When Cindy Crawford married Rande Gerber, she didn't choose a frou-frou meringue or a gown with a fabulously long train that trailed behind her for her beach wedding dress. No, no. Instead, one of the original supermodels wore something a little more unexpected: a simple little slip that was zero effect but high impact, a modern wedding dress if you will.
Of course, the beach setting might have influenced her decision somewhat - you probably would avoid wearing something overly ornate if there's a chance the weather conditions are going to be decidedly 'windswept' - as did the decade (it was the '90s, the era of the minimal spaghetti strap).
Coupled with hair that looked like it had been dipped in the sea that morning and left to dry in the sun, the dress looked playful, polished and utterly timeless. If you're considering somewhere sandy for your nuptials, keep scrolling for shopping advice and inspiration for shopping for the best beach wedding dresses.
Looking for something slightly more traditional? Make sure to read our selection of the best off-the-shoulder wedding dresses on the market.
SHOP: The Best Beach Wedding Dresses
Editor's pick
www.matchesfashion.com
Kika Vargas has combined a puffball set of sleeves (not to mention the hem) and a ruffled neckline to create a dress that is romantic and playful in equal parts.
mollygoddard.com
Molly Goddard, queen of the tulle dress, has so many options for the modern bride. This little white dress is all you need for your dream destination wedding.
rejinapyo.com
The colour of whipped butter - with an on-trend halter neck - this dress can be re-worn well after your nuptials (and is also super lightweight thanks to its silk blend).
www.galvanlondon.com
Galvan is known for its sleeker-than-sleek dresses, but this slip's spaghetti straps, cut-outs and embroidery makes it perfect for a relaxed beach setting.
www.ratandboa.com
Love Island stars will recognise this brand - it was often brought for the special date-night episodes - and this slinky style, with its dipped back, is perfect for the beach.
www.mytheresa.com
Chic - and so easy to wear - our money's on this strapless number from Jacquemus. In fact, it's so chic that you could quite easily go barefoot at your beach wedding.
www.self-portrait.com
This beaded dress is a simple yet stunning option from Self-Portrait. Accessorise with the brand's bow-tied, top-handle bag - which is the perfect bridal accessory - or go simple with shades.
Beach Wedding Dress Inspiration
The best thing about a beach wedding - besides the fact that you'll have a better chance of good weather - is that you can totally wear the dress again because it'll probably be slightly less formal than something you might choose for the city or a church.
For a holiday last year, Lucy Williams wore a linen dress from Sir the Label - a stringy design with a straight silhouette and criss-cross cut-outs around the waist - that you could definitely imagine wearing for a low-key ceremony somewhere coastal. Made of linen to make it extra light, it's the total opposite of a traditional wedding gown.
This doesn't, however, mean you have to hold back on the glamour. When Alicia Keys tied the knot on a beach in Corsica, she wore a simple yet striking one-shoulder wedding dress by Vera Wang - the queen of big-day dressing - that draped over her baby bump. Whoever said you couldn't do sleek if you're walking on sand...
Natalie Hammond is Grazia’s Senior Fashion News Editor. She loves winter, hates summer and can often be found writing about the weather (and what on earth to wear).