6 Beautiful Dresses That Are Perfect for Your City Hall Wedding Celebration
One of these will help make it the day of your dreams!
Planning on tying the knot this summer? Congratulations! There are plenty of reasons to choose a small, informal ceremony, whether it’s at City Hall or in your backyard. But what’s a bride to wear on her special day? A courthouse wedding dress should be stylish, comfortable, and something you’ll love looking back on in photographs for years to come.
We’ve found six gorgeous choices from ModCloth, Nordstrom, Zappos, and Amazon — reliable retailers with great customer service that you can trust with your big day — in a variety of price points and styles, that are perfect for a small summer wedding.
Keep scrolling to see our picks for the best courthouse wedding dress!
Gilded Grace Lace Dress
chi chi london
Where to buy: $179, ModCloth
A perennial best-seller, this ModCloth lace dress has graced many a happy bride. The soft metallic sheen with ornate swirls on sheer mesh adds glamour, while the layered tulle will fulfill all your princess fantasies. Note that the champagne color is a little more yellow in person than it appears in this picture — and it comes in blush pink if you prefer! Writes one bride:
“This dress hit all the notes I was looking for: mid-length hem, elbow-length sleeves, off-white, full back coverage, pretty and feminine, and inexpensive. It also looked great on me and made me feel like a princess on my wedding day.“
Mesh Back Wide Leg Crepe Jumpsuit
AMsale
Where to buy: $495, Nordstrom
Get in on the latest trend by wearing a jumpsuit instead of a dress at your upcoming nuptials! This one, complete with pockets (perfect for stashing the rings pre-ceremony!), has a mesh panel in the back, a plunging V-neck, and wide, flowing legs that will flatter taller brides. Plus, a zipper in the back is cleverly disguised with a row of decorative covered buttons, for an easy on-off experience (always a concern with a jumpsuit!). Order a size up and have your tailor take in the waist and hem the pants for the best fit. Reviewers wrote:
“Beautiful jumpsuit! It’s sexy but conservative and shows minimal cleavage.”
“This is STUNNING … it is really beautiful and definitely makes a dramatic statement!”
Sealed with a Twist Maxi Dress
little mistress
Where to buy: $159, ModCloth
This long, elegant dress is perfect for brides who want to add a little interest up top. With an empire waist and a twist-front detail, it flatters smaller-busted figures and falls gracefully to the floor — although if you prefer a shorter dress, you can easily have it hemmed to your desired length!
With a fully lined bodice and a zipper closure up the back, the polyester outer shell has a touch of stretch thanks to a bit of elastane in the material. We love the lace that peeks out of the neckline at both the front and back, and the gathered drape of the skirt.
Lace Back Tea Length Dress
amsale
Where to buy: $425, Nordstrom
This lovely, simple tea-length dress has a surprise in the back — a lace cutout and sheer mesh design that dresses it up and adds a touch of elegance. Princess seams and a deep V-neck are ultra-flattering, and the swingy skirt that brushes just past the knee is perfect for dancing after the ceremony! Reviewers advise that this runs small, so order up a size and be prepared to take it to the tailor for a perfect fit. This customer gave the dress five stars and wrote:
“I found this dress to be very high quality and extremely beautiful in a simple way. I was considering it as a casual wedding dress for a city hall ceremony, but I’m still debating whether I’ll go for a longer length. The only thing is I’m pretty petite and it fell at a weird spot on my legs, so despite being tea length would need to shorten it.”
Ophelia Dress
lilly pulitzer
Where to buy: $198, Zappos
This sweet, swingy number patterned with lace wildflowers is a great choice for brides who prefer not to go sleeveless. The crew neck is both modest and modern, and the above-the-knee length adds a fun touch and shows off your stems! Comes in six sizes, from XXS to XL, so it’s easy to find your fit. Writes one happy buyer:
“I LOVE this dress! It is the perfect cut for a classic, elegant style for my bridal shower. It sits about two inches above the knee, but with the flowy style it will drape perfectly when sitting. Overall perfect dress and I cannot wait to wear it next month!”
Lace Double V-Neck Sleeveless Dress
Abaowedding
Where to buy: From $74.99, Amazon
You don’t have to spend a fortune to look like a million bucks on your wedding day! This dress from Amazon is under $100 and comes complete with lace appliqués, chiffon, and even a small chapel-length train. With over 500 reviews, this best-selling dress is beloved by many a bride, including this one:
“Each time I tried this on for friends or family they sighed because it’s so beautiful. My adult son said he felt a little teary-eyed. I’m nearly 60 years of age, 5’3″ and not a skinny-minnie by anybody’s gauge, but this gown suits me and my frame so it would look great on anybody. And at under $80, plus two-day shipping, you can’t go wrong. The back is as gorgeous as the front, looks like the goddess Aphrodite might wear it.”
