Beautiful Beach Weddings
Islands & Beaches Perfect for your wedding >>
Australia has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and with such a high proportion of our population living near the coast it is no surprise that beach weddings are gaining in popularity. Many couples opt for marrying on the beach as it reflects something which is important in their lives. However, planning a beach wedding can be challenging because it is such a unique environment.
Once you’ve picked your beach location check with the local council to see if you need a permit to use the beach. This should only be necessary if you are having a large gathering and you want to block off a portion of the beach exclusively for you and your guests. Always check with the council first though. Make sure you know exactly where the nearest conveniences are, and check their cleanliness.
Get a tide chart – these can be found online or at fishing and sports stores. It is best to plan the wedding as the tide is going out, so that you will have as much time as possible. Think of where the water will be so that you can plan what will be best for practical and photographic reasons. Now you can set your date and time in stone!
You can predict the tides, but not the weather. A wet and windy day could spoil all your carefully made beach wedding plans, so make sure you have a contingency plan, including a way of informing guests at short notice, just in case Mother Nature has one of her moods.
Sand is difficult to walk across, so you will not be able to wear high heels. Many beach brides choose sandals or even marry barefoot. It is worth mentioning this to guests, so they don’t struggle in heels too. The sand is also very difficult for anyone in a wheelchair. Plan for your elderly guests with chairs and beach umbrellas and suggest on your invitations that guest bring umbrellas as they will be in the sun during the ceremony. Provide sunscreen and insect repellent as it will be appreciated by those who didn’t think about it.
If you are expecting many children you should organise a childminder. Children can find plenty of things to distract them on the beach and need to be well supervised around water. Unlike a church, the beach provides children with plenty of reasons to run off and you don’t want your guests chasing their children down the beach during the ceremony.
A beach wedding is completely unique, and can also be cheaper than a traditional wedding. Have fun planning, and send invitations with a beach theme to get your guests in the mood!