Outdoor Wedding Ideas

So you’ve made your mind up on an outdoor wedding, but now it is time to decide on one more thing before you can even consider thinking about more details.

“Where?”

If you don’t mind a little sand in your shoes, a beach wedding is a glamorous option for an outdoor wedding. These weddings have a kind of sophisticated class that only an ocean view can offer.  The Caribbean has been known to wed many couples to be, but if you are looking for someplace a little closer to home, Florida offers great locations as well.  Places with beaches also tend to present more stable weather patterns.  This makes planning a beach wedding a little easier because the forecast is typically going to be pretty consistent – sunshine.  However, with a beach wedding it is still important to take plenty of caution in planning and make sure to arrange at least one alternative date just in case weather does not permit.  You also have to keep in mind things like high and low tide when planning.

For a beach wedding timing is everything. Do you want it to be like a Hollywood movie with a romantic sun set in the background as the Mr. and Mrs. kiss for the first time? Or do you like the idea of a sunrise to symbolize the onset of your new life together? These are important to consider when you are deciding the details of your wedding. It is also good to note that nature is not always compliant with what YOU want.  But, with a beach wedding if what you are expecting is sand, sunshine, and the ocean, you will not be disappointed.

So, now that the place is decided, what about the wedding decorations? The décor for a beach wedding can be a little more complicated. The wedding decorations for the actual ceremony can be kept to a minimum so that people can enjoy the scenery of the beautiful ocean.  You can then spend the majority of your decorating time focusing on the reception.  Large shells look great on the table, maybe as a centerpieces or name cardholders. Also, starfish and sand arrangements make for a cute and playful feel. You can also opt for something like a Luau with grass hats, colorful umbrella’s, and bright flowers. However, if you’re looking for something more elegant for your wedding decorations consider arrangements with lilies or even orchids.  Adding color to the mix you will find is one of the most difficult things to when deciding on wedding decorations. It’s best to try to keep it simple and stick to 1-3 base colors – good advice for a wedding in any location.  It is easy to get carried away with colors, but keeping it simple will make your wedding decorations look pleasing to the eye. Also keep in mind that beach wedding decorations do not have to be beach themed. For the reception you can decorate it like you would for a church wedding.

A wedding on a beach can be absolutely beautiful. But, if you are planning one there is a lot to consider. Things like location, timing, tide, and even special consideration for your wedding decorations are all very important things to think about. All of the planning is going to take a lot of time, but the satisfaction of having your big day be exactly what you have dreamed, will be worth it.

A Guide To Beach Wedding Decorations

Even with the turquoise ocean, pristine white sand and blue sky forming the perfect setting for your beach wedding, you can still add a unique touch to your wedding day with your own choice of beach wedding decorations. Your beach wedding decorations are an important part of your wedding: afterwards, you’ll always remember which colors the floral arrangements were and how festive your dinner table looked. So once you’ve chosen your dress and venue, make sure to set some time aside to choose your beach wedding decorations.

If you have a theme for your wedding, it’s always a good idea to choose beach wedding decorations that support your theme. For instance, if you’re getting married on a tropical beach in Hawaii, why not use palm leaves to form your wedding arc? Ask the hotel or restaurant where you’re getting married to provide traditional Hawaiian touches, like plumeria leis and traditional Hawaiian music. If your beach wedding is going to be on a beautiful beach in Costa Rica, why not celebrate Costa Rica’s lush wildlife in your beach wedding decorations? You can order floral arrangements made with flowers from the island itself, and hand-painted invitations and table seating cards with pictures of the island’s birds.

Get married at sunset and light up the each with large torches. Of course, where you get married doesn’t have to dictate the theme of your beach wedding decorations. You can choose to reflect your love for each other in your beach wedding decorations, by using a heart theme, or another symbol that represents your love for each other. If you share a passion for a certain subject or activity, it can be fun or meaningful to include that in your theme. For example, if you both love sailing, why not choose a marine theme for your beach wedding decorations? Choose navy blue and white for your colors, and have images of anchors printed on your wedding invitations. Use old mooring lines to form your aisle, pieces of worn driftwood as interestingly shaped centerpieces for your dinner tables, and antique lanterns instead of torches or candles to light the party after dark. No matter how much your budget for your beach wedding decorations is, with a little imagination and ingenuity you can be sure to find the perfect beach wedding decorations to express the significance of the occasion as well as your love for each other.

Where to look for Beach Wedding Dresses Online?

If you’re like most brides, you’ll want your wedding dress to be as memorable as your wedding. Even though you’ll only wear your wedding gown once, you want to look absolutely amazing in it. And if you’re planning a beach wedding, you’ll want your wedding dress to not only be stunning, but also comfortable enough to wear during the ceremony on the sand as well as at your wedding dinner and party. Because beach wedding dresses are not something you’ll find in every store, the Internet provides a convenient way of shopping for beach wedding dresses from the comfort of your home.

Before you start your search for the perfect dress, it helps to decide what type of dress you are looking for, and what your budget is. There are numerous online stores dedicated to beach wedding dresses, where you can find a wide variety of styles, colors and sizes, much like the assortment you’d find in a large bridal store. These beach wedding dresses can cost as little as a few hundred or as much as many thousands of dollars, depending on what you choose. Oftentimes, you can easily find veils, gloves, shoes and bridesmaid’s dresses in the same style or line to go with the dress of your choice.

If your taste is more exclusive and your budget allows, a number of haute couture designers like Christian Lacroix, Vivienne Westwood and Vera Wang, offer wedding dresses that can be worn as beach wedding dresses as part of their confection lines. However, exclusive beach wedding dresses don’t have to be expensive. At online auction sites like eBay you can often get great deals on designer dresses or vintage dresses, as well as all the accessories you want. When looking at beach wedding dresses, it’s important to know exactly which size you need so you can get the perfect fit. Remember that European and UK sizes are different than American sizes, so use an online conversion tool if necessary. For those with allergies, make sure that the dress isn’t made out of any materials that could cause you discomfort or make you sick. Any online store that sells beach wedding dresses should offer you insurance on the shipping, as well as a good return policy in case something isn’t to your satisfaction. It’s always wise to order your dress well before your wedding, to allow for any delays in delivery.

How to go about finding a wedding planner for beach wedding in Florida?

Finally, you’ve found the perfect partner and the perfect location for your beach wedding Florida. Now all you need to guarantee the most beautiful day of your life is the perfect beach wedding planner. Because Florida is such a popular destination for couples planning a beach wedding Florida, finding a beach wedding planner shouldn’t be a problem. However, because you want everything on your wedding day to run smoothly, from the transportation to your beach wedding Florida to the reception and party afterwards, you need a beach wedding planner who understands your wishes and concerns, and who’ll take the responsibility of organizing your beach wedding Florida off your shoulders so you can relax. So how do you go about finding a good beach wedding planner?

If you’ve already chosen a venue for your beach wedding Florida, the first place to start is whether the services of a beach wedding planner are offered as part of a package deal. If they are, schedule a meeting with the beach wedding planner to discuss your wishes for your beach wedding Florida. If you like what you hear, you’re ready to get started, but if there isn’t a click, or the venue doesn’t offer wedding planning services, it never hurts to ask if they can recommend a beach wedding planner. Another great way to find a professional to plan your beach wedding Florida is to ask your family and friends if they can recommend someone. Again, take the time to interview the beach wedding planner to see if he or she understands your wishes and can organize what you want within your budget. Social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace and Twitter are all great ways to ask about a good beach wedding planner for your beach wedding Florida. Happy couple love to post their wedding photos online and share their wedding stories, so you can be sure to get a few interesting leads this way. You can also join beach wedding Florida discussion boards to chat with other prospective couples  about good wedding planners. When you discuss your plans with the wedding planner, remember to always have a clear list of your wishes and requirements for your wedding written down. Without clear directions, the costs of your beach wedding Florida can balloon, so set your budget and stick to it, no matter how much you’d like that extra service the beach wedding planner suggests.

Top 5 Beach wedding Locations

If you’re planning to tie the knot on a beach and you’re overwhelmed by the choice of wedding beaches out there, the following list of our top 5 beach wedding locations might give you some ideas:

1. Bondi Beach, Australia. If you’d like something laid back, yet still close to a city’s nightlife and amenities, Sydney’s Bondi Beach is a great choice. One of the favorite beach wedding locations in Australia, tourists and locals alike choose Bondi Beach over other wedding beaches because of its natural beauty and fun, sporty atmosphere. “Bondi” means “waves breaking over rocks,” but that’s not all you’ll see when you’re there. The weekend home to Sydney’s hip crowd, Bondi offers sun, sand and a wide variety of restaurants and hotels to celebrate your wedding.

2. The Cerf Island Resort, Seychelles. Ranking among the top few of secluded and luxurious beach wedding locations, the Cerf Island Resort sits at the entrance to the Seychelles Sainte Anne National Marine Park. Though the Seychelles offers numerous beautiful wedding beaches, the Cerf Island Resort is truly idyllic, with white sandy beaches, clear blue waters and the luxury of a boutique hotel resort. Stay for your honeymoon to relax on the beach, explore the tropical sea-life and wander around the island.

3. Ironwood Beach, Maui. Maui is home to many favorite beach wedding locations, yet Ironwood Beach stands out amongst all Hawaii’s other wedding beaches. Known amongst locals for its brilliant sunsets and views of Molokai, Ironwood Beach is the perfect backdrop for a romantic beach wedding. 

4. Ponta dos Ganchos, Brazil. Ganchos Bay is one of the most exotic among wedding beaches, and the Ponta dos Ganchos Resort is one of Brazi’s most exclusive beach wedding locations. Enjoy a full-service beach wedding in this tropical setting, where the resort takes care of all your wedding plans, so you can relax and enjoy every moment of your special day.

5. Velarassu, Maldives. A little known gem among wedding beaches, Velarassu, situated on a private coral island in the Maldives, absolutely deserves to be on anybody’s top 5 beach wedding locations. The Velarassu resort features modern design, excellent service and every amenity imaginable, while the pristine white beaches fade into the brilliant turquoise water. With its relaxed atmosphere and total commitment to service, the resort is a wonderful place to exchange vows as well as enjoy a truly romantic honeymoon.

Tips to find beach wedding planners in Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach is one of the most popular destinations in the United States to get married besides a beautiful beach. With numerous restaurants, hotels and resorts to host your beach wedding, and the beautiful backdrop of the Californian coast line, it has a great place to exchange vows. However, the prospect of organizing a Laguna Beach wedding can be quite intimidating and time consuming, especially if both of you are working or looking after a family. Hiring a beach wedding planner can be a great way to ensure your wedding day is well organized and all your wishes are taken care of. Read on for some tips on how to find a good beach wedding planner for your wedding in Laguna Beach.

"If you’re planning to tie the knot on a beach and you’re overwhelmed by the choice of wedding beaches out there, the following list of our top 5 beach wedding locations might give you some ideas:

1. Bondi Beach, Australia. If you’d like something laid back, yet still close to a city’s nightlife and amenities, Sydney’s Bondi Beach is a great choice. One of the favorite beach wedding locations in Australia, tourists and locals alike choose Bondi Beach over other wedding beaches because of its natural beauty and fun, sporty atmosphere. “Bondi” means “waves breaking over rocks,” but that’s not all you’ll see when you’re there. The weekend home to Sydney’s hip crowd, Bondi offers sun, sand and a wide variety of restaurants and hotels to celebrate your wedding.

2. The Cerf Island Resort, Seychelles. Ranking among the top few of secluded and luxurious beach wedding locations, the Cerf Island Resort sits at the entrance to the Seychelles Sainte Anne National Marine Park. Though the Seychelles offers numerous beautiful wedding beaches, the Cerf Island Resort is truly idyllic, with white sandy beaches, clear blue waters and the luxury of a boutique hotel resort. Stay for your honeymoon to relax on the beach, explore the tropical sea-life and wander around the island.

3. Ironwood Beach, Maui. Maui is home to many favorite beach wedding locations, yet Ironwood Beach stands out amongst all Hawaii’s other wedding beaches. Known amongst locals for its brilliant sunsets and views of Molokai, Ironwood Beach is the perfect backdrop for a romantic beach wedding. 

4. Ponta dos Ganchos, Brazil. Ganchos Bay is one of the most exotic among wedding beaches, and the Ponta dos Ganchos Resort is one of Brazi’s most exclusive beach wedding locations. Enjoy a full-service beach wedding in this tropical setting, where the resort takes care of all your wedding plans, so you can relax and enjoy every moment of your special day.

5. Velarassu, Maldives. A little known gem among wedding beaches, Velarassu, situated on a private coral island in the Maldives, absolutely deserves to be on anybody’s top 5 beach wedding locations. The Velarassu resort features modern design, excellent service and every amenity imaginable, while the pristine white beaches fade into the brilliant turquoise water. With its relaxed atmosphere and total commitment to service, the resort is a wonderful place to exchange vows as well as enjoy a truly romantic honeymoon."