Tips for a Successful Beach Wedding
Want to make shore your beach bash goes swimmingly? Read our top tips for having a successful beach wedding.
Photos by Elizabeth Burgi Photography
Prep Your Guests
Make sure your guests know that the wedding is actually on the sand, so they can dress appropriately. This can be communicated with the invitation (included with the map/directions), on your wedding website and through word-of-mouth.
- Feet: Some beachy couples are providing a “shoe valet” where guests can trade out their Ferragamo pumps for casual flip-flops. Another nice touch is to have a de-sanding station—soft bristled paint brushes are a fun way to wipe the sand from between your toes!
- Eyes: Sunny days at the beach can be blinding, so make sure everyone knows to bring sunglasses, hats, or parasols—you don’t want them squinting at you the entire time!
- Weather: Remind your guests to bring appropriate wraps, in case it gets chilly. It’s not a bad plan to have sweaters, shawls, sweatshirts or even blankets on hand, should Cousin Ann show up without her pashmina. Alternatively, if it’s a high-noon ceremony in August, providing cool drinks (you can even order your own private-label bottled water!) and paper fans (we love them printed with wedding programs) would make guests more comfortable.
Dress Code
- A beach wedding is not the ideal milieu for a formal ballgown or chapel train. Whether you opt for a tropical island sheath or a demure slip-dress, take advantage of the heaps of stylish fashions available to set a coastal mood. Light fabrics, such as sheer silks and chiffons, have a nice fluid movement to them, yet still look dressy.
- If you’re having a platform set up as a wedding aisle, then your satin pumps will be fine. Otherwise, consider sandals…or why not go barefoot? Find a pair of bejeweled barefoot sandals and you’ll look both dressy and casual. You can save your high heels for the reception.
- And don’t forget your own wrap—a filmy stole, lacy shawl or faux-fur capelet makes an elegant cover-up while keeping goosebumps at bay.
- Loose, flowing hair may suit your free-spirited style, but if strong breezes are a-blowin’, you could be battling strands in your teeth or curls sticking to your lip gloss. Instead, select a wedding hairstyle that has at least the front part of your hair off your face. Loosely arranged up-dos are also a lovely choice.
Details, details
- Consult our Ultimate Beach Wedding Checklist for a full guideline of the details you'll need to consider.
- Check with your venue or wedding coordinator to make sure you’ve applied for the proper beach permits, if required.
- Consider hiring a wedding planner that specializes in beach weddings. Their experience and vendor connections will save you tons of time—and money.
- The sound of the crashing surf can be so atmospheric…and also noisy! Most venues will be able to provide electricity, so you can have a microphone for the officiant.
- For an intimate wedding of, say, 20 or so guests, it’s fine to have them gather around the couple during a brief ceremony. Otherwise you’ll want to arrange for seating.
- Luckily, your setting is so picturesque that you won’t need to add décor. But an arch or chuppah makes a nice focal point. Many venues have these available or know where you can rent them.
- Be aware, most beach sites are public. If you want complete privacy, rent a beachfront restaurant or hotel, or an oceanview private estate.
Have a Back-up Plan
- Rain has a tendency to visit tropical locales. Sometimes it’s the wind that makes things unbearable. Either way, Mother Nature is unpredictable so it’s best to always have a foul-weather option—a tent or indoor shelter—if only for your peace of mind.
Planning a Beach Wedding? Check these out…
- The Best Beach Elopement Destinations In The U.S.A.
- The Ultimate Beach Wedding Checklist
- Unique Ideas for your Beach Wedding Decor
Are we friends yet? Join MyGuide for more goodness!
Some clients may have paid to be placed in our editorial and some of these links may be affiliate; however, we never include a venue, vendor, or product unless they have a proper place here. This is part of our Core Values. We create our website first and foremost to be good for the couples using it to plan their Big Day. We won't stray from that for a few advertising dollars. #scoutshonor