Intro
I am so excited to share with you guys about how to get the perfect beach wedding. A stress-free guide to help my couples AND their guests get the best out of their getaway.
Accommodations: First, let's start with a beach house rental. You'll want to find a place that is within walking distance of the beach. This way, you and your guests can enjoy your all-week-long getaway without having to worry about transportation. You can always opt for a hotel which is another great option if your guest list is more than 30+ people. Prices can range between $120 per night during the slow season, up to $400+ per night. Be prepared to spend about $4000-$12000 for a beach house.
Let's backtrack; for traditional weddings, couples spend between $30-$50k on destination weddings in 2021 vs. a hometown wedding at $27,000(See source) only on location ALONE. Budget can vary depending on location. For example, if you're planning a wedding in Wrightsville Beach, it will be quite a different price gap for a beach wedding somewhere in Rhode Island.
So, with that being said, accommodations can get quite expensive and limiting depending one the location.
Guest List: let's start with the guest list. You'll want to invite your closest family and friends to join you on this special day. Make sure to also include their plus ones so everyone can enjoy the festivities! Beach weddings are usually more intimate affairs, so you won't need to go crazy with the guest list.
Wedding Attire: Next, let's talk about wedding attire. Beach weddings are a bit more casual than your traditional wedding, so ditch the formal wear and opt for something a little more comfortable. A flowing dress or linen suit will be perfect for a beach ceremony. And don't forget to pack your sunscreen!
Now that you've got the basics covered, it's time to start planning the details of your big day. Beach weddings are all about making the most of the natural surroundings, so take advantage of the beautiful scenery and plan a ceremony that truly reflects your personal style.
If you're looking for a little inspiration, check out these gorgeous beach wedding photos. And when you're ready to start planning your own beach wedding, head over to our Beach Wedding Planning Guide for all the tips and advice you'll need to make your day perfect. Thanks for reading!
Ceremony at the Beach
When it comes to Beach Weddings, the ceremony is often one of the most important parts of the day. After all, this is when you'll be exchanging your vows and committing to spend the rest of your life with the one you love. Beach ceremonies are typically more relaxed than traditional weddings, so take advantage of the setting and let the natural beauty of the surroundings inspire you.
Here are some of vendors to consider when creating your perfect beach wedding ceremony:
- Venue: When it comes to beach weddings, the venue is often just as important as the ceremony itself. Make sure to choose a location that caters to the number of people, even if its a beach house, it's safe practice to disclose the number of people attending the wedding party. Beach house doesn't really have a curfew but make sure you check with the owner. Also, one of the biggest pros to having a venue is that you can be very very picky with the people who will attend the wedding. Getting married near the beach are likely to have hotels nearby where people with 50+ or more guests can be accommodated to.
- Wedding Photographer: We are all about capturing the natural beauty of the surroundings. Make sure to choose a photographer who are comfortable photographing the couples at anytime of the day. Especially if you choose to make your ceremony in the morning. Xiaolu and Ryan's wedding are taken in the middle of October at 11:00AM, the sun was high in the sky making it difficult to retain details for most cameras. And with that being said, make sure that you get a ton of examples from a photographer that has photographed beach weddings because they'll know what lens and settings to use for your beach wedding.
- Florist: Florists can often incorporate natural elements into the décor. The often come with a package that offers a bouquet for the bride and bridesmaids, boutonnieres for the groomsmen, flower petals for the girl, and décor for the event.
- Wedding Planner: Beach weddings can be a lot of work to plan. Make sure to choose a planner who has experience with this type of event and can help you navigate the logistics.
- DJ: Beach weddings typically have a more relaxed vibe. Make sure to choose a DJ who can create a fun and festive atmosphere.- Beach Wedding Officiant: Beach weddings are often officiated by someone who is close to the couple. Make sure to choose an officiant who you feel comfortable with and who will make your ceremony personal and special.
- Event Rental Company: Event rental company: Beach weddings often require special event rentals. Make sure to choose a company that has experience with this type of event and can provide everything you need. Now that you know what to look for when choosing your beach wedding ceremony vendors, it's time to start planning! Use this list as a guide to help you create the perfect day.
Beach Wedding Timelines
Beach Wedding Timeline:
- 12 months before: Choose your wedding date and start planning the details
- 3 months before: Send out your save the dates and start booking your vendors
- 1 month before: Start working on your wedding day timeline
- 2 weeks before: Pack your bags and get ready for your big day!
Day of Timeline:
If you're looking for some beach wedding inspiration, check out this beautiful photoshoot from Xiaoli and Ryan. The bride is wearing a stunning flowy dress and the groom is looking dapper in a linen suit. The setting is absolutely gorgeous and the photos are so romantic!
Beach weddings are the perfect opportunity to get creative with your wedding day timeline. There are so many fun things that you can do to make the most of your time by the water! Here's a look at what a typical beach wedding day might look like:
- 9:00 am - Start the day with a relaxing yoga session on the beach. This is a great way to clear your head and prepare for the day ahead.
- 10:00 am - Head over to the hair and makeup salon to get pampered for your big day. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time so you're not rushed.
- 12:00 pm - Grab lunch with your bridal party at a nearby restaurant. This is a great opportunity to bond with your girls and relax before the ceremony.
- 2:00 pm - Start getting ready for the ceremony. Put on your dress, do a final check of your hair and makeup, and make sure you have everything you need before heading down to the beach.
- 3:00 pm - The ceremony! Exchange your vows in front of your closest family and friends, and enjoy a glass of champagne to celebrate.
- 4:00 pm - Take some time to relax and enjoy the reception. Beach weddings are typically more casual affairs, so take advantage of the laid-back atmosphere and have some fun!
- 6:00 pm - Grab a bite to eat at the reception. Beach weddings usually have lighter fare, so make sure you're not too hungry when you sit down for dinner.
- 8:00 pm - End the night with a romantic walk on the beach. This is the perfect way to end your perfect day.
Xiaolu and Adam's Timeline
They want to flip the script over its head. For them, nothing about this timeline is traditional. This was the best, and probably the most practical and pragmatic wedding I've shot in a while.
The hair and make up was done at 7:00 am, I arrived at 8:00 AM and started my shoot then, I photographed the small details of the wedding such as the rings and the wedding dress. From there, I took some candid until the wedding at 10:00 AM. I drove about 5 minutes from the actual ceremony set up. Shot until 11:15PM
Perfect Wedding Dresses for the beach and Where to find them
Beach weddings are the perfect opportunity to wear a relaxed and comfortable dress. But just because the dress is casual doesn't mean it can't be chic! There are lots of great beach-friendly dresses out there that will make you look and feel beautiful on your big day.
Here are the best websites to find wedding dresses for you and your bridesmaids. Beach-friendly styles that won't break the bank:
- Lulus: Lulus has a great selection of beach-friendly dresses that are perfect for weddings. They have tons of styles to choose from, so you're sure to find the perfect dress for you and your bridesmaids.
- ASOS: ASOS is a great place to find beach-friendly dresses. They have a wide variety of styles to choose from, so you're sure to find the perfect dress for your big day.
- Beach Bridal: Beach Bridal is a great place to find beach-friendly wedding dresses. They have a wide variety of styles to choose from, so you're sure to find the perfect dress for your big day.
- Beach Wedding Dresses: Beach Wedding Dresses is a great place to find beach-friendly wedding dresses. \
They have a wide variety of styles to choose from, so you're sure to find the perfect dress for your big day. Now that you know where to find the best beach-friendly wedding dresses, it's time to start shopping! Use this guide as a starting point to find the perfect dress for your big day.
What to do with the groom?
Choosing the perfect wedding suit for a beach wedding can be tricky. You want to find a suit that is both stylish and comfortable. And you want to make sure the suit is appropriate for the location and weather.
Here are some tips for choosing the perfect beach wedding suit:
- Choose a light-weight fabric. Linen is a great choice for a beach wedding suit. It's light-weight and breathable, so you'll stay cool and comfortable in the sun.
- Choose a neutral color. Beach weddings are typically casual affairs. So, it's best to stick with a neutral color like khaki or white.
- Choose a loose-fitting style. Beach weddings are often hot and humid. So, it's best to choose a suit that is loose-fitting so you can stay cool and comfortable.
- Avoid stripes or busy patterns. Stripes and busy patterns can be a bit too flashy for a beach wedding. Stick with solid colors or simple patterns.
- Accessorize with a straw hat or sunglasses. A straw hat or sunglasses is the perfect way to accessorize your beach wedding suit. They'll help keep you cool and protect you from the sun.
Wedding Beach Etiquette: The Dos and Don'ts
When planning a beach wedding, it's important to be aware of the etiquette. There are some things you should do to make sure your wedding is respectful of the environment and the people around you. And there are some things you should avoid doing to make sure your wedding is a success.
Here are some dos and don'ts of beach wedding etiquette:
- Do: Choose a location that is appropriate for a beach wedding. Beach weddings should be held at public beaches or private resorts.
- Do: Respect the environment. Beach weddings should be eco-friendly. Avoid using decorations that will damage the sand or sea. And be sure to clean up any trash after the wedding.
- Do: Be considerate of other beachgoers. Beach weddings should not interfere with others' enjoyment of the beach. Be sure to keep your wedding party and guests under control. And be respectful of noise levels so as not to disturb others.
- Do: Dress appropriately. Beach weddings are typically casual affairs. But that doesn't mean you should show up in a bathing suit! Beach-appropriate attire for men includes shorts, sandals, and a button-down shirt. Beach-appropriate attire for women includes a sundress, shorts, and a tank top.
- Don't: Use confetti or balloons. Confetti and balloons are a major no-no at beach weddings. They can damage the environment and be a nuisance to other beachgoers.
- Don't: Play loud music. Beach weddings should be peaceful affairs. Avoid playing loud music that will disturb other beachgoers.
- Don't: Leave trash behind. Beach weddings should be eco-friendly. Be sure to clean up any trash after the wedding.
