Buying Beach Wedding Dresses

A beach is a beautiful and romantic setting for a wedding. Brides planning to marry ocean side have a number of things to consider when buying the perfect wedding dress, and the first thing is to decide on a dress silhouette that is flattering for her figure. Women who have an hourglass figure should select a dress that flatters her curves or emphasizes the defined waistline. Women who have similarly proportioned hips, shoulders, and waistlines will benefit from styles that give the illusion of curves or a more hourglass shape. Ladies with a pear-shaped figure should choose gowns that begin to flare out at the waist, drawing attention away from the hips. Women with broad shoulders should consider avoiding necklines that accentuate the shoulder area, like halter top gowns, and instead try strapless gowns or dresses with scoop necklines.

Once you have selected your silhouette, you need to consider the length of the gown. Beach weddings tend to be more casual and many beach brides choose a knee length gown or ankle length, but wearing a long train is usually not part of a beach bride's attire, as you don't want to drag along sand as you walk along the beach. Beach wedding gowns tend to sleek, free-flowing, and made of lightweight materials with very little beading. This knee length gown from David's Bridal is a good example of a casual, modern looking short and strapless gown that would be perfect for a beach wedding. It features horizontal satin bands and floral appliques.

When choosing accessories for a beach wedding, consider the environment. Beaches can be windy, so you can skip the veil. Many beach brides go barefoot or wear bridal flip-flops. Flip-flops might be too casual for shorter gowns where the feet are clearly visible, so look for dressy, strappy sandals if you're wearing a shorter wedding dress.

Where to Buy Beach Wedding Gowns and Accessories

Inweddingdress.com sells a variety of dresses suitable for a beach wedding in custom and standard sizes. They also stock tiara-style headpieces, which would substitute for a veil. At Hawaiian Wedding Dresses, brides can choose from several casual dress styles, as well as accessories such as bridal floral headpiece leis and floral hair clips. The Dessy Group carries many lovely destination wedding dresses made from fabrics like charmeuse and silk, which are perfect for beach weddings. Many bridal outlet stores, such as David's Bridal, and local boutiques, carry lightweight dresses that you could choose for a beach wedding. While you want to look beautiful on your wedding day, you don't want to choose a bridal gown that will be too heavy or uncomfortable while taking your vows by the ocean.