6 Wedding Dress Styles Perfect for a Great Lakes Beach Wedding

Beach weddings are appealing because they are out in the open in a beautiful waterfront setting with the waves and the wind. Having a beach wedding one of the Great Lakes is even better. One of the best things about a Great Lakes beach wedding is that it can be casual, formal, or even something in between. And it’s always a good idea to match your dress to your wedding venue. When it comes to picking out your wedding dress for a beach wedding there are certain factors and styles you should look for.

Most dress silhouettes work. One silhouette to avoid is a ball gown and also dresses that are very ornate. You want a dress that is flowy and provides movement. This doesn’t have to mean boho either if that’s not your thing. It can be modern or simple as well.

Besides dress styles, another very important factor in choosing a wedding dress for a Great Lakes beach wedding is the material! Lightweight materials work best for a beach wedding. Definitely avoid heavy satin or brocade as it can be very uncomfortable during warmer weather, and with the sand, it will drag you down. Opt for lace, chiffon, silk, tulle, crepe, organza, and other lightweight fabrics. Pick a material where the sand can easily be shaken out.

Long trains and long veils should be avoided along with lots of layers, heavy beading or super delicate materials that can easily be snagged. The less material the better.

Strapless dresses don’t necessarily need to be avoided but you might prefer something with straps. If the hemline picks up a lot of sand or gets wet, the dress can weigh itself down and you might feel the need to constantly pull up your dress.

 

6 Wedding Dress Styles Perfect for a Great Lakes Beach Wedding

Sheath

Sheath wedding dresses feature a skirt that falls straight, and they are more tight-fitting to show off curves. This Mira Zwillinger sheath dress is a gorgeous fit and flare gown with a deep V with sequins and 3-D florals. It also features detachable ruffle cascading tulle sleeves

Mermaid

A mermaid dress is form-fitting gown that flares at or below the knee, creating a mermaid-like “tail.” The “tail” part usually has some sort of detailing like ruffles, beading or lace. The Noelle dress by Anne Barge has a deep V-neck made from floral chantilly lace.

A-Line

A-line wedding dresses are fitted to the waist and then flow naturally to the floor. This type of silhouette shows off the bride’s natural shape. The Dorothy dress by Morilee features embroidered lace over tulle with a scalloped hemline

Trumpet

Trumpet wedding dresses are very similar to the mermaid style. Both have the flared skirt, but the difference depends on the positioning of the flare. Trumpet dresses are fitted on top but the flare starts at about mid-thigh. The Ember dress by Lea-Ann Belter is a fluted gown with a lace bodice.

Empire

An empire-style dress cinches right under the bust with a long skirt. The purpose of this style is to draw attention above your natural waistline and help elongate the torso. The Willowby by Watters Cassia dress has convertible puff sleeves and floral lace details.

Short

Not only is a short wedding dress a great choice for a petite bride, they also work for beach weddings. You don’t have to be short to wear one either. There is no need to worry about that sand with this shorter length. This is probably the only style dress where a strapless dress is okay since there will be nothing pulling it down. To avoid a Marilyn Monroe moment, make sure the hem has enough material to weigh it down so it won’t blow up in the wind. The Sareh Nouri Daisy dress lands just above the knee with a high neckline decorated with tiny 3-D flowers.

There are so many great wedding dress styles to choose from for a Great Lakes beach wedding. When shopping be sure to take these 6 styles and fabric factors into consideration. Happy shopping!