Beach wedding: 7 tips for newlyweds

While restaurants are closed and large gatherings of people in confined spaces are prohibited, we advise all couples who are planning a wedding in the near future to move both the ceremony and the banquet outdoors. In summer, a beach wedding ceremony will be especially colorful.

Residents of the southern coastal regions are luckier than others, but even if you are far from the sea, a river beach, sandy shore of a lake or pond is quite suitable. Today we are going through all the intricacies of organizing a beach wedding and giving useful tips on preparing it in order to avoid awkward moments and basic mistakes.

Choosing color and decor

A very important nuance is the color of the wedding decoration. If you decide to organize your holiday in one color palette, then you must not only select and order decorative elements in advance, but also notify all invited people. By warning your guests in advance, you will be doing them a big favor. They will be able to freely choose and buy the appropriate outfit or acquire accessories of a certain color.

The following shades are perfect for a beach wedding:

blue, light blue;
aquamarine;
azure color;
citric;
orange;
mint;
coral;
peach;
champagne color;
grey;
sand.

Preference should be given to the newlyweds' favorite colors. The bride can also wear white. In this case, the groom chooses a less formal outfit. Accordingly, the chosen color of clothing should contrast, otherwise the pair will look faded.

An important detail in wedding decoration is decorations and accessories. All details must be made in the same style. This applies to organizing seating, napkins, bouquets. Also, the birthday cake should match the desired mood.

A marine theme would be perfect. You can dress up the waiters in funny vests and caps with anchors. Buy striped napkins, tablecloths and chair covers. On the tables you can place seashells, beautiful stones, artificial details: starfish, algae.

If you want to focus on a specific color, then all prints and details should contain inclusions of the selected shade. Decorations, table settings, clothes should all be of the same theme.

Wedding decorations

If your wedding is taking place on the beach or near a body of water, keep the decor minimal and let the landscape do the work for you. For a ceremony that takes place on the sand, limit the interior to the bare necessities: wedding arch, seating for guests, signage. It can be windy on the beach and boardwalk, so be sure to ensure that the decor is well secured.

A beach-style wedding should not be pretentious or overloaded with unnecessary details. Natural decor is ideal for such a wedding: shells, starfish, sand, twine, flowers.

If you are planning a tropical-style wedding, then you can safely use fruits as decoration. The brighter and juicier the combinations, the better! Pineapples can be used as dividers between rows for guests, and as central accents when decorating a candy bar or photo zone. Use hollow pineapples for flower arrangements instead of traditional vases.

Citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges and limes are another alternative. Group a small number of different fruits to create an attractive centerpiece or use them as place cards.

Deciding on the venue

In order for the holiday to go smoothly and nothing to overshadow this wonderful day, you need to be very careful in choosing the venue. After all, it is on the shore that the newlyweds and guests will spend the main part of the holiday.

In this case, there are several options:

Outdoor wedding with registration directly on the beach. This is the most convenient, but also the most expensive option. Wedding salons will be happy to organize your event. They will offer the services of an on-site registrar and will arrange the wedding arch and tent for the banquet. All that remains for the newlyweds to do is to arrive at their destination on time. Both the marriage registration and the subsequent feast take place on the beach.
Wedding tent rental. Registration takes place traditionally at the registry office, after which the wedding ceremony goes to the beach for a feast. You can choose a tent to suit every taste and in a conveniently located location. Landlords will also be happy to take on the task of decorating the tent. When renting tents, the necessary furniture is included in the price.
Independent arrangement of the place for the celebration. This is the most democratic option, but it requires considerable effort. You need to independently choose a place to install a tent or tents, and acquire these same tents. Take care of the delivery of tables and chairs, decorations, accessories. Do not forget that after the end of the holiday, someone will also need to collect everything (furniture, tent). You can also use a canopy.

Whatever option you choose, you must take into account the number of invited guests. There should be enough space not only for planting them, but also for dancing and holding competitions.

But you can dance and have fun in the open air, you say. Of course you can! But being under the scorching sun or pouring rain for several hours is not the most pleasant experience.

Wedding on the beach: pros and cons

Before deciding on an unusual maritime celebration, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons. Only after fully assessing all sides can a final decision be made.

FOR a wedding ceremony on the beach:

An unforgettable holiday atmosphere;
After the wedding ceremony, the couple can stay in the chosen country for their honeymoon;
The wedding album will be full of and fascinating pictures from a wedding photo shoot on the beach. You can find a photographer on the spot or invite a specialist from your hometown;
A wedding at sea is a great choice for those who want to get away from everyone and have a wedding for two;
On-site registration can take place directly on the seashore, on a yacht in the open sea or on the territory of a coastal restaurant/hotel;
You can organize a maritime celebration on your own or turn to specialists. Travel and wedding agencies offer their assistance in organizing a wedding abroad. Even the most seemingly unimportant details will be taken into account. The main thing is that you can accurately formulate your desires and explain your vision of the holiday in as much detail as possible.

AGAINST painting on the beach:

Not all countries will actually have a marriage certificate in our country. When choosing a place, study the laws of the country as carefully as possible. Otherwise, upon arrival home, you will have to visit the registry office and officially sign there;
Price. Of course, the final price tag depends solely on the boundaries of your desires and financial capabilities. It’s one thing if you want a luxurious wedding with relatives and another thing when you arrange a quiet celebration of the birth of a new family for two. But basically, maritime celebrations are classified as “expensive and rich”;
Guests. Firstly, not every guest can afford a flight to another country and also save money for a gift for the newlyweds. Secondly, it is on the shoulders of the young family that the issue of temporary housing and food for those invited falls;
When inviting wedding contractors from among your compatriots, be prepared to pay them a round-trip ticket, housing and food;
The weather on the seashore is capricious. No one can guarantee that there won’t be a storm at sea on your wedding day.

Photo shoot ideas

Not a single wedding takes place without photo and video shooting. You can invite a professional photographer or entrust an important task to a friend. Don’t forget, the quality of the pictures taken depends on the professional skills of the photographer.

The ideal time for photo sessions is 1.5 hours before sunset. It is at this time that the sun no longer burns and creates optimal lighting. There are a lot of options for pictures, it all depends on your imagination. For example, newlyweds can stand at the water's edge against the backdrop of the sunset, or bask on the sand along the shoreline.

Almost no wedding on the beach is complete without photos under the wedding arch. This is a very romantic and memorable photo. The newlyweds are in the archway, with a stunning sunset behind them, and sands spread around them. What could be more beautiful?

When a wedding is held on the beach, a photo of the newlyweds on a boat is an interesting photo for the album. When the young swim on the water, their hair develops, their dress flows, and foam splashes fly. The photos turn out very impressive! But it is important to understand that to implement your plan, you will need to rent 2 boats (for the photographer and for the newlyweds).

Dresses and decorations for the bride and groom on the beach

A bride on the beach cannot wear a classic wedding dress and high-heeled shoes, because such an outfit will be extremely uncomfortable.

The dress should be chosen from light, flowing fabrics, with an open back and thin straps or without them at all.

The length can be any, but the most convenient option would be knee length. A white or milky dress will look best. For footwear, you can choose flat sandals or flip-flops; no shoes are also acceptable, because even a bride can walk barefoot .

For a beach wedding, decorations made of shells or pearls, as well as a wreath of fresh flowers, are perfect. If you plan to swim or have a photo shoot in the water, then you should wear a white swimsuit under the dress. The groom should also give up a formal suit and give preference to shorts or breeches and a short-sleeved shirt. Instead of a tie, a bow tie is suitable, which can be chosen in any color depending on other accessories.

Gold bracelet with pearls, Monakhova; ring, PrimaExclusive (prices via links)

Stylish beachwear for a wedding

Images of newlyweds

When choosing wedding dresses for a beach wedding, you should naturally adhere to the general style of the event. When planning a wedding on the beach, the image of the bride and groom will be different from the traditional one. This does not mean that you should purchase a dress and suit made in the same tone as the decor. But the outfits must include accessories in the color of sand and sea. This could be a patch on a dress, a cuff on a jacket, a handkerchief in a pocket, or a hair decoration.

Wedding dresses for a beach wedding with a corset and a lot of lining are not the best option. The bride will get tired very quickly in such a dress; the dress will restrict freedom of movement.

The best option is a light, original dress. When planning a wedding on the beach, the bride's image should be as consistent as possible with the setting. After all, the girl will have to be in the open air for a long time. A cotton suit is perfect for a man. A hat would be useful.

The choice of shoes deserves due attention. High heels and stilettos can turn the holiday into a real nightmare, and the bride will spend the entire evening dreaming about the end of the holiday. When there is a beach wedding, the girl's look will include comfortable shoes. You should purchase shoes that are as comfortable as possible, because you will be walking not on parquet, but on sand.

Interesting! A detailed article in which we examined absolutely all shoe options for a wedding is here.

The groom's look at a wedding on the beach should also not be formal. A minimum of classics is ideal. It is better to look for informal shoes for a wedding on the beach. Sandals or moccasins are perfect for the groom, and ballet flats for the bride. If you choose shoes in the appropriate color scheme and decorate them with additional accessories, they will fit very harmoniously into the image.

When it comes to bridal hairstyles, the first thing you should really think about is comfort and practicality. A tall, complex hairstyle can cause a lot of inconvenience. Plus, it will be constantly exposed to the sun and wind, which will not have the most favorable effect on styled hair.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't wear your hair up. Light styling, curled hair looks great. Be sure to decorate your hair with accessories to create the appropriate look. It is important to think carefully about your hairstyle, use strong hold products and appropriate accessories.

Wedding makeup should be in harmony with the overall atmosphere. Bright, provocative makeup is not a very good solution. You need to start from your skin characteristics, eye color and dress style. It is also not recommended to use a large amount of makeup foundation. In conditions of elevated temperature, there is a high probability of leaks.

Don't forget about your manicure! This seemingly insignificant detail is actually one of the most important. After all, the groom will put a ring on the bride’s finger, the manicure must be perfect, and the hands must be well-groomed.

It is better to use one high-quality foundation, the effect of which is important to check in advance. In general, to create the perfect makeup, experiment. Do your makeup, go outside, take pictures, evaluate how it looks after several hours in real life and in photographs. You can also contact a professional stylist, who will help you create the right makeup for your wedding.

It is also important for guests to consider style. This could be clothes in the same tone or additional attributes. For example, flowers in women's hair, handkerchiefs, caps for men.

Examples (photos)

Below we have prepared photos of the dress models described above. Basically, these are options for floor-length, Greek, boho outfits (click on the image to open the photo in a pop-up window) :

And these are the options for short dresses for a beach ceremony:

Additionally : in one of the previous articles we already wrote in detail about choosing a short wedding dress ( go to ).

Banquet

When choosing a banquet menu, be careful with hot, spicy and salty snacks. They can provoke increased thirst, which is already likely when you are in the sun, so do not aggravate the situation. Light vegetable snacks, assorted fruits, and lightly salted cheeses are perfect.

Important! Take into account the high temperature during the event - food should not be perishable!

You can serve fish or seafood as a main course, but you should take into account the taste preferences of the invited guests. Just in case, prepare something classic, for example, steaks. Ice cream as a dessert will be very useful. Cool non-alcoholic drinks will be appropriate.

The choice of alcoholic beverages should also be approached with caution. Strong alcohol in the heat can quickly incapacitate guests. An abundance of champagne and sparkling wines under the scorching sun can cause malaise and headaches.

As for organizing a banquet, in this case it is better to give preference to off-site catering. This way you will be confident in the quality of the prepared dishes and receive appropriate service.

Original ideas

The ceremony scenario in a nautical style must be carefully thought out. The design of the wedding venue, menu, and competitions should emphasize the atmosphere of the sea. As an option, you can spend a holiday with an exciting adventure plot: a re-enactment of the kidnapping of a bride by pirates or a search for real treasures.

The groom and guests will rescue the hero of the occasion from the hands of the corsairs, using clues left on the shore. The bride will be on the yacht, which is located off the coast, all this time. After the newlyweds are released, everyone will go on a boat trip, which will be an excellent place for a photo session of the bride and groom.

A wedding near the sea will be even more interesting and exciting thanks to interesting entertainment. Male guests can be invited to compete for the title of sea wolf, and newlyweds - for the captain of the ship. To do this, they are greeted with bread and salt by their mother-in-law and mother-in-law.

The bride and groom break off identical pieces of loaf and each begin to feed their friends. After the allotted time has expired, the winner is determined - the one whose team divided the bread equally. You can entertain guests by organizing a quiz on knowledge of sea films, a tug-of-war competition, drinking rum, or searching for treasure.

A seaside wedding implies the inclusion of fish dishes, sushi, and rolls in the festive menu. As for the main decoration of the wedding table - the cake - it can be decorated in the form of a goldfish, an aquarium, an underwater kingdom with its inhabitants, or a classic multi-tiered dessert decorated with shells, starfish, and pearls.

Holiday scenario

The celebration can be called one of the key moments. It is important that guests have fun and interesting, and that a festive atmosphere is maintained. Therefore, it would be correct to contact an experienced presenter. Study reviews and recommendations before choosing a toastmaster, and check out the prices for services. Often, presenters ask for a lot of money to host an event, but in reality they do not justify the cost of their services at all.

When a wedding is held on the beach, you can come up with ideas yourself. Nothing limits the flight of imagination.

It is necessary to think through competitions, entertainment, and decide on the theme of the music. You should not get carried away only by active pranks; guests may become overtired. It is better to alternate between fun games and calm intellectual entertainment, decorated with a touch of humor and irony.

By the way, do not forget to take care of the appropriate musical equipment and DJ. The pre-rehearsed dance of the newlyweds looks original.

Reason 5. Combine celebration and relaxation

A wedding on the Black Sea coast can have an excellent continuation in the form of a honeymoon. All conditions have been created for lovers to have an interesting time. It’s great to fool around all day in a water park, the next day to go out of town to the dolmens, wish them happiness and eternal love, on the third day to drink wine at a local winery, and on the fourth to soak up the beach. In the evening, have a romantic dinner on the shore, and the next evening hang out in one of the cool nightclubs in Gelendzhik. That's not all the fun! Safari park, old park in Kabardinka, waterfalls and diving... You definitely won’t be bored! We advise you to read our article about where to go and how to have fun in Gelendzhik.

General recommendations

Such aspects as transportation and delivery of guests deserve due attention. The choice of transport depends on the number of guests and the option of a wedding ceremony on the beach. When marriage registration takes place at the registry office, then naturally all the hassle of transporting guests falls on the newlyweds.

Organizing a wedding on the beach is an excellent option; the newlyweds and guests will remember the celebration for a long time. When planning a wedding celebration, you should take into account many nuances, but it’s worth it. A pre-planned wedding will go smoothly and fun. When organizing a holiday in advance, you can save a lot, analyze prices and choose the best option!

Yulia Dushevnaya

Wedding sorceress

Stylish “monarchy” – wedding rings in the form of a crown made of gold and other metals

Two options for your wedding

Many brides, imagining their dream wedding, think about the beautiful coast, the setting sun and the sound of the surf.
A wedding on the seashore is something from a movie, something from a fairy tale. First, let's figure out whether you just want beautiful photos in a wedding dress on the seashore, or are you planning to hold a wedding ceremony on the coast. In the first case, all you need to do is take your wedding suits with you on your honeymoon and make an agreement with the photographer. You can even have a symbolic ceremony at sea with just the two of you. For information on what you should consider when organizing a love story in hot countries, read the article “Opinion: how to film in hot countries (Southeast Asia).” Today we will talk about the second option, when the entire wedding celebration is transferred to the sea.

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Author of the photo: Nastya Nikolaeva | Ocean lovers: stylized photo shoot