MANILA GRACE Casual pants

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.

The mother of the bride holds a highly esteemed position within the wedding party, and she should look the part. That's why we've assembled the best mother-of-the-bride dresses in prices under $250, and we've included plus size, tea length, long length and evening dresses so that your mom will look elegant on your big day. After all, she'll be the second most noticed woman in the room.

There are many bridal options available to moms as they shop for that moment-defining outfit. We've listed flattering mother-of-the-bride dresses that feature an array of tailored touches. Your mother can choose from dresses that include empire waists, flutter sleeves, draping, A-line skirts and strategically placed ruffles. Her attire can exude any mood, from casual to formal, and these styles can take her to any wedding, from oceanfront ceremonies to ballroom events. Shop our favorite finds below.

Modern weddings can carry on for days and feature multiple events, including the post-wedding brunch. This delightful event is more than an occasion for drinking mimosas and eating eggs Benedict: It's a stress-free occasion that takes place the day after the wedding when the newlyweds have experienced some much-deserved rest. The post-wedding brunch allows for out-of-town guests to say a longer goodbye and it ensures that everyone can discuss what they loved about the wedding.

So, what's a bride to wear to wear to the post-wedding brunch? We love a post-wedding brunch dress that's casual, fresh and lovely. We prefer ivory or white, whether it is a solid white or a white backdrop that features a delicate floral print. White keeps the bridal theme going, but it can have many incarnations, from a breezy sundress to to an elegant lace dress to a lightweight dress featuring embroidery. Here, we've made a list of gorgeous brunch dresses from Anthropologie, ASOS and Nordstrom. They range from casual to sophisticated, and any one will keep you chic during your post-nuptial bliss.

The white ball gown remains the iconic wedding dress for a princess bride. Think: Cinderella, Grace Kelly and Jacqueline Kennedy. Such wedding gown imagery is bound tightly within our collective memories, yet modernity has brought many a twist to the time-honored silhouette. One is the wedding jumpsuit. Another recently popularized style is the two-piece wedding ensemble, a new choice for the iconoclasts among us. The two-piece bridal outfit allows a bride various options. With a crop top and skirt combo, fit brides can subtly (or not so subtly...) flaunt their washboard abs. A voluminous skirt paired with a simple, structured top creates a stunning display. A slinky skirt and form-fitting top can allow for movement within structure. Here, we've made it a cinch to find your two-piece wedding gown by listing amazing options from Nordstrom, Etsy, David's Bridal and more.

Whether you're already living with your spouse, newly married and merging homes for the first time, or looking for the perfect wedding gift for the happy couple in your life, Macy's is your ultimate one-stop shop — especially during the Macy's Black Friday sale, which has officially kicked off. This year, Macy's Black Friday deals include 20% off with promo code BLKFRI (and an extra 15% off in select departments), doorbuster deals up to 65% off, $10 off purchases of $25 or more in select departments with promo code BLKFRI25, and free shipping at $49 (some exclusions apply). The store's epic home department boasts an extensive inventory ready to outfit any abode from top to bottom — literally — so now is definitely the time to score. Because whose living space couldn't use a little refresh?