20 Tips for a Perfect Beach Wedding
Planning a beach wedding requires thoughtful consideration for a seamless and memorable celebration. Here are our 20 tips for a Perfect Beach Wedding to help you plan your perfect day.
When picturing your wedding day, do you envision sunny skies, a saltwater-tinged breeze, and sand under your feet? If so, your ideal wedding day should take place on the beach. Whether it takes place close to home or by a crystal clear sea miles away, a beach wedding gives you and your guests an exciting experience.
Spending time by the water, with your toes dipping in the water, is soothing and restorative, and that’s the reason why many of us like to plan a beach holiday. And when it comes to weddings? You can’t beat all that, plus the stunning scenery that the water offers as a backdrop.
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How to Select the Perfect Location:
For the Perfect Beach Wedding, choose a beach that means something to both of you or offers the desired ambience. Do your reasearch to ensure that the beach is suitable for the amount of guests you invite. Also make sure any activities you plan can take place within the confines of your chosen beach.
- Local Regulations:
Permits are usually required for public beach ceremonies and are usually obtained from the local town halls. If you’re hiring a wedding planner, they’re often familiar with local laws and check on this for you. If you’re doing it yourself, don’t skip this stage to avoid any unexpected and disappointing issues.
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Consider the Season and Weather:
Make sure to check the weather patterns of your chosen location, as bad weather can wreck your wedding plans. Although resorts are often cheaper around the Monsoon and hurricane seasons, but getting it wrong can be catastrophic. Although your thoughts for a lovely sunny wedding day is high on your wish list, extreme temperatures will also play havoc with your plans. You may find you and your guests are too hot and exhausted to enjoy the ceremony and activities of the day.
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Timing is Crucial for a Perfect Beach Wedding:
If your chosen location is usually a hot or tropical location, it maybe wise to choose a morning or late afternoon ceremony when the temperatures are cooler and more manageable.The softer light will also help enhance any photographs. If you choose to have the ceremony during, or after sunset, when it is often much cooler, you may find the light and atmosphire gives off a romantic ambience.
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Check the Local Tide Schedules:
When doing your research ensure to check the local tides, local residents and fishermen are often willing to help with this information. This is to make sure your planning and tide schedules will not clash and help prevent any disasters. Nobody wants to be submerged to their knees during the ceremony. You may also find that the sea, at the time of your ceremony is too far out, so it pays to check!
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Provide Comfortable Seating:
Seating for the beach wedding ceremony needs to be sturdy, and able to withstand the sand and wind. You may need to hire the seating to ensure your guests comfort throughout the ceremony.
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Advise Appropriate Attire: 20 Tips for a Perfect Beach Wedding.
Were possible inform your potential guests about the beach setting and the expected temperatures, so they can dress comfortably. Suggest opting for light fabrics and cotton and selecting comfortable shoes or sandals, and going barefoot to navigate the sandy terrain gracefully is also an option.
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Plan for the Wind:
Having a beach wedding will often be a breezy affair, cooling and lovely but often a disaster for hair styles. So, opt for free styles or firmly secured hairstyles. Avoid long veils or light fabrics that may end up whipping your guests or sailing off into the distance on the disruptive ocean breeze.
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Ensure Sound Clarity:
Invest in a quality sound system to counteract ocean sounds, especialy if you have larger guest list to ensure those at the back can hear the vows.
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Provide Shade: 20 Tips for a Perfect Beach Wedding.
Shade is an important asset for a beach wedding, so make sure your guests are offered respite from sun. You can manage this by setting up tents or umbrellas to offer guests enhancing their comfort during your happy event.
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Offer Refreshments:
Make sure to provide fluids to keep guests hydrated and refreshed. Provide water if you need to keep costs down or a variety of soft drinks, and a few light snacks, especially in warm weather.
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Prepare for Insects:
Do your research on the type of bugs found on beaches in your chosen location. Ask local residents/pharmacies the best insect repellent available for that area. Advise your guests to protect themselves from bugs common in that beach environments. Purchase a few bottles/sprays to provide to your guests where necessary.
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Select Appropriate Décor:
For an authentic beach feel, use sturdy decorations that will withstand wind and incorporate natural elements like shells or driftwood.
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Plan for Restroom Facilities:
Ensure accessible restroom options are available nearby for guest convenience. This could be the nearest hotel, cafe, or portaloos, you’ll need permission for whichever you choose.
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Coordinate with Local Vendors:
Collaberate with local vendors who are familiar with beach events to gain their knowledge and expertise in handling unique challenges. They will be an enormous asset to your plans.
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Prepare a Backup Plan:
Always have an alternative backup plan in case of unexpected weather changes to reduce any disruption to your celebration. This may involve a change of location or setting up a tent ready for any changes.
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Consider Guest Accessibility:
Beaches are notorious for not having good access for those with mobility problems, so, do your homework on your planned beach location to ensure it is accessible for all guests.
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Inform Guests in Advance:
Provide detailed information about the beach setting, attire suggestions, and any special considerations to help guests prepare. You could make it part of the wedding invitation stationery, or get a little personalised booklet printed.
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Capture the Moment: 20 tips for a Perfect Beach Wedding
Hire a photographer experienced in beach weddings to take advantage of natural lighting and scenic backgrounds, ensuring beautiful memories.
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Last but Not Least
Before you even start planning your perfect beach wedding there are few things you may need to contemplate first:
- Who will pay for bridesmaids and best man travel and accomodation? This can add up to a lot of money.
- Will all your potential guests be able to travel?
- Do you long for a destination wedding, but fear you can’t afford one.
Ok, we have a few little worries here, what to do about it and make sure you get that beach wedding you long for.
- Be honest with your potential bridesmaids and grooms men. Ask them if they can afford to pay for themselves? If not suggest you’ll be having a bit of a celebration after you return home. Hopefully they too will be honest with you too. It will reduce your guest list but not your bank balance
- Not all potential guests will be able to travel. Some may not get the time off from work, others can’t afford the travel and accomodation costs. Other may just not want to travel.
- The above suggestions may help to cut down your expenditure, making it possible for you to have that beach wedding, with fewer guests, but a more intimate affair.
What you can do is to arrange a celebration for all your guests when you return home complete with the ceremony video.
By thoughtfully considering these aspects, you can create a beach wedding that is both enchanting and smoothly executed.
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