Do you want to get married in front of the sea but don’t know how to do it? With this practical guide you will have it very easy.
All the information on how to organize a wedding on the beach compiled in this article: procedures, decoration, dresses, invitations…
Beach weddings are unique. Undoubtedly, the wedding celebrations have the most magical and special atmosphere of all.
A little preview: what is needed for a beach wedding? Of course, get all the necessary permits, set the scenes according to the environment, choose a comfortable and special outfit, and make the banquet match the place.
Read also: 6 Rules For Seating Your Guests At The Wedding: Prioritize Their Comfort
And who are beach weddings for? Very simple: for all kinds of people.
So if you have met on a beach, if the beach is your secret corner in the world, if you adore nature or simply if you want to get away from the bustle of a big city for the wedding… take note!
12 Incredible Beach Wedding Venues in United States
1. The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua in Maui, Hawaii
2. The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida
3. Montage Laguna Beach in Laguna Beach, California
4. The Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island
5. The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
6. The Cloister at Sea Island in Sea Island, Georgia
7. The Sanderling Resort in Duck, North Carolina
8. The St. Regis Princeville Resort in Kauai, Hawaii
9. The Mandarin Oriental in Miami, Florida
10. The Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach, California
11. The Lodge at Pebble Beach in Pebble Beach, California
12. The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Procedures To Celebrate A Wedding On The Beach
Before hiring anything, you should know that getting married on the beach is more complex than it may seem, but it is not an impossible challenge!
Because it is a public and natural space, which is why the law councils themselves are in charge of regulating each event taking into account the country’s Coastal Law.
Therefore, the first step will be to investigate on your own if it is possible to do it in your area and find out all the necessary permits and licenses to organize a wedding on the beach.
To do this, you must go to the council of the municipality where your favorite beach is located, request all the information and process your request as soon as possible.
Among the documentation and legal requirements that you will be asked for is the total number of guests, the day and time slot in which you will occupy that space.
Some technical specifications of the site; such as the assembly system for the bathrooms or the electric generators that you will use, the decibels that will be emitted, etc.
It is better that you start early for the preparations and processes, since they do not have established deadlines and can be delayed.
How much does a beach wedding cost? The truth is that the price may vary according to each municipality.
The major things are; the costs of renting the space, the banquet and the hiring of different professionals.
Do you find it too messy or complicated? So we suggest you rent a private beach and leave the paperwork in their hands.
An option with which you can also forget about the necessary permits, since they will be in charge of managing them.
Read also: Speech Of The Father Of The Bride At The Wedding: How To Prepare Him To Succeed
How to organize a wedding on the beach
Once you are clear that your beach wedding can be a reality, it is convenient to organize some important issues, such as the most suitable place, the most appropriate date, the space itself and the weather.
We summarize them for you below!
The perfect location
One of the first things that must be defined when organizing a wedding on the beach is to think about and choose the ideal location well.
The chosen place must meet certain conditions: be small, be accessible and comfortable for everyone, have few passers-by, accept this type of celebration, follow the relevant safety instructions and be surrounded by a beautiful environment – with calm waters, rocks carved, toasted sand and other beautiful settings.
The best dates
Take a good look at the wedding dates so that neither you nor your guests get overheated.
The best month for a wedding on the beach is the months of spring and autumn, which are characterized by a warmer and more pleasant climate and temperature.
Although if you also want to do it on summer days, plan it for the beginning or end of the season, thus avoiding the high tourist season.
July and August are the months in which most beaches have the largest crowds of people on the occasion of the summer holidays.
Although everything will depend on whether you want to celebrate the wedding on a public or semi-private beach.
The beach in winter is not without its own charm, so it is also another equally valid and successful option.
Read also: Dogs (And Other Pets) At The Wedding: 7 Things to Consider
What are the best days of the week for a beach wedding?
Friday and Saturday are still the most requested days, but if you get married on any other days, you will surely notice fewer people around you.
If you want fewer people around the beach, fix your wedding on other days. Fridays and Saturdays are crowded.
The most suitable time
It is important that you also value the time slot, especially in summer: from 12 to 5 pm is the period of greatest heat and power of the sun’s rays.
For this reason, during summer months it may be more appropriate to get married shortly before sunset, when it begins to cool down and the last rays of sun stain the sky with infinite shades of color.
The sunset beach wedding is so romantic.
In this way, you will have a fresh and natural wedding album with a warm film light.
On the other hand, if you get married on the beach in the coldest months of the year, it is better to have a wedding in the morning or in an hour close to noon.
The most opportune weather
Most beach weddings are usually accompanied by high temperatures, so it is necessary to have a plan B to combat this.
Have a plan that works in case it rains that day, it is very windy or any other inclement weather happens.
Make sure that tents, awnings and adjoining rooms are available.
We recommend you rent the services of a private establishment near the beach to make sure you have all the details well tied up and that the weather does not take its toll on you.
For example, a hotel with spectacular views of the sea or a more informal beach club.
Read also: How Much Can You Spend On A Simple Wedding (Realistic Budgets)
Beach wedding invitations
If your wedding will take place on the beach, you will need beach wedding invitations that give friends and family the first clues as to what the wedding will be like.
The cards need to have a theme related to the sea and include things that remind people of the beach.
For example, shells, ships, stars and seahorses, fish, corals, etc.
When writing the original texts for the wedding invitations, do not forget to add what is necessary regarding the wedding day: will there be a specific dress code?
Then ask the guests to come with casual or semi formal attire dresses for a white wedding on the beach.
Can they choose the outfit they want? Make it clear so no one feels out of place.
And when designing the beach wedding invitations, remember to be inspired by the natural colors of sand and water to decorate the invitations.
So, choose earth tones, golds and light blues, as well as models with watercolors in neutral and soft tones.
Would you like to surprise the guests with original and fun wedding invitations? Then put the invitation in a glass bottle and get an instant wow effect.
Or put the card in a box with sand and leave them speechless!
Decoration for weddings on the beach
If you wonder what are the best decoration ideas for weddings on the beach, you will be surprised to know that very little is needed to decorate the stage, since the natural setting itself is a beautiful and spectacular landscape.
But there are some things that you can do so that all the details go in harmony.
Starting by choosing a wedding style and a bohemian, hippie, maritime, Hawaiian or tropical theme .
Use decorations such as shells, stones, anchors, rudders, lighthouses, starfish, fishing nets, glass jars, candles, torches, umbrellas, sheer fabrics, umbrellas, rugs, flowers.
And, of course, wooden furniture or bamboo and macrame or crochet pieces.
Also, you can play with the decorations of the candy bar with details of pearls and sand made of sugar.
To decorate the altar of a beach wedding you can use elements of nature itself, such as trees and branches, or set up your own arch with flowers and light fabrics.
The same thing you can do to beautify the rest of the corners.
And do not forget the bins to throw away food waste, to make sure that the environment is clean.
Wedding banquet on the beach
As we have already mentioned, the idea of holding a banquet on the beach is subject to the regulations of each space and establishment.
But in general terms, we recommend you go for a cocktail-type wedding, since it offers greater comfort and is more suited to the fresh and natural style of the environment.
That is to say, a buffet-style banquet with a hired caterer, this is the best option for couples who organize a wedding on the beach at sunset.
Although if you do not want to give up the traditional banquet, don’t worry, because you can opt for it perfectly.
Read also: How To Choose The Wedding Date? Pay Attention To These Keys
How should the menu be?
Choose fresh and light dishes, since they are usually good for outdoor weddings in which it is not convenient to overload the stomach.
We are talking mainly about rice dishes, creams and cold soups, grilled products, vegan and vegetarian recipes, assorted salads, fish and shellfish, fruit platters, dishes with exotic and tropical flavors.
But also beach cocktail bars, with or without alcohol, and natural refreshment stalls to combat the high temperatures.
For example, a stand with homemade lemonades or orangeades, one with fruit slushies, another with fresh smoothies, another with juices, horchatas and ice cream.
It’s up to you!
In the event that you have chosen a hotel with a semi-private beach, surely they will take care of the food.
So set up a meeting with the chef and ask him for delicious but light dishes. The best way to beat the heat!
Beach Wedding Dresses
The best is to choose light, fresh, comfortable and natural looks, both in the case of the guests and in that of the couple.
The outfits must be chosen taking into account factors such as the place of the celebration, the season of the year and the style of the wedding, so the beach will always determine what the final suits and dresses will be like.
As for the beauty look, the hairstyle and makeup should be natural and light.
Especially if we take into account that they are usually weddings in environments with high humidity and wind.
The couple should choose comfortable and fresh groom suits in light or dark tones depending on their personality: without a jacket or tie, with bermuda shorts, with a guayabera.
And if they wish, also with striking accessories: hats, straw, sunglasses, fans, etc.
Guests should wear light and breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen, and avoid wearing high heels or dress shoes that can sink into the sand.
Men can wear khaki pants or shorts with a button-up shirt or a linen suit, while women can wear sundresses or flowy maxi dresses with sandals.
It is also important to consider the weather and bring a light jacket or shawl in case it gets chilly in the evening.
Read also: Is It Cheaper To Decorate Your Own Wedding (The Real Truth)
Beach wedding shoes
Beach wedding shoes are elegant but comfortable at the same time.
Walking on unstable terrain, such as stones, sandy floors or wooden platforms, is not an easy task.
So it is better for women to wear flat sandals or sandals with low heels.
While for men the ideal are loafers, boat shoes or canvas slip-on shoes.
And what do you think about walking barefoot? Of course, a valid alternative that will give you greater security, freedom, sensuality and comfort
Gifts for a beach wedding
Surely you are hoping that friends and family take a great memory home, right?
Well, there are multiple gifts for wedding guests on the beach.
Some will be very useful for the wedding day, such as fans, paipas, straw hats, parasols, sunglasses, cloth bags, heel covers, espadrilles, plants, kits and welcome packs with sun protection, etc.
Other gifts, on the other hand, will serve beyond the wedding day.
Such as ceramics with some sea and water element, key chains in the shape of an anchor or a starfish, bottle openers in the shape of a rudder, etc.
Music for beach weddings
Is there specific music for beach weddings? The answer is yes.
From romantic and melodic songs for the entrance of the bride or groom to more Caribbean rhythms for the chill-out area or the cocktail moment.
Surf songs, with notes of reggae, urban rhythms or reggaeton themes for weddings.
With all these types of music you can dance under the stars until the sun rises.
You can include live music, since it usually fits great with the calm and relaxing atmosphere.
Read also: How Much Is Too Much To Spend On Wedding Invitations
Conclusion
If you have come this far, it means that you already know all the steps, ideas and tips to organize a successful beach wedding.
So now it’s up to you to choose the place that you like the most and start with the preparations.
As we have been telling you, beach weddings are one of the most magical events ever, so simply put all your effort into it and enjoy the day because the beautiful landscape that will surround you will do the rest.