Beach Wedding
Your wedding is a special event, and nothing is more special than a
Beach Wedding.
There are few spots on this planet as inspiring as our beaches. The never-ending ebb and flow of the water, the seashells tucked into the sand, the sun rays dancing on the water, and the horizon that seems to go on forever - it's absolutely intoxicating and romantic. Many couples decide that a beach wedding is the prefect way to begin their married life.
If you have set your heart on getting married on the beach you will need to plan carefully to make your day as perfect as you imagine. Firstly you have to select a perfect beach wedding location. There are many amazing beaches around the world where it is possible & legal to marry. Stetching around the world from classic locations in Florida, Hawaii, California & the Caribbean to far away deserted beaches in Australia & tropical paradise islands in Fiji & the Cook Islands. Many destinations offer cliff top or ocean view weddings - where you can marry outside with views overlooking the beach but with the facilities of a private villa or hotel. Santorini in Greece & the Amalfi Coast in Italy are a couple of great examples for these type of beach style weddings.
Don't miss The Complete Guide to Weddings Abroad which will show you the best resorts, the best beaches, the best locations, the best planners plus everything you will need to know to have a perfect wedding day on the beach.
To make the most of your
beach wedding see our beach wedding tips - which will help you realize how you wish your beach wedding day to proceed. Things to think about are the heat - as many beach wedding destinations can get extremely hot - especially at mid day. On many beaches that face west it may be practical to have your wedding just before sunset - which will lessen the heat factor & also make a spectacular romantic backdrop for the ceremony & the wedding photos.
Many couples decide to go to paradise resorts that offer beach weddings & ceremonies while combining thier honeymoon. Often these resorts will have a beautiful area or gazebo set aside for weddings next to the beach. Often, getting married in a resort next to the beach lessens some of the problems that can arise with a ceremony on the sand. Often resort hotels will have private beaches to get married on so you can get privacy. Also they will have facilities - such as shade, drinks etc which will make the ceremony go smooth for everyone. Also these resorts can provide the reception on a beautiful terrace - but wedding photos can still be taken on the beach. Many resorts do offer ceremonies that also do take place on the beach along with the reception facilities.
For a ceremony on the beach you can achieve some really beautiful decoration to make the day really special. It is wise to use an expert local wedding planner to help with this & the legal side - in many locations there are some truely talented wedding planners that can create wonderful beach wedding decorations - but it is often possible to arrange everything yourself. Planning what to wear is important - light fabrics are essential - both for the bride & groom aswell as the guests. Flat footware - not always popular with the guests - is also essential. Keep in mind to have lots of liquid to keep everyone refreshed.
Don't miss The Complete Guide to Weddings Abroad which will show you the best resorts, the best beaches, the best locations, the best planners plus everything you will need to know to have a perfect wedding day on the beach.
Beach Wedding Dresses
Beach weddings are considered more informal than their church counterparts. Full formal skirts and poufy headpieces aren’t required. Instead, a sleek, casual style is called for. That isn’t to say your day will be any less special or glamorous than that of a church wedding, it only means you’ll want to go with a different type of dress or gown.
An informal wedding dress looks classy and elegant for your beach wedding, without being too over the top. It has many different styles, a halter or strapless top or sleeves for those who prefer to co ver up a little more. All are slim but flowing with various lengths.
Accessories
Wedding dresses are so casual, in most cases, a veil is not required. If you do want to go this route, you’ll need one with a style to match the dress. Something informal will do fine. You can also wear f lowers or rhinestone studded barrettes or a hair band. Your hair style need not be elaborate, wear it long and flowing or pulled back in a stylish ponytail encircled by pearls or flowers.
Of course, if you’re wearing a simple beach wedding dress, you’ll want simple footwear as well. The last thing you want is sand in your $350 white satin pumps. Some beach brides go barefoot, while others don an elegant pair of flip flops or even some strappy sandals.
Consider the Weather
You’ll also want to take the weather into consideration. It might be a beautiful day, but for some reason, the ocean inspires wind. If you feel your dress or veil will blow around, you’ll probably want to consider other options. If you’re wearing a hat, make sure it’s pinned securely. It may also be a little chilly depending on the time of day and the month of the year. A strapless number during sundown in late September may not ward off the chill.
Flowers
If you’re afraid you couldn’t carry a floral bouquet with a more casual frock, you can rest assured this isn’t the case at all. Flowers are most definitely welcome, though a simpler bouquet might be in order. Try a few long stemmed white roses or lilies tied with a blue satin ribbon (for your “something blue”) or carry a small round bouquet or basket filled with daisies, lilies or roses. Flowers are the perfect complement to a beach wedding dress!
Convenience
One of the selling points of beach wedding dresses is that they don’t take as long a s a more formal gown to order. This is good news for a couple who plan a short engagement. In many cases, they can be purchased “off the rack.” Alterations are usually minimal and in most cases, not even required.
Romance
If a romantic destination ceremony is your idea of the perfect wedding backdrop, consider a casual but elegant wedding on the beach. With the perfect dress and the perfect man, the only thing left to order is the perfect sunset.
A number of brides believe a beach can be the perfect venue for a wedding. It certainly can be—if you make the right preparations. Success is definitely within your reach—but you need to plan for it. Here are
the top five things you can do to ensure that your beach wedding surpasses your personal expectations:
Pick the right location. Location is obviously a prime consideration in real estate, and it’s highly important when you are planning your beach wedding as well. Some prime locations you might consider include Miami Beach, with its exciting night life, and the Florida Keys, with its incredible scenery.
Hire a wedding planner. While you might think that a wedding planner i s a luxury, it can be a necessity when you’re planning a beach wedding. Be sure you let your planner know whether you are interested in a large event or a relatively intimate affair. Also, you need to tell your planner whether this will be a formal affair, with traditional wedding attire, or a casual event, with Hawaiian shirts and beach wear.
Choose a convenient reception spot. Ideally, you want the reception to be held close to the actual wedding site. That way, your wedding party and your guests will not have far to travel.
Make sure you have a professional photographer. While you might be tempted to save money by hiring an amateur, in the end, you’re likely to be disappointed if you do not employ a professional to take your wedding photos. Remember, part of the thrill of a beach wedding is having spectacular pictures to remember it by.
Don’t forget to consult your clergyman. Some members of the clergy do not support the idea of having a beach wedding. Therefore, if you’re planning a wedding along the waves, you’ll need to check with your clergyman to make sure he’s willing to perform the ceremony in the sand. Otherwise, you could end up with an unpleasant surprise at wedding time—all the guests are assembled, but there’s no one around to preside over the exchanging of the vows.