Any ideas on planning a beach wedding?

Question

I want to plan a beach wedding and not hire a wedding package because of restrictions. I am having the wedding in North East Fl. Also how do I go about having it on the beach.

Answer 1

Well, firstly, make sure the place you are going to have the wedding is on high ground, then maybe you could get some close family members or friends who cook well to help you or easily you could get a wedding caterer to cater food for your guests to eat. Then, the deco of the wedding avenue, you could decorate yourself, i personally like white so each chair in the wedding avenue will be tied with white silky ribbon and i will also hang a sliver or gold balloon behind the chairs.

I will also advise all my guest that the dress code for the wedding will be smart casual.

Then lastly, i will dress myself up in white bikini wrapped a white sarong.

Hope my advise helps, wish you and your husband happiness forever. :)

Answer 2

I am from Miami FL! Ideas?
-Your best bet is to find a hotel on the beach that you can have the reception at that will coordinate the logistics of getting the permits to have it on the beach.
-If not your best bet is to call the City of the beach you want to have the wedding at and find out what codes and permits you will need. Also will there be parking nearby?
Once you have that set.... you are going to need at least some friends or family friends to help you with the setting up... This is how I would do it... I'd have them go early to mark off the area and bring in chair etc. They can bring some pillars for flowers to set up the alter area. You should line the aisle with those candles they use on the cruise ships... they look like candles, but they aren't they are battery operated..... in the middle... throw rose or flower petals. Have them set up an area may by the mock alter area with chairs facing the attendants for a string quartet of violinists... Secure a deacon.... and Voila... add a sunset and you got a super romantic wedding.

Answer 3

I got married in a watch tower on Amelia Island. We had a very small group and then a party at the Plantation afterwards.

I think the simpler you keep it the more beautiful it is. If it is in the evening, consider having torches in the sand surrounding the "altar" area, which can be as simple as renting some potted plants and placing them as a backdrop.
If you are having a ceremony on the beach, you will have to check with the parks department especially if you plan on having a bunch of people there. You might need an event permit.

I used a friend who was a notary public to officiate the ceremony as they are legally able to marry people.

If it's summer in Florida- flowers wilt in the heat so don't plan on having a bunch of expensive delicate petals. Talk to a florist about something hearty that will survive an hour or two of 95 degree heat.

Find someone who will play some music for you live or have someone set up outdoor speakers and creat a cd with the music you want to have as background for the ceremony.

Answer 4

We live on Florida's west coast, and have seen many a beach wedding party taking pictures in St. Petersburg. I would plan the wedding early enough to be able to take pictures at dusk, or what my brother-in-law (who is a professional photographer for Getty Images) calls "the sweet light". Everyone's skin tone looks amazing in this light; Raquel Welch just did an Allure mag interview stating she always preferred to be shot in this light because it made her look her best. It may seem like a small thing, but when you look at these photos for years to come, you'll think back to ol' Scouseryank and say, "Man, she was SO right about this!"

Also, we had our wedding on a Friday so that our out-of-town guests could have the entire weekend to relax and enjoy themselves, rather than have a rushed brunch on Sunday and hop a plane that night to get back for work by Monday morning. Living in FLA makes this an even bigger deal, since many people view this as the vacation state. Give your guests some breathing room between arrival and departure (if you haven't already set a date, that is). Ask around for anyone else that has had beach weddings (shouldn't be hard living where you are) and gather as much info as you can- do's and don'ts, things they wish they would have (or wouldn't have) done, etc. Take notes- actual notes- because with all the hoopla, you're likely to forget. Congrats and try to have fun- don't let the drama make you and your fiancee crazy!

Answer 5

there's always the chance that it will rain on your big day
so you should rent tents

You'll also want flooring
because with chair in sands?Picture chair legs sinking slowly
The summer sun can be hard on guests, even during an evening wedding

Consider having an usher hand out iced non-alcholicdrinks to guests
Give personalized paper fans to guests as a favor handed out before the ceremony.

remember to have lots of candles and torches that way at night you won't be bothered by moquitos

make sure you are close enough to bathrooms for ir not to be a hassle but far enough so you get that nasty smell

also clean up the beach a day before again to make sure there's no liter

Also be sure you have lighting it can get dark at night so make sure you have them that way you have photos of you and your husband not two black blurry blotches

Remember that sunsets go away fast in case you want a picture
another thing horses on beaches is very romantic

Most important of all don't stress enjoy your wedding you don't want it to be the day you yelled at the guests so clam down go to a spa the day before and relax

PS
This is your big day, and it will be beautiful, no matter what. At the end of the day, you'll be married to the love of your life. Congratulations!

Answer 6

I don't know what restrictions you have in Florida, but legalities aside, I think a beach wedding is one of the simplest and most beauiful. Your dress needn't be expensive. A pretty gauze sundress of simple slip dress looks great on the beach. So do bare feet with a great pedicure. [Get one for the groom, too.] Depending upon the season, you could even grab a handful of wildflowers in lieu of an expensive bouquet. The main concern should be your photographs. They are essentially what you keep from your wedding day, other than memories you treasure in your heart. Get it on film. One great idea I saw is a giant heart drawn in the sand, just like you did when you were little, with the two names printed: DREW + LANA type of thing. Then the photograper can fade on it with waves gently lapping at the end of your wedding video. I love that your photos don't have to be posed and standard on the beach. Your music is as simple as a good CD player! This is sounding great!

Answer 7

Flordia has a big loooong rainy season, so you'll need to go to wunderground.com to check out the weather. you don't want to have to deal with rain. realize it will be humid, so I'd go with a fondant icing (not as tasty but it will hold it's shape more than a whipped icing) for a cake. are you having a big wedding?? what time of day will it be? you'll need to look into renting some chairs...you should get online and make some phone calls. also, it could be hot-so don't wear too much perfume or hairspray. I'd have your hair up in a pretty, casual updo. I'd also look into some cute sandals since you'll be on the beach--or just go barefoot! You might want a dress that doesn't drag behind you, unless you don't mind the sand. Just remember-you'll want to keep it as casual as possible. a beach wedding puts you at the mercy of the elements, and more than anything else, you'll need to be flexible :) Have fun!

Answer 8

My wedding was on Jupiter Island, Florida at Blowing Rocks beach at a place called "The Nature Conservancy." We planned it in a few days and it went great. Oh, and we found out you're supposed to "reserve" the beach for $100 but we didnt, so the park ranger let us get married for free. LOL. There was actually another wedding scheduled that afternoon but we went farther down the dune, so far we wouldn't see or hear the other party.

I suggest you choose a dress that's short enough not to drag the ground, and wear thick heels or go barefoot. The other bride on my wedding day wore stilettos, what a moron. Oh and my huby and I wore sunglasses, it was too bright. Also the waves are so loud you don't really need music, but one of our guests carried a boombox blasting classical music, that was a nice touch.

Answer 9

One thing to watch out for: WIND. There's usually always a breeze blowing on the beach, but it tends to pick up as the sun goes down (at least it does here on the west coast). Once you've selected your beach, go there at a few different times of day to get an idea of what the wind might be like. There's nothing like having a wedding ruined by blowing sand and/or a strong wind that picks up your gown and does not-so-wonderful things with your veil.

Answer 10

When planning for a wedding, personalization is best. You can add all the little things you want but there are wedding planning books you can find at many book stores, or even wal mart. They will take you through the planning process step by step.

As for the "How to" on getting your family and ceremony onto the shore line, you are best off looking into city codes and asking the beach that you are looking forward too specifically. There can be many different laws concerning public areas, but it is easy to deal with when they tell you what you need to do. It may be as simple as renting the space or giving a heads up.

If you are thinking about a highly visited area it will be a lot simpler to rethink the whole location. You also may want to think about alternatives like a boat wedding.

Hope all goes well and congrats!

--JC

Answer 11

Jax, here are some practical thoughts. Outside weddings usually require some kind of sound system if there are to be any guests...it's pretty difficult to hear what is being said otherwise. Also, if you are going to have people dress up, either give them something to walk on or make it a very short walk from pavement to seats. Think about where the sun will be shining when the ceremony is taking place...in whose eyes, audience or bride and groom or minister? Music, if you're planning any, may also need an audio system. So too for singers. You may have problems with strangers hanging around, some of whom may make problems. This shouldn't happen if you do it the right place. Parking might be a problem, again depending on how many people are attending. Are you planning on serving food ro drinks at the wedding site? No electricity available...usually. Any problems with lack of refrigeration? Anybody handicapped, cane, crutches, wheelchair? Tough operating in the sand. If the wedding is to be informal (clothing wise) that solves a lot of problems. Wind will probably be the biggest problem, that and background noise. Having said all that, I've performed a few outdoors weddings and they generally are a lot of fun. So enjoy.