27 Relaxed Wedding Dresses for Casual, Laid-Back Brides [2023] (2024)

You’re not just a cool bride, you’re a laid back bride who has a unique sense of style.

I like it!

When you want to find the perfect dress for your more casual or laid-back wedding, where do you shop? Right here, that’s where!

In this blog post, I’m rounding up the most stylish casual wedding dresses in all kinds of lengths, necklines, and silhouettes. If you don’t want something super formal, prefer a free and airy look, and want something that’s actually comfortable, I 100% get it.

To help you find it, I went wild on the web looking for wedding dresses with sleeves, without sleeves, with pockets, with cap sleeves, with color, without color, casual wedding dresses to pair with cowboy boots, wedding dresses with tulle skirts, and so much more.

Let’s get started!

Relaxed + Casual Wedding Dresses

If you’re dreaming of a casual wedding dress vs. a formal bridal gown, I have good news: the style is perfect for every season of the year.

You can wear a simple wedding dress in the summer, spring, fall, or winter. It is always in style! Despite this, there are not nearly enough articles written about where to buy casual wedding dresses… so I wrote this one for you!

Most of these dresses are affordable styles under 100 dollars, so you’ll also save a ton of money — and look amazing in the process.

1. Mermaid Maxi Skirt, $99

For under $100 dollars, this is one of the top casual wedding dresses for the bride. It features a long white maxi skirt and long sleeves; the back has classic bridal buttons and an open v. Love this one! Shop here.

2. Ivory Mermaid Shape Maxi Dress, $89

This gorgeous dress has an awesome silhouette with a mermaid fit and a long-length skirt. Love the high neckline! Buy here.

3. Casual Cowl Neck Wedding Dress, $198

This cowl neck dress in satin is a dream come true! It is strappy with a long skirt and criss-cross back and is one of the most stylish dresses on this list. By Lulus.

4. White and Beige Embroidered Lace Maxi Dress, $98

Go casual — but still strikingly elegant — with this lovely plunging v-neckline wedding dress with layers of lovely mesh tulle. This dress is available in extended sizing in regular and plus size. By Lulus.

5. Simple White Wedding Maxi Dress, $89

If you’re a bride who wants casual outfit with a v-neck maxi style, this is THE one! By Lulus.

6. Simple Button-Back Dress, $99

For under $100, wear this low-key wedding dress with classic bridal buttons and a little flare on the maxi skirt. So pretty! Buy it here.

7. Casual Short Sleeve Wedding Dress with Lace, $109

This dress is incredible! It’s simple, yet elegant; the allover lace gives it a casual bohemian look and feel. Love the cap sleeve! Get it here.

8. Simple Long-Sleeve Dress, $89

Buy it here.

9. Casual One-Shoulder, $79

Make an entrance in this casual and cool one-shoulder bridal gown featuring a unique trend and long maxi length skirt. Great for dancing! Buy here.

10. Simple Dress with Strappy Back, $94

This is one of the most popular laid-back wedding dresses for 2023: it’s simple, yet nice and light, making it the perfect informal option for the bride. Get it here.

Check out the back!

11. Long-Sleeve V-Neck, $119

This is one of the most beautiful casual dresses for the bride to wear! I love the v-neckline and the lace sleeves, long lace floral print, and the skirt length. Get it here.

12. Mermaid Maxi, $119

If boho and natural wedding dresses are your thing, I think I have the dress for you: this one! I love it. Available here.

13. Cream Ruffled Wedding Dress, $79

This bohemian-style dress is perfect for your laid-back wedding and features a little ruffle on the sleeve. Cute! Shop here.

14. Casual Wedding Short Dress, $62

This short dress is casual wedding at its finest! It has sweet ruffle detail on one side and is modern in style. By Lulus.

15. White Lace-Up Maxi, $99

Getting married on the beach? This dress is pure perfection in a maxi skirt with a white lace-up style on the back. Buy here.

16. White Strappy Dress with Plunging Neckline, $84

You can’t go wrong with this simple, stunning silhouette and plunging neckline. A fan-favorite! Get it here.

17. Strapless Beach Wedding Dress with Sweetheart Neckline, $89

Wear this one to the beach! It’s one of the most comfortable wedding dresses on the list and it’s under $100. Beautiful! Shop here.

18. Unique Casual Wedding Dress with Bell Sleeves, $149

What a fashion statement! This is one of my favorite boho wedding dresses with a casual, laid-back feel. LOVE those bell sleeves! Shop here.

19. Halter Style Simple Dress, $119

Who says simple has to be boring? This is one of the dresses that feature elegant bead-work and embroidery on a chic halter neckline for a one-of-a-kind look. Buy here.

20. Casual Knee-Length Wedding Dress for Courthouse, $62

This dress isn’t limited to a courthouse wedding, but it’s PERFECT for one! This casual dress features no sleeves and a knee-length hem with a fun asymmetrical strap. Get it here.

21. White Beaded Pearl Chiffon, $128

This gorgeous dress features light, airy chiffon and tons of beautiful beadwork! It’s casual yet chic. Buy it here.

22. Satin Maxi Dress with Little Train, $99

The perfect simple wedding dress doesn’t exi… wait, this dress is perfect! I love the little train, the sumptuous satin fabric, and the scoop neckline with darted bodice. Love this one. Buy it here.

23. Short and Simple Midi, $59

Go short! This cute midi dress looks great wherever you plan to get hitched. Get it here.

24. Deep V-Neck Lace Maxi, $89

This elegant yet simple dress is beautiful for the bride who wants no frills, yet wants a chic and classy bridal gown. Love this look! Get it here.

25. White Satin High-Low Dress, $88

Highly-rated, this stage inspired dress is one of the most notable informal wedding dresses on this list! It looks so cute: short in the front and long in the back, made for dancing the night away! Get it here.

26. Long Sleeve Off-the-Shoulder, $109

Stylish! Get this dress with a trendy off-the-shoulder dress and long sleeves with all-over lace. Buy here.

27. White Backless Dress with Lace Cap Sleeves, $99

And last but not least, check out one of the prettiest informal wedding dresses for 2023: this simple dress has lace cap sleeves and a maxi skirt plus a statement-making backless style. Get it here.

Now that we’ve covered the dresses, let’s talk about a few pointers to consider when you’re shopping for casual dresses for your wedding.

PRO TIP: Did you stumble on this page looking for casual wedding guest dresses instead? Click here to browse!

Need some tips on how to dress as a casual bride? Here are some helpful suggestions.

What To Avoid: Don’t Wear These Informal Dresses Outdoors

Light > Heavy

If you’re selecting a casual wedding dress for outdoor nuptials, whether it be in a barn, on the beach, mountainside, seaside, in a garden, or on a vineyard, avoid any garment that is too heavy.

For these venues, you want something light and airy; you also don’t want a train that will pull through mud, leaves, or sand and make your dress dirty.

If you want a train, mini-trains do exist! You can even find a dress with detachable train for impeccable style indoors or out.

Nail The Perfect Fit

Fit is everything! The number one rule for choosing a more casual style as The Bride is to go simple, but stick with a silhouette that shows off your figure best. This can be a sheath, A-line, strapless, casual halter wedding dress, etc.

The Long and the Short Of It

Once you’ve selected your ideal silhouette, decide on length: will your dress be long or short? The popular midi length seems to be the ultimate trend right now. Midi length hits in that sweet spot, right between the knee and the ankle. It’s very trendy!

Shop by Style

Many brides wear minimalist dresses simply because they love the look! If a big, frilly bridal gown isn’t your thing, that’s OK!

The wedding dress you choose should reflect your unique personality and style.

If informal wedding dresses are more your style, GO FOR IT! Are you the minimalist, the bohemian, the traditional, or the beach bride?

Minimalist

For the minimalist bride, casual gowns are a dream come true: these dresses are simple, short, or long, and they don’t have the same “frills” that other dresses do, like embroidery, beading, rhinestones, or over-the-top lace. Some brides aren’t into the frills and prefer cheap thrills, so that’s another reason to love these dresses: you’ll find many cheap options that cost under $200, some even under $100!

Bohemian

Casual dresses in a bohemian style typically feature layers of lace; you may see off-the-shoulder necklines and romantic tiered skirts, like this example.

Traditional

A traditional bride with a simple taste might like this number: a sleeveless neckline and allover lace with a floor-length skirt. Here’s an example of a casual wedding dress for the bride to wear.

TIP: If you’re looking for casual crop top wedding dresses, see them all in a separate post here. :)

Pair Casual Accessories With Your Wedding Dress

What kind of bridal accessories do you wear with a casual dress? Great question: keep it simple!

Veil

For the veil, choose something close to your face, like a birdcage veil (or skip the veil altogether) since a veil will blow in the wind and constantly get in your way.

Shoes

When it comes to footwear, always go with the most comfortable wedding shoes you can find. That applies to every style. For comfort and low-key fashion, try wearing these for the beach, sandals, flats, or a pair of trusty block heels or wedges, which are both great to wear on uneven terrain like dirt or sand.

Shop For Casual Wedding Dress Styles

Want to buy the dresses shown here? Simply click on the photo of the dress you love to be redirected to price, details, and purchase. Alternatively, you can shop more styles here.

TIP: Planning a rustic wedding? You may also like: 12 Wedding Dresses Brides Can Wear With Cowboy Boots

And there you have it: everything you need to know for casual, cool comfort. I hope this helped you find that simple dresses are just as beautiful as the more extravagant ones, and what really matters is what YOU want.

You’re going to look gorgeous in any bridal gown you choose! :)

Happy Planning!

xo
Emma