Essential planning tips for a beach wedding

For the couple who are planning their own beach wedding - use this as a check list.

If you are using a public beach as your wedding venue, try to avoid mid day, when the beach will be busy. Early morning or late afternoon are less busy times. Dusk - during a beautiful sunset can be a very romantic time.

Allow extra time for a clean up crew to prepare the area before guest arrive - and have a crew ready to clean up after.

Every bride and groom planning a beach wedding envision a bright sunny day - unfortunately, Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate.

Don't rely on good weather, while every beach wedding should be in sunshine, unfortunately it doesn't always work that way. Have a back up plan in case of bad weather, whether it's an alternate indoor location or an extra tent to retreat into. Be sure to inform wedding guests of the alternate location.

If you are lucky enough to have good weather, choose a location out of direct sunlight, This is especially important if some of your guests are elderly, frail or prone to sunstroke. A tent or canopy works well to provide shade, add ambience by stringing winkle lights or fish net and adding sea shells, beach glass or plastic dolphins.

Lighting for a beach wedding can be tricky

Think about what type of lighting will be needed, and where you are placing your lights.

If you need a power source for your lighting, consider how and where the cords will be placed.

Candles, torches and battery powered twinkle lights are all beach friendly. Depending on the time of day and weather extra lighting may not be necessary. Candles are a practical choice provided they are in a glass container to block the wind.

Food and table arrangements for a beach wedding

If you don't have proper refrigeration-plan a menu that can be transported in coolers and prepared on site. BBQs work well - they are usually OK on public beaches and a variety of foods can easily be prepared. Avoid mayonnaise based dressings and try to prepare food close to when it will be consumed.

A Hawaiian style pig roast or a clam bake are great ways to get your guests mingling and enjoying a day at the beach.

In keeping with a beach theme - serve easy to eat foods - try to avoid foods that will need a knifes and fork. Why not cook meat and vegetables on individual skewers and a offer side dishes that are easy to pick up and go - stuffed mushrooms, raw vegetables, and salads.

If your wedding cake will be on display, wrap it up in clear cellophane - looks beautiful and keeps the sand and bugs off.

If you are planning to have your guests sit down at tables and chairs for dinner, rent a portable floor -it can also do double duty as a dance floor.

Decoration ideas for a beach wedding

Extend the beach theme to your menu and table arrangements. Serving food inside seashells is a nice beachy touch and very practical too - they won't break! Use place cards that won't blow away - names printed on shells with a marker, keep the theme going.

Centerpieces made from drift wood, local flowers, even bowls with plastic goldfish are inexpensive and easy to transport. Sand castles are a natural choice for a seaside wedding, To build your own sand castles use white glue and sand, a variety of molds and lots of drying time.

Use buckets filled with pebbles or sand to weigh down vases and candles.

Music for a beach wedding

Plan on having a microphone for the ceremony and announcements. Beaches can be very noisy places and you may not be overheard above the sound of the waves, airplanes or nosy spectators.

Also read: Unique Considerations For A Beach Wedding

Additional planning tips for a destination beach wedding