This post was written by Tanya Watters! She grew up in the fashion industry, and in 2015 launched her very own bridesmaids collection. Her online boutique, Love Tanya, features her original designs and is a must-see! For more about Tanya, check out her bio at the end!

I was bitten by the travel bug pretty early on in life so I love the idea of a destination wedding. Beaches are some of the most popular wedding destinations — and with good reason. The ocean breeze, crashing waves, and pretty sunsets are more than enough reasons to plan a beach wedding. So what bridesmaid dresses would be best for a destination wedding?

Choosing bridesmaid dresses for your destination wedding can be tricky because there’s so much to consider — like the weather, the formality and overall theme you’re going for. Today I’m going to answer all your questions about choosing the best bridesmaid dresses for your beach wedding.

Should I choose short or long bridesmaid dresses for my beach wedding?

If it’s going to be hot, you’ll likely want a dress that’s light, airy and comfortable. Consider short, knee length or even midi length bridesmaid dresses to keep your girls cool in the heat. Shorter styles are fun and flirty and won’t leave you feeling weighed down or overdressed. Plus you can show off a cute pair of shoes!

Left: Seraphina Short Dress in Rose Quartz Chiffon
Right: Tenley Short Dress in Fresh Mint Tulle

If it’s a little too breezy like Aruba (which is known for its sideways trees because of the strong winds), then you’ll want to stick with a long maxi length. Cool and comfortable maxi dresses will help you avoid a sudden ocean breeze horror story! Plus long bridesmaid dresses flowing softly with a breeze can make some very pretty pictures. Just imagine these maxi dresses on the beach!

Seraphina Long Dress in Rose Quartz Chiffon

Are sequins too dressy for the beach?

There is literally no reason why you can’t wear sequins at the beach! Sequins are for celebrating and it’s your big day! There are a couple of ways to dress sequins down and make them more wearable. One way is to choose a bridesmaid dress with a matte finish. Our sequin bridesmaid dresses in the matte gold or matte rose gold still give you a hint of glamour without being too flashy.

Left: Portia Short Dress in Gold Sequin
Right: Adele Short Dress in Rose Gold Sequin

Another way is to pair a sequin top with a chiffon or tulle bottom or vice versa. Limiting the sequins to only the top or bottom still allows your bridal party to have a little flair but the contrasting bottom makes it more casual. Bridesmaid separates are a fun way to add versatility to each dress, while still looking gorgeous. Plus your leading ladies are more likely to wear them separately after the wedding.

Left: Kendall Top in Navy Sequin with Keaton Maxi Skirt in Navy Chiffon
Right: Evie Top in Blush Chiffon  with Chloe Maxi Skirt in Rose Gold Sequin

Which fabrics are less likely to wrinkle during travel?

Sequins are actually great for traveling because the sequins are sewn on tulle and lined with a knit fabric that doesn’t wrinkle. If you’d prefer to skip the bling and keep it lightweight, chiffon is definitely the most popular fabric for a beach wedding. It’s soft, flowy and usually available in every color imaginable. Chiffon bridesmaid dresses make perfect pictures with a gentle ocean breeze, however, it’s the one fabric that may wrinkle during travel. I recommend carrying your chiffon bridesmaid dresses in a hanging bag when you travel.

Seraphina Dress in Rose Quartz Chiffon

Tulle, traditionally reserved for wedding veils and ballet tutus, is another soft, lightweight fabric. Tulle is sheer with an open weave that looks like netting and is less likely to wrinkle during travel. Hanging the dress up right away when you arrive will let the fabric settle and most wrinkles will go away over a short time.

Amelie Dress in Navy Tulle

What color palette should I choose?

Warmer weather usually means a bright color palette. Bold colors like red, coral and turquoise can make your bridal party pop against the neutral beach background. Rich and vibrant colors will have everyone smiling!

Left: Sydney Short Dress in Pomegranate Chiffon
Right: Amelie Short Dress in Dahlia Tulle

If you’d rather blend with the scenery, then choose a soft, muted color palette of sand and beach glass. Dusty blue is a trending wedding color for 2018 and works perfectly for an airy, beach wedding. Whether you are seaside or lakeside, soft colors can add a touch of romance and elegance to your destination wedding. Just check out these gorgeous photos from a recent styled shoot in Galveston, TX!

Left: Olivia Long Dress in Slate Blue
Middle: Amelie Long Dress in Blue Harbor
Right: Evie Top in Slate Blue with Leighton Maxi Skirt in Slate Blue

Whichever bridesmaid dresses you end up choosing for your beach wedding, just make sure you take advantage of your beautiful surroundings and go frolic on the beach with your ladies!

Tanya Watters is a bridal fashion designer based in Dallas, TX. She grew up in the fashion industry and got a real world education in every step from designing to manufacturing beautiful garments. Although Tanya was very artistic and enthusiastic about her family’s business, she decided to pursue a different path in college. After graduating from Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management, she moved to New York City and worked in the finance industry. She started feeling restless early in her career without a creative outlet, so she took art classes on the side.

In 2012, Tanya finally felt that she needed to make a big change, so she quit her job and moved back to Dallas to work in the family business. She loved being back in the bridal fashion industry but still had that entrepreneurial bug making her feel restless. While working with her family, she developed an idea that sought to change the way bridesmaids shop. In 2015, Tanya decided to branch out on her own and launch her own bridesmaid collection.

Love Tanya is an online boutique based in Dallas, offering affordable, designer bridesmaid dresses and separates. All of the pieces are designed personally by Tanya Watters for girls seeking truly wear again bridesmaid styles. Love Tanya’s sample dress program lets you try on dresses at home before you buy so you can shop with confidence. Browse the stunning collection of bridesmaid dresses in 100+ colors, different lengths, plus sizes, and convertible style options. Create a unique, mismatched look with the expansive collection of two-piece bridesmaid dresses and separates that are both chic and versatile. Founder Tanya Watters applies over 30 years of bridal expertise to deliver high quality, designer bridesmaid dresses for all sizes at a fair price. Visit https://lovetanya.com to shop the entire collection online.

Photo Credits:

Photographers:  @beautifulyoustudios @maxyneleannephoto @alexiskatherinephoto

Models: @k.peacok_scorpio @andieatxmodel @yrstrulymicah @stormborn.valkyrie

MUAH:@simplebeautyartistry

Florals: @villagebloomflowers @katiebugflorals