The first thing to realize when shopping for your wedding dress is that 'informal' means different things to different people. Some brides consider a dress to be informal just because it doesn't have a long train or fancy embellishments. They still want a floor-length white or ivory dress that looks like a traditional gown, complete with veil. But other brides clearly desire an informal look. The dresses they desire may be short, tight and any color in the rainbow, or long and flowing without a touch of a traditional wedding dress feel.
An informal wedding dress will be worn to a less formal wedding and reception. A beach wedding is the perfect place to wear one. You can wear a short, fitted sundress that may be white, colored or a Hawaiian print, and forgo sandals and instead get married in bare feet with your hair flowing in the breeze.
Maybe your dream wedding takes place in an intimate garden setting where an unadorned white empire-waist dress that just touches the tops of your shoes would be perfect? Instead of a veil, consider wearing a wreath of fresh flowers in your hair. If you are a big-city bride who is planning a small civil ceremony followed by a reception for friends and family at an upscale restaurant, consider wearing an elegant and form-fitting sheath dress. Pair this with stilettos and sleek hair for a chic wedding look.
When looking for an informal wedding dress, you can shop in traditional bridal salons, catalogs, or online. Some brides looking for gowns purchase a bridesmaid's dress to wear as their wedding gown. These dresses come in a variety of styles and colors and may be just what you are looking for. If your dream dress is a flowery sundress or even an elegant suit, you may want to visit department stores or specialty boutiques and purchase your dress.
Price and speed of delivery are two things to consider when deciding on your gown. Because an informal wedding dress is usually less expensive than a traditional gown, brides on a budget may want to go this route. If you are planning a last-minute wedding, you might not have time to order a gown from a bridal salon.
If a traditional gown is not what you desire for your big day, by all means wear an informal wedding dress. A simple dress will be sure to please because you will be blessed with the best accessory: your radiant smile as you marry the man you love.