Joanna James
Whether you visualised a bohemian ceremony or an elegant gathering, here are some tips to help you on your way to the perfect beach wedding.
First, pick where you want your wedding to take place. Whilst you can hold the wedding anywhere, if you really want to make it magical, head to the tropics. Beach weddings in the Maldives in particular make stunning backdrops to any ceremony, never mind the amazing wedding photographs you'll be left with later. Keep in mind most beaches are public, so if you want to avoid random people walking through your wedding, book a resort with its own private beach, like the Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, for example, or if you're willing to settle on an ocean view instead of the beach, rent a private property that overlooks a beach or the sea.
The drawback of beach weddings is that you're vulnerable to the weather. High temps and sunny days are not for everyone, especially young children and the elderly. You definitely don't want to sweat all your make-up off before the photographs are taken, so avoid the hottest parts of the day and plan an early morning or sunset wedding. If you have no choice but to schedule an afternoon ceremony, find a shady area with a good breeze, or set up a marquee to provide some respite from the sun.
The good thing about an indoor-wedding is that you never have to worry that the venue's going to disappear any time soon. But, sadly that's what could happen at your beach wedding. If you don't want you guests washed away, make sure your ceremony doesn't coincide with high tide.
Between the wind and waves, be prepared for a lot of background noise. Make sure to have a microphone on hand during the ceremony with a windscreen cover, so that your guests can hear your vows, and not the amplified sound of wind.
A ceremony on the beach is all about having a relaxed, fuss-free affair - so leave the ball gown at home. Beach weddings call for lightweight materials that won't way you down if you get a little wet or cause you to sweat buckets. Guys have the option of linen shirts and pants while ladies may opt for airy fabrics like cotton or crepe.
No wedding would be complete without beautiful blooms, bursting with colour. Consult with a florist and find out which flowers are best suited for your outdoor ceremony. In general, most flowers don't mix well with direct sunlight and heat, but there are a few options that don't wilt fast, like orchids and chrysanthemums. For fun, beach themed décor, play around with different textures like woods, crepes and even palm leaves. Fill beach buckets with flowers or use conch shells to line your aisle.
Your menu should reflect your tastes as well as suit the outdoor location. When selecting your food, consider the temperature - some items may spoil in the heat while others will holdout better. Like your wedding cake, for example, a towering cake dripping with buttercream is everyone's nightmare, so opt for fondant instead.
While it may sound easy enough, there's a clearly a lot of planning required to pull off the perfect beach wedding. So if you don't want to deal with all the fine details and avoid the stress altogether, hire a wedding planner. Whether you need someone to coordinate the flower arrangements, or find the right sized canopy, it's always best to let the professionals handle it.
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