Planning the finite details of your beach wedding includes, strategic placing of lighting if necessary, arranging the food and tables, decorations that compliment a beach setting, and music selections as well as where to place the speakers.
Lighting for a beach wedding and reception can be tricky.
Think about what type of lighting will be needed, and where you will be 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 knife 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.
If you are planning music for the ceremony and reception of your beach wedding - consider music that compliments the setting and be aware of noise violations on public beaches. Heavy metal may not sound the same when competing with the seagulls and the ocean.
Steel drums are a welcome sound conjuring up warm, tropical memories. Finding a local steel drum band will be a real coup and a sure way to get everyone up dancing.
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.
Last but not least....Remember to have fun no matter what happens. Any little annoyances on your wedding day will be great memories in the years to come.
Until Next Time!
Jasmine :)
Resources: http://windsor.weddingwindow.com
