Plus Size Beach Wedding Dresses: Plus Size Beach Bridal Gowns

Dresses & Accessories
Written By Colleen McCarthy
 
Row of white lace dresses on hangers.

Wedding dresses in every style for a plus size beach bride.

 

Are you a curvy bride searching for a plus size beach wedding dress? There’s so many choices when it comes to a wedding dress - especially if you’re planning a destination wedding.

How to Choose Beach Wedding Dresses

  • Beach wedding dresses can be chosen based on the style of your wedding. Even for a beach wedding, you’ll decide if you’re having a formal, semi formal or casual event. 

  • Next, consider your beach. Is it a cool lakeside beach? Or are you hopping on a plane for a wedding in Mexico, Jamaica or Dominican Republic? Will it be hot and humid? If you’ll need to travel with your dress, think about choosing something lightweight and easy to pack.

  • Once you’ve thought about your ceremony, think about where your reception will be. Will it be directly on the beach? Or will you be inside an air conditioned building?

  • Last, think about your activities. How are you picturing your wedding day? Are you going to be inside or outside most of the day? Are you planning to dance all night? Do you want a structured dress or something soft and loose that’ll move with you?

Please note: this article contains affiliate links. That means that I may earn a commission if you decide to buy something.

Best Beach Wedding Dress Styles For a Curvy Bride

When you’re deciding on your bridal look for a beach wedding, you’ve got two choices: 

1. Embrace the beach

Choose a light, breezy dress that looks summery. Beach style dresses include a strapless bodice or spaghetti straps. Tops with tank style straps or full coverage with flutter sleeves look fantastic at the beach, too. Light skirts made of chiffon and organza are perfect for getting that easy, breezy beach bride look.

2. Go full bridal

If you want a more traditional look, you can choose a style like a mermaid dress, a fit and flare wedding dress, an a line style or even a ball gown with all the trimmings. Any style of wedding gowns will work as long as you’re comfortable.

If you’re choosing a more formal type of gown, look for venues that can be upgraded to a more formal or semi-formal type of event. For example, choose a ceremony spot on a terrace overlooking the beach, rather than directly in the sand.

Lace Wedding Dress for a Beach Wedding

Lace looks fantastic at a beach wedding. It’s elegant and beautiful, but still light and pretty enough for an outdoor wedding. You can choose a bridal dress that’s all over lace, or a lace bodice with a chiffon skirt. 

What’s the Best Wedding Dress for Plus Size Apple Shape?

The best dress for an apple shaped bride is the dress she loves the most. You don’t need to hide your shape, disguise your shape, or even flatter your shape. Your shape is perfect. Pick the dress you feel comfortable in and own that style!

You’re marrying the person who loves you the most and they already think you’re beautiful the way you are. Your wedding is to celebrate your relationship and the big step that you’re taking together. Pick the dress that makes you feel like celebrating.

Choose a Wedding Dress That Fits Your Personal Style

If you want a dress you’ll feel comfortable in, start by thinking about your personal style. What does your everyday wardrobe look like? What clothes do you feel the most comfortable in? What do you feel the most confident in? Do you prefer classic, fitted styles, body conscious styles, or modest, soft and loose styles?

  • If your style is classic and fitted, think about a sheath dress, an A-line gown or a dress with a fitted bodice or princess seams. 

  • If you like body conscious styles, look at mermaid dresses, fit and flare gowns or wedding dresses with ruching to show off your curves. 

  • If you prefer modest or loose clothing, consider a maxi dress. There’s lots of different styles of maxi dresses, from a silk, goddess looking gown to a soft, clean style with a pretty neckline.

Wedding Dress With Sleeves in Plus Sizes

Even though you’re at the beach, you can still wear a wedding dress with sleeves if you’d like. There’s lots of styles that have sleeves and still look breezy. Mesh or lace are great material for sleeves on a beach wedding dress. Short sleeves, cap sleeves or three quarter length sleeves will give you some coverage, but still feel cool and comfortable.

Want to see more beach wedding dresses plus size on Etsy? Check out my favorites list: Plus Size Beach Wedding Dresses

Buying a Wedding Dress Online

When you’re shopping online, remember your internet safety rules:

  • Read reviews to make sure other customers were happy with their purchases.

  • Never transfer cash to an online seller. If you use PayPal or a credit card you’ll have some protection if you don’t get your order.

  • If you’re buying a structured dress, you might need to have alterations done. Make sure the shipping dates leave enough time. Typically, alterations are done in 3 stages, starting 8 to 12 weeks before your wedding.

  • Many Etsy shops offer custom dresses in extended size for plus brides. Check the dates carefully to make sure there’s enough time for the seller to create your dress and deliver it before your wedding.

  • Check the shop’s return and refund policies before you place your order.

Casual Gown For a Beach Wedding

If you’re having a casual or relaxed wedding, you can choose an easy going dress, too. Look for dresses that aren’t too structured. If you skip the train, you won’t have to worry about getting sand all over it.

 
 

Is Size 14 Considered Plus in Wedding Sizes?

In regular clothes, plus size starts at size 12 or 14, depending on the brand. Typically, a wedding dress is cut smaller than street clothes. If you wear a size 14 in regular clothes, you’ll probably wear size 16 in bridal, which is considered plus.

The only problem is that bridal designers don’t use standard sizes. Each designer has their own size chart and it’s usually different from everyone else’s. The only way to get the right size is by measuring yourself. Then check the size chart for the brand of the wedding dress you want to buy.

How to Measure Yourself

If you’re shopping in person, at a bridal salon, your consultant will do the measuring and check the size charts for you. If you’re shopping online, you’ll need to get a measuring tape and do it yourself. When you measure, don’t pull the tape tight. You should be able to slide a finger underneath the tape. Write down your measurements, so you can refer back to them later.

Measure Your Bust: 

Put the measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust. Remember, your bust will change size depending on the bra you’re wearing. Try measuring when you’re wearing a sports bra vs your Saturday night push up bra. You’ll see a major difference! When you measure for your wedding dress, ideally you’ll be wearing the bra, or one similar to the one you’ll wear under your wedding dress.

Measure Your Waist:

Place the measuring tape at the narrowest part of your waist, between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips. Breathe naturally and remember to check that you can slide your finger under the tape.

Measure Your Hips:

When you’re measuring your hips, find the widest part across your hips and bottom. Check that you can slide your finger between your body and the tape.

Measure for Length:

This measurement is called Hollow to Hem and you might need help from a friend for this one. This is the the length from the hollow in the center of your collarbone to where the hem will sit. If you’re planning to wear high heels, put some on before you take the measurement. Hem to Hollow is usually used for custom dresses, but if you’re not a standard height, you might want to compare your measurement to the size charts.

How to Choose the Right Size Wedding Dress

Once you’ve taken your measurements, you can compare them to the size charts. Choose the size that matches your biggest measurement. For example, if your bust is your biggest measurement, choose the wedding dress size that will match your bust. Then have the rest of the wedding dress taken in to fit your waist and hips.

Remember that every designer has their own size chart. Make sure you check the chart for the brand of wedding dress that you’re buying.

And do not take that number personally! It’s an arbitrary number that some stranger has decided on. It’s not a reflection on your personality, your beauty or your lifestyle. Just choose the size that’s going to match your measurements and carry on living your best life.

Ball Gown to Wear at a Beach Wedding

Can you really wear a ball gown to the beach? Sure you can - it’s your wedding! You can wear a formal gown, as long as the rest of your wedding matches the style. Lots of beach venues have patios, boardwalks and terraces, so you can get married without dragging your ball gown through the sand. Look for a style with light skirts and you won’t get overheated or uncomfortable.

Want more plus size wedding dresses? See affordable designer dresses with extended sizing, up to size 24: Ball Gown Wedding Dresses

 
 

Short Wedding Dresses For a Beach Wedding

Short wedding dresses are a great choice for a hot climate. You can stay cool and still look amazing. Short dresses come in all styles and fabrics. Choose a fitted sexy look. Or a swirly skirt that’s perfect for dancing all night.

 
 

Want to see more affordable wedding dresses in plus size? Check out the whole selection: Etsy - Plus Size Wedding Dresses and Gowns

Cheap Gown for a Beach Wedding

If you’re on a tight budget, don’t worry - Amazon has some gorgeous plus size dresses at amazing prices. Here’s a few that will look great at your beach wedding. And they’re all under $100.

Enjoy Your Wedding Day

There’s so many styles to choose from. Whatever you do, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Don’t start to feel like there’s a perfect choice. There’s never one perfect dress.

There’s lots of choices and they’ll all look beautiful on you. Your choice will be the right one. As long as you feel comfortable and happy, you’ll have the perfect dress for you. Remember what your wedding day is about - your honey loves you the way you are. And they’ll love to see you in your wedding dress!

 

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Colleen McCarthy
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