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30 Casual Wedding Dresses for the Easygoing Bride in 2023

Author: Hollie Bond

NB: To help you browse our best suggestions we have included some third party links. Some purchases made through these links may earn us a commission to help keep our blogs and offers current and up to date. Thanks for your support!


Princess ballgowns and cathedral-length trains aren’t for every bride. If you’re known for being a laid-back person, and both your everyday style and preferred going-out looks are casual then it makes sense to reflect your personality on the most important day of your life – your wedding day. Having a huge tulle skirt or being covered head to toe in sequins isn’t a must-have on a wedding dress and so if you’d feel uncomfortable in something too formal or extravagant then you’ll want to take a look at our edit of gorgeous casual wedding dresses.

Whether you’re planning an elopement, a small city celebration, or are having a large wedding but want to keep your look low-key, then these are the bridal gowns for you.

How to style casual wedding dresses

Looking effortlessly chic can actually take some effort, so we spoke to wedding consultant, stylist, and former fashion editor at You & Your Wedding Peta Hunt to get her expert tips on making a casual wedding dress work perfectly for your wedding day.

Where’s the best place to shop for a casual wedding dress?

“If you cringe at the idea of being the centre of attention and want to be a little more low-key but still bridal, my suggestion would be to start your shopping from the comfort of your sofa. Try these online shops for starters …. Net a Porter, Self Portrait, Needle & Thread, Phase Eight, Rixo, Rowley Hesselballe, Selfridge’s and Wolf & Badger. Order some of your favourites and set aside a day with a trusted friend or mum around, open the boxes and take your time to try them on with no pressure.”

“A lot of bridal boutiques now cater for the off-the-peg bride looking for a more casual look too. Katya Katya London has an off the peg collection for the no-fuss bride, with plenty of their usual fabulous styles, easy-to-wear shapes, and lovely lace. Try Anthropologie for the occasional bridal hit too, they own US label BHLDN who do ship to the UK, but remember to add tax on! Otherwise, think about Whistles, Ghost, Catherine Deane, Jenny Yoo, plus most of the bridesmaids dress designers have dresses in white and cream – TH&TH, Rewritten and Maids to Measure are all great for effortless bridal dressing.”

“You might want to consider a great trouser suit, they work particularly well with a short veil, a cream fascinator, or a headband to add that bridal touch. One of my favourite looks for a casual wedding is a blouse and skirt combination with a simple pair of earrings.”

What can you do to a classic wedding dress to make it look more laid back?

“If you’ve bought a big dress and are having regrets, it is possible to dress it down. If you’re a trainer person stick with a box-fresh pair of wedding trainers, or ditch the high heels and dance the night away in a pair of flat pumps or sandals. Don’t go for a long veil, instead try a couple of hair clips, an Alice band, a fascinator, or a velvet bow. H&M do great cream scrunchies with ties attached that are perfect for laidback bridal ponytails. Keep your make-up simple – don’t be that bride who’s unrecognisable when you walk down the aisle because somebody’s painted a completely different face on you!”

Are there certain fabrics or shapes of dresses that look more casual?

“It’s all about the combination of shape and the fabrics. Sometimes a short sequinned shift dress with a pair of low heels and a great fascinator or headband can look casual and bridal at the same time, but the same sequins on a bigger dress and you could look like you’re an extra from Strictly Come Dancing. Of course, short and tea-length dresses are always a little more casual than a huge gown and easier to wear. A lace wedding dress can also be quite casual. Grace Loves Lace uses lace with a touch of stretch in – they manage to make their dresses casual and bridal at the same time.”

“Anything that’s not a very fitted shape automatically becomes less formal. A good A-line dress is easy to wear. Or look for a tiered, loose-fitting dress or even a kaftan shape for a beach wedding or country event. For the minimalist bride, a simple slip dress in crepe can be ‘bridal-ed’ up with a veil, jacket, or shrug. Also go for cotton, linen, and linen mix dresses for summer weddings.”

Are there any famous brides that have rocked a casual look perfectly?

“I loved Solange Knowles’s dress and cape on her wedding day and jumpsuit for her reception. I also thought Keira Knightley in her Chanel tulle dress (that she had worn before) with a jacket over just oozed low key bridal style. Obviously, Bianca Jagger’s YSL suit and hat is an iconic look. Other brilliant casual wedding looks include Amal Clooney in her jumpsuit by Stella McCartney, Lily Allen in her Dior dress and veil for her Vegas wedding, and Ariana Grande in her Vera Wang dress and super cute veil.”

The best casual wedding dresses for 2023

Under £100

ASOS EDITION Rosie satin cami wedding dress with square neck, £95

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This budget wedding dress looks every inch the bridal gown but is beautifully laid back thanks to the simple neckline, modern silhouette and satin fabric. Buy here

Lavish Alice sweetheart neck midi dress, £85

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Keep things short and sweet with this fashionable number. The off the shoulder details give it a chic bridal vibe, but it’s also the sort of dress you could wear after the big day. Buy here

Chi Chi London one shoulder maxi dress, £85

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A one-shoulder neckline is just the right amount of sultry to make a plain, casual dress have that special touch that makes it bridal. Buy here

Under £500

Phase Eight Amberlee cutwork midi dress, £140

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This boho beauty is part of Phase Eight’s Sustainably Sourced collection so your laid back look can also be good for the environment. The skirt with cut out detailing is dreamy and the high neckline is ideal for any brides who don’t want to show off much skin. Buy here

Self Portrait diamanté trim maxi dress, £430

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The simple silhouette of this maxi dress with the subtle diamanté detailing makes it an ideal casual wedding dress. Buy here

Whistles tie back maxi dress, £199

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Simple and casual from the front, but chic and stylish from the back. With its open back, this is the slip dress of dreams. Buy here

Reformation Ginny dress, £300

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The deep neckline and on-trend puff sleeves of this pretty dress make it ideal for a smart city celebration, but the relaxed fit of the skirt means it’s casual all the way. Buy here

Hope & Ivy jumpsuit, £150

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Laidback brides might want to think about an outfit that doesn’t involve a dress and this ASOS jumpsuit is the perfect alternative. The trousers give the look a modern and laid back vibe but it’s still romantic enough for a wedding. Buy here

Rowley Hesselballe Beatrix bow midi dress, £449

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The midi length of this casual wedding dress is elegant and works perfectly with the square neck and bow detailing up top. Buy here

By Malina Francine dress, £460

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Details like a chunky lace design and a waist belt can give a bridal dress a more casual vibe and we think this is the perfect example. Buy here

BHLDN Sachin & Babi Emile Dress, $325

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Boho brides hosting a countryside celebration will look effortlessly chic in this flowing dress with its gorgeous fitted bodice and fashion-forward puff ball sleeves. Buy here

Needle & Thread Tempest bodice cami ankle gown, £235

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This ballerina style dress with a fitted sequin-covered bodice has some beautiful bridal details but a really simple silhouette to give it a more casual feel. Buy here

Monsoon long sleeve lace wedding dress, £309

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If you want to keep your look demure you can’t go wrong with this long sleeve maxi dress with pretty lace detailing and gorgeous buttons. Buy here

Phase Eight Amaliah jumpsuit, £259

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This flattering jumpsuit would work perfectly at a city hall celebration and for dancing the night away once you’ve said “I do”. Buy here

By Malina Roxane dress, £500

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We love the square neckline and unique sleeve details of this casual wedding dress. Buy here

Faithfull The Brand linen dress, £309

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This sustainable linen midi dress would look just as good on your honeymoon as it would at a relaxed wedding dress. Buy here

Reformation Melita dress, £350

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Spaghetti straps and a simple bodice are a smart choice for brides looking to make a wedding dress look more casual. Buy here

Chi Chi London corset bodice dress, £110

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Sparkly tulle can still be casual if you don’t go for a full-on princess ballgown. This midi-length dress gives you bling without being over the top. Buy here

Self Portrait jersey dress, £280

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Choosing a fabric like jersey instantly gives your bridal look a laid back edge. This dress has gorgeous details to make it look more structured too. Buy here

Under £1000

Elizabeth crepe de Chine dress, £625,

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A designer dress can actually be a budget-friendly move when it comes to your wedding. This understated Vivienne Westwood gown with its expert draping and the fabulous neckline is a wonderful choice for easygoing brides. Buy here

Retrofête Rebecca dress, £835

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Allover sequins might not sound casual, but when paired with a simple silhouette they’re perfect for low key celebrations. Buy here

Constellion Âme Anastasia jumpsuit, £799

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Jumpsuits don’t get much more effortlessly elegant than this modern wide-leg stunner. Buy here

Yuzu dress, £895

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This voluminous A-line style is really flattering on a lot of different brides and the orange pleats give it an original edge. Buy here

Over £1000

Givenchy gown, £3380

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For the bride who loves high end fashion this jersey dress with embellishments on the neckline and sleeves will look and feel incredible. Buy here

Galvan Frida crepe gown, £1595

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This simple slip wedding dress has a subtle floral design and spaghetti straps making it ideal for a relaxed wedding. Buy here

Ivory & Co Ghost Whisper dress

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A simple column wedding dress can be casual as long as you keep the accessories paired back and your hair loose and flowing. Buy here

Constellation Âme Tilly skirt and top wedding set, £1099

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A skirt and top combo can look much more relaxed than a full wedding dress and the loose-fitting lace overlay of this design is heavenly. Buy here

Grace Loves Lace Coco dress, £2300

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The chunky lace and off-the-shoulder style of this dress make it quite the showstopper, but in an understated way, so brides will still feel laid back. The ruffled skirt gives a Spanish vibe to the gown… perfect for an overseas wedding. Buy here

Bottega Veneta shirt dress, £1,444

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A shirt dress might sound super dressy but for a wedding, it can be an excellent casual option for any laid-back bride. Buy here

Gabriela Hearst silk poplin midi wedding dress, £2050

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We love the stunning open back details on this otherwise simple and undeniably chic designer gown. Buy here

We hope this selection of beautiful laid back wedding dresses has inspired you and helped ease the stress of wedding planning! If sadly you didn’t fall in love with any of these dresses, why not check out some of our floral favourites?

HB

Written by

Hollie Bond

Hollie is a lifestyle journalist with over ten years’ experience working in the wedding industry as Lifestyle Editor for You & Your Wedding magazine Also a Regional Editor for Muddy Stilettos, Hollie has written for Square Meal magazine, Family History Monthly, BBC History magazine and Homes & Antiques. In her spare time you can find Hollie in a dance studio practising ballet…

Learn more about Hollie Bond

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