How To Organize A Beach Wedding
Beach weddings are so much fun both for the marrying couple and for the guests. But, what many people don’t see is the enormous effort that a couple has to put in organizing such an event. Many things can go wrong if you don’t organize a beach wedding properly, so let’s focus on everything you need to pay attention to before your special day.
Start by hiring professionals
Your wedding is a preferably once-in-a-lifetime event that you would like to enjoy and cherish as long as you and your partner live. Many couples admit that by organizing a wedding by themselves, they realized that they had bitten off more than they could chew. Beach wedding might seem like a spontaneous event, but it is everything but. As a matter of fact, it can only seem spontaneous when it is planned professionally. Remember, a good wedding planner is worth his/her weight in gold! They will listen to all of your ideas and eventually deliver what’s best for you. Their experience makes them a few steps ahead of you even though you might think you have it all figured out. But we will come to that a little bit later.
Choose the beach for your wedding
Is there anything more romantic than exchanging your vows by the ocean in front of your beloved guests? The sand beneath your feet and the salty scented air will make this atmosphere quite unique, but not all the beaches will provide you with the experience you would like to have. When selecting the perfect venue for your wedding, you basically have three options:
Private beach – the best choice for smaller, more intimate ceremonies. The main advantage of this venue is that you can enjoy your private wedding without random people stopping by to take a look at your ceremony. On the other hand, not many beach property owners are willing to let their guests organize such an event. So, if a private beach is where you would like your wedding to take place, you should start searching as soon as possible. Who knows, if you are also looking for a new home to buy and you spot a perfect place for your wedding, you might even settle down in a new city before you know it.
Public beach – even though this type of beach is not privately-owned, you will need special permits to have your wedding here. Make sure that you study the code and get all the necessary permits before you send the invitations. Some states have special regulations for alcohol consumption on a beach, so you need to take that into consideration too.
Resort or a beach restaurant/bar that allows you to organize a beach wedding on their premises. This is probably the most expensive option of the three, but it certainly means less work for you.
Speaking of resorts – have you considered having a destination wedding? It doesn’t have to take place somewhere far from home. The point is to gather both of your families and friends and have a few days to celebrate your love with them.
Is your dream venue a practical choice?
Even though a certain beach might seem like the perfect choice for you and your partner, you need to think about your guests too. Think about the accessibility of the venue – is there anyone who won’t be able to attend the wedding because the beach is not wheelchair-friendly? Is there a hotel nearby where some of your guests can spend the night after the wedding? Will your guests have to walk for too long from the parking spot to the part of the beach you would like to use for the ceremony? Those are just some of the questions you should have answers to before you make the final choice of the place.
The time and date should be chosen carefully
What is the best time of year to organize a beach wedding? Naturally, summer is the first season that comes to mind and it is the most logical choice. But, does the beach of your choice have the high season and a low season? You should study the pros and cons of both before setting the date. For instance, the high season will probably mean better weather but higher costs and more “outsiders” on a public beach. On the other hand, the low season does not guarantee nice weather, but you will be able to afford more on the same budget.
There are some specific things you should know about the area your beach is in. For instance, if you are planning a wedding in Florida, you should be careful not to pick the date during a hurricane season. The locals know that, but if you have just booked professional movers such as those from Big Man’s Moving Company Florida to help you relocate to this state, you might be unaware. This is one more reason to prove you need a professional wedding planner to guide you.
You will also have to pick the best time of the day for the ceremony. You do not want your elderly guests nor children to collapse due to afternoon heat, do you? That is why many couples opt for morning or sunset time to share their vows. You should get informed about the tide schedule too – the tide can spoil your wedding by taking a great deal of your venue.
How about food and other details?
The best tip we can give you when it comes to your wedding menu is to consult the professionals. If you have a wedding planner, he/she will be able to tell you which food is the perfect choice for your budget and a particular time and place where your wedding will occur. The same is the case with the choice of flowers and decoration. There is not a universal rule that might be applied to each and every wedding. If you choose full-service wedding planning option, you will be able to relax and let the planners shortlist the options for you to choose from.
Good luck and have fun at your wedding!