What to Consider When Planning a Beach Wedding

Beach weddings are unique, untraditional, and unforgettable. They are the type of weddings that everyone dreams of, yet are not quite sure how to put all together for enchanting moments. Just like planning a wedding for a traditional place, a beach wedding can initially take a little research to do before you can fully enjoy the ease of easier planning in the long run. They require some special attention when you get to the organization part of planning. However, it is always worth it in the end.  Here are a few things to consider when planning a beach wedding.

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Location, Location, Location: It’s quite essential!

First things first. Finding the perfect spot for your big day can be one of the most difficult and time consuming parts of the planning process. Of course we all know where certain beaches are, but not every beach is as private and romantic as you want it to be for your wedding. If you already live in a town near the ocean, then you are already ahead of the game! But I advise you to explore deeper and take a better look at what is locally available to you.

If you don’t live by the seashore then your next best option is to plan a destination wedding. A destination wedding is very intriguing and can help you spend more time with your friends and family as they will mostly likely arrive a few days before the wedding. Another added bonus is that you’ll be able to spend your honeymoon right in the location where your amazing wedding was! Check you out, saving all that money. How exciting is that?! To pick the best island or beach resort for your wedding requires some more research on your part as well. Wait don’t panic all over again. I want you to keep thinking about the great time you’re going to have after this is all over! Here are a few questions you should ask yourself in order to make planning go a little more smoother:

  • “How far is the place from my hometown?”
  • “What is the weather like there?”
  • “Are there any wedding packages available?”
  • “Will all of my guests be able to get there in a cost-efficient manner?”

Additionally, you will be looking for a more private, secluded beach and a nearby restaurant that will accommodate the size of your wedding. While going over your options, you want to make sure that your choice includes a deck, platform or any other type of hard flooring. Hear me out; there is a really good reason for this! Dancing in the sand all night might be quite a challenge due to how dense the sand can get when you are trying to make some real groovy moves. No one wants to deal with constantly being shell-shocked by the prick of broken shells hiding underneath of the sand either, not even the bride!

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image via Flickr by Krystal Cancun

Keep your guests in mind. All the time!

It’s important to start thinking about how your guests are going to feel at the beach. Take into consideration that they are your audience, your most loved ones, and your supporters of this heavenly union. They will be the ones who are witnessing everything and helping to make your wedding what it will be. In my opinion everyone loves the beach, but there are always different strokes for different folks. For example, if you invite more elderly guests, they might find it difficult to reach the wedding without some assistance. So if you’re going for an informal beach wedding, consider incorporating some additional comfort by adding chairs for the elder guests as they might feel tired standing for long periods of time. If shade is needed, provide that with no question as well.

What is the dress code?

Most of your guests will probably be very concerned about what to wear at a beach wedding. Not to mention the fact that, if you decided to have a destination wedding, they would probably have to pack beforehand to travel there anyway.  Save them the trouble of boggling their minds over what to wear and set a dress code. It’s best to announce it in your wedding invitation before they even have to think about luggage bags. This could serve as a very vital hint beforehand if the wedding would be formal or informal. It would also hint as to if there is a color theme or if Hawaii shirts will be obligatory.

Timing is everything!

When setting the exact time or hour of the ceremony, it’s imperative to think about what the weather may be. The last thing you want is to have your guests sweating unbearably under the midday sun or worse, getting soaked by a surprise storm. Discussing this matter with your photographer ahead of time is a great idea, as photographers are pretty good at timing the lighting that will be needed. According to professionals like them, the best time to set your beach wedding is about an hour or hour and a half before the sun sets, when there is still plenty of natural light.  As the sun is setting, the temperature cools and also allows for you to get some romantic sunset photos.

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image via Flickr by vxla

Refreshments will win them over. Trust me.

Although your wedding may be at sunset, it is still the summertime and your guests will need some cool refreshments to compliment the nice breeze. You have your choice of serving refreshments before the ceremony, after the reception, or both! This will relax your guests to mingle and feel comfortable enough to chat over a glass of champagne or fresh juice. Again, you want to make sure that you show you care about your guests.

The fine print: permits and restrictions

Depending on your local government laws, you may need permission in order to hold your ceremony on the beach of your choice. Here comes that “R” word again: you want to make sure you research in order to find the required paperwork that you would need. Another factor you want to inquire about in advance is more information on noise ordinances that may apply to your beach of choice as well.

I need back-up!

Unfortunately, we can’t control the weather so it’s best for you to already have a solid plan B in place ahead of time just in case something goes wrong. Ways to ensure that your plan B is effective is by picking a restaurant that provides interior protection or having a tent on standby that will save you and your guests from the summer rain.  The last thing you want on your big day are random surprises due to a weather forecast that never happened.

At this point in my planning, I have more clarity on the ideas I have brewing in regards to colors and decorations that I want to incorporate. Now about that location. Yea, I’m still working on that one. The weather is kind of loopy at the moment, but as soon as it gets better I’ll be on my way to some fun beach hunting! 

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