Top Tips for Beach Weddings

Tips and advice for holding a beautiful beach weddings

• If your chosen beach is in a remote or secluded area, be sure to give your guests thorough directions, and prepare signage along the route. When you visit your location prior to the wedding, make note of any confusing intersections or turns, and ensure these are made clear to guests.
• Wait until after you’ve drawn up the guest list to start searching for beaches – some local councils will have limits on the number of people allowed, and may require you to apply for permits.
• Preparing the area – create a decorative setting for your ceremony: rake the sand, create patterns with seashells, or make the aisle with torches, flags, candles or branches
• Keep bugs at bay by using citronella candles. They are much easier on the nose than insect repellent, and come in a variety of colours, so you will be able to find one that suits your theme.
• Consider the time of day – midday to three pm will be the warmest time of day, so if you want to hold your ceremony then, ensure there is adequate seating and shade for guests, and that cold drinks are available.
• Check the tides – you don’t want to have your ceremony during an incoming tide and find the water lapping your ankles halfway through!
• Consider the sound – try to find a beach with calmer waters. While the sight of waves crashing behind you may look spectacular, it will most likely make it difficult for guests to hear the ceremony.
• Research your flowers – talk to your florist about which flowers will withstand heat and sun exposure the best. Your favourite flowers, while beautiful in a vase, may wilt and turn brown in the sun, so think carefully and get advice before making any decisions.
• Establish a theme – a beach wedding can be a theme in and of itself, but you can be more specific – think of tropical or Hawaiian themes, or a sailing/boat theme. And don’t be afraid to match your readings and music to your theme – a song such as “Under the Sea” from the Little Mermaid has a Caribbean sound and makes a jubilant recessional, and there are plenty of ocean themed poems that could be used for a wedding.
• Plan your footwear – you might dream of being a barefoot bride, but it’s always a good idea to have some sort of footwear on hand. Ballet flats, while charming, will fill with sand, so look for sandals or thongs that suit your gown.