J Kara Mother of the Bride Dresses

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.

You might be the star of this show, but when your ring bearer makes his way up the aisle, step aside: All eyes will be on him. And this diminutive darling should carry a pillow that is as stylish as the wedding itself. The wedding ring bearer pillow carries a special symbolism, since it is the vessel upon which the couple's wedding bands sit. Today, many artisans have focused on creating gorgeous ring bearer pillows that live up to this important task. If your nuptials will be on a farm, the pillow can take rustic inspiration. For a glamorous affair, there are pillows trimmed in bows, lace and crystals. Garden or beach-inspired weddings can be well-served by pillows that bring a combination of fabrics and trims reminiscent of the sea. Whatever your wedding style, here are the 10 sweet ring bearer pillows from Etsy, David's Bridal, Amazon and more.