Find Your Casual Wedding Dress Shopping Destination

where to buy a casual wedding dress

If you're looking for a casual wedding dress, there are several options available. David's Bridal offers a wide range of casual wedding dresses, from long gowns in minimalist styles to playful short dresses, with various silhouettes such as A-line, sheath, ballgown, and mermaid cuts. Lulus also provides a diverse selection of casual wedding dresses, including flowy and lace styles, suitable for elopements, courthouses, beaches, or backyard ceremonies. The Dress Outlet is another option, offering simple yet elegant dresses that can be easily customised to the bride's preference and accessorised to match most wedding themes. When choosing a casual wedding dress, consider factors such as venue, weather, and personal style to ensure comfort and a polished look.

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Online retailers such as Lulus and The Dress Outlet

Lulus offers a wide range of casual wedding dress options, including flowy, floor-length styles, simple silhouettes, lace dresses, and trendy statement pieces. Their dresses come in lightweight fabrics and silky satin, with sizes ranging from XS to 3X. You can pair their dresses with flats or heels, depending on your preference. They also offer wedding jewellery, including earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.

Lulus has dresses suitable for various wedding themes, including backyard weddings, beach weddings, and courthouse weddings. Their collection includes lace maxi dresses, midi dresses, and mini dresses.

The Dress Outlet also offers casual wedding dresses, with a focus on comfort and style. They provide dresses made from comfortable and fine fabrics, perfect for laid-back weddings. The Dress Outlet offers timeless and elegant designs that are easy to customise and accessorise. They suggest choosing a knee-length dress over a floor-length one for a more casual look, and short-sleeved dresses for outdoor venues.

Sheath dresses from The Dress Outlet are affordable, elegant, and simple, creating a feminine charm that highlights the bride's natural beauty. Slip dresses are another option, known for their flowy silhouette that suits both petite and curvy bodies. These dresses have few embellishments, keeping them simple and casual.

The Dress Outlet also offers a range of necklines, including illusion V-necklines, strapless corsets, off-shoulder sweetheart necklines, and cowl necklines. They have various styles, such as sweep trains, sexy slits, mermaid silhouettes, ball gowns, and A-line designs. Their dresses are available in different colours, including off-white, black, nude, and knee-length styles, ensuring that every bride can find a dress that suits her preferences and budget.

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High street stores like David's Bridal

High-street stores like David's Bridal offer a wide range of casual wedding dress options. With nearly 300 stores across the country, David's Bridal is a popular choice for brides seeking both online and offline selections. The brand offers a vast collection of casual wedding dresses, from classic long gowns in minimalist styles to playful short dresses, timeless and bold designs, and everything in between. Their dresses cater to various venues, whether you're hosting a relaxed ceremony or a seaside wedding.

David's Bridal also provides a free appointment service with their personal stylists, who can help you navigate their selection of silhouettes, fabrics, and colours to find your dream dress. Their average gown is priced at around $500, with more affordable and elegant options available.

If you're seeking a casual wedding dress from a high-street store like David's Bridal, you can also explore other retailers with a similar offering. Lulus, for instance, presents a diverse range of casual wedding dress styles, including flowy floor-length dresses, lace numbers, and trendy pieces. They cater to various body types, with sizes ranging from XS to 3X, ensuring there's something for every bride.

The Dress Outlet is another excellent option for casual wedding attire. They offer timeless and elegant dresses that can be easily customised to suit the bride's preferences and various wedding themes. You can style their dresses with statement jewellery and heels of your choice. They also have short-sleeved dresses, which are perfect for outdoor venues and warm weather.

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Short dresses

Short wedding dresses are a popular choice for brides seeking a blend of style and comfort. They are versatile and can be adapted to suit any venue, from grand ballrooms to casual beachside settings. If you're looking for a short wedding dress, consider the venue and your personal style. Mini dresses are perfect for fun, casual settings, while midi dresses add elegance and formality.

Luxe Redux Bridal offers over 70 short wedding dresses from top designers like Watters, Pronovias, Jenny Yoo, and WTOO at discounted prices. They offer a range of styles, including lace, tulle, plus size, simple, and beachy options.

Havedressstore also offers a selection of short bridal gowns in various fabrics such as lace, crepe, chiffon, satin, and silk. They cater to plus-size brides and provide helpful tips for styling short wedding dresses, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right shoes, jewellery, and accessories to match the ambiance of the venue.

Olivia Bottega is another great option for short and midi-length bridal gowns. They offer custom sizing to ensure a perfect fit, and their dresses are known for their comfort, style, and versatility.

Kleinfeld Bridal is worth considering if you're looking for a short wedding dress with customization options. Their designers offer meticulous craftsmanship, and their alterations department can add unique touches, like hand-beaded embellishments and custom fittings.

Lastly, JJ's House provides made-to-order short wedding dresses in both standard and custom sizes. They offer a full refund for returned items, provided they are in their original condition and returned within 14 days. However, they recommend ordering fabric swatches beforehand, as colours may vary slightly due to screen and camera resolutions.

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Jumpsuits

Lulus

Lulus offers an extensive range of stylish wedding jumpsuits, ensuring that every bride, regardless of taste or budget, finds the ideal white wedding jumpsuit. Their collection includes romantic lace jumpsuits and sleek, trendy designs that reflect a modern aesthetic. Lulus prioritizes quality and unique styles, with exclusive designs ranging from luxe and embellished to cute and bohemian.

Adrianna Papell

Adrianna Papell features a collection of wedding guest jumpsuits in various styles and sizes. Their designs include sleek satin silhouettes, soft crepe, and delicate embellishments, celebrating individuality while honouring the moment. They offer both semi-formal and formal jumpsuits, perfect for wedding luncheons or evening receptions.

SilkFred

SilkFred offers unique and stylish wedding guest jumpsuits, providing a break from tradition. Their jumpsuits offer extra coverage and are designed by independent brands. You can find a range of styles, including culotte, plunge, wrap, and cape jumpsuits.

Amazon

Amazon also offers a selection of wedding jumpsuits for brides and wedding guests, with various styles, colours, and sizes available. You can explore different materials, from lace to floral prints, and find options for free shipping on eligible orders.

Whether you're the bride or a guest, these retailers provide a diverse array of jumpsuit options to suit your needs and help you stand out at the wedding.

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Silhouettes and shapes

When it comes to wedding dresses, the silhouette is the main defining feature. Here is a guide to some of the most popular silhouettes and shapes:

A-line

A-line wedding dresses are universally flattering and complement all body types. This style features a fitted bodice that flares out to form an "A" shape, accentuating the waist. It is a great option for brides who want to accentuate their curves, as well as pear-shaped, curvy, or petite brides.

Ball Gown

The ball gown silhouette is one of the most popular globally. It features a bell-shaped, full skirt that creates a fairytale charm and is perfect for slim-hipped brides with fuller busts.

Mermaid

The mermaid silhouette is sleek and sexy, contouring the body at the bodice, waist, and hips, and then flaring out dramatically at the knees. This style is known to emphasise the waist and hips and is a great choice for apple-shaped brides.

Trumpet

The trumpet silhouette is similar to the mermaid style but is more toned down. It features a bodice that hugs the body from the chest to the mid-thigh, where it flares out like the shape of a trumpet. It is a popular choice for brides with slender or hourglass frames who want to flaunt their curves.

Sheath

The sheath silhouette is simple and elegant, following the natural body shape from top to toe. It provides an elongated look and is a great choice for petite brides who want to draw attention to their curves.

Mini

The mini silhouette is a modern and chic alternative to traditional styles, with a hemline that rests above the knees. It is perfect for intimate ceremonies or elopements and encourages brides to make bold fashion statements.

Tea-Length

The tea-length silhouette is versatile and practical, with a hem that falls between the ankle and knee. It exudes vintage charm and is perfect for less formal or outdoor weddings, providing a playful and relaxed vibe.

High-Low

The high-low silhouette features an asymmetrical hemline, shorter in the front and longer at the back, combining the drama of a long train with the casual flair of a shorter dress.

Slip Dresses

Slip dresses have a flowy silhouette that suits both petite and curvy bodies and matches most wedding venues.

Knee-Length

Knee-length dresses ensure a more casual feel and are perfect for outdoor venues.

Short-Sleeved

Short-sleeved dresses are considered casual for a wedding dress and are ideal for warm weather.

V-Necklines

V-necklines can be shallow or deep and work well with different types of wedding dresses and sleeve lengths. They create a flattering elongating effect and are ideal for women looking to accentuate their busts.

Sweetheart Necklines

Sweetheart necklines are curved and resemble the shape of a heart. They can be subtle or dramatic and are considered the most romantic option for a wedding.

Spaghetti Straps

Spaghetti-strap dresses are popular with brides who prefer a minimalist look and offer freedom of movement, making them perfect for weddings with a lot of dancing.

Strapless

Strapless wedding dresses are perfect for brides who want to show off their shoulders and collarbone, offering a simple and elegant look.

Bell Sleeves

Bell sleeves add a touch of glamour and elegance to any wedding dress silhouette, starting at the elbow or upper arm and flowing down to the wrist or below.

These are just a few of the many silhouettes and shapes available for casual wedding dresses, each offering a unique and flattering look for the bride.

Frequently asked questions

There are many online retailers that offer casual wedding dresses. Some popular options include Lulus, Reformation, Meshki, Nordstrom, Saks, Mac Duggal, Azazie, and Anthropologie.

It's important to pay attention to the size, silhouette, bodice, sleeve style, and fabric of the dress. Familiarize yourself with different types of fabrics and consider the season and location of your wedding. Additionally, always review the retailer's shipping and returns policy before making a purchase.

Yes, there are several affordable options available. ASOS, BHLDN, Torrid, and Azazie offer a range of wedding dresses under $300. Rent the Runway also offers the option to rent a dress for your wedding day, which can be a more affordable choice.

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