27 Stunning Beach Wedding Dresses

By Sarah Schreiber
August 30, 2016
Shanell Photography

These gowns redefine oceanside bridal attire.

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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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A Little Sheer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rebecca Arthurs

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

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Halter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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By Sarah Schreiber