There are few places more romantic than a beautiful, sandy beach when you’re about to say your vows. The warm sun, symphonic waves, and a subtle breeze – it’s magical. If you’re dreaming of a beach wedding, we’re here to share our guide to beach wedding Do’s & Don’ts, so your seaside celebration goes off without a hitch!
Do:
Book your beach destination. Once you have chosen the location where you’d like to get married, contact the office that handles reservations. This could be through a hotel, parks and recreation department, or even city hall. Make sure to reserve the location with enough notice to guarantee the date you have chosen. If you’re planning a more elaborate beach wedding, hire an Event or Wedding Planner to secure these details. Be sure to visit GigSalad to see even more local options for wedding services!
Don’t:
Go about this all spur-of-the-moment. This is your wedding day, after all. If your plan is to show up at the beach on a Saturday with your fiancé, a few friends, and a minister, this will most likely backfire. You could end up with a few retired, semi-nude business men on vacation in your photos, beach volleyballs in the wedding party, or kids screaming for popsicles over your wedding vows.
Do:
Invite your closest family and friends. Make your beach wedding an intimate gathering to celebrate the commitment you are about to make with the love of your life. The beach is perfect for close gatherings and special moments. So keep your guest list short and sweet.
Don’t:
Plan a beach wedding for a guest-list that could fill a concert hall. Unless you are planning to marry on a private beach, there will likely be codes and violations for a party of 400. Again, this is something an Event or Wedding Planner could help figure out.
Do:
Hire an Acoustic Musician or Ukelele Player to enhance your ceremony and reception with perfectly coordinated melodies. This soft music will add to the intimacy of the occasion, while remaining subtle and understated.
Don’t:
Hire a rock ‘n’ roll cover band to play raging guitar solos at the beach. I mean, seriously. This is another instance in which a sound ordinance or public disturbance codes will come in to play. Keep it down.
Do:
Opt for an updo. Hire a Hair Stylist to give you a perfect beach-inspired updo that will stay in place and keep you cool while you’re sharing such a sweet moment.
Don’t:
Let it fly. There’s no need to spend an hour giving your hair beautifully tussled curls. First of all, it won’t stay that way. (It’s a beach; it’s hot.) Secondly, the wind will inevitably ruin the moment. We all know how breezy the beach can be. You don’t want to be holding your hair out of your face while your soon-to-be life partner is professing their undying love for you – you just don’t.
Do:
Have a reception, but plan to have it at a local hotel or restaurant. There may even be a charming private Venue near your chosen beach! Also, when planning your reception, remember you’ll be hosting a crowd wearing beach-formal attire. Simple and low-key can still be elegant, without being a black-tie affair.
Don’t:
Plan your reception at the beach, unless it’s a private beach. Having your guests dress up and try to socialize while kids are kicking sand all over them, sweating and uncomfortable, will likely end in a rather short celebration.
We hope these Do’s & Don’ts will help you on your wedding day. The most important thing to remember is that this is a very special day for you and your soon-to-be spouse. So focus on each other!