Close your eyes and imagine yourself on your wedding day. If you're picturing sunny skies, a saltwater breeze, and sand between your toes, you've come to the right place. A beach wedding will give you and your guests plenty to be excited about, whether it takes place close to home on a private lake or thousands of miles away on a crystal-clear ocean in a tropical destination.

"Water provides the most stunning backdrop," say destination wedding planners. "If you don't have a lot of money to spend on decorations, just get the sea behind you and you're done." There's also the extra time together that a beach wedding in a new location provides for a couple and their guests: "A destination wedding isn't just a one-day event," we add. "It's a whole weekend of fun and festivities."

Are you ready to start making your beach side wedding dreams a reality? We're here to share the best beach wedding planning tips, tricks, and advice.

Beach Wedding Guidelines

When should I send out save-the-date alerts?

If your beach wedding is also a destination wedding, give guests advance notice of your wedding date so they can put in vacation requests at work and get good travel deals. A year's notification is ideal, especially for VIPs such as parents and wedding party members but sending out save-the-dates six months before the wedding will be more than enough time.

Do I need to organise travel and lodging for my guests?

While the marrying couple is not responsible for a guest's airfare, accommodations, or meals while attending the wedding, they will want to allow the participants in making arrangements. A hotel block is often the simplest and most cost-effective way to ensure your guests have comfortable accommodations close to the wedding ceremony and reception site.

What should I inform visitors about the dress code?

Beach weddings are typically more relaxed and carefree, but that doesn't mean yours has to be. Whatever dress code you choose, make it clear in your invitation suite and, if necessary, provide more details on your wedding website. (However, keep guest comfort in mind—if the majority of the celebration takes place outside, asking male guests to wear formal tuxedos may be too much.) In case you are looking for your wedding dress, try Bianco Evento.

If the ceremony—or any other part of the wedding—is held directly on the sand, make sure your guests are aware of this from the beginning. (If guests are arriving at a big resort, they may not expect the wedding to be held on the beach.)

Is it okay if my beach wedding takes place entirely outside?

We understand once you've arrived in paradise, it's difficult to spend every waking moment there. Having said that, you should still prioritise guest comfort when choosing venues for your event. If the ceremony will be held outside in direct sunlight, we recommend relocating guests to a shaded patio or a space with indoor/outdoor access for cocktail hour.

Steps to guide you in your planning

Choose Your Location

Hawaii, Miami Beach, the Hamptons, and the Bahamas are just a few of the beautiful beach destinations around the world. Consider returning to the location of a memorable vacation, choosing a location where relatives live or has special meaning to your family, or even a location with good deals on direct flights from where most of your guests are travelling from.

Do your homework on the weather

Is there really a wet and dry season? When does it become too hot to spend more than 15 minutes outside? All these questions will help you determine the best time of year for your beach wedding.

Get the necessary permits for a public beach ceremony

Unless the beach is on private property, you should check local township ordinances before establishing an arbour and chairs, as a permit for a larger event may be required.