Summer Wedding Dresses and Beach Wedding Advice

Warm weather, sunset backdrops, and sultry outdoor party vibes… If you can’t tell from our latest bridal galleries, chic summer weddings are calling our name! From flowy silhouettes to shimmery embellishments and fabulous outdoor venues, warm-weather celebrations are the perfect way to gather your loved ones for an unforgettable party. Feeling the love? We’ve gathered inspo from our latest collections (and a real bride wedding!) to get you started. Make sure to check us out on Pinterest to save these styles to your own Pinterest board!

Why Plan a Summer Wedding?

Summer brides have countless reasons to love their season, from beautiful weather and unique outdoor venues to dreamy summer wedding dresses and fabulous style vibes. If you love all things bright, beautiful, and blooming, this is the ideal time of year to tie the knot!

Here’s why we think summer is a great time to get married:

• You get more hours of sunlight in the summer to enjoy the day.
• You can shop for summer wedding dresses — so romantic and breezy!
• You have more options for outdoor venues, thus avoiding stuffy inside venues.
• You can take advantage of fresh flowers and seasonal produce.
• Summer is prime travel time for destination weddings.
• More predictable weather leads to better photos.
• You can explore more bright and bold color palettes.
• Sleeveless and short wedding dresses are more of an option, and you don’t have to worry about your chic wedding dress being covered up by a jacket or shawl.
• Flowy summer wedding dresses are the ideal option for hot days.
• Elopement-style celebrations are more flexible in summer.
• You’ll be glowing with your sun-kissed skin and summer shine.

The Challenges of Planning a Summer Wedding

PC: Dream FX Media

While some couples find planning a summer wedding is easy-breezy, there are important items to consider for weather conditions, venue choice, style details, and guest experience. Consider these tips and tricks to ensure your summer wedding is everything you imagine:

• Heat and humidity can impact your comfort, vision, and style. When it comes to choosing from warm weather wedding dresses, these should be top variables to consider. 
• For guest experience at your reception, you’ll want to budget for items like parasols, individual fans, and extra water.
• Summer is peak wedding season, so you’ll have more competition for vendors and higher rates. Make sure to plan ahead for rentals, purchases, and travel rates.  
• Sweat is inevitable in the summer, so make a plan with your glam squad to put a stop to rosy cheeks, shiny foreheads, and damp underarms.
• Keeping food cool can be a challenge if you have an outdoor wedding, so talk to your caterers about their plan to keep everything presentable, sanitary, and easily accessible.

PC: Dream FX Media

Kaye’s Summer Wedding Dress Shopping Experience

PC: Dream FX Media

Looking for real wedding inspo? Say hello to our beachy bride, Kaye! We asked Kaye to tell us a little bit about her experience shopping for her wedding dress, one of Rebecca Ingram’s summer wedding dresses, Lorraine Lane Marie:

“I had an incredible experience dress shopping at the Bridal Gallery in New Westminster BC, and the staff was very helpful. I ended up walking out with a dress style that I didn’t think I wanted but felt the most myself in. This was the best advice my consultant gave me!”

Kaye brought all of her bridesmaids to her bridal appointment, and, of course, two of them cried and the other two had no words when they saw her in Lorraine Lane Marie. We have to admit, we didn’t have a dry eye here at Maggie when we saw her wedding photos either!

Of Lorraine Lane Marie, Kaye says, “My love story was like a fairytale in real life, and Lorraine Lane Marie had fairytale written all over it. From the glitter to the poofness, to the intricate details on the corset. Magical!!”

Want to know more about Lorraine Lane Marie? The stunning bridal gown is all about the little things. Shimmery lace, a layered skirt, and illusion bodice details come together for an exquisite statement in this whimsical A-line wedding gown designed for breezy celebrations! We’re so glad Kaye loves this summer wedding dress as much as we do.

Advice for Brides Planning a Beach Wedding

PC: Dream FX Media

Kaye’s advice to brides planning a beach wedding is all about shopping for summer wedding dresses. She says, “Try to find a wedding dress with light material! The bottom part of my dress was poofy but the acrylic was light and airy. I even altered it a bit more so I didn’t feel heavy while walking around/dancing!”

Here are a few more of our favorite suggestions for beachy brides:

• Make sure your decor is wind-proof and rain-proof just in case.
• Select the right shoes! Some brides opt for sandals, others rock bare feet!
• Make sure there’s some shade available for guests so they don’t overheat if it is going to be a hot day.
• Consider adjusting your dress code so your friends and family can stay cool and comfortable.
• Consider scheduling your ceremony for the morning or evening to avoid sunburns and sweat stains.

Summer Wedding Dresses

Crepe Summer Wedding Dresses

• Adeline by Rebecca Ingram is a lovely, lightweight, and sexy silhouette with delicate lace details. This Quick Ship gown is a top pick for a summer elopement, minimony, or chic garden soiree… We adore the romantic asymmetrical lace treatment along the bodice, skirt, and slit.

• Kailani by Rebecca Ingram features a Grecian-inspired silhouette, the perfect blend of style and sophistication. This Quick Ship gown is a timeless yet ultra-glamorous choice for a summer party.

• Jace by Maggie Sottero blends minimalism with elegant details like exposed corsetry and soft ruching at the waistline. This unique style is made with a comfortable crepe fabric that’s ideal for summer: It’s lightweight while still offering form and construction to play up your natural shape. (Also a Quick Ship style!)

• Florentina by Maggie Sottero makes a chic and summery statement with luxurious crepe, illusion lace, and soft shimmer. The halter neckline is a unique alternative to other necklines, offering extra coverage and support while still feeling lightweight and feminine.

• Fantasia by Rebecca Ingram is a gorgeous silhouette with soft ruching and delicate lace details. We love the blend of sweet and simple aesthetics, from the curve-loving silhouette to the neckline flourishes. Add the off-the-shoulder cap-sleeves (sold separately) for a regal upgrade.

Floral Wedding Gowns

• Benjie Royale by Maggie Sottero shimmers with head-to-toe lace, beading, and corset details, a show-stopping piece for a summer celebration. This Quick Ship style is a luxurious choice for a black-tie wedding in the summer.

• Bridget by Maggie Sottero, also a Quick Ship style, features soft vintage-inspired lace in luminous layers. Complete with a petal-shaped train and illusion back, this style is an irresistible blend of romance and sophistication. 

• Nyjah by Sottero and Midgley shimmers with lace, illusion, and sequins in a curve-enhancing silhouette. Imagine this sexy, glamorous style on a beach or in a moonlit garden… Your summer venue options are a perfect complement for this dreamy and feminine design.

• Laila by Maggie Sottero, also a Quick Ship style, is all about the 3-D lace motifs and ruched layers. This tulle is lightweight and lovely, perfectly on theme for a breezy nature-inspired celebration.

• Sydney by Maggie Sottero (another gown available for fast delivery) features unique details in the bodice — a plunging neckline, illusion panels at the waist, and sequined flourishes criss-crossing into the skirt and train. This style shimmers beautifully in the sunlight for a summer celebration.

Flowy Bridal Dresses

• Destin by Sottero and Midgley is a regal, vintage-inspired ballgown with beautiful illusion details in the corseted bodice. It’s also a Quick Ship style, which is perfect for summer elopements or other celebrations with an easy, laid-back vibe. Add the off-the-shoulder balloon sleeves (sold separately) for a dreamy Renaissance-inspired flourish.

• Natalie by Maggie Sottero features a sexy form-fitting bodice with a unique plunging neckline and illusion details. This style is perfect for summer weddings — lightweight, flirty, and so easy to style for an outdoor venue.

• Clara by Rebecca Ingram makes a gorgeous statement in vintage-inspired beading and a unique ribbon detail along the scoop back. This look is a little boho, a little modern, and 100% romantic.

• Evan by Maggie Sottero is made with heavenly chiffon and decadent layers, a gorgeous upgrade to a timeless and classically feminine silhouette. This sweet and summery style is like something out of Old Hollywood royalty!

• Gretchen by Maggie Sottero shimmers with pearl details on the sexy form-fitting bodice. This ballerina-inspired style is perfectly tailored for an enchanting summer wedding.

High Neck Summer Bridal Gowns

• Auburn by Maggie Sottero is all about the sleek silhouette and high neck bodice. The all-over lace is an ideal fusion of classic and boho aesthetics — it’s incredibly timeless, yet chic, modern, and sophisticated for a fabulous summer wedding.

• Portia by Rebecca Ingram glows with a luminous, elegant crepe in a beautifully draped silhouette. It’s Grecian-inspired with a soft and romantic upgrade — a summer-ready gown that feels like a million dollars to wear.

• Jett Leigh by Rebecca Ingram fuses Old Hollywood styling with effortless and elegant tailoring. The draped fabric is comfortable, the high neck is demure, and the form-fitting silhouette is chic and sophisticated. It’s an unforgettable fit for a confident yet stylish bridal vibe.

• Nadia by Rebecca Ingram draws inspiration from classic red-carpet silhouettes, but with a fresh and breezy upgrade for summer weddings. This lightweight satin is an exceptional choice for outdoor wedding venues!

• Rhett by Sottero and Midgley shimmers with head-to-toe beading in vintage-inspired flourishes. It’s 1920s-era glamor meets modern decadence, yet chic and easy enough for a warm-weather celebration. We love the halter neckline for an unexpected upgrade to this timeless silhouette.

Feeling the beachy summer love? Shop these summer wedding dresses at a boutique near you!

More blogs like this:

10 Sexy Beach Wedding Dresses for Your Seaside Wedding

Love Always Wins | A Real Bride’s Heartfelt Story & Casual Beach Wedding

Maggie’s Guide to Planning a Destination Wedding

Your dream summer wedding awaits!