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Photo courtesy Sandals & Beaches
Being outside, in a picturesque coastal environment, while the wind and waves scream their praises over your union, is one of the many reasons why beach weddings are enticing and always in demand. This is not to imply that there aren’t other outdoor wedding styles that are desirable, such as garden weddings, but beach weddings are unquestionably in a different category. However, there are few factors you have to keep in consideration when planning your beach wedding.
Let’s explore few together:
1_ Understand what a beach permit gives you right to
Are you planning to tie the knot with a destination wedding in the Caribbean? Resort like Beaches and Sandals can be a lovely and easy solution because they offer you different locations within their beachfront properties and you will need not to worry about beach permits and rentals set up. Everything is handled in house.
Plan to stay in the USA? Because we are based in Los Angeles we have quite few requests for beach weddings and elopement from local couples and for people from around the world that would like to get married in Cali shores. You have to know that each beach have different requirements, rules and regulations. There are some harbors that allow weddings only on weekends others only on weekday. Sometimes some rules apply just in the summer, while the same locations might present a more relaxed rules in the winter. If you want to have your wedding in July or August you also need to keep in consideration that the beaches are public in SoCal and even if they grant you a permit they will not close up that beach for your exclusive use. So if you want a more intimate and private function you might consider renting a venue with a private access to the beach or go with the flow if you want to say your I Do in a popular beach where you can sometimes set up for free but where you can have umbrellas and other people on your wedding pictures. Be smart and plan accordingly.
2- Be considerate of your guests needs
Once you’ve discovered and fallen in love with a beach wedding destination, analyze the accessibility factor. Don’t forget to consider your guests’ comfort and how simple or challenging it will be to reach to the spot of your ceremony from a busy route or a busy parking lot. This may also have an impact on how simple it is to transfer and set up your ceremony must have like chairs , tables, wedding arch and floral installation. Make sure your site is not too difficult to access.
If you have family members in a wheelchair will they have access to the wedding location? From how far your guests will be travelling from. Will they have access to bathrooms, shade, beverages?
3-Pick a date and time wisely
Having a destination wedding in the Caribbean in Full Hurricane season will not be the smarter decision. Having a wedding in a public beach during a public holiday is far from ideal. Having a beach wedding at noon in Malibu in July it should be consider criminal. Have an early morning or a sunset ceremony is more appropriate. Consider having a Caribbean wedding between November and June. In Los Angeles the most requested month for beach wedding is October. No matter which shores you pick for your wedding make sure you check the local calendar so to be clear of any festivities that might make your day an expensive and frantic one.
4- Be beach proof
Meaning that everything from your makeup, hairstyle to your décor needs to be breeze proof and heat proof. Talk with your make up artist and photographer on what foundation and make up will perform the best at the beach. Make sure your hair style will be breeze proof and picture perfect. Make sure your dress will be appropriate for a beach function. Skip the veil for a crown of flowers. Give consideration to the kind of shoes to wear. Ditch the hills and give preference to wedges Do not choose flowers that will wilts before you are ready to walk down the aisle or flowers variety that will suffer the salty beach air. Speak with the florist and take and trust her advice. All your décor should be secured and absolutely safe in case your wedding day will be a windy one.
5- Have a plan B.
In case of inclement weather, you have to have a plan B in place. Do not wait till the day before your wedding in panic mode to scramble to find a suitable location. Remember that a good planner plan for the best and is ready for the worst. Planning an outdoor wedding always come with some risk factor. Think about it way in advance and have some budget aside in case you need to add a tent or venue rental at the last minute.
6- Sand buffet? No thank you.
If a beach ceremony can be absolutely wonderful if kept short and sweet keep the option of a beach reception only if you will be in a structure that can guarantee repair from sun, heat and sand. Yes to beach resorts, beach restaurants, beach B&B. No to tables setup on the beach where food has to be brough in and left exposed to the hot weather, and to the sand ( in case of wind). Your guests are not guinea pigs so refrain to experiment some strange food solutions. And unless your guests will be all athletics and 35 and younger please do not go for a pic-nic on the sand with pillows and beach towels as the only seating option. Be mindful of elderly guests and make them fill cared for.
7- Respect the environment
Do not use silk or plastic petals to be thrown at you. Prefer dried petals or fresh petals, bubble or even small beach balls are cute element to celebrate the newly wed and create happy and fun pictures situation. If you want to give your guests fans, programs, or other favors make sure they are not wrapped in plastic or other materials that , if left behind or carried away by wind will pollute. If you serve refreshments or different activities have a cleaning crew that will leave the place in perfect conditions so that you will have a place to go back to for your 50th anniversary and for the generations to come to enjoy.
No matter how big or how small a wedding celebration is a very important milestone and having a professional on your side to guide you and support you is not only advised but it is a must if you want a memorable celebration with no overwhelm , stress or costly mistakes.
If you are ready to start planning your fabulous wedding day I would like to offer you a free 30 minute session to map out your fantastic journey to your fantastic dream wedding day HERE
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