One of the most sought after and potentially one of the cheapest locations to get married is on the beach. Who doesn’t want to say their vows while the ocean crashes on the sandy beach behind you? Beaches provide an exotic getaway with natural beauty that can’t be purchased. We have provided all the ins-and-outs when deciding on a beach wedding. After all, this venue is one of the most affordable and can surely fit into your wedding budget.
A romantic getaway or a local fling? The first question you need to ask yourself is where do you want this beach wedding to take place? If you said, a beach in the Virgin Islands then your beach wedding might cost more than if you said Virginia Beach. You’ll get the most bang for your buck the closer you stay to home. But remember – a beach doesn’t necessarily have to be on the ocean. There are many fabulous lakes in middle America that have great shorelines that the locals refer to as “the beach” which would very easily hold your wedding ceremony. Keeping the beach wedding close to home also reduces travel costs both for you and your family. And remember, the more family and friends at that can make the wedding – the more presents for you!
What time of year will you have your beach wedding? If there is a well-known rainy season or hurricane season in a particular area, then it’sprobably worth waiting until the nicer part of the year. This is one of the cons of holding a wedding on the beach. You must succumb to the weather and whatever precipitation is in store for that day. Not only must you consider rain, but also wind. A windy beach wedding can leave you with a mouthful of sand after saying “I do”. So make sure to check the farmer’s almanac, the weather channel, and a history of the weather for that particular area before deciding on a location. You should also check the tide schedule for that beach so as not to run out of beach space.
Rentals and other costs associated with the beach wedding should be kept in check. A beach wedding is exotic and filled with nature, but you don’t want your guests to be standing up the entire time. Renting chairs, possibly an alter, some pillars and other props can definitely make the ceremony much more formal. Check with local party rental stores to see what type of furniture they recommend for your wedding. Chances are, they have already done many weddings on the same beach you will be getting married on. You’ll save a bundle of money if the only thing you have to pay for are the rentals and the pastor!
Make sure to give any thought to the elderly when booking a beach wedding. If you have any grandparents or aunts and uncles who are in a wheelchair make sure you have an alternative. There are some wheelchairs equipped to take on the beach with big tires and all, so make sure you don’t have your wedding in an area that not everyone can access.
What time of day will your beach wedding be? Make sure to check where the sun will be at the time of your ceremony. The photographer will need to know this as it will help him take the best possible pictures. You also don’t want to have the sun directly in your guests’ eyes while you’re saying the vows.
What should you wear at your beach wedding? One of the great things about getting married on sand is that it’s totally casual! Get married in your bare feet if you want! This is one part of the wedding to be totally creative and yourself. Let your creativity shine through and think of
something that no one else has done when selecting a wardrobe. Does the bride want a traditional dress or a simple dress that allows for more movement? Do the groomsmen need to wear a tux or a great tan suit or a simply a colored Oxford with khaki shorts? Getting creative with what the wedding will wear can definitely make it a wedding to remember for both you
and your guests.
Here are some extra tips on decorating for your wedding. Use sandcastles! A great sandcastle can be a blast to build and make your wedding truly unique. Put a few around where the guests will sit to act as pillars or to define the ceremony space. Candles – be careful when using candles while it’s windy. You may have to use wind tubes to keep the candles from blowing out.
Have an alternate location just in case the weather doesn’t cooperate. It’s a good idea to check with local authorities before you have your beach wedding. You might need a permit to get married there or even if you have torches, open fires or music. Bring insect repellent, sunscreen, and water that is available for everyone. If your ceremony gets long and the weather is hot you don’t want your guest getting up to get a drink of water during the ceremony. If you have any food at your ceremony make sure to keep it covered unless you want bugs and seagulls to come join in the festivities!