When it comes to low-cost beach weddings, knowing where to hold them and what to expect is essential. The good news is that beach weddings are an excellent choice for do-it-yourself event planners (with a little help, of course).
In this article, we’ll answer all of your burning questions, get specific about numbers, and recommend some venues to help you plan the wedding of your dreams.
Small versus Large
Small beach weddings are easier to plan because of their simplicity. There will be fewer invitations, fewer people to manage, and less money spent on guest catering. In this case, less truly is more. You’ll have to deal with hotel room blocking, higher meal costs (the night before or at the reception), more phone calls/emails with family/friends to answer travel/lodging questions, and more overall stress with large, traditional weddings. A small Victoria beach wedding is the way to go if you want a simple, stress-free wedding! With our beach wedding company, you can plan every detail of your beach wedding from the comfort of your own home.
What does the term “small” mean?
The first major decision you’ll have to make when planning your guest list is whether to invite guests or elope as a couple. Weddings with fewer than 50 guests are commonly referred to as “small beach weddings” or “micro-weddings.” An elopement is usually just the two of you. Eloping as a couple is a significant decision, particularly if you come from a large family with high expectations or a large circle of friends. So, first and foremost, conduct some research to determine whether a beach elopement is right for you. Don’t forget, however, that a “small” beach wedding does not have to imply elopement! You can have a more intimate, romantic wedding with all of the most up-to-date decor, such as a geometric wedding arch.
Both the location and the wedding gown are wise choices.
When selecting a location for your beach wedding, be wise and discriminating. The majority of beaches are vulnerable to high winds. As a result, for your ceremony, select a cove or an area that is protected from strong winds. Keep an eye out for the tides and prepare ahead of time. Beaches can be quite hot depending on the time of year, even in the evenings, so keep that in mind if you’re planning a summer beach wedding ceremony. Choose your wedding attire accordingly. For a summer beach wedding, you might want to wear something light. Many budget-conscious couples prefer light, sand-friendly dresses or even casual beach wear over full gowns or skirts. They will even remove their shoes and walk around barefoot. It’s important to remember that not all dresses, styles, or fabrics are appropriate for a beach wedding. Choose a dress that is made of a light, airy fabric that allows you to move freely. Pale pink and pale blue are ideal colors for a beach wedding. However, if you want to experiment with different colors, don’t forget to do so. Keep it simple for a memorable and appealing appearance!
Consider keeping your wedding guest list to a minimum.
When considering how to plan a beach wedding on a tight budget, the first thing to consider is your guest list. Make an educated guess as to how many guests will attend your wedding. Most beaches do not require special permits for low-budget informal weddings; however, always double-check with local authorities to be sure. Consider small beach wedding ideas from wedding websites, as well as wedding planners and companies that can assist you in creating a small, personalized guest list. Thinking small allows you to have an intimate experience with the people you love and cherish the most while also keeping your budget under control and spending more on the things that are more important to you, such as the wedding cake, wedding gowns, and even your honeymoon vacation.
Positioning, Positioning, Positioning
Select a venue based on your wedding style and a non-negotiable guest list (if that is a consideration for you). If you live near a beach, you may already have a favourite spot. There are several types of beach locations:
Resort
A beachfront restaurant, hotel, or club can offer you the desired water views as well as a reception venue with a full staff to assist you. This is a more expensive option than doing it yourself, but it is far less stressful.
Beach that is accessible to the general public
On this beach, anyone can swim, sunbathe, and, yes, even get married. You might be able to reserve a section of the beach for your wedding if you start planning early enough. Investigate the permit requirements of the state or town. Some parks commissions, for example, at public beaches, may require you to list all of the equipment you’ll be bringing, as well as all of the food and beverages you’ll be serving. Keep in mind that you’ll also need a cleanup strategy in place.
The beach has its own entrance
If you or a generous friend or family member own a home on a private beach, you’re in luck. This option offers privacy and may be subject to fewer regulations. For your wedding reception, you may be able to rent a villa or other space along a private beach. If you’re getting married on a private beach, look into any permit fees, container laws, and clean-up fees.
Find a local beach wedding officiant to perform your wedding ceremony:
Going to the beach of your choice with a local wedding officiant for beach wedding ideas on a budget can be quite affordable. They frequently specialize in beach weddings, providing helpful advice as well as budget-friendly package deals. Wedding packages are becoming increasingly popular, and they are ideal for busy couples. These packages frequently include the bouquet, photography, and even the filing of your marriage license. To save money on your reception, consider a sunset ceremony followed by a simple yet stylish wine and cheese beach reception right on the beach.
Wedding Organizer
While it may appear that getting married on the beach is a breeze, we recommend hiring a planner to handle the unexpected logistics of a beach wedding. It’s a good idea to have a pro on hand to help with these sticky situations, whether you need a permit for a specific area or someone to deal with hordes of sunbathers squatting where your altar will be.
Work with a wedding planner who specializes in beach weddings, as they will have the necessary experience to pull off this type of event.
It is critical to hire a wedding planner who lives in the area where you will be married to assist you in navigating the requirements of a specific beach wedding (since these can vary by county and within towns). Planners also serve as expert eyes in locating and supervising local vendors.
Consider a one-of-a-kind wedding cake
Wedding cakes are a must-have for many weddings, but they can be quite expensive! So, instead of spending a fortune, why not try a different kind of cake? You can keep your beach wedding ideas on a budget by having a cupcake wedding rather than splurging on something that your guests will only nibble on. You can now choose from a wide range of beautiful and inventive cupcakes that your guests can take with them on their way out and enjoy later.
Cut back on the number of invitations you send out
When planning a beach wedding on a tight budget, skip the traditional printed wedding invitations, reception cards, and envelopes. Send your wedding invitations via email because you’re having an out-of-the-ordinary beach wedding, and ask your guests to RSVP online or via email. Many websites handle RSVP online for a low fee, and you save a significant amount of money compared to the traditional method, as well as relieve the burden of sending out invitation cards.
Make and stick to a budget
If you plan ahead of time and stick to small beach wedding tips, you can expect a romantic yet affordable wedding. It’s not as difficult as you might think, and if you stick to your budget, you won’t have to forego luxury. Choose your date wisely if you want to save a lot of money. To avoid busy seasons and weekends, choose an off-season beach wedding. In addition to low-cost wedding attire, choose casual hairstyles and makeup, as well as locally affordable flowers. Also, instead of a professional photographer and band, tell your relatives and friends to bring their cameras and stereo players. You are capable of accomplishing a wide range of tasks on your own. Following these simple tips will help you save a lot of money!
Strategy for Contingencies
We cannot stress enough how important it is to have a backup plan for any type of outdoor wedding.
We understand that canceling your wedding day fun in the sun at the last minute is the last thing you want to do, but Mother Nature isn’t always on your side. Renting a tent in the event of light rain or the need for shade is always a good idea. If something goes wrong, you’ll have something to fall back on.
Make advance arrangements with a nearby hotel or hall to serve as an alternate location in the event of a total washout.
Also, don’t feel obligated to plan your day around the schedule of a drill sergeant. If you need to be on a rain delay for a couple of hours, the rest of the day can go on as planned.
What should you consider when organizing a beach wedding?
Ascertain that all participants have access to the beach
Many people overlook the accessibility factor after they’ve found and fallen in love with a beach wedding location. Remember to think about your guests’ comfort and how easy or difficult it will be for them to get to the location from the main road. This can have an impact on how easily chairs, tables, and even food delivery can be set up and transported. Check to see if your location is difficult to reach, and if it is, make the necessary preparations.
It is not a good idea to let the sound of the waves drown out your vows
Nothing beats a romantic stroll down the beach while listening to the waves crashing on the sand. When you’re trying to exchange vows, it’s a completely different story. To work around this, get a professional sound system and figure out how to power it up on the beach. You can rent or purchase a wireless microphone and speaker for the officiant. Another option is to purchase a windscreen for your microphone, which will prevent the wind from overpowering what you’re saying. Check with your wedding planner or the resort to see if these items can be rented or purchased.
Make your decor windproof
You’ll need to modify your decor for the outdoors, especially if you live in a windy area. This means avoiding extravagant flowers, towering candles, and even windy ribbons and balloons that could be blown away by the wind. Keep breakables to a minimum and opt for long-lasting decor. To keep anything you can’t live without (name tags, photos, etc.) in place, use adhesive, a spring, or something heavier on top. When it comes to flowers, choose varieties that can withstand high temperatures and won’t wilt before the ceremony begins.
Check to see if there is any shade
It’s just as important to remember that guests in an outdoor setting will be exposed to the elements as it is to plan for rainy weather. Keep everyone cool, especially if you’re in a hot climate, by holding your ceremony in the morning or late afternoon when the sun is at its gentlest. You should also think about shade, especially for the sake of the elderly and children. Keep an eye on the weather forecast when planning a beach or outdoor wedding so you know what to expect. You can get a canopy to cover the seating area or bamboo poles draped in light, white fabric to keep everyone cool.
Finger food storage: keep it cool!
If you aren’t getting married at a resort, food storage is an important consideration. Food that should be refrigerated spoils quickly in high temperatures, so choose wisely. This is also something to consider when selecting a cake – buttercream-based cakes may suffer in the heat. Picking anything that will quickly melt or spoil is a good rule of thumb.
If you’re concerned about food, consider getting married on the beach and having the reception elsewhere, such as a nearby restaurant.
Choose beach wedding attire that is appropriate.
Your wedding day is the most important day of your life, and you should dress accordingly; however, because you’ll be on the beach, you should wear something that won’t overheat you.
The afternoon heat can be unbearable in many seaside towns. Even if you don’t mind glistening, keep your visitors in mind. High temperatures are dangerous for everyone, especially the elderly and children. To avoid the heat, consider a ceremony in the morning or at sunset (and crowds). Are you unable to hold your ceremony during one of these dates and times? Drink it in the afternoon, but find a shady spot on the beach where you can catch a cool breeze. Check the weather forecast and notify your guests via your wedding website so that they can dress appropriately. Look up the tide schedule on the internet as well: Tidal waves coming in are louder than tidal waves going out, not to mention the risk of water creeping up on you as you marry.
Ceremony Intelligence
Make sure your guests know where to go and how to navigate any boardwalks, rocky areas, or grassy dunes if you’ve chosen a less-traveled stretch of beach. Consider accessibility for special-needs guests. Is there somewhere nearby where they could be dropped off?
Set up a welcome table near the entrance to your ceremony location. To make guests more comfortable, it could include: sunscreen, bug spray, parasols, or cozy beach blankets.
Refreshments such as homemade lemonade or ice water will help you stay hydrated.
A basket to put their shoes in so they can walk around in the sand barefoot.
After the ceremony, baby powder can be used to remove sand from their shoes.
Arrive at your location a few hours early to ensure a smooth setup. You don’t want to start wilting during the ceremony, so try to relax and drink plenty of water.
Design Elements
Choosing décor elements that complement your seaside setting is an enjoyable aspect of planning a beach wedding. Seashells, starfish, nautical ropes, anchors, lanterns, sea glass, and driftwood are all beautiful and appropriate theme additions. Here are a few things to consider as you select yours:
Ceremony: If your ceremony is set against the backdrop of the ocean, there’s no need to go overboard with the décor. A simple chuppah or arch can suffice, or simply allow the beauty of the water to speak for itself. Instead of a unity candle, experiment with different colored sand or even sand and water.
When setting up tables outside, keep the wind in mind. Weight tablecloths and other light items, such as place cards, to keep them from blowing away. Candles and ribbons, on the other hand, should be avoided at all costs.
Will all of your friends and family members be able to attend your dream beach wedding? Consider a small wedding on a distant beach followed by a large reception for all of your friends and family when you return home. Because obtaining a foreign marriage license can be difficult, many couples choose a civil wedding at home, followed by a lavish ceremony on their dream beach for show. Regardless of which path you take, the beach will almost certainly provide a memorable and romantic setting for your wedding.
