An oceanfront wedding can be a gorgeous setting for a ceremony and reception, whether you’re getting married during the day or after the sun goes down. If you want to plan the perfect beach wedding, consider using some of these ideas for your special day: 

The Décor and Favors 

Beach themed weddings have become incredibly popular, especially because so many people decide on destination weddings. It’s easy to find beach wedding décor online such as seashell shaped candles, starfish place card holders, outdoor lanterns, and much more. A white tent makes an ideal shelter from wind or rain, and you can place tropical flowers leading up the pathway to the door for a festive touch, or twinkling mini lights on the canopy. If you are using candles on your reception tables or inside the tent, ensure that you buy wind proof candles, as you don’t want a strong breeze to put out your ambiance.  

You can give your guests a token of your day that fits with the oceanfront wedding theme. Browse online wedding favor stores for everything from personalized beach bags to silk leis in your wedding colors.  

The Wedding Attire 

Oceanfront weddings usually mean a more casual dress code for guests. While you don’t have to wear Bermuda shorts and tank tops (but you can if you want to!) if you want something a little more elegant, most couples wear bare feet or sandals, and the bride often wears a shorter white dress or more casual outfit than she would for a traditional ceremony. Make sure you let your guests know if they should wear tropical themed clothing, or if the dress code will be more formal. 

Other Things To Remember For A Beach Wedding 

Make sure you have a plan B. Even if the weather is supposed to be hot and sunny on the day of your wedding, have a backup venue where you can relocate to if things get windy or rainy. You should also have wooden platforms leading to entrance ways or exits – navigating the sand in heels is difficult enough for guests who are mobile, but even worse for elderly or wheelchair-bound guests.

Once you’ve decided that you are going to celebrate your wedding with a beach-themed ceremony or reception, it’s time to narrow it down! You can find a beach wedding theme that’s unique, and adds style and personality to your wedding day. Do something different with these various beach wedding themes:

Nautical or Ocean Wedding

There are numerous wedding decorations and favors that will suit a water theme. The backdrop of a beach setting offers natural blues and greens, and all you’ll need to add is some accent colors to your tables or wedding venue. Use sea-themed decor such as starfish and seahorse shapes, glass bowls filled with sand, and blue and green foliage to fit with a seaside theme. For a more nautical feel, incorporate lighthouse decor or ropes tied around candles. Give guests seashell chocolates or even personalized packets of fruity drink mix for favors.

Caribbean-Themed Wedding

A Caribbean theme is very laid back and informal – most brides wear a more casual wedding dress and even go barefoot during the ceremony. A Caribbean wedding is full of fresh flowers such as lilies and orchids in vivid colors. Use a large flower in your hair for a bold accessory, and line the aisles with tropical plants. Tiki torches are the perfect touch for an evening Caribbean beach wedding, and you can serve guests tropical cocktails and fresh local fruits to make your celebration even more festive. Consider getting a steel drum or reggae band to perform.

Hawaiian-Themed Wedding

If you’re having a Hawaiian-themed party, send out dolphin shaped invitations, and bring in a Tiki hut to serve as a bar for the reception. You can go for completely informal with a Hawaiian ceremony, and have plastic parrots, ice sculptures formed in volcano shapes, and hula dancers. Or, you can opt for something more elegant and serve gourmet seafood dishes, string twinkle lights around tables, and give silk flower leis as favors. Have a ukelele player strumming Hawaiian songs when guests arrive, or play the Hawaiian wedding march as you make your way down the aisle.

What could be more beautiful than the sand and surf as the backdrop to your wedding? An island wedding is a way to do something different, and to visit an exotic locale. People choose to have an island wedding if they want to avoid a lot of the stress of organizing a formal wedding, or simply to plan a more intimate ceremony for their closest friends and family.

The Bahamas, the Caribbean Islands, and Hawaii are all popular destinations for couples who want a beautiful setting for their ceremony and reception. There are numerous resorts in these areas that will take care of beach wedding planning details, so you won’t be trying to book a caterer or florist from thousands of miles away. These resorts and hotels often offer package deals or discounts for wedding parties and guests, so look into ways you can trim your budget when you’re shopping for a locale.

Before you commit to an island wedding, make sure that the ceremony will be considered legal in your home country. You’ll also need to look into getting blood tests or special licenses, and plan your trip accordingly so you’re not faced with an unpleasant surprise when you travel to your wedding destination.

Although most larger resorts can take care of most of your island wedding planning, know what you want and make sure that the wedding planner knows the style of ceremony you are looking for. Email photos of floral arrangements and decor rather than leaving it up to someone else. Try to incorporate local flavor into your wedding as much as possible: fresh flower leis for a Hawaiian wedding, or a well known traditional dish from the area.

Get confirmations from your island wedding planner before you send out invitations, so you won’t be faced with having to send out changes to the venue or accomodations at the last minute. Allow your guests up to a year to prepare for travel arrangements, and don’t be offended if close friends or family can’t make it to your special day. Also, if the resort or hotel offers sightseeing tours or activities such as snorkeling or hula dance lessons, make arrangements for you and your guests to experience what the island has to offer during their stay.

So, you’ve decided to get married on the beach, surrounded by crashing waves, warm sand, and blue sky. Your wedding invitations should reflect this theme, and whether you go for funand informal or elegant and sophisticated, you can incorporate your wedding colors and style into your wedding stationery.

If you’re planning a destination wedding, you should send save the date cards at least six months to one year in advance of the wedding. This will give guests ample time to make travel arrangements, and to budget for a potentially expensive trip. Etiquette dictates that your save the date cards don’t need to match your wedding colors or theme.

When you’re choosing beach wedding invitations, the style of the invites should match the tone of your ceremony and reception. If you’re having a casual brunch or afternoon cocktail party near the water, you may want to pick an informal card such as a sunglasses-shaped postcard or bright turquoise invitation. However, if your ceremony will be at sunset by candlelight, you will want to let your guests know that the setting is a little more formal. In this case, opt for a soft pastel color or small nautically-themed graphic instead. Make sure you give your guests an idea of what they should wear to the wedding, as people are often unsure about whether they should come in Bermuda shorts or a suit to your nuptials.

Beach wedding invitations should include as much information as possible about the wedding location and proceedings. Research accomodation rates for your guests, and offer a low end and high end hotel choice to fit any budget. If the resort or hotel offers tours or activities, give guests that information as well. Some couples choose not to receive gifts for a beach wedding, as guests are often traveling a long way to attend the celebration. If you don’t want to have gifts at your wedding, let your guests know by word of mouth through family before the wedding takes place. Never include gift information on your invitations, as this is considered in poor taste.

It’s becoming more and more common for couples to shun the traditional wedding and choose to have a destination beach wedding. Planning a beach wedding can be a lot less stress than organizing a formal ceremony and reception, and an exotic location makes for a unique and memorable experience.

If you’re considering a destination beach wedding, you’ll want to research various options before you commit to a venue. The most popular beach wedding destinations are Hawaii and the Caribbean for their tropical weather and gorgeous natural settings.

One benefit to planning a destination beach wedding is that the resort or hotel where you are staying will likely have a lot of experience in this area. Many resorts will plan your destination wedding from start to finish, based on your budget and personal taste. This can eliminate much of the hassle of wedding planning, especially as you won’t be familiar with local vendors and wedding services. Also, you won’t have to worry about arranging for local permits to hold the wedding celebration at the beach.

You must send out save the date cards or invitations around a year in advance of a destination beach wedding. Guests will need time to prepare for taking time off of work and family commitments. Include as much information as you can with the invitation: local accommodation information, travel resources and maps. You want to make the trip as easy as possible for your wedding guests, so do some research beforehand.

Confirm details in writing with the resort or wedding planner you are using for your destination wedding. You don’t want to be stuck worrying about a late caterer or faulty sound system the morning of your ceremony. Look into the local weather forecast for the area, and pay attention to the tide to avoid flooding. Find out about parking so you’re not trying to direct guests at the last minute, and have an emergency contact – either the wedding planner or someone from the hotel or resort – that you can get in touch with in case you need assistance during your wedding.

Many brides make the mistake of thinking that because they are having a more informal beach wedding, they won’t have to do any planning to ensure that it goes off without a hitch. This is not the case, and there are certain things that you must carefully prepare for to avoid wedding day stresses and disappointments.  

The first step is to check with the local city hall or government office to make sure that you don’t need a permit to have an event at the beach. If you are going to be serving liquor, ask about their policy on serving alcoholic beverages at the reception. Some city policies will not allow you to have candles, or will require you to remove your own garbage before leaving the area. Leave yourself plenty of time in case you need to apply for permits or other documents, and get any information in writing. 

Safety is a big concern with oceanfront weddings. Busy brides often forget that it could be difficult for older guests or people wearing high heels to walk in the sand. You should have wooden walkways set down for guests to walk on, and ushers to help guests find their way to the beach area.  

Remember that the weather doesn’t always behave as you hope. Even if you plan your wedding for the height of summer, there’s still a chance that wind or rain could ruin your plans for a beach front party. Renting a tent is the perfect way to plan ahead for less-than-ideal weather conditions, and you can create a beautiful setting with twinkle lights, fresh flowers, and beach-themed centerpieces and décor. Never block exits or entrance ways with decorations or foliage, as this can be a fire hazard.  

Don’t let pesky mosquitoes or burning sun ruin your wedding. Have sunscreen and insect repellent on hand for guests. Set up beach umbrellas for shade, and ensure that you have ice water available to guests at all times. It’s easy to get dehydrated standing in the sun, so make sure you are drinking lots of water too!

There are numerous options when it comes to beach wedding favors, and you can thank your guests for attending your ceremony and reception with a unique token of your appreciation. A personalized beach wedding favor shows your guests that you’ve taken the time and effort to go the extra step and make your favors memorable.

You could give your guests something that they can use during their trip as a wedding favor – not only will they have a memory of your special day, they will also have something useful. Personalized silver luggage tags make wonderful gifts for travelers, along with monogrammed beach bags or wedding flip flops.

Edible beach wedding favors are a tasty treat for guests, and there are so many possibilities: foil wrapped chocolates shaped like seashells or dolphins stamped with your photo or wedding info, personalized drink mixes so your guests can enjoy a summer cocktail, or colorful cookies in the shape of sandals or sunglasses.

For something a little more elegant, find scented bath soaps in a variety of nautical shapes, or frosted champagne glasses with a photo of the couple and a beach-themed graphic. Personalized silver wedding favors such as shell-shaped wine openers or place card holders are ideal for couples who want to give a more glamorous favor.

If you’re on a tight budget, consider options like personalized sand dollars, or blue or green tealights with your wedding date printed on the candleholder. A CD with reggae or steel drum songs is a great reminder of a Caribbean wedding, and will cost you next to nothing to produce.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to give meaningful personalized wedding favors that will make your guests feel like they were a part of your wedding celebration.

Couples have beach weddings for different reasons: to get married in an exotic location, to save money on ceremony and reception costs, or simply to enjoy a more informal wedding with friends and family. Before you decide on an oceanfront destination, remember to check if you need a city permit or other document to hold the event at the beach. Once you’ve booked your beach wedding venue, you can start planning the food, décor, favors and wedding attire. Whatever your reason for choosing an oceanfront wedding, make it memorable with these 10 unique ideas: 

1) Use fruit as décor: a clear vase filled with lemons or pineapples as centerpieces.  

2) Have fun with the beach theme right from the beginning, by sending flip-flop shaped save the date cards, or choosing brightly colored wedding invitations. 

3) Serve light foods that reflect the bounty and freshness of summer: cool tropical fruits, seafood, chilled salads and airy desserts. 

4) Bring beach blankets for guests to sit on if they want to be near the water, and to wrap up in if the evening becomes chilly. 

5) Tuck a tropical flower in your hair that matches your wedding colors. 

6) Go natural when you give your guests wedding favors, by handing out seashells, fans they can use during the ceremony and take home, or even a single tropical flower. 

7) Use a sand pail or tin bucket to put wedding programs in at the front entrance way of the tent or space where you’re getting married.  

Go for vivid flowers, rather than all white or very dark colors. Fill your wedding tent or beach area with fresh flowers that fit with the sunshine and cheer of summer: calla lilies, peach roses, sunflowers, and violets. 

9) Use twinkle lights or torches for evening to create a cozy atmosphere for you and your guests.  

10) Keep guests cool with mini portable fans in hot weather. Place packets of sunscreen in decorative baskets so guests can protect themselves from the morning or afternoon sun, and make sure you have insect repellent on hand.

Perfect for weddings on the beach! If you’re wedding reception is being held on the beach or outdoors and it will go into the night, most likely you’ll want to incorporate candles in your beach wedding decor. A great way to make sure that those candles will stay lit is by keeping them protected from the wind and other elements.

You can create the perfect beach them wedding centerpiece with the following: a tall hurricane glass, sand, a white pillar candle, and some shells, starfish, and even fresh flowers for color. Fill your hurricane glass with decorating sand first, insert your pillar candle in the center and start placing your shells, starfish and flowers around the pillar.

This creates a beautiful focal point on your table no matter which side of the table you’re sitting on. (Make sure you use a dripless candle when possible and one that will stay lit for hours into the night!)

You can find many of these items at the Beach Theme Wedding Shop at www.BeachThemeWeddingShop.com.

When it comes to beach wedding accessories, most brides opt for more informal attire and decor, rather than glamorous updos or five foot trains on the wedding dress. Beach wedding accessories are elegant yet casual, and perfect for a heartfelt ceremony on the sand and a night of dinner and dancing. Here are some tips on choosing the beach wedding accessories that are right for you: 

Think about your comfort. You’ll be walking in sand, maybe getting sprayed with salt water, and standing outdoors for most of the day or evening. Those crystal-encrusted stilettos may be beautiful, but you can’t walk comfortably in the sand in high heels. Opt for graceful open-toed sandals that are flat or have a very low heel, or look laid-back in wedding flip-flops or even bare feet. Bring a shawl or wrap to wear, especially if your ceremony or reception is in the evening. 

Choose a bold accessory as your focal point. Yes, most beach weddings are more casual than traditional ceremonies and receptions. However, if you are going informal with a short white dress, windswept hair, and bare feet, you need something to make your wedding attire really stand out. Ban boring acessories and have some fun with bright tropical flowers in your hair, or a chunky necklace or bracelet that matches your wedding colors. If you want to stick with the beach theme, find starfish or seashell-shaped earrings. 

Go for informal glamor. A beach wedding has a more laid back feel than a formal wedding, so pick more informal accessories to match your attire. A long veil or lacy up-to-the-elbow gloves are better suited for a traditionally themed wedding. Keep your accessories simple: a single strand of pearls rather than a heavy diamond choker or necklace, or a few crystal bobby pins instead of an elaborate tiara.  

Beach wedding accessories can be subtle or bold, depending on your wedding style and personal taste. Let the location, decor, and wedding dress be your guide, and be creative with your choice of accessories!