Getting married on the beach is a dream come true for many brides and grooms. But bringing that dream to reality takes some planning.

Wedding Guests

Watching beach weddings with the ocean as your backdrop is absolutely beautiful. But it may pose extra challenges for some of your guests. Wheelchair accessibility is often limited on many beaches, and may be something you want to look into during planning. You may also have some guests who will require assistance walking in the sand. Make sure your groomsmen are up to the challenge of getting everyone sat comfortably.

Make sure there are washroom facilities close to the site. Ensure that they will be unlocked, clean, and stocked during your wedding. If the washroom amenities leave a little to be desired, you may want to bring extra supplies, and even add some fresh flowers to the bathroom. Consider how you will feel about uninvited sunbathers crashing your beach wedding. If you get married on a public beach then your ceremony will be open to the public. If the idea of strangers watching your ceremony bothers you then you might consider renting a private beach for the ceremony.

Weather Considerations

Weather is definitely a consideration during planning, but not something that you can control. But you can make some adjustments to better your odds of having a picture perfect beach setting. Once you have picked the beach of your choice, then select a wedding date that is during their typically dry season, and avoid the rainy season. Definitely steer clear of hurricane season. And just in case Mother Nature isn\'t cooperating the day of your it, have a back-up location or a tent ready in case the weather is just too nasty to say your I do\'s beachside.

Ocean tides need to be considered when picking a time for your beach wedding. Tides can creep up on you quickly, and you don\'t want ocean water soaking your guest\'s feet before they\'ve announced, \"You may now kiss the bride.\" Pick your wedding ceremony location in a section of the beach that is not affected by the tides. Bugs are also a consideration when picking a date and a time. Mosquitoes and other flying pests come out in force at certain times of the day, and during certain seasons, depending on your beach location.

Check out your specific beach location and visit it during the time you plan to have your wedding. You may want to try and guess when sunset will hit, or decide if a morning ceremony is more your style. Some beaches have annoying glares at certain times of the day, and others have unpleasant odors if the tide has just gone out.

Keeping to the Beach Theme...

Make sure that the beach style is how you want to go for your ceremony. Beach wedding ceremonies are typically more casual than traditional church weddings. A bride who weds on the beach usually forgoes the white gown and long train for a simple white sundress, and the groom often wears khaki\'s and a light colored shirt. Guests also dress more casual, with Hawaiian shirts and sundresses.

The music differs from the traditional organ music. You might go with a soloist, a ukulele, or some steel drums. The food served at your reception can also reflect your beach theme. Many receptions serve seafood and fresh fruit.

You may also want to come up with creative wedding favors that go with your beach theme, like fun beach towels with your name and date on them, or margarita glasses. Although there is a certain amount of risk in planning a beach ceremony, if you make some arrangements ahead of time and are willing to take your chances, you could have a fantasy beach wedding.

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