Do I need to wear shoes as a beach bride?

For beach brides, shoes are optional. If you want to wear shoes, consider flat sandals, sturdy wedges , or block heels . "Regardless of whether a flat or block heel shoe is preferred, I recommend [brides opt] for an open-toe style to avoid collecting sand in your shoes," says McHattie.

How do I dress for beach weather on my wedding day?

Anyone who has spent a lot of time on the beach knows that the weather can be unpredictable by the water. It's best to do a little research into the climate of your venue and speak to your wedding planner, if you have one, about what to expect. McHattie suggests strapless or short-sleeved gowns and avoiding long sleeves if you expect high temperatures. If you are worried that the weather may be chilly, she recommends investing in a bridal bolero or shawl that you can quickly put on and take off. You 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 McHattie. "No one wants a Marilyn Monroe-esque wardrobe malfunction mid-vows."

The 18 Best Beach Wedding Dresses of 2024

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.

Choosing a wedding dress for beachside nuptials is equally complex and fun, permitting you to think beyond traditional bridal looks and play with breezy silhouettes, comfortable materials, and details that are 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. Discover our top picks ahead.

Our Top Picks

Best Details:

Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini Tiered V-Neck Lace Maxi Dress at Neiman Marcus ($2,075)

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Best One-Shoulder:

Cult Gaia Rinley Dress at Cultgaia.com (See Price)

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Best Off-the-Shoulder:

Reformation Butterfly Dress at Reformation ($298)

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Best Strapless:

Retrofete Adele Dress at Retrofete.com (See Price)

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Best Sleeveless:

Saint Laurent Silk Maxi Dress at Net-a-Porter ($4,100)

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Best for the Minimalist Bride:

Cami NYC Dorthea Dress at Revolve ($465)

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Most Sophisticated:

Jil Sander Crochet Maxi Dress at Neiman Marcus ($4,900)

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Most Romantic:

Alessandra Rich Embellished Ruffled Cotton-Blend Lace Gown at Net-a-Porter ($4,810)

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Best Halter:

Significant Other Murphy Paneled Crepe Halter Maxi Dress at Modaoperandi.com ($362)

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Best Whimsical:

Willowby by Watters Persephone Wedding Gown at Anthropologie ($1,795)

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In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Brides

Best Details

Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini Tiered V-Neck Lace Maxi Dress

Neiman Marcus

View On Neiman Marcus $2,075 View On Farfetch.com $1,956

This dress doesn't shy away from gorgeous details, yet the long, flowy silhouette feels suitable for a laidback 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

Cult Gaia

View On Cultgaia.com

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% linen, 46% viscose, 2% Spandex | Length: Maxi

Best Off-the-Shoulder

Reformation Butterfly Dress

Reformation

View On Reformation $298

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% viscose | Length: Midi

Best Strapless

Retrofete Adele Dress

Retrofete

View On Retrofete.com

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% polyester | Length: Maxi

Best Sleeveless

Saint Laurent Silk Maxi Dress

Farfetch

View On Net-a-Porter $4,100 View On Farfetch.com $4,100

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% silk | Length: Floor-length

Best for the Minimalist Bride

Cami NYC Dorthea Dress

Cami NYC

View On Revolve $465 View On Caminyc.com

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 ultra-thin spaghetti straps and midi hemline also make this a beach-worthy ensemble.

Size Range: 00-12 | Materials: 73% acetate, 27% polyester (self); 95% viscose, 5% spandex (lining) | Length: Midi

Most Sophisticated

Jil Sander Crochet Maxi Dress

Jil Sander Crochet Knit Empire-Waist Sleeveless Maxi Dress

Neiman Marcus

View On Neiman Marcus $4,900

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

Most Romantic

Alessandra Rich Embellished Ruffled Cotton-Blend Lace Gown

Net-a-Porter

View On Net-a-Porter $4,810

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% cotton, 30% polyamide | Length: Maxi

Best Halter

Significant Other Murphy Paneled Crepe Halter Maxi Dress

Moda Operandi

View On Modaoperandi.com $362

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

Willowby by Watters Persephone Sweetheart Off-The-Shoulder Side-Slit Lace Wedding Gown

Anthropologie

View On Anthropologie $1,795

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

Reformation

View On Reformation $278

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 | Length: Midi | Material: Linen

Best Cotton

Erdem Isla Tie-Detailed Tiered Cotton-Blend Lace Gown

Net-a-Porter

View On Net-a-Porter $3,995

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 | Length: Maxi | Material: 79% cotton, 21% polyamide (body); 100% silk (lining)

Best Long Sleeve

Silvia Tcherassi Ada One-Shoulder Maxi Dress

Neiman Marcus

View On Neiman Marcus $1,690

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

Shopbop

View On Cultgaia.com View On Fwrd.com View On Bloomingdales $858

We can't get enough of this perfect mini dress for casual beachside ceremonies. Beachy and bohemian with the hand-crocheted body and flower embellishments yet unique enough to wear only on your special day, this option is our favorite with a short hemline.

Size Range: XXS-XL | Material: 100% polyester (shell); 100 percent lyocell (lining) | Length: Mini

Best Jumpsuit

SAFIYAA Bridal Omi Crêpe Jumpsuit

Mytheresa

View On Net-a-Porter $2,795 View On Mytheresa.com

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

Moda Operandi

View On Modaoperandi.com $445

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

Natori

View On Natori.com

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

Best Formal

Jenny Yoo Madeline Corset A-Line Strapless Lace Wedding Gown

Anthropologie

View On Anthropologie $2,395

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

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 comfortable, breathable fabrics for warmer weather. Gillian McHattie, a stylist at Stitch Fix, recommends lightweight lace, linen, or cotton-silk blends.
Length: When getting married on the beach, it's important to consider dress length. McHattie recommends avoiding long trains 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."

FAQ

Do I need to wear shoes as a beach bride?

For beach brides, shoes are optional. If you want to wear shoes, consider flat sandals, sturdy wedges, or block heels. "Regardless of whether a flat or block heel shoe is preferred, I recommend [brides opt] for an open-toe style to avoid collecting sand in your shoes," says McHattie.
How do I dress for beach weather on my wedding day?

Anyone who has spent a lot of time on the beach knows that the weather can be unpredictable by the water. It's best to do a little research into the climate of your venue and speak to your wedding planner, if you have one, about what to expect. McHattie suggests strapless or short-sleeved gowns and avoiding long sleeves if you expect high temperatures. If you are worried that the weather may be chilly, she recommends investing in a bridal bolero or shawl that you can quickly put on and take off.
You 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 McHattie. "No one wants a Marilyn Monroe-esque wardrobe malfunction mid-vows."

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: