya Kernes Photography

If you love the unfussy look of a silk gown but still want to wear a little lace on your big day, this bride's Anais Anette wedding dress, which was purchased at Love and Lace, might be the answer. It worked especially well at her beach féte since the skirt could move with the wind while the top felt a bit more dramatic.

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Illusion and Tulle

bride in sheer overlay white dress holding yellow and red wedding bouquet
Credit: Krystle Akin

Just because you're tying the knot on the beach doesn't mean you have to wear a boho-chic gown. This bride chose an elegant Galia Lahav A-line wedding dress with a plunging neckline for her big day—the floaty skirt ensured the look worked for a sun-soaked ceremony. 

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Flowing Pantsuit

bride holding her bouquet on the beach
Credit: Meg Smith

There's no rule that says you have to wear a dress on your wedding day, and that's especially true when you're tying the knot on the beach. This bride chose a flowy pantsuit from BHLDN, which certainly made traversing the beach terrain much easier.

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Plunging Halter

bride by water holding pink tones wedding bouquet
Credit: Sylvie Rosokoff

Sometimes less is more, as evidenced by this bride's simple, elegant halter wedding dress from Estee Bridal. The dramatic V-neckline and ruched bodice detailing balanced out the otherwise understated fabrication; her colorful bouquet also popped against the gown's ultra-clean lines.

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All-Over Lace

lillie riley wedding recessional
Credit: Meg Lucks, Abby Jiu Photography

If you love a glamorous look, don't shy away from one for your beach wedding. A strapless Berta wedding dress complete with intricate lace detailing was a surprising choice for this couple's oceanfront beach vows, but the bride balanced her look with a tropical bouquet and relaxed hairstyle. 

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Sparkling

bride smiling in long sleeve lace beaded wedding dress with deep v-neck
Credit: Jillian Mitchell

A vintage-inspired Naeem Khan wedding dress the bride found at Saks turned out to be the perfect beach wedding dress. A simple sheath silhouette is a great choice for a breezy locale.

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A Little Sheer

beach wedding dresses bride on white sand beach
Credit: Brklyn View Photography
Sexy Wedding Dresses for Brides Who Want to Turn Heads

This bride's subtly-beaded Mira Zwillinger sheath shimmered under the warm sun—and showed a peek of leg, thanks to a semi-sheer skirt.

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Ball Gown

beach wedding dresses bride in ball gown on the beach
Credit: Julie Livingston Photography

Though it wasn't a typical beach wedding dress choice, this bride's elevated Monique Lhuillier ball gown was beautifully juxtaposed against the casual, natural setting. The garment, was, however, perfectly designed for the warm weather—note the spaghetti straps and light-as-air skirt.

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Illusion Back

beach wedding dresses couple standing on rocks by the water
Credit: Abby Jiu Photography
22 Wedding Dresses That Wowed from the Back

A classic but sheer buttoned-up back panel kept this bride cool throughout her waterfront ceremony. Amsale brought the garment to life.

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Bohemian Lace

beach wedding dresses bride and groom kissing on rock
Credit: Lorenzo Accardi

Boho-chic and entirely effortless, this laser-cut lace ensemble from Rue de Seine was the perfect choice for a wedding on the shores of Santa Marta, Colombia.

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High Neck

beach wedding dresses bride with horse on the beach
Credit: Jade Osborne Photography
All the Ways to Wear a Boat Neck Wedding Dress

This beauty proved that a Victorian-inspired, high-neck wedding dress, like this one by Christos Costarellos, is absolutely an option for beachy brides. To pull it off, you just need to choose the right fabric (the lighter the better).

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Yellow

beach wedding dresses bride in yellow dress under palm trees
Credit: The Times We Have

To honor her wedding location's constant sunshine, this bride donned a cheerful yellow frock by Sarah Seven for her sandy ceremony.

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Formal Sweetheart

beach wedding dresses bride and groom holding hands
Credit: Melissa Jill Photography

This bride's traditional Watters wedding dress—featuring a feminine sweetheart neckline, beaded belt, and trumpet skirt—felt decidedly classic, but still appropriate for the beach setting.

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Long Sleeves

beach wedding dresses bride and groom holding hands on waters edge
Credit: Stephanie Brauer and Ushna Khan Photography
Long-Sleeve Wedding Dresses We Love

Illusion long sleeves, gathered with lace at the wrist, gave this Victoria Kyriakides wedding dress ethereal vibes. We love how they billowed in the breeze as the bride walked with her new husband.

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Simple

beach wedding dresses bride and groom holding hands walking on the beach
Credit: Rad and In Love

This bride kept her big-day ensemble simple, donning an effortless strapless A-line dress for her post-ceremony walk on the beach.

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Light as Air

beach wedding dresses couple kissing on sandy walkway
Credit: Luna de Mare

The floaty components of this bride's get-up—from the lightweight skirt of her Monique Lhuillier wedding dress to her matching veil—ensured she was comfortable under the sun.

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Boned Bodice

beach wedding dresses couple walking on beach
Credit: Jenna Leigh Photography

See-through lace kept this bride's Essense of Australia wedding dress' corseted bodice from feeling too restrictive during the outdoor ceremony.

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Deep V

beach wedding dresses bride on boardwalk by the beach
Credit: Julie Livingston Photography
Wedding Dresses with Bows

This bride knew that her beach wedding was the perfect opportunity to show some skin. Her deep V-back, accentuated with the sweetest bow tassel, on her Mikaella Bridal gown was the ultimate summery touch.

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Punchy Florals

couple portrait
Credit: Corbin Gurkin
Colorful Wedding Dresses That Make Statements Down the Aisle

Color and palette played a major role at this couple's Mexico destination wedding, starting with the bride's bold, floral Lela Rose dress.

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Lotus

stacy brad wedding thailand couple on the boat
Credit: Catherine Mead

The lace floral appliqués on this bride's Pronovias wedding dress referenced the indigenous lotus blossoms surrounding the ocean-front ceremony site.

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Short Sleeves

couples ocean
Credit: Rebecca Arthurs

Her Jenny Packham gown's short, lace sleeves protected this bride's shoulders from the overhead rays.

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Halter

lisa sam mexico wedding couple beach
Credit: Los Ébano
The Best Hairstyle for Every Wedding Dress Neckline

This bride chose an ever-popular beach wedding dress neckline for her Mexico nuptials: a halter. She purchased the Rue De Seine garment from The Dress Theory.

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Crisscross

elizabeth sohale wedding dominican republic couple beach
Credit: KT Merry

Everything about this bride's Berta wedding dress—including the elegant crisscrossed pattern, the dramatic V-back, and subtle shimmer—referenced the celebration's overall theme: beachy sophistication.

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Formal-Meets-Beach

sara danny mexico wedding couple beach
Credit: Abby Jiu Photography

Don't let this bride's fitted Lovely Bride wedding dress fool you—just a few hours later, she actually did "the worm" on the dance floor while wearing the garment. It was the ultimate choice for both the beach setting and celebratory, dance-filled evening.

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Suntan

vicky james mexico wedding bride groom beach kiss
Credit: Jodi & Kurt Photography

This bride's illusion open-back Berta garment showed off her subtle tan, courtesy of her destination wedding location: Cancún.

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Last-Minute Lace

megan-jeremy-wedding-couple-54-s112680-0216.jpg
Credit: Lauren Peele Photography

For her Mexico beach wedding, this bride tried on just under a dozen dresses before choosing what she thought would be "the one." But, when it arrived she realized she hated it! So, she called her maid of honor and drove to a bridal boutique near her hometown, where she chose the first and only dress she tried on: an Enzoani lace sheath that happened to be hemmed to her exact height. If that's not fate, we don't know what is.

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Something Blue

peony-richard-wedding-maldives-bride-groom-kiss-1077-s112383.jpg
Credit: KT Merry

This bride donned an Oscar de la Renta gown, which matched the ocean water's hue and served as her "something blue."

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Beaded

peony-richard-wedding-maldives-bride-0236-s112383.jpg
Credit: KT Merry
Real Weddings on the Beach

The same bride wore a second gown to her reception: a slinky, beaded Zuhair Murad dress.

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Gown with Lace Appliqués

michelle-ryan-wedding-krabi-thailand-0580-s112047.jpg
Credit: Erich McVey
The Best Wedding Dress Trends from Bridal Fashion Week

A lightweight, A-line Oscar de la Renta gown with Chantilly lace leaf appliqués was more than appropriate at this Thailand beach ceremony.

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High-Neck and Beaded

olivia-tyler-wedding-newport-sub-3-s111822.jpg
Credit: David Newkirk
Gorgeous Embellished Wedding Dresses

This bride wore a high-neck Jenny Packham gown with a beaded bodice and flowing skirt to her seaside nuptials.

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Lace Gown and Flower Crown

rebecca-eji-wedding-couple-306-s113057-0616.jpg
Credit: Jillian Mitchell Photography
Your Ultimate Wedding Dress Checklist

This bride wore a gown by Rue de Seine from LOHO Bride. "I loved that the dress was romantic but also lightweight and no-fuss for international travel. When I saw it, I could immediately picture us dancing on the cobblestones," she said. She topped off her look with a floral crown from Flor Mimo. 

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Beach Wedding Dress With Lace Sleeves

olivia-keith-wedding-couple-22-s112304-0815.jpg
Credit: Luke & Katherine Griffin of Max

With custom long-sleeves, an open back, and illusion neckline, this lace Erdem dress was a hit at a Tulum wedding. The bride finished off her look with white Prada sandals and a crown of fresh orchids.

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    1 of 33
    2 of 33 Lacy Sweetheart
    3 of 33 Illusion and Tulle
    4 of 33 Flowing Pantsuit
    5 of 33 Plunging Halter
    6 of 33 All-Over Lace
    7 of 33 Sparkling
    8 of 33 A Little Sheer
    9 of 33 Ball Gown
    10 of 33 Illusion Back
    11 of 33 Bohemian Lace
    12 of 33 High Neck
    13 of 33 Yellow
    14 of 33 Formal Sweetheart
    15 of 33 Long Sleeves
    16 of 33 Simple
    17 of 33 Light as Air
    18 of 33 Boned Bodice
    19 of 33 Deep V
    20 of 33 Punchy Florals
    21 of 33 Lotus
    22 of 33 Short Sleeves
    23 of 33 Halter
    24 of 33 Crisscross
    25 of 33 Formal-Meets-Beach
    26 of 33 Suntan
    27 of 33 Last-Minute Lace
    28 of 33 Something Blue
    29 of 33 Beaded
    30 of 33 Gown with Lace Appliqués
    31 of 33 High-Neck and Beaded
    32 of 33 Lace Gown and Flower Crown
    33 of 33 Beach Wedding Dress With Lace Sleeves

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