Top Tips for Finding Your Beach Wedding Dress

Here, you'll find a nice variety of gowns that lean heavily on lace for embellishment. Styles range from short and sassy (tea-length with handkerchief hems, anyone?) to the sultry and/or formal, such as a satiny ruched mermaid gown and a lacy sheath with a pretty train.

These gowns will typically cost you from $250 to $450, depending on how simple or elaborate the design. View the Alfred Angelo Destiny Collection here.

At Maggie Sottero, you'll be hard-pressed to not find something you love. Classic interpretations of the beach gown abound, with just the right degree of embellishment — some jewels along the bodice here, a detachable organza rose there. MS even offers several flamenco-style gowns for those brides that need extra drama. Olé! Expect to pay about $550 to $850 for a gown from this collection. View the Maggie Sottero "Destination" Collection here.

As always, Dessy leans toward the leading edge of dress design, with styles that trend more toward today's architectural pleats and layers than yesterday's lace. The modernity of Dessy designs is a perfect fit with the stripped-down style of most beach wedding couture. Even with the upscale look, Dessy destination gowns are affordable; expect to pay about $350 to $400. View the Dessy Destination Collection here.

Here's a designer that wears its romantic heart on its sleeve. Girly-girls take note: a gentle allusion to those heart-breaking goddesses who ruled the ancient Greek islands exists in every dress. Demetrios gowns aren't sold online, but you can expect to pay around $1200 to $2000. View Destination Romance Collection by Demetrios here.

For some brides, the appeal of J. Crew is mainly that it's not a bridal store. But mostly, these loyal shoppers appreciate the clean lines, the decidedly unfussy appeal, and the way J. Crew puts its resources into fine, fine fabrics like silk taffeta and dupioni instead of rayon and excess ornamentation.

It'll be fun to watch where this taste for fabric takes them — J. Crew designers were shocked, when they offered an experimental $2000 gown fashioned out of rare and costly silk radzimir, that it sold out almost instantly!

Prices range widely on J. Crew gowns, but depending on the fabric and complexity of the design, you'll typically pay between $400 and $900. Visit J. Crew wedding gowns here.

Nordstrom is the atom bomb of frock finds — for island-bound brides in particular. Shoppers who start their hunt here enjoy the dual joys of posh Nordstrom retail therapy while scoring a killer deal. The Nordstrom gowns offer such great value and variety combined, chances are, the more traditional bridal labels really wish they didn't exist. Fortunately, it's our little secret! View Nordstrom's Wedding Dress Collection here.

Can you believe these gorgeous threads are classed under "Bridesmaids"? Why let those silly girls have all the fun when you can snag one of these beauties to walk down the aisle in for less than $200? Cuh-razy! View all Bari Jay bridesmaid gowns here.

Here's another alternative, just to whet your sense of adventure. Expect to pay $200-300 for these gorgeous Dessy bridesmaid designs, most of which can be ordered in ivory or white. View the Dessy Bridesmaids collection here.