The popularity of Beach weddings amongst couples in love is increasing by the day. Beach weddings are appealing for a variety of reasons -being out in the open, in a beautiful beachside setting while the wind and waves sing their praises over the union. What could be more romantic than this! Beach weddings are not the conventional wedding, which is usually held in a church or similar expensive indoor venue. They are definitely in a category of their own.
The best part of the intimate beach wedding has much to do with the fact that it allows one to execute the day in relative simplicity, though some beach weddings can be extravagant.
One would get to plan the beach wedding however he wants it to be – as dressed up as he chooses to be, leaving out or incorporating elements from a traditional wedding. He will have plenty of room to explore beach and oceanside wedding ideas.
Few important things to know when planning a beach wedding
There are a few things one would need to consider while getting ready to plan a beach wedding. It is advisable to get in touch with a Global Concierge Company so that he can get assistance at all levels of the wedding. If he is travelling for a destination wedding, he would get all his doubts clarified even before arrival at the destination country. A Luxury Concierge will tell one all he needs to know about how to get married on the beach and help with plenty of great ideas to make the big day even more special.
Discussed below are some of the things one would need to keep in mind while planning a beach wedding:
- Ensure the beach is accessible to everyone involved – Once the couple has discovered and fallen in love with a seaside wedding destination, many people may overlook the accessibility element. One should not forget to consider the guests’ convenience, as well as how simple or difficult it might be to reach the spot from a significant route. This can also have an impact on the ease with which seats, tables, and even food delivery can be put up and transported. One should make sure that the site is not too far out of the way, and if it is, necessary preparations are to be made.
- The sound of waves shouldn’t drown out your vows – There is hardly anything quite as magical as the waves crashing against the shore while taking a romantic walk down the beach. But when a couple is trying to exchange vows, this is a completely different story. To work around this, a professional sound system is to be considered and it is to be powered up out on the beach. The wedding planner, a part of the Luxury Lifestyle Concierge Services would make this available.
- The décor needs to be windproof – The décor needs to suit the outdoors, especially in windy locations. This means one has to give second thoughts while opting for super lavish flowers, towering candles, and even windy ribbons and balloons, which may just end up getting blown away by the wind. Instead, the use of sturdy décor and avoiding breakable items helps. Anything that one cannot do without like name tags, photos, etc. should be secured with adhesive, spring, or something heavier should be placed over top to hold them down. In terms of flowers, one should also want to make sure he chooses varieties that stand up well against high temperatures and will not wilt before the ceremony even begins.
Chrysanthemums, calla lilies, king protea, and orchids do well on the beach. For the ones not convinced that flowers would fit the beach theme or just don’t want to risk it, they should go for things like fruits or even shells to add some colour to the event and enhance the beach theme.
- Ensure some shade – One of the crucial things to think about when planning a beach wedding is health and safety. Just as important as covering for rainy weather, one would need to keep in mind that outdoor environments usually mean guests would be exposed to the elements. Especially in hot climates, one must ensure to keep everyone cool by scheduling the beach ceremony at a time when the sun is most mild – morning or late afternoon is best. The shade factor is to be considered as well, especially for the sake of older people and children. With a beach or other outdoor weddings, it is best to monitor the weather so everyone knows what to expect. It s a good idea to source a canopy to cover the seating area or get some bamboo poles that can be draped with light, white fabric to help keep everyone cool.
- Finger food storage: keep it cool – For couples not getting married at a resort, food storage is a serious consideration. Food that is supposed to be refrigerated will spoil quickly in high temperatures, so need to picked wisely. This applies for cake selection as well – cakes made with buttercream would surely get spoiled in the heat. Thus it is safe to consider as a rule, not to pick anything that is going to melt or spoil fast.
If concerned about food, one can also consider getting married on the beach, and having the reception at another location, like a nearby restaurant.
- Select proper beach wedding attire – The wedding day is the most important day of a couple’s life and they are going to want to dress like it – except that they have chosen to be on the beach. So they are also going to want to wear something that does not cause overheating.
Here are some tips and ideas for staying cool, and still looking beautiful:
7 things to consider for your beach wedding attire
- Go for a lighter dress – Long gowns may present challenges out on the beachfront. They may look dreamy, and the bride may even be able to get down the aisle mostly without issue, but the trouble may start when she would try navigating the beach to take photos. Brides wearing a super long train would surely be at a loss. Thus it is safe to look for something lighter. At the very least, she should ensure that the dress can bustle easily.
A luxury concierge would be able to guide the bride with the trendiest gowns that are in vogue and one can choose the best fit, that is apt for a beach wedding as the costume for the D-day.
- Wear lightweight fabrics – No one would want to wear a dress with lace trim and find out on the altar that the dress has picked up all sorts of debris from the beach along the way. It is better to go with fabrics like chiffon or charmeuse, which will give an airy feel, as the gown will be able to flow freely.
- Skip the veil – Veils are not worn by all brides, but they are an absolute must for brides who want to keep it all the way traditional. In windy temperatures, they pose bigger problems. Thus one should avoid this by going for fresh flowers, or a fascinator instead.
- Try an updo – Fancy updos have a way of changing the entire look of the bride on a wedding. They go with just about everything, and for a beach wedding updo is a great idea to prevent the hair from taking on a life of its own during the ceremony.
If a bride is keen on wearing her hair down, she should think about hiring a stylist who will be on location throughout, just in case she needs a touch-up.
- Ditch the heels – It is absolutely wise to avoid the hassle of wearing heels in the sand. One can look into getting the perfect espadrilles or wedges for the beach wedding. If she plans early enough, she would be able to customise her shoes, so they are fancy enough to make her forget that she isn’t wearing heels.
No matter which shoe option you choose, getting the right aisle runner will help keep the feet cool on the way to the altar. Thick flower petals or fabric work like a charm.
- Stay tan line free – Tan lines may be a nightmare, especially on a wedding day when there is nothing one can do about them. Wear sunscreen (waterproof sunscreen is advised) every time one goes out in the sun to protect the skin before the wedding. No one wants sunburn or tan lines on the wedding day, and neither does the bridal party. To avoid tan lines, everyone in the wedding party can plan bathing suits for the trip according to what everyone is wearing on the big day.
- Say no to penguin suits – It is less necessary to appear fancy on the beach and more vital to keep cool. The groom and his best men should be allowed to dress more casually, such as in lightweight cotton pants or Bermuda shorts. These less-dressy options are a fantastic on-theme and cool idea, in place of traditional tuxedos.
A few things to consider for the beach wedding ceremony
- A beach permit (if needed) – Though this is not always required, it is still worthwhile to gather information to avoid any unnecessary problems down the line. Informations about noise regulations in both private and public settings should be gathered, so that proper arrangements can be made. The concierge would be helpful in this as well.
- Plan wisely, and avoid crowds – One of the things you should seek to find out in advance is when the beach is the most crowded. Couples would want to avoid this time to ensure they have enough privacy, so that the wedding does not turn into a circus. Usually, there are beaches quieter outside of weekends and holidays.
- Arrange sturdy seating – Aluminium chairs, oak benches, different forms of foldable seats, and even chic waterproof ottomans can improve visitor comfort. All of these are sturdy enough not to be blown away by the wind or sink and collapse in the sand. In certain circumstances, one might just need to provide seats for the elderly and children. It all depends on the type of wedding that is being planned and how long the ceremony will be.
- Accentuate the beach’s natural features – The beach is beautiful enough as it is, so one need not go overboard with the decor ideas here. Instead, focussing on accentuating the natural features in a way that will help bring the wedding to life is wise. It does not all need to be seashells and palm leaves; one can use the various hues of the ocean or sand to create a theme, adding elements like stones, dune glasses, and more.
- Add colours to contrast the light colour of the sand – For those wondering what colours are best for a beach wedding, we recommend adding some colour that will contrast with the sand to make the setting more vibrant. Think green, orange, or coral tones and stand out.
- Shop local for destination weddings – When sourcing the décor for a destination wedding, one should try to purchase things from local vendors. This would help to avoid hefty importation fees or delays that can happen if the items get detained by customs for any reason.
- Prepare for windy conditions – One must always be prepared for a windy day, even when not expected. Everything should be secured beforehand to avoid this. Using heavier items to weigh things down, like programs and place cards, or just getting heavyweight stands is advisable. One can also tie programs neatly to chairs. If there is a plan on tossing dried flower petals, one should wait to do this, once guests arrive.
- Prepare a shoe station – No one wants to spend the day with sand in their shoes. With a shoe rack, guests can trade their fancy shoes for flip-flops. Thus provisions for the same are to made at the station for guests to be able to wipe or wash the sand off their feet before making the swap. One might also want to include a seating area, towels, a place to store shoes, and a bucket of water.
- Have refreshments on hand – As with any beach day, staying hydrated is important and there is no better way to beat the heat than with cood drinks. A table set up with lemonade, ice water, or a signature cocktail will go a long way in keeping the wedding guests satisfied and refreshed.
- Prevent bug bites – One must keep insect repellant close at hand for any outdoor ceremony, particularly beach weddings. Try to get a good brand with ingredients that are not harmful, and would not stain any dresses.
- Prepare guests with a welcome package – The couple would surely want to ensure everyone is informed about where the wedding will be taking place. Especially if the beach is a long, beautiful stretch, this will help the guests plan accordingly. Just in case anyone comes less than prepared, one can include items like travel-sized sunscreen, hand towels and fans, and bottled water in a fun welcome package.
- Have a backup plan – Beach weddings are best kept short and sweet. Just in case the weather changes, a backup plan must be kept ready. It is always a good idea to have a canopy or tent on hand to keep everyone cool and dry or ensure the plan B option is somewhere indoors.
All the aspects of a beach wedding as per your taste and requirement can be done by a Bespoke Event Organisation. Have a word with a VIP Luxury Concierge well in advance and communicate clearly your vision regarding the wedding – the rest will be taken care of by them. From choosing the right venues to selecting the right menus, fom wedding attire to decorations, from permits to licenses – you name it they would have it ready. Get in touch with Travel Motivations to know further.
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