Downton Abbey Bridal Jewelry

Celebrating one's nuptials by the sea provides ample opportunity to choose from an array of effortlessly chic bridal gowns. Luckily, there are nearly as many alternatives to the traditional ball gown as there are grains of sands on the beach. More casual beach wedding dresses make use of sheer panels, openwork lace and ruffles. Simple beach wedding dresses include those with midi lengths that feel easygoing, yet sophisticated. Boho wedding dresses are another choice: romantic and dreamy like a tropical island. Meanwhile, short beach wedding dresses feel cheerily free-spirited while providing wedding-friendly frills.

Look for lightweight materials for your beachfront or destination wedding dress. Silk, cotton blends, crochet, chiffon and lace make for breezy beach dresses. While not explicitly bridal, many white or ivory cocktail dresses will work wonders in a beach wedding, plus they can be worn afterward on the honeymoon. Below, check out 15 alternatives to the heavily embellished wedding gown that instead are easy, breezy and downright gorgeous. Post-wedding, you can relax poolside, confident you were a thoroughly beachy bride.

After you've picked out your wedding gown, shoes and veil, it's time to choose that last accent: the handbag. Despite your maid of honor's promises to take care of all your needs, don't forget that bridal purse – because you WILL want a lipstick at some point.

Wedding purses and clutches are itsy-bitsy by tradition. (It should be nowhere near as big as your typical day bag!) Bridal clutches need only hold a cell phone, a lipstick, some breath mints and a hankie. Think "dainty." To aid your wedding shopping mission, we scoured some of our favorite online stores to find inexpensive bridal handbags that look pricey. In fact, despite their designer origins – Rebecca Minkoff, Ted Baker of London, White by Vera Wang – every purse on our list sells for under $100. Here are some of the prettiest wedding purses and clutches from David's Bridal, Macy's, Nordstrom and more.