How Do You Organise a Beach Wedding?

Tips on How to Have an Affordable Beach Wedding

If you want your dream beach wedding to be a reality, you need a well-thought-out budget. One of the first things you and your future spouse should do when planning your wedding is establish a budget.

Budgeting is essential when choosing a beach because prices might vary widely based on the area.

Beach wedding packages are available at many oceanfront hotels, but if you're going to exchange your vows on a public beach and rent a beach house, you'll need to budget carefully.

The average cost of a wedding is far more than the average cost of a wedding on the beach. Depending on the beach and the expected turnout, a city permit is all that's required to host a wedding on the sand.

Chairs, tents, and generators are all necessary, but you may save money by being inventive with your decorations and other amenities, such as your music. In any case, there will still be a venue cost in addition to what you would pay at a more conventional location.

Although spending the day at a public beach will be less expensive than at a private beach or resort, there are still costs to consider if you want to do everything on your own.

A wedding planner is an additional expense, but well worth it for a destination beach wedding.

They can help you remain on top of your day-to-day wedding tasks while also assisting you in creating a budget that accounts for things like renting generators and other equipment.

Make sure your coordinator or a designated guard is standing watch over your installation. Numerous bystanders will show up uninvited to your wedding venue, where they will occupy your guests' seats and pose for photos.

Believe me when I say this actually occurred at my wedding.

What to Do at a Beach Wedding

How Far in Advance Should I Send Save-The-Dates? 

If your beach wedding is also a destination wedding, your guests will need more notice so that they may ask for time off from work and find affordable flights.

Sending out save-the-dates six months prior to the wedding is more than enough time, but a year in advance is preferable, especially for VIPs like parents and wedding party members.

Do I Need to Book Travel and Accommodations for My Guests? 

The couple being married will wish to assist guests in making travel arrangements, but they will not be responsible for covering the costs of any of their meals, lodging, or transportation while in town for the wedding.

Making sure your guests have affordable, convenient lodgings near the wedding and celebration site is a breeze when you book a block of rooms in advance.

Navigating to more undeveloped coastal areas might be scary as well. Research local vehicle rental agencies, driving services, and, if necessary, water taxis and ferry services in addition to the finest airport to fly into. Your wedding planner or the organiser at the site should have some ideas to get you started.

What Should I Tell Guests About the Dress Code? 

Beach weddings are typically more relaxed affairs, but that doesn't mean yours has to be the same. Your wedding website is a great place to provide further information on the dress code, but make sure it is made clear in the invitation suite as well.

Be considerate of your guests' comfort; if the weather forecast calls for a lot of outside activities, tuxedos may be too formal of an attire choice for the men in attendance.

Make sure your guests are aware that the ceremony, or any other part of the wedding, will be held on the sand. Guests at a large resort might not anticipate that the ceremony and reception will take place on the beach.

Make sure your guests know to bring sunglasses, put on sunscreen, and wear shoes with sturdy heels by posting this information on your wedding website and including a paper insert in their welcome gift.

Is it Okay If My Beach Wedding Is Entirely Outdoors? 

We totally realise how tempting it would be to never leave paradise once you finally make it there.

However, you should still put the convenience of your guests first when choosing a venue for your event. If the wedding will take place outside during peak sunshine hours, consider hosting the cocktail hour in a space that can be opened up to the patio for some shade.

Since the temperature drops as the sun goes down, you may safely have supper and dance outside without worrying about your guests overheating.

Plan for Contingencies on Your Wedding Day

No matter how carefully you prepare your wedding day, something unexpected is bound to happen.

If you want everything to go off without a hitch on your big day, it's a good idea to get down with your wedding planner ahead of time and figure out a backup plan in case bad weather prevents you from having your ceremony on the beach.

It's not enough to merely create a backup plan for your wedding; you'll also need to share the specifics with your officiant, wedding planner, and any other providers who are helping you pull off the big day.

In addition to having a plan in case it rains on your wedding day, you should also make sure that all of the audiovisual components have been tested well in advance so that any problems can be addressed.

It is recommended that the day before the event, couples run through a trial run of their microphones, audio, and generators. The seaside environment may prevent the successful pairing of some Bluetooth devices.

Even if you're planning on using a backup technique, such as Bluetooth, you should still be aware of any problems a week or two ahead of time. Check out our Top Wedding Planners here to help make your special day as smooth as possible.

Important Details to Keep in Mind for a Beach Wedding

Have a Daytime Ceremony

The beach is a beautiful setting for a wedding, but couples planning a ceremony there should do it during the day.

This is due to the fact that as the sun sets below the horizon, the ocean becomes completely opaque.

Weddings during the day provide their own unique challenges. UV protection of at least SPF 50 is essential.

You should avoid getting a severe sunburn on your wedding day. Flowers wilt fast when exposed to direct sunshine, making it difficult to work with them.

Pick up a layout for the ceremony and some flowers that won't wither in the hot weather. Freesias, calla lilies, orchids, and succulents are just some of the hardy flowers that come with our highest recommendation. Avoid hydrangeas, roses, and other delicate blooms, as they tend to wilt rapidly.

Hiring a professional wedding photography service on the day of the wedding means having access to people who are familiar with the area, who can help you get the greatest images and make the beach seem its best.

Have a Sound System

Weddings on the beach can be noisy and distracting because to the waves, wind, and other environmental factors. The ceremony should make use of a microphone.

Make sure the microphone is protected with a windscreen so that your guests don't have to strain to hear your vows instead of the wind.

Public Vs. Private

Beautiful beaches are usually located right next to coastal resorts, so if you're hoping to have the place to yourself, it's best to book the entire resort.

If you're nervous about strangers walking by or staring at your ceremony, make sure to ask the resort if you can reserve the beach exclusively for your wedding.

Make Sure the Beach Is Accessible for Everyone Involved.

Once they've selected and fallen in love with a beach wedding destination, many couples forget to consider how easy it is to get to the ceremony site.

Guests' ease of access from the highway should be a consideration.

This may also make it more difficult to arrange and move furniture and deliver food. If your venue is rather remote, be sure all the necessary arrangements have been made.

Furniture for Your Guests

Guests will need a place to sit during the ceremony, so make sure you plan accordingly. You might like to check out some outdoor seaside furniture to round out the decor.

Be Sure Your Vows Aren’t Lost in the Roar of the Waves

A stroll down the beach isn't complete without hearing the sound of the waves lapping at the shore.

This is a completely other ballgame if you're attempting to say your vows. Get a professional sound system and figure out how to get it powered up on the beach to avoid this problem.

A wireless microphone and speaker system, for use by the officiant, is also available for hire or purchase. Alternatively, you might get a windshield for your microphone to prevent wind noise from overpowering your voice.

Ask your wedding coordinator or the venue whether they have any of these items before you rent or buy them.

Prepare a Wind Plan

The wind, not the rain, should be your primary worry for a beach wedding. We recommend rescheduling your ceremony if the weather forecast calls for wind, which might bring chill, sand, and noise and ruin the mood.

Keep an eye on the forecast and pick a resort with more than one beach so you can escape the rain if necessary. The majority of the options are able to deal with varying temperatures and provide tasty meals for guests.

Reserving a backup venue is a good idea if you want to hold the event on a beach without a resort.

Make Your Décor Windproof.

Especially in windy areas, you'll need to adjust your furnishings to fit the outside environment. In light of this, it's probably not a good idea to decorate with a lot of large, flimsy things that might easily be blown away, such as flowers, candles, ribbons, or balloons.

Decorations should be robust, therefore no glassware or plates. Adhesive, springs, or something heavier placed on top can be used to keep down irreplaceable items such as name tags, pictures, and so on.

When planning the floral arrangements for your event, it's important to select heat-resistant kinds that won't wilt before the ceremony begins.

Professional advice: beach-friendly flowers include orchids, calla lilies, chrysanthemums, and king protea. There is a lack of confidence that flowers will be effective, or a hesitation to take a risk on their ineffectiveness. To brighten up your party, make use of vibrant fruits and even interesting shells.

Make Sure There's Some Shade.

Guests in outdoor settings need to be protected from the elements, so umbrellas aren't the only thing to keep in mind.

If you're having a ceremony in a hot environment, it's preferable to do it in the morning or the evening, when the sun is at its most gentle. Keep in mind that those who will be using the space the most, such as the elderly and young children, will need to have shade provided.

Weddings on the beach or in the park require careful weather observation to ensure a smooth event. To discourage people from getting too worked up, you can either acquire a canopy to cover the seating area or some bamboo rods to drape some airy white fabric over.

Finger Food Storage: Keep it Cool!

Unless you're having your wedding in a fancy resort, you should probably stock up on some food. It's important to plan ahead, as perishable foods that need refrigeration will go bad quickly in warm weather.

Consider this as you choose your cake choices; buttercream cakes may melt in the heat. In general, you shouldn't choose anything that will quickly spoil or melt.

If you're worried about catering, another option is to have the ceremony on the beach and the reception at a neighbouring restaurant.

Select Proper Beach Wedding Attire

Since this is the most significant day of your life, you should dress accordingly. However, since your ceremony will take place on the beach, you should also choose comfortable clothing that won't make you too hot. Learn how to maintain your composure and your good looks by following these guidelines.

Go for a Lighter Dress

Long dresses could be difficult to move around in on the sand. They could be picture-perfect, and you could even make it down the aisle without too much trouble, but getting to the beach to snap pictures could be an ordeal.

This can be a real problem if your gown has a really long train. Find something more lightweight, or at least make sure your dress can be quickly bustled.

Leave Out the Big Gowns

A ballroom is the proper setting for a formal gown. While you might be able to walk down the aisle in your wedding dress and big train, doing so while shooting photos on the beach will be a challenge. Make sure the dress can be readily bustled if you must wear it big. Lighten up.

Dresses with lace trim can be difficult because of the debris they collect on the beach; instead, opt for a light fabric like chiffon or charmeuse to allow your gown to float in the ocean breeze.

Wear Lightweight Fabrics

Wearing a dress with delicate lace trim runs the risk of picking up sand and other beach debris, which could spoil your big day at the altar.

Choose a gown made of a fluid fabric like chiffon or charmeuse for a light, breezy look and feel.

Skip the Veil.

While not every bride chooses to cover her face with a veil, it is customary for those who do.

Throwing on an extra-long cover when the weather is windy can turn into a not-so-cute dramatic war. Substitute a bouquet of fresh flowers or a stylish fascinator instead.

Try an Updo

Incorporating a fancy updo into your routine can completely transform your appearance. You can wear them with any outfit, and if you're having a beach wedding, an updo will keep your hair from getting in the way.

If you insist on having your hair down, you may want to consider bringing in a stylist to be on hand in case you want to change anything.

Incorporate environmental considerations into your hairdo decision-making process. A classic updo will maintain your appearance polished throughout the evening.

Determine the optimal hairstyle for the big day by practising it in the actual venue. If you have no choice but to let your hair down all day, consider hiring a stylist who can provide touchups as needed.

Ditch the Heels

Shod feet don't belong in sand. Sandals, espadrilles, and wedges are great examples of shoes with flat soles that won't get you stuck in the sand. Trim the hem of your dress and wear it with heels or go barefoot.

Keep in mind that sand can be extremely hot to the touch. Provides a cushion for your feet by way of a fabric carpet or thick flower petals in the aisle.

But If You Have to Wear High Heels

Having a wedding on the beach is great, but not all brides would want to forgo shoes. Having a wooden pathway buried in the sand along the aisle is one solution to this problem.

That manner, the gallery may give off the impression of a sandy beach while still being stable enough to walk on in high heels. So, pick heels you know you can walk in without fear.

Stay Tan Line Free

Tan lines are annoying at the best of times, but on your wedding day, when you can't do anything to hide them, they're downright embarrassing.

Wear sunscreen (waterproof sunscreen is advised) whenever you go outside before the wedding to protect your skin from the sun.

You and your bridal party should avoid becoming sunburnt or developing tan lines on your wedding day. You and your wedding party can prevent unsightly tan lines by matching your vacation swimwear to the outfits you'll be wearing on your big day.

Say No to Penguin Suits

It's less important to impress people with your glitz and glam on the beach and more important to just relax and enjoy yourself. The groom and his best men should feel free to dress casually for the occasion.

Beach Wedding Reception Food and Drinks

Despite its aesthetic appeal, no one wants grains of sand in their dinner or, more importantly, their wedding cake.

It is essential to hire a catering service that has experience with off-site catering and has previously worked on a beach for a wedding reception on the beach.

At the tasting for your wedding catering, you should enquire about the company's experience with beach weddings and the equipment they would need to bring.

A beach wedding is perfect except for one small detail: the reception. Depending on the beach, huge tents may not be permitted when the temperature drops at night.

It's fine to move the reception indoors to avoid the complexities of a beachside setting if that's where you've planned to have supper after the ceremony. Need help planning your wedding? Check out our list of Wedding Event Planners here.

You can choose from a wide variety of ocean-view restaurants and locations to round off your dream beach vacation wedding.

Conclusion

A wedding on the beach in Melbourne only requires a permit from the city. Couples that desire a small, intimate wedding should consider having their ceremony on the beach. Everything you need to know to plan the perfect ceremony is included in this comprehensive guide. While hiring a wedding planner is an extra cost, it is money well spent for a beachfront ceremony and reception. Although chairs, tents, and power sources are essential, you can save money by getting creative with your party décor.

If your setup requires constant monitoring, make sure your coordinator or a designated guard is on duty. Think about how your visitors feel. Tuxedos could be too stuffy for the males in attendance if the day's schedule is packed with outside activities due to inclement weather. Notify your guests to bring their own sunglasses, apply sunscreen, and wear comfortable, sturdy shoes with high heels. It's best to have beach ceremonies during the daytime, as the water turns entirely opaque after dark.

A minimum of SPF 50 is recommended for protection from the sun. Make sure that the area where the ceremony will take place is easily accessible from the roadway. Those who are getting married on the beach should check the forecast in advance. Pick a resort with multiple beaches so you can run from the rain if you have to. If your event location is out in the middle of nowhere, plan ahead to have everything you need delivered to the site, including food and furniture.

It's important to keep an eye on the forecast for a beach wedding so that everything goes off without a hitch. Either obtain a canopy to hang over the chairs or rig up some bamboo poles and drape some light white fabric over them to keep people from getting too worked up. Dresses that are too long may make it difficult to walk around in the sand. Your special day at the altar could be ruined if you wear a dress with delicate lace trim to the beach and it gets ruined by sand and other beach debris. If you want your dress to flutter in the seaside breeze, choose a gauzy fabric like chiffon or charmeuse.

Except for the celebration, a beach wedding would be ideal. Sand grains have no place in anyone's meal, and especially not in their wedding cake. Find a food company that has done work on beaches before, as this will be a big part of the event.

Content Summary

• We have some suggestions for you if a beach wedding is in your future.
• However, there are a few details to iron out before you set your sights on a beach for your nuptials.
• One of the first things you and your future spouse should do when planning your wedding is establish a budget.
• The average cost of a wedding is far more than the average cost of a wedding on the beach.
• Although spending the day at a public beach will be less expensive than at a private beach or resort, there are still costs to consider if you want to do everything on your own.
• Sending out save-the-dates six months prior to the wedding is more than enough time, but a year in advance is preferable, especially for VIPs like parents and wedding party members.
• Make sure your guests are aware that the ceremony, or any other part of the wedding, will be held on the sand.
• However, you should still put the convenience of your guests first when choosing a venue for your event.
• If you want everything to go off without a hitch on your big day, it's a good idea to get down with your wedding planner ahead of time and figure out a backup plan in case bad weather prevents you from having your ceremony on the beach.
• Pick up a layout for the ceremony and some flowers that won't wither in the hot weather.
• Hiring a professional wedding photography service on the day of the wedding means having access to people who are familiar with the area, who can help you get the greatest images and make the beach seem its best.
• The ceremony should make use of a microphone.
• Get a professional sound system and figure out how to get it powered up on the beach to avoid this problem.
• Reserving a backup venue is a good idea if you want to hold the event on a beach without a resort.
• Professional advice: beach-friendly flowers include orchids, calla lilies, chrysanthemums, and king protea.
• If you're worried about catering, another option is to have the ceremony on the beach and the reception at a neighbouring restaurant.
• A ballroom is the proper setting for a formal gown.
• Choose a gown made of a fluid fabric like chiffon or charmeuse for a light, breezy look and feel.
• Incorporating a fancy updo into your routine can completely transform your appearance.
• You can wear them with any outfit, and if you're having a beach wedding, an updo will keep your hair from getting in the way.
• Determine the optimal hairstyle for the big day by practising it in the actual venue.
• Having a wooden pathway buried in the sand along the aisle is one solution to this problem.
• Wear sunscreen (waterproof sunscreen is advised) whenever you go outside before the wedding to protect your skin from the sun.
• You and your bridal party should avoid becoming sunburnt or developing tan lines on your wedding day.
• You and your wedding party can prevent unsightly tan lines by matching your vacation swimwear to the outfits you'll be wearing on your big day.
• It is essential to hire a catering service that has experience with off-site catering and has previously worked on a beach for a wedding reception on the beach.