Planning a Beach Themed Wedding: Invitations, Decorations and Bridesmaids Gowns

If you're a beach lover and would love to incorporate a beach theme into your summer wedding, but can't or don't want to go the destination wedding route don't despair! There are plenty of decorations, favors, and other ways that you can have a beach themed wedding without actually going to the beach.

Beach Themed Wedding Invitations
Your guests will get a first taste of your beach wedding plans when they receive the invitation in the mail. Look for invitations which feature items typically associated with the beach such as seashells, sand dollars, or lighthouses. Your color scheme should be white, blue, or sea green. These simple invitations from Wedding Needs feature a lovely beach landscape with blue writing reminiscent of the ocean.

Beach Themed Wedding Decorations
If you're having an outdoor wedding, try decorating the end chair on each row of chairs with a combination of ribbons, starfish, and rope (think nautical). Lighting could be provided for dusk ceremonies with strands of turquoise or ocean blue paper lanterns or tiki torches. At the reception, use place cards decorated with sea shells or palm trees, such as these from Beau Coup. You could create a beach inspired display for placecards with a sand tray, such as this one from Beach Theme Wedding Shop with sand, starfish, and sand dollar decorations. Incorporate ocean blue into the décor with simple touches, using either aqua blue napkins on a white tablecloth or vice versa. Make your own beach centerpiece by filling a shallow clear bowl halfway with sand. In the sand, place shells, a starfish, and one or two small votive candle holders or a pillar candle. Another centerpiece idea would be a silver tray adorned with light blue transparent craft gems and starfish, with blue and white pillar candles. Sand bucket votive holders could also illuminate tables at a more casual reception.

Beach Themed Wedding Bridesmaids Gowns
In a previous article, suggestions on fabrics and other beach wedding gowns were explored. If the bride is wearing a casual style of gown, the bridesmaids shouldn't upstage her with intricate designs and heavy fabrics. Satin gowns would be a good choice for summer weddings, and there are many casual knee-length bridesmaids dresses that would be suitable for a beach themed wedding. David's Bridal sells a variety of such gowns and you can shop by color on the David's Bridal website. This gown is available in several ocean themed colors, such as serene, oasis, and mermaid. A strapless or spaghetti strap gown would look perfect for a beach themed wedding and will also keep your bridal party happy and cool during warmer outdoor ceremonies.