This is our shopping guide with details on where to find Mother-of-the-Bride dresses for a beach wedding. We've updated mother-of-the-bride dress picks for the current season with elegant dresses for Mothers-of-the-Bride and Mothers-of-the-Groom for beach weddings, nautical weddings, and destination weddings!
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Mother of the Bride Dresses for a Beach Wedding
The sand and sea setting of a beachside wedding requires a special kind of mother-of-the-bride dress that is suited for the location and a mother's role of honor. These mother-of-the-bride dresses for a beach wedding will allow the Mother-of-the-Bride, Mother-of-the Groom, stepmothers, grandmothers and other mother wedding roles to elegantly celebrate their child's big day with a style that is well-suited to a beachy, waterfront location.
Where to Shop for Beach Wedding Mother of the Bride Dresses
This shop section shows off Mother-of-the-Bride dresses for a beach or coastal wedding that are currently available in stores. We always find places like David's Bridal, Dillard's, Nordstrom, BHLDN, and Azazie have styles that are great for beach weddings
What Should The Mother of Wear for a Destination, Beach, or Nautical Wedding?
Here are some ideas for what to wear to all the various types of weddings that can fall under the theme of a beach wedding. Each image is linked to the store where the dress may be purchased.
Long Floral Maxi Dresses
A floral print maxi dress can be the right balance of formal style, and beachy, breezy look. Here are a few favorites.
Short Cocktail Dresses
A short and chic cocktail dress is a great length and style for a beach wedding. The short length won't drag on the sand and is a beach climate-friendly sleeveless style.
Jumpsuits or Pant Suits with Jackets
The casual easy-to-wear style of a jumpsuit or pantsuit is a great choice for a laid-back venue on the coast. And, sometimes the beach can be breezy or chilly, so a layered look and the option of a jacket, is a welcome addition!
Midi Length Dresses
A midi length is the perfect mix of a beach-friendly hemline and a semi-formal length. Pick a pretty
Metallic and Sparkling Dresses
Something about a little shimmer seems to suit both a ball room and a beach. A metallic or beaded dress of the right style, just seems to shimmer like the sand and suits a formal beach wedding at a seaside resort or formal destination venue.
Product and image sources for this collage
- Patra Embellished Silk Kimono Dress in Blush from Nordstrom (Now sold out, try this style instead!)2. Vivienne Westwood gown from Rent the Runway 3. Textured Satin Dress and Jacket by Komarov at Nordstrom 4.Gown by Carmen Marc Valvo at Rent the Runway 5. London Times Faux Wrap Shutter Pleat Dress from Dillard's 6.Mixed Media Sheath Dress by Tadashi Shoji at Nordstrom 7. Seaside Embroidery Shift from Talbots. 8. Embellished Tiered Halter Gown by Eliza J from Nordstrom.
More Ideas
The links below are for Mother-of-the-Bride dresses for a beach wedding that have been featured in this post for past seasons. We've removed the images because they are no longer in stock, but we've kept the description in case you are still looking for more ideas!
Blush Sequin Dress
Patra Embellished Silk Kimono Dress in Blush (Now sold out, try this style instead!)
The blush sequin fabric of this neutral dress reminds us of shimmering pink sand. The light silk chiffon, short length, breezy open sleeves, and caftan style make a short dress a great choice for a beach wedding. The sequin detail makes this dress special for the mothers in their role of honor.
Breezy Blue Dress with a Jacket
Textured Satin Dress and Jacket.
Mother of the bride dresses by Komarov are known for their loose, artistic styling. The pretty textures and jacket for a breeze make this a nice mother-of-the-bride look for a casual beach wedding.
Bright Floral Maxi Dress
Maxi by Badgley Mischka from Rent the Runway
This bright print maxi incorporates so many vibrant colors that work with sand and sea. The pleated bodice and flowy skirt make this gown one for a beach formal wedding.
A Long Coral Halter Gown
Embellished Tiered Halter Gown by Eliza J from Nordstrom.
A light chiffon is always a good choice for a beach wedding - it's a formal fabric that doesn't wilt in the sun and sand. The tiered layers of this coral mother-of-the-bride dress are flattering and look well-suited to a beachside or destination wedding. The rhinestone embellishment adds formality. and it comes in 13 colors, to blend with nearly any wedding color palette!
Short Neutral Chiffon Dress
Eliza J Embellished Dress from Nordstrom
The shorter version of the dress above works for a daytime beach wedding. It's a semi-formal style that is perfect for the mother of the bride or groom at a beach wedding.
Cocktail Length Green Lace Dress
Embroidered sheath dress by Sue Wong at Nordstrom
For mothers wanting a little more structure and embellishment, a tailored embroidered cocktail dress is a great choice. This color and style work for day or night!
Blue Floral Formal Sundress
Vivienne Westwood gown from Rent the Runway
Another beautiful, light, and breezy style in a beach-ready color and print.
Sleeveless Lace Top Coral Gown
Lace bodice ruched chiffon gown from Nordstrom
This mix of coral lace and chiffon will pop against a blue ocean and golden sands.
Peach Cocktail Dress with Illusion Neckline
Tweed dress with floral trim by Teri Jon
A tailored look can still go to the beach! A dress like this is ok, especially when it's in a venue near the water but exactly nuptials not in the sand. This shell pink tweed with an illusion neckline is a beautiful choice for any mother of the bride in a nautical daytime wedding.
Blue Tiered Gown
Gown by Nha Khan at Rent the Runway
This periwinkle print is a lovely choice for a mother-of-the-bride in a beach formal wedding. See more light blue mother of the bride dresses.
Lilac Midi Dress with Jacket
This pretty lilac color and light textural jacket and skirt set from Komarov makes for a gorgeous mother-of-the-bride dress for a wedding at the beach. Check out these styles for more beach-appropriate attire with sleeves, as well as this post on the gorgeous mother of the bride dresses with sleeves.
Mint Green Sleeveless Lace Cocktail Dress
Mixed Media Sheath Dress by Tadashi Shoji at Nordstrom
Seafoam mint green is a perfect beach color! The short lace style of a cocktail dress like this will never go out of style for a mother-of-the-bride or mother of the groom in a summery nautical wedding.
Coral Shift Dress with White Embroidery
Seaside Embroidery Shift from Talbots.
Some beach weddings are exceptionally casual. If the bride and groom are wearing simple attire and bare feet, and the reception is a casual bonfire or clambake, one might want to opt for a style like this. This dress is casual and beachy but still has some special interest.
Cobalt Blue Knit Gown with Embellished Detail
I'm not usually an advocate of wearing stretch jersey to most weddings, but a dressy jersey material like this, in a cobalt color and formal styling would make a gorgeous mother-of-the-bride dress. Choose a gown like this for a destination wedding in the tropics, or beachy nuptials on nearly any coast.
Pale Blue Tiered Pleated Cocktail Dress with Sleeves
London Times Faux Wrap Shutter Pleat Dress from Dillard's
Pretty pleats and a pale blue color give a structure to this mother-of-the-bride dress. It's perfect for a semi-formal beach wedding.
Blue Grey Beaded Gown
Channel your inner mermaid or siren of the sea with dazzling beading! This gown is a stunner for mothers or bridesmaids. This moody slate blue makes it a beautiful choice for a beach chic wedding with formal touches.
Halter Neck Turquoise Gown with Beaded Neckline
Gown by Carmen Marc Valvo at Rent the Runway
It seems modern maxi dresses are the perfect dress for beach weddings, and they are wonderful for mothers-of-the-wedding. This gorgeous rich blue and unstructured style makes a lovely gown for a modern beach wedding.
Fuchsia Pink Ruffled Hemline Dress
Another beautiful gown in a dressy casual beach style. Fuchsia ruffled hem gown from Chico's
YOu might also want to check out some of the mother-of-the-bride dresses by color scheme. Coral, light blue dresses, dark blue dresses, and floral mother of the bride dresses are all great choices for coastal weddings!
Originally published July 1, 2015 and last updated on June, 11 2022
