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Key Takeaways
- Plan for weather challenges at your beach wedding by offering fans, shaded spaces, and a rain contingency plan.
- Use subtle beach-inspired details, like sea-glass place cards or wave-patterned invitations, for a stylish, non-thematic look.
- Embrace your coastal setting with unique ideas, like a shoe valet for sandy ceremonies or a boat exit for newlyweds.
The idea of a beach wedding, or at least a ceremony and reception bursting with coastal details, is appealing to plenty of couples, and it’s not hard to see why: This light, breezy aesthetic is incredibly versatile, and it lends itself to so many interpretations, with wedding styles easily ranging from bohemian to elegant, exotic to minimal, and casual to downright chic.
All that being said, beach weddings do tend to fall into one of two camps, leaning either nautical or tropical in overarching style. Of course, there’s a space in which to play between those two ideas, but if you’re not partial to either of those themes, it’s important to make that distinction very clear to your wedding-planning team from the jump. It’s also key to note that your beach wedding—whether you’re tying the knot with your feet in the sand or planning a celebration packed with beach-inspired details—can look thematic with feeling themed. You may decide to pay homage to the coastal setting by holding a bouquet of tropical greenery and florals, serve piña coladas with colorful umbrellas for your signature cocktails, or adorn each reception table with rattan chargers and sea-glass place cards. On the other hand, you might bring in subtle nods to the beach, with a wave-like pattern on your wedding invitations or umbrellas at cocktail hour.
While a coastal fête can be magical, as with any other outdoor wedding, it’s key that you prepare for uncontrollable factors, such as humidity, wind, and unforeseen weather. While you can’t fight nature’s elements, you can be aware of them and plan accordingly with safeguards, like the following:
- Carefully time the event (midday is the hottest)
- Consider the wind (especially when decorating with candles or open flames)
- Stay away from heavy wedding dresses
- Use airbrush makeup
- Schedule touch-ups for hair halfway through the event
- Ensure guests stay hydrated and refreshed
- Have a contingency plan for rain
With that in mind, keep scrolling for 50 of our favorite ways to bring some sun, sand, and sea to your big day.
