Memorable Beach Wedding Planning

Many of today's brides are looking for options that are different from the traditional church wedding. One of the most popular of these deviations is the beach wedding. Tropical breezes, the sound of surf, and the unparalleled beauty of beaches make them the perfect backdrop for your special day.

Considering Your Beach Wedding Budget

When planning a wedding at the beach, several options come to mind. Your budget will certainly dictate some of what you choose. Keep in mind that with a little creativity, however, you can stretch a small amount of money to go a long way. You'll also want to consider local ordinances when finalizing details and services.

Choosing the Right Time

A sunrise service is a lovely way to celebrate your wedding with friends and family while keeping costs to a minimum. Following the service, serve breakfast or brunch along with mimosas and coffee and enjoy the cooler morning temperatures and smaller crowds found during this time. For the more formal affair, consider a late afternoon wedding with a sit down dinner catered by a local company. You can also rent tents and chairs and have your florist deliver your flowers to your preferred area. This can be a bit costly, but the atmosphere this creates is quite romantic and enchanting.

If you are looking for some ideas for a more fun and less formal affair, you might want to consider having a mid-day or early afternoon wedding followed by a barbeque and beach volleyball. Give your friends and family souvenirs of sand buckets filled with beach toys, sunscreen, and bug repellent to help make the day even more memorable. Purchase multiple disposable cameras to capture candid shots and make sure to bring bags of marshmallows to roast over open fires as it starts to cool down in the evening.

Know Local Legislation

While you may want to have your wedding be a private affair, local jurisdictions may not allow you to block off the beach. Some areas also prohibit alcoholic beverages and open fires, so be sure to check beforehand so your lovely day isn't spoiled by a visit from local authorities. And, speaking of uninvited guests, you may want to encourage guests to go light on fragrances so as not to attract mosquitoes. In addition, remind your guests not to feed the seagulls. Otherwise, they can become a major pest.

Before your big ceremony, check with the local weather stations concerning temperatures and tides. After all, you don't want your guests suffering from heat stroke and windburn. Similarly, you don't want to encourage swimming if there are any dangerous rip tides offshore. You'll also want to make sure to set up your ceremony high enough on the beach to avoid any damages from high tide coming in. With a little planning, a memorable and enjoyable time is sure to be had by all.