Beach weddings are becoming increasingly popular because they offer couples a beautiful setting for their special day.
They are often held at private beaches or resorts, where guests can enjoy a relaxing atmosphere.
Planning a beach wedding is fun, exciting, and romantic. But it can also be stressful, especially if you don’t have much experience planning weddings. Luckily for you, we’ve been there before.
And here are some tips to make your beach wedding run smoothly—and even turn out better than yours did when we were planning ours!
Read on for help from the pros in every aspect of planning your coastal nuptials.
Why Have A Beach Wedding?
A beach wedding offers many benefits: It allows couples to get married under blue skies; it sometimes takes place close to family members, who will be able to attend without traveling great distances; and its location makes it easy for guests to travel between the ceremony and reception sites.
The best part about a beach wedding is that it’s simple to achieve. In fact, many couples choose this type of event to avoid having to spend large amounts of money on costly decorating projects.
So if you want to save money while creating an unforgettable celebration, consider hosting your ceremony in front of the ocean.
What Should I Do First?
Now that you know why a beach wedding appeals to so many people, let’s look at what steps you need to take to put one together as efficiently as possible. First things first: Choose your date carefully.
Make sure the weather is sunny and inviting enough for your outdoor wedding. You’ll also want to check with local officials regarding rules and regulations regarding a beach wedding.
How Can I Prepare?
Now that you know when you need to start preparing, let’s talk about how. A good way to begin planning is by asking yourself these important questions: How far away is my venue?
What kind of space will suffice for our festivities? What are the closest places to hold our ceremony? Who should serve us alcohol? Is it legal to serve liquor on the premises?
These types of preparatory questions can help you stay organized during the entire process. Also, write down your budget estimates.
With these figures on hand, you won’t have to waste time trying to remember everything once you reach that crucial point in your planning process.
Where Can I Find Inspiration?
Once you have all of your basic preparations taken care of, it’s time to look around online for ideas.
There are plenty of websites where you can view pictures and read testimonials from happy brides and grooms who took advantage of the services offered by various vendors. This gives you something to compare against your plans.
For example, check out wedding-planner.com, which provides helpful information for those looking to create a memorable, elegant beach wedding. Or visit Pinterest.com/weddings or Wedding Wire.
If you prefer a more casual approach, try visiting Instagram.com/weddingstagram. The key here is finding your vision and sticking to it. Don’t be swayed by other people’s examples, but instead focus on developing your unique vision.
After all, your wedding will be the only one that truly represents you.
Choosing A Venue
Once you decide on the date, choose your location. Before doing so, however, you must confirm whether your chosen beach is open to public access or belongs to a private resort (which may charge extra fees).
Also make note of any safety requirements related to weddings, like the minimum distance between couples holding hands when they walk along the sand.
Check Legal Requirements
Finally, be sure to contact local authorities to inquire about specific laws, such as how much noise and music the venue permits and what kinds of food and drink you can buy from them.
Be warned! Laws vary widely across different locations. Even if a particular establishment appears to offer little regulation, there might still be additional stipulations that apply.
So before making reservations, ask about potential liability clauses and what their recommendations are for serving alcoholic beverages at weddings.
When Can We Get Married?
Many states do not recognize marriages performed outside their boundaries, including ceremonies held on beaches. However, this restriction typically applies only to states with an official residence requirement for marriage licenses.
In states without residency restrictions, anyone legally eligible to marry in their home state can also get married on the beach.
On the other hand, some states require both parties to reside within the state’s borders. Check with your local government to determine when you can tie the knot on the shoreline.
Planning a beach wedding takes time and effort. The key is to start early and get organized. If you want to save time and money, consider using a professional planner who has experience with beach weddings.
Tips For Planning The Perfect Beach Wedding Day
Whether your wedding is on land, in the water, or at a resort, here are some tips on planning a beach wedding:
Know Your Guests
Beach weddings typically require more people than other types of weddings due to space constraints. Make sure you know all the guest names and contact information before you book a date so there aren’t any surprises.
Consider The Location
You can choose from several locations during your wedding ceremony depending upon the type of event you want. You may wish to hold your reception near a local restaurant to serve food.
However, if you prefer a sandy location, a secluded area might be perfect since it won’t interfere with your ceremony.
You should make sure that the venue will allow you to use it as close to sunset as possible since this is when most beach weddings take place.
Choose Decorations That Work With the Surroundings
A beach wedding is an intimate affair — which means everything needs to be simple, elegant, and low maintenance. Consider adding candles into vases or pouches filled with sand to give off the appearance of fireflies.
For greenery, use small pieces of driftwood. Don’t opt for large arrangements; opt instead for smaller bouquets or table centerpieces that look good in groups of two.
Choose A Photographer
If your budget allows, hire a photographer that specializes in capturing images of events outdoors. Or ask around among friends who have recently been married about recommendations for photographers or videographers.
Be careful when choosing a vendor, though, since many companies offer discounts for large packages or group rates.
Have Fun!
Although a beach wedding is romantic, it doesn’t mean you need to go overboard. Keep things light-hearted by playing music and having fun activities such as photo booths, photo cards, or even a cake walk.
The key is to keep the mood relaxed and fun. Think outside the box to find ways to add humor to your festivities.
Final Thoughts
When planning a beach wedding, you want to enjoy yourself while making sure everyone else feels comfortable at the same time.
Start organizing now, because once you decide to have a beach wedding, it’s going to be hard to change your mind.
As long as you follow the tips above when designing your special day, you are certain to create an unforgettable experience for those closest to you.
