11 casual wedding dresses for a low-key ceremony (2024)

Stunning wedding dresses in simple cuts and shorter lengths

11 casual wedding dresses for a low-key ceremony (1)

11 casual wedding dresses for a low-key ceremony (2)

Hollie BrothertonLifestyle & Commerce Senior Writer

Many couples are choosing to have smaller weddingceremonies these days, which means intimate venues and often a more casual wedding dress for the bride.

Equally, multiple weddings are also becoming increasingly common, with couples tying the knot in front of close friends and family before having a bigger ceremony later on. Brides are opting for more than one wedding dress, the first usually more casual than the second.

The good news is that low-key bridal gowns can be just as beautiful as their lavish counterparts. You don't always need extravagant silhouettes or show-stopping trains to feel special on your big day.

The best casual wedding dresses at a glance

  • The silk dress: Reformation Rhonda Silk Wedding Dress, £748 / $748
  • The embroidered dress:Phase Eight Annalise Beaded Wedding Dress, £450 / $810
  • The classic dress:Whistles Mia Wedding Dress, £499 / $999
  • The mini dress: Rebecca Vallance Casual Wedding Dress, £653 / $740

Celebrities wearing casual wedding dresses

11 casual wedding dresses for a low-key ceremony (3)© Instagram

Just because it's 'casual' doesn't mean it can't be Chanel. Sofia Richie wore a mini dress adorned with the brand's signature camellia flower for her wedding reception - one of three of her bridal gowns by the Parisian fashion house. The sleeveless style made its debut on the runway in the AW93 haute couture show.

11 casual wedding dresses for a low-key ceremony (4)© Getty Images

Sophie Habbo was another bride who chose a more casual wedding dress for her nuptials to Jamie Laing in London, before their second celebration in Spain. The couple got married at Chelsea Registry Office and Sophie wore a mini dress by Vivienne Westwood, complete with a corset bodice, sweetheart neckline, off-the-shoulder straps, and a tulip skirt.

11 casual wedding dresses for a low-key ceremony (5)

The duch*ess of Sussex chose a modest wedding dress by Givenchy's Clare Waight Keller when she married Prince Harry in 2018, but it was the Stella McCartney gown she stepped out in later that day that had us obsessed. The elegant halterneck design had a simple floor-length silhouette and open back.

How we chose the best casual wedding dresses

  • Cut: If your wedding ceremony is more low-key, you likely want a dress with a simple cut without a train, and possibly a shorter length. We've included a mix of very modern minis, floor-length gowns without too much fuss, and understated midi dresses which hit the sweet spot between the two.
  • Price: There could be many reasons you've chosen a low-key ceremony, but for those looking to keep costs down, we've only chosen dresses priced at less than £1,000 - with some far more affordable options, too.
  • Quality: Casual doesn't mean compromising on quality. We've chosen dresses made from materials that will still have you feeling amazing on your wedding day. Tactile silks and satins always look luxe, as do jacquard and crepe.
  • Reformation Casual Wedding Dress

    11 casual wedding dresses for a low-key ceremony (6)

    Reformation Rhonda Silk Wedding Dress

    Made from 100% silk, this stunning Reformation dress has a sleek, figure-skimming cut falling to a maxi length. We think this minimalist style could pass for a designer piece.

  • Phase Eight Casual Wedding Dress

    11 casual wedding dresses for a low-key ceremony (7)

    Phase Eight Annalise Beaded Wedding Dress

    Sizes available: UK 6-18

    Shipping:£2.95 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £150

    Returns:Free within 28 days

    If you're looking for something low-key but still love a bit of sparkle, Phase Eight's Annalise dress has been hand-beaded with floral appliques and embellishments. It features a maxi length with a tulle skirt and a simple waist belt.

  • Whistles Casual Wedding Dress

    11 casual wedding dresses for a low-key ceremony (8)

    Whistles Mia Wedding Dress

    Sizes available: UK 4-20

    Shipping: £6 Standard Delivery or free on orders over £150

    Returns: Free within 28 days

    Whistles' sell-out Mia dress is now back in stock. With its simple silhouette featuring a square neckline and subtly cinched waist, it's beautifully sophisticated and understated.

  • Rebecca Vallance Casual Wedding Dress

    11 casual wedding dresses for a low-key ceremony (9)

    Rebecca Vallance Bridal Ophelia Mini Dress

    Sizes available: UK 4-16

    Shipping:£8 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £350

    Returns:Free within 30 days

    If you're looking for a mini dress, royal-approved Australian designer Rebecca Vallance has this bow-adorned creation that's gorgeous for a truly modern bride. Dripping with pearls, it features short puff sleeves and subtle cut-out detail.

  • Galvan Casual Wedding Dress

    11 casual wedding dresses for a low-key ceremony (10)

    Galvan Pandora Satin Halterneck Midi Dress

    Sizes available:EUR 34-44

    Shipping: £7 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £300

    Returns:Free within 30 days

    Channel Meghan Markle in Galvan's halterneck Pandora dress. Crafted from silk-satin in a pearlescent ivory hue, it's cut a little shorter than full length. Pair it with statement shoes for a stunning casual wedding ensemble.

  • Sachin & Babi Casual Wedding Dress

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    Sachin & Babi Audra Wedding Dress

    Sizes available: XXXS-XXL

    Shipping:Free Standard Delivery for orders over £400

    Returns:Free within 14 days

    The cropped length and spaghetti straps make this flared midi dress by New York label Sachin & Babi perfect for a low-key wedding. We love the delicate crystal-embellished brooches.

  • Monsoon Casual Wedding Dress

    11 casual wedding dresses for a low-key ceremony (12)

    Monsoon Liz Embroidered Wedding Dress

    Sizes available: UK 6-18

    Shipping:£3.95 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £50

    Returns:Free within 28 days

    Monsoon's Liz dress has a simple cut with beautiful sheer flutter sleeves and delicate embroidery. Our favourite feature? The tiny buttons in the lining so you can lift the train up to dance until the early hours.

  • Coast Casual Wedding Dress

    11 casual wedding dresses for a low-key ceremony (13)

    Coast Plunge Jacquard Wedding Dress

    Sizes available: UK 8-18

    Shipping:£3.99 Standard Delivery

    Returns:£1.99 within 28 days

    This dreamy jacquard wedding dress from Coast looks far more expensive than its £127 price tag. Mixing a full skirt and elegant plunge neckline, it has a beautiful embroidered pattern with a textured appearance.

  • ASOS Casual Wedding Dress

    11 casual wedding dresses for a low-key ceremony (14)

    ASOS DESIGN Emily Drape Wedding Dress

    Sizes available:UK 4-18

    Shipping:Free Standard Delivery

    Returns:Free within 28 days

    With its spaghetti straps, plunge neckline and drape detail, we're picturing this ASOS bridal gown at a beach wedding. It's made from a satin fabric and is adjustable.

  • Rixo Casual Wedding Dress

    11 casual wedding dresses for a low-key ceremony (15)

    Rixo Toni Feathered Mini Dress

    Sizes available: UK 6-24

    Shipping:£5 Standard Delivery

    Returns:Free within 14 days

    We think Rixo's feathered-trimmed bridal mini dress would be perfect for a smaller city wedding. The flattering piece features a classic V-neckline, an A-line skirt, and slightly flared sleeves.

  • LK Bennett Casual Wedding Dress

    11 casual wedding dresses for a low-key ceremony (16)

    LK Bennett Lovette Devoré Wedding Dress

    Sizes available: UK 4-20

    Shipping:£2.95 Standard Delivery or free for orders over £150

    Returns:Free within 28 days

    Those looking for a modest wedding dress will love this vintage-style piece from LK Bennett's debut bridal collection. Made from an antique cream sheer fabric with floral and heart devoré, it's cut with a high neck, long sleeves, and a floaty maxi-length skirt.

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As an expert and enthusiast, I don't have personal experiences or expertise. However, I can provide information on the concepts mentioned in this article. Let's dive into the details!

Casual Wedding Dresses

Casual wedding dresses are becoming increasingly popular as couples opt for smaller, more intimate ceremonies or multiple weddings. These dresses are often more relaxed and less formal than traditional wedding gowns. They can range from simple cuts to shorter lengths and may not have extravagant silhouettes or show-stopping trains. Despite their casual nature, these dresses can still be beautiful and special for the bride on her big day.

Examples of Casual Wedding Dresses

This article provides several examples of casual wedding dresses. Here are a few mentioned:

  1. Reformation Rhonda Silk Wedding Dress: This dress is made from 100% silk and has a sleek, figure-skimming cut. It falls to a maxi length and has a minimalist style that could pass for a designer piece.

  2. Phase Eight Annalise Beaded Wedding Dress: This dress features hand-beaded floral appliques and embellishments. It has a maxi length with a tulle skirt and a simple waist belt.

  3. Whistles Mia Wedding Dress: The Whistles Mia dress has a simple silhouette with a square neckline and a subtly cinched waist. It is beautifully sophisticated and understated.

  4. Rebecca Vallance Casual Wedding Dress: This mini dress from Australian designer Rebecca Vallance features a bow-adorned creation with short puff sleeves and subtle cut-out detail. It is a modern choice for a bride.

These are just a few examples mentioned in the article. There are many more options available in the market to suit different styles and preferences.

Celebrities Wearing Casual Wedding Dresses

The article also mentions several celebrities who have chosen casual wedding dresses for their nuptials. Here are a few examples:

  1. Sofia Richie: Sofia Richie wore a mini dress adorned with Chanel's signature camellia flower for her wedding reception. She had three bridal gowns by the Parisian fashion house, and the sleeveless style she wore made its debut on the runway in the AW93 haute couture show.

  2. Sophie Habbo: Sophie Habbo chose a more casual wedding dress for her nuptials to Jamie Laing in London. She wore a mini dress by Vivienne Westwood, complete with a corset bodice, sweetheart neckline, off-the-shoulder straps, and a tulip skirt. The couple had a second celebration in Spain.

  3. The duch*ess of Sussex: The duch*ess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, chose a modest wedding dress by Givenchy's Clare Waight Keller for her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. However, it was the Stella McCartney gown she wore later that day that caught attention. The elegant halterneck design had a simple floor-length silhouette and an open back.

These examples show that even celebrities opt for casual wedding dresses, highlighting their growing popularity.

In summary, casual wedding dresses are a popular choice for couples planning smaller or multiple weddings. These dresses can be just as beautiful as traditional wedding gowns, with simple cuts and shorter lengths. Celebrities have also embraced casual wedding dresses, showcasing their versatility and style.

11 casual wedding dresses for a low-key ceremony (2024)

FAQs

What do you wear to a low key wedding? ›

The good news is, a lot of how you already love to dress is at play when it comes to casual wedding attire, so separates, pants, short dresses, florals, and other patterns are all totally valid options, to say nothing of the bevy of materials to be considered.

What is considered casual attire for a wedding? ›

"When it says casual, men could show up in pants and a blazer with no tie—or maybe not a jacket at all—but just a nice shirt and a pair of slacks. Women can wear a nice sundress or dress, a jumpsuit or even a two-piece set," says Julie Sabatino, bridal stylist and founder of The Stylish Bride.

What should a woman wear to a casual wedding reception? ›

Opt for semi-formal or dressy casual: For a casual wedding reception, you can opt for semi-formal or dressy casual attire. This can include a sundress, dressy pants or skirt, or a nice blouse or shirt.

What is smart casual for a wedding woman? ›

Smart casual: For the ladies, a summery midi/maxi dress or top and skirt combo are appropriate for a smart casual affair, with a more relaxed shoe style like wedges or even dressy flats. For the guys, a suit is definitely not required.

What does a minimalist wedding look like? ›

Minimalist Wedding Themes: Less Is More

Minimalism is often represented by clean lines, geometric proportions, perfect shapes, and classic, simple color palettes. At the same time, pastel shades, softer lines, and quality design are also a key part of different minimalist looks.

What does a low-key wedding mean? ›

adjective. If you say that something is low-key, you mean that it is on a small scale rather than involving a lot of activity or being made to seem impressive or important.

How do you dress casual but classy? ›

I'm Going for Casual Elegance—10 Low-Key Yet Classy Outfits I'm Copying
  1. TWEED JACKET + JEANS + MARY JANES. ...
  2. KNITTED VEST + WIDE-LEG TROUSERS + CHUNKY BOOTS. ...
  3. LEATHER JACKET + TEE + MAXI SKIRT. ...
  4. BLAZER + JEANS + TRAINERS. ...
  5. CARDIGAN + WHITE JEANS + BASKET BAG. ...
  6. JUMPER + MATCHING SKIRT + KNEE BOOTS. ...
  7. BLACK DRESS + BLACK BAG + SANDALS.
Apr 10, 2024

What is the difference between casual and dressy casual? ›

The use of “casual” can give you the mistaken idea that you'll be fine turning up to the event in clothes that you might wear when you're lounging around the home. That isn't the case. Dressy casual still has a level of formality attached to it, so sneakers, jeans, and t-shirts are off the table.

Do you have to wear a tie to a casual wedding? ›

Anything that says the following: Casual or Beach Formal is generally optional to wear a tie. Where as if you see the following dress codes: co*cktail, Smart-Casual, Semi-Formal, Formal, Black Tie or White Tie, it is likely you will be required to wear a tie!

What should a 60 year old woman wear to a casual wedding? ›

Jumpsuit. Another great option for wedding attire over 60 is a jumpsuit, which Kosich describes as a "one-and-done outfit." "Look for dressier styles with shawl collars, statement belts, and wide-leg pants to optimize a flattering shape, and consider soft prints that add interest but don't overpower," she says.

What should a woman wear to a casual outdoor wedding? ›

Casual Summer Wedding Attire

When it comes to comfort on a hot summer day (especially if the celebration is outside), a casual dress code is ideal. But don't forget this is an important event. Showing up in shorts and a T-shirt is not a good idea. Pretty, flowy dresses paired with sandals works for women.

What does smart casual look like? ›

Smart casual is an approach to dressing professionally that mixes trendier pieces in with classic staples. The goal is an appearance that's clean and professional but doesn't look too formal. You want to look pulled together but a bit interesting and approachable.

What is dressy casual for a woman? ›

It typically includes tailored pants or skirts, blouses, dress shirts, blazers, and closed-toe shoes. The focus is on looking polished without being overly formal, so suits and evening wear are too much, but jeans and overly casual tops are too little.

What is low key outfit? ›

Low-key fashion is clothing that isn't too flashy or over the top. It's perfect for those who want to dress up, but don't want anything overly extravagant. Low-key clothes are stylish and can be found in a variety of different places!

What do you wear to a small afternoon wedding? ›

Semiformal or Dressy Casual

For guidance, look to a more relaxed version of a co*cktail dress. Women should embrace wrap dresses, midi dresses or elegant jumpsuits. For men, if it's a daytime wedding, a light sport jacket, button-down shirt and relaxed chinos fit the bill.

How to dress lowkey? ›

If you are planning to be low-key, follow these simple tips:
  1. 1.) Don't use bold, dark makeup. ...
  2. 2.) Keep clothes comfortable. ...
  3. 3.) Avoid big and flashy jewelry. ...
  4. 4.) Ditch the high heels and wear only comfortable shoes. ...
  5. 5.) Wear outerwear that protects, not ones that are just for show.
Nov 7, 2016

What do you wear to an outdoor casual wedding? ›

Casual Summer Wedding Attire

But don't forget this is an important event. Showing up in shorts and a T-shirt is not a good idea. Pretty, flowy dresses paired with sandals works for women. An open-collared shirt, chinos and boat shoes are great for men.

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