Some brides are all about the glitz and glamor, and some like to keep it more lowkey. If you’re a bride who’s looking for a laid-back wedding atmosphere, then a casual wedding dress is for you. Casual certainly doesn’t mean boring or simple; relaxed silhouettes, delicate details, and styles that are all around easy-to-wear, casual wedding dresses have a beauty all their own. Whether you’re looking for second marriage casual wedding dresses, are an older bride, or just want a relaxed gown, we’re sharing our favorite casual wedding dress ideas for our 2023 brides!
What Does Casual Wedding Mean?
You don’t have to have an extravagant wedding to make the night magical and memorable. Many couples are now opting for having a casual celebration. So you might be wondering, “what is a casual wedding?” Casual weddings start with an attitude, this idea of a laidback and carefree affair where informality meets the self-expression of the bride and groom. Oftentimes, this starts with a venue. Hosting your wedding at a restaurant versus a church, a courthouse rather than a ballroom, or a backyard instead of an estate. These locales offer a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere that encompasses the whole vibe of a casual wedding. There is no right or wrong when it comes to casual weddings, no traditions you have to follow—other than the ones you may want to make—no rules or expectations. Things like your dress will often reflect this attitude. For an outdoor patio wedding, you might go for something a little more alternative, like a short wedding dress, wedding jumpsuit, or two-piece set. It’s important to note, a casual wedding doesn’t have to mean “low budget,” casual weddings can definitely be elegant and elevated.
What Should a Bride Wear to a Casual Wedding
For a casual wedding we usually recommend relaxed gowns, like whimsical A-lines and breezy bohemian styles, or even sleek sheath silhouettes. You can also go for more unique styles like the jumpsuit or two-piece we mentioned earlier, your options are endless! Part of casual weddings is simmering the day down into everything that makes you happy and expresses who you are as a bride and groom, so pick a dress that makes you feel uniquely you!
Finding the Perfect Casual Bridal Look for Each Season
Depending on the season you’re getting married in the dress you wear can greatly differ. We’ll recommend different fabrics, silhouettes, and details to perfectly suit a casual meets seasonal look! Though the dresses may look different for each season, they all perfectly exude the cool, carefree, and casual vibe that you want for your wedding.
Casual Spring Wedding Dresses
We love the fresh and feminine feeling that comes with a spring wedding and we definitely think your gown should match with these casual spring wedding dress ideas! Our Joanna wedding dress, style 15015 is a favorite! The dreamy dress is full of whimsy with botanical-inspired appliqués that bring in the feeling of spring. The relaxed, A-line silhouette perfectly matches the laid-back feeling of a casual spring wedding and we love the touch of the draped, off-the-shoulder sleeves. If you want something a bit more minimalist, look no further than Jordanna, style 15009. This airy A-line is a springtime dream, with delicate touches of beaded lace that create a stunning illusion back and a sweet tied waist. The breezy chiffon fabric makes it ideal for a casual outdoor wedding dress and we love how the faux-wrap skirt gives the perfect pop of leg!
Casual Summer Wedding Dresses
From backyard bashes to beachfront parties, summer is a great time for a casual wedding. The fun and carefree attitude that comes with summer can definitely influence your wedding and should certainly influence your dress. Since the season is the hottest of the year, we recommend lightweight fabrics—like chiffon or tulle—and breezy styles that are sleeveless or strapless, with cute embellishments like open backs and illusion details. Here are our top picks for casual summer wedding dresses. Fern, style 5976 is summer ready in simple soft crepe, with unique details like the vine-inspired embroidery that has subtle crystal beading for a pop of bridal sparkle. Our favorite part is the open, illusion back serving up the perfect amount of skin for the season. Jenna, style 4107 is a simple summer wedding dress that totally embodies that cool and casual feel. An understated Chantilly lace bodice has delicate crystal beaded lace appliqués, and trim that helps create lines to define your figure. The slim A-line skirt is in effortles chiffon, a lightweight fabric perfect for the hot weather, that will beautifully billow in a summer breeze. Both of these gowns make not only great casual summer wedding dresses but beach wedding dresses as well!
Casual Fall Wedding Dresses
With the foliage changing colors and the crisp feeling in the air, fall has a cozy feeling that makes it a great time for a casual wedding. We’re talking stunning sleeves and delicate details in fabrics that will keep you feeling warm and comfortable, while still looking beautifully bridal. One of our top wedding dresses for fall is Cheryl, style 12122. Classic bridal meets sleek modern-day style featuring a structured crepe bodice with a delicate off-the-shoulder neckline and long sleeves that will help keep away the chill. The flowing A-line skirt is light in an airy organza and has an effortless feel to it, while a matching creep waistband helps to cinch in your figure. If you’re more of a trendy bride, you might like Jade, style 2504. The relaxed fit and flare has a stunning, sheer bodice featuring botanical-inspired frosted embroidered appliqués, perfect for fall. The illusion of long sleeves have a fun flair at the wrist, help to create a gorgeous keyhole back, and are detachable for two looks in one.
Casual Winter Wedding Dresses
The blank canvas of a snowy winter can serve as inspiration for casual winter wedding gowns. With clean crisp lines and delicate sparkle, these dresses are hard to resist. Jackie, style 15006 may not be your traditional winter wedding dress, but casual weddings certainly don’t have to be traditional. The striking, yet simplistic gown has chic asymmetrically draped net that draws the eye down the body and creates incredible texture. The soft fit and flare silhouette has a relaxed feel to it making it perfect for a casual wedding with the romantic touch of the sweetheart neckline. Detachable pearl beaded sleeves offer an iridescent sparkle that suits a winter wedding. If you do want something that feels more classic, then meet Eve, style 30113. The unique combination of sleek style with whimsical details makes this casual winter wedding dress one of a kind. The crepe bodice features lined long sleeves and a high jewel neckline, making this ideal for the cold winter weather. Free-flowing floral embroidery decorates the billowing net skirt creating the perfect blend of timeless design and modern romance.
Casual Wedding Dress Ideas for Older Brides
Whether it’s a second wedding, you and your partner decided to wait to get married, or you found “the one” later in life, our older brides still need a beautiful wedding dress. With more life experience, you may have a better sense of self and style and know exactly what you’re looking for in a wedding dress. If you’re still looking for your dream dress, we can help you with one of these casual wedding dress ideas for older brides. Some mature women tend to prefer more coverage, covered shoulders, looser silhouettes, and conservative necklines. Hilda, style 30134 makes a gorgeous casual dress for our more mature brides with its relaxed and understated look. The slim A-line silhouette is effortless in airy chiffon with a modest v-neckline and flirty flutter sleeves. Delicate embroidered lace adds a touch of romance that is perfect for your wedding day. This would also make the perfect casual beach wedding dress for older brides. Women of all ages want to feel sexy and our Josette wedding dress, style 4101 does just that in a mature and sophisticated way. This gown is all about texture with a statuesque feel featuring soft net that is asymmetrically draped to create beautiful lines and enhance your figure. The wide v-neckline frames your décolattage and delicate cap sleeves are a classic touch.
Casual Wedding Dress Ideas for a Second Marriage
When getting married for the second time, you might not want all the pomp and pageantry that typically comes with a wedding. Whether you’re having a casual backyard wedding or a chic trip to the courthouse, these unique casual wedding dresses will be perfect for your second trip down the aisle. While you may think second-time brides can’t wear white, we’re here to tell you that’s so not the case. Unless you come from a very religious background, the notion that a white wedding dress represents “purity” or “innocence” is outdated. You can absolutely wear white, and nothing shines brighter than Camden, style 12121 in diamond white. This bridal favorite has a low-key vibe that our casual brides love, and so do we! Both sultry and sophisticated, the soft satin slip has a chic cowl neckline, open scoop back, and exposed front skirt slit. If you want a dress that has a bit more pizazz, then check Diane, style 5953. The beautiful blend of sleek style and bridal romance makes this gown an easy choice. The cool and contemporary fit and flare features a scoop neckline on a sheer bodice covered in intricate embroidered appliqués. The clean crepe skirt offers a modern feel the brides might want for their second marriage and the open back is truly breathtaking. One more dress we just had to mention is Juno, style 15014. This minimalist and modern gown is simple and refined. The fit and flare silhouette beautifully molds to the body in contouring crepe with a defined empire waist, v-neckline, and chic square back. The detachable fly-away chiffon streamers add some drama to the casual gown. All of these gowns would also make stunning beach wedding dresses.
Casual Beach Wedding Dresses
We love a beach wedding and if you’re hosting a casual beach wedding you need the perfect dress to fit that carefree vibe. Details like stunning slits, lightweight fabrics, and breezy silhouettes all make for the perfect beach wedding dress, and these gowns certainly don’t fall short. Harper, style 1202 may be simplistic in design, but is big on style. This total “cool girl” dress has a sheer, sculptured v-neck bodice and chic faux-wrap skirt making movement super easy—great for walking in the sand. The unique embroidery has a boho feel and we love how the straps create a v-shape in the back giving a geometric effect. Demi, style 6963 is our dream dress for a casual beach wedding. The relaxed silhouette in breezy chiffon makes it ideal to withstand the heat at your beach wedding and with a stunning sheer bodice accented by dazzling crystal beaded embroidery you get that dreamy bridal sparkle. The front skirt slit gives you a sultry pop of leg and makes it easy to move, perfect for dancing the night away!
Casual Boho Wedding Dresses
Boho wedding dresses are one of the most popular styles in the bridal industry today. These gowns have an effortless and free-spirited quality that makes them a perfect choice for a casual wedding dress. With flowing silhouettes and botanical details, casual boho wedding dresses are easy to love. Our first pick for a casual boho wedding dress is Jillian, style 15007. This bohemian dream has a sculptured v-neck bodice with frosted, Alençon lace that cascades down the billowing A-line. The tiered tulle skirt adds to the boho feel and the open, scoop back shows off the perfect amount of skin. Jennifer, style 4102 is a whimsical and carefree gown in airy tulle. The classic v-neck bodice has a sheer peek-a-boo inset and is adorned with delicately beaded, botanical embroidered lace. The open back is stunning, especially paired with the low-back keyhole and dreamy chapel-length train.
Casual Wedding Dress with Sleeves
Whether it’s personal preference or time of year, some brides want a wedding dress with sleeves. Sleeves can give you warmth during autumn and winter weddings, extra support for our bustier brides, and the added coverage our more conservative brides are looking for. Fila, style 6973 is our dream casual wedding dress with sleeves. The simple yet stunning gown contours the body in stretch crepe with perfectly placed seams to help enhance your curves. The lined long sleeves make this dress ideal for a cold weather wedding and our favorite part is the breathtaking illusion back with Alençon lace trim. Our curvy brides may be looking for a casual plus size wedding dress with sleeves, so we’re here to introduce you to Barbara, style 3311. The flowing chiffon A-line has a beautiful frosted embroidered bodice with a subtle plunge and sheer sleeves giving you a bit of coverage and support. The keyhole back and cut-away lace train are romantic touches to this casual gown.
Casual Colored Wedding Dresses
You do your casual wedding your way, and that might include a splash of color! Cool, colored wedding dresses are the perfect way to show off your personality at your low-key wedding and make sure that it’s a day people won’t forget. Joanie, style 4111 is modern meets classic in sleek satin with a chic cuffed neckline and perfectly placed seams that cinch in your figure and emphasizes that A-line silhouette. The front skirt slit adds to a more relaxed feel and in misty blue, this dress feels like one-of-a-kind. If you want a little more mystery when it comes to your casual wedding dress, then we think you should try black wedding dresses. Dora, style 5958 is an unexpectedly elegant black wedding dress. The tailored A-line floats off the body with seams to create a more narrow waist and a trendy square neckline. The allover floral embroidery is a unique touch making this dark dress feel fresh and feminine.
Casual Country Wedding Dress
Perfect for a backyard bash or barn wedding, a country wedding dress embodies a rustic feel that many brides seem to love. Fluttering details and lovely laces, there’s a certain charm to a casual country wedding dress that’s hard to resist. If you are a true southern belle, then you’ll love our Jocasta wedding dress, style 4113. The soft tulle A-line features a delicately draped bodice and lovely frosted, embroidered floral lace appliqués that cascade down the gown. Dainty appliquéd straps and a wide horsehair hemline add to the rustic look of this dress. Curvy girls need a casual country wedding dress too and Hannah, style 3373 is it. This delicate and feminine gown has a slight boho touch that makes it ideal for a casual country wedding. The soft scoop neckline has a subtle plunge and beautiful crystal beaded lace trim while frosted embroidered lace decorated the bodice. The effortless tulle skirt has a cloud-like effect making this a country wedding dress that’s easy to wear.
Finding the Perfect Casual Wedding Dress for You
To find your perfect casual wedding dress visit one of our incredible retailers!
