Do You Know How to Plan a Really Fierce Beach Wedding?

The question has been asked and the answered and the ring is now on your finger. You are ready to start making plans for your wedding day festivities, but there is one small problem. How do you go about planning a beach wedding that is unique and fierce? Here are some great tips and suggestions that can help you make your seaside ceremony a memorable event that combines romantic elegance with your own fierce personal style.

To plan or not to Plan

There are two avenues when it comes to planning a great beach wedding:

• You can hire a wedding planner to do the footwork and take care of the details of your big day.
• You can personally take charge of the plans or make it a collaborative event with your friends.

Either of these options is available, but it is up to you to decide which will work best. A planner will relieve you of many of the frustrations and worries that will be encountered. Your personal involvement can be as much, or as little, as you choose.

Location, Date and Time

You need to decide on where the ceremony will take place as well as the date and time. Some of the most popular beach sites are booked well in advance, so this is going to be a crucial part of any wedding planning. Weekends or holidays are great times for most people to attend weddings. Sunrise and sunset ceremonies are beautiful and there is less heat and humidity to contend with. Decide on how close to the water you want to be for your once in a lifetime beach wedding. Keep the tides in mind so that the event is not interrupted by a sudden crash of surf that comes up to your waist.

Weather and Alternative Plans

Some beaches have dependable weather patterns and constant temperatures which makes the planning process much smoother. If the weather is uncertain in the area that you have chosen, you should always make sure that you have alternatives available. If rain is a possibility you should have a tent or other covered structure that can be used in such an emergency.

Check the Ordinances and Restrictions

Many beaches allow weddings and other parties but there may be certain restrictions or ordinances that must be observed. These often involve such things as permits, licenses, parking and reservation time limits. The city officials can advise you to any special policies or rules and you must make sure that all of your guests and wedding party members are aware of them.

You don’t want to plan a wedding at the beach that includes hundreds of helium filled balloons only to find out that balloons can not be brought onto the beach property. If you are going to serve alcohol there are definite restrictions at many beaches about where and when these beverages can be served. Make sure that your plans adhere to the policies of the beach that is going to be the site of your wedding.

Shade Shade Shade

The beaches are beautiful, the water is sparkling and the sun is bright and hot. Shade is important for you, the wedding party and all of your guests. Have umbrellas, canopies or tents set up near the site so that everyone can cool off. Hats, folding fans and cool drinks will also help everyone deal with the heat.

Food, Drinks and Fun

A beach wedding must include good food, cold drinks and great fun. Bands and musicians will come and perform at these events, but be sure to plan early so that you can book the ones that you like. You can always opt for recorded music as an alternative, but live entertainment suits the outdoor atmosphere of a beachfront setting. Make sure that you will have plenty of ice to keep drinks cold and the food will need to be kept at safe temperatures as well. You can arrange this with your friends or have a caterer handle these details.