Beach Wedding Planning 101
A wedding is one of the most memorable days’ you will have in your lifetime, planning a wedding is possibly the most stressful days you will have in your lifetime, planning a beach wedding might be more stressful. Themed weddings have been very popular for the last few years and the classic beach wedding is never going out of style. Many couples are choosing to have their weddings in exotic, romantic and memorable locations, these locations include breathtaking views and a natural setting, all of which the beach has to offer. Here’s what to know when planning a beach wedding.
The Attire
Skip the big dress, a ballgown belongs in…a ballroom. Walking along the beach and taking photos won’t be so easy in a ballgown on the beach. You want your dress to be a lightweight fabric that flows in the ocean breeze.
When planning an outdoor beach wedding you have to consider the possibility of getting an ocean breeze throughout your ceremony; which is why you may want to reconsider wearing a long veil. Not only does a long veil in the wind pose problems for your photographer but it will annoy you just as much. Sand and heels just don’t mix, some excellent alternatives are flat-sole sandals, espadrilles, or wedges. You will also want to consider your hair style for a beach wedding, wearing a tried and true updo will keep you looking polished all-night long.
The Ceremony
Not a lot compares to have the ocean as your backdrop for your wedding ceremony, with that being said you don’t need it to be too dressed up. Instead, focus on using the natural beauty around you to enhance your setting. To make your setup really pop on the sand choose colors that contrast the sand and surf. When looking for vendors near the beach you’re getting married on try and shop local. Local vendors will be conscious of the local markets and respect the beach environment. You may need to look into getting a permit for your beach ceremony, especially if it’s on a public beach. The permits may also vary if you’re doing just your ceremony or both your ceremony and reception. When choosing a date it’s important to recognize beaches are usually pretty busy around holiday weekends, so unless you want the general public attending your wedding it’s best to avoid choosing a holiday weekend for your wedding day. Depending on the time of year, it’s important to provide shade for guests, prepare for wind, keep the bugs at bay and offer refreshments. Lastly, when it comes to the ceremony make sure your wedding guests are prepared that your ceremony will be on the beach; you can do this by adding a drizzle of sand in your invitations.
The Reception
There’s a big difference between a ceremony on the beach versus a ceremony and a reception on the beach. While some will choose to hold their reception on the beach, others will choose to go to a separate location. Often times couples will hold their reception at a beach-front venue, so they are still near their ceremony site but out of the sand. Holding your reception at the beach brings in a long list of permits and ordinances, more so than for just a ceremony.
The most important thing to remember when planning your beach wedding is to make it your own. This day is for you and your significant other to make life long memories!
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