How to Plan the Ultimate Beachside Wedding

Aw, wedding season is upon us once again. And if the wedding is your own you've probably been in "wedding season" mode for at least a couple of months already. Every bride wants her wedding to be extra special, something unique that will set their big day apart from the others they have attended. One great way to do that is to plan your wedding around a specific theme. One of the hottest trends going right now are beachside weddings. They're fun, they're romantic and they'll leave a lasting impression on your guests. What's more, they will give you that "something extra" that will only do for your wedding! Like any wedding though, there are plenty of things that can go wrong when planning this type of wedding. Here is some insight as to what should be considered as well as some great ideas to help you plan the best beachside wedding possible!

Lighting may or may not be important, depending on what time of day you plan to have the ceremony. Keep in mind, however, that the sun may not be shining as brightly as you would like even for morning or afternoon and it's always a good idea to have a back up plan. Consider where you would like your lights to be. Surrounding the entire area? Or just up front with a few placed among the guests? Do not use direct white light. It's too strong, makes things (and people) look unattractive, and does not create a very romantic atmosphere. Using pink or yellow hued lights will create a warm ambience or candles can be used for a timeless look.

Weather is one of the key factors. Don't just simply hope that on the day of, the sun will be shining, the wind will be minimal and the temperature won't be so high that your guests (and you) spend more time sweating than they do enjoying the day. Of course, if all these things worked out that would be ideal but it doesn't always go that way. This is another area where a contingency plan is a must. Try to find an alternative spot where the ceremony could be or an extra tent. Many couples include a "bad weather" card with their invitations so guests won't be confused when they are being moved from place to place. Also try to have the ceremony in a spot that is out of direct sunlight, if your wedding is during the day. On the flip side of this, make sure everyone also has a spot to warm up if it's going to take place at night.

One of the biggest decisions in any wedding is the food that will be served. Seafood and other kinds of fish is the obvious choice but you can have an alternate dish for people who prefer something else or have allergies. Since shellfish is a major allergy, be aware that any other food will need to prepared completely separately from these courses. That includes different utensils and an overall awareness that the dishes cannot in any way come into contact with each other. If you don't want the hassle of allergies to be one more thing to worry about, you can have a pig roast or a barbecue.

What will your guests be looking at while they are enjoying their seaside fare? The sky is the limit when it comes to table arrangements and centerpieces. Using seashell napkin rings and sand dollar place cards add a fun touch, as do candles surrounded by sand or flowers floating in water. If you're looking for a super fresh idea for candles, you can easily create seashell candles. Find some seashells that you like and fill them with melted beeswax. Insert a wick in the center and allow to set. A creative centerpiece to decorate tables with are children's pail and shovel sets. These can be filled with fresh fruit or sand and topped with sea shells. Fill a bowl with water and give the water a blue tint by adding some food colouring. Buy some fake tropical fish and have them float around inside the bowl.

And what wedding day would be complete without music and microphones? When choosing your music, try to find pieces that will complement the natural sounds of the environment. This needs to be kept in mind whether you will be using a band, a soloist or recorded music. You will probably also need the help of a microphone, even more so than if you were outdoors. Anyone who will be speaking will be competing with the crash of the waves, squawking seagulls, and other outdoor noises. It's a good idea to have a microphone stationed at the front so the guests can hear the wedding vows.

And last but certainly not least, are the decorations. Remember when choosing decorations that they may easily be blown away. Using seashells to create an aisle is a great idea. You can also place them in other strategic spots as these will most likely stay where they are put. If you are using a tent, don't leave the poles bare as this does not make for a very fun or romantic setting. Draping them with flowers, fish net, or party lights will help you create the right mood.

These are the major factors to take into consideration when planning a beachside wedding. It does take some careful consideration but what wedding doesn't? Beachside weddings are one of the greatest ways to celebrate the day and everyone is sure to have a lot of fun! After all, weddings are a time of celebration and this event will definitely be something to be celebrated!