Tips & Tricks
A little local know-how can make your beach wedding even more beautiful, comfortable and stress-free.
A Few Things We’ve Learned Along the Way.
Beach weddings are beautiful, romantic and wonderfully relaxed—but sand, sunshine, wind and Florida weather can bring a few surprises.
We’ve gathered some of our favorite tips to help you and your guests stay comfortable, enjoy the experience and spend less time worrying about the little things.
You don’t need to make your wedding complicated. A little preparation goes a long way.
Four Things to Remember
Florida Heat & Comfort
Sunshine is part of what makes a Florida beach wedding beautiful. Planning for the heat helps everyone enjoy it.
The Day Of: It’s Hot
If your event is between April and October, there is a good chance it will be HOT. Visitors aren’t always prepared for Florida’s humidity. Start drinking plenty of water several days before your event and bring water for you and your spouse.
Make Sure You Eat
Wedding-day nerves can make your appetite disappear, but don’t skip your meals. Have a well-balanced breakfast and eat before a late-afternoon wedding. Light foods, snacks, fresh vegetables and fruit are great choices. Try to avoid too much alcohol before the ceremony—spirits and Florida heat don’t always agree.
Water, Water, Water
Hydration is key. Coolers and water are welcome and encouraged. If you’d rather not bring additional items to the beach, ask us about adding a hydration station to your event.
Cooling Towels
You and your guests may appreciate these on a warm Florida day. Bring your own, purchase prepackaged towels or ask about adding them to your package. A small, damp, individually wrapped cold towel is refreshing, discreet and can help cool you down.
Bugs: Use Spray
The state bird is the mosquito… not really, but that’s what the locals say! With our warm weather, pesky bugs can buzz around throughout the year. Consider applying bug spray or bringing some for you and your guests.
Keep a Small Towel Handy
Bring a few small hand towels or baby wipes. If sand gets on your face, you’ll be able to wipe it away easily before photos. They’re also helpful for removing lipstick from your partner after your first kiss.
What to Wear on the Beach
Beautiful doesn’t have to mean uncomfortable. Think light, relaxed and beach-friendly.
Choose Lightweight Clothing
When choosing clothes for the day, think about the heat. Lightweight fabrics are encouraged. A tuxedo or a large train with a bustle may become uncomfortable on a warm beach. For winter dates, consider having a light layer available—we do occasionally have chilly days.
Watch for Clothing Lines
Wearing shorts, tight undergarments or hair ties on your wrist while getting ready can leave lines or impressions on your skin. If your wedding attire exposes those areas, choose loose clothing while getting ready. Flip-flops can also help prevent sock lines.
Plan for Wind
The beach can have anything from a light breeze to strong winds. Keep this in mind when selecting your hairstyle. Long, loose hair can blow into your face or straight into the air. A secure style can make the ceremony—and your photos—much easier.
Think About Your Veil
Veils are beautiful and we love them! However, beach wind can have its own plans. You may want to consider a headpiece or decorative hairpins. Another option is to bring your veil and use it specifically for photographs.
Shoes? Go Barefoot.
Heels are exceedingly difficult to walk in on sand. Consider going barefoot or wearing beach-friendly footwear for the ceremony and saving your beautiful shoes for the reception.
Watch Those Tan Lines
If you arrive a few days before your wedding and spend time on the beach or in the sun, be mindful of tan lines. Even a short amount of Florida sun can leave a burn or noticeable lines that may show in your wedding photos.
Embrace the Beach.
The breeze, the sand and the sound of the water aren’t interruptions—they’re part of what makes your wedding beautifully yours.
Sand, Shoes & Beach Life
A beach wedding comes with a few things you simply won’t find in a ballroom. That’s part of the fun.
Sand—It’s Everywhere
Ahhhh, sand! It’s everywhere—and that’s okay. You may end up with sand on your hands, legs and everywhere in between. It’s part of the charm of a beach wedding. Most beaches have rinsing stations so you can rinse your feet before getting back into your vehicle.
Consider a Shoe Station
Guests may arrive wearing shoes but want to lose them once they hit the sand. A shoe station keeps footwear organized and prevents shoes from being scattered around your ceremony setup or appearing throughout your photos.
Beach Accessibility
If you have guests who need assistance getting onto the beach, please let us know. There are vendors who rent wheelchairs designed specifically for the sand. We can help direct you to a nearby vendor for the beach you choose.
Photography & Your Timeline
A little planning after the ceremony gives you more time for photographs and helps your guests know what happens next.
Consider an Unplugged Ceremony
Ask your guests to unplug and be present during the ceremony. You’ll appreciate it when you receive your photographs and see your guests enjoying the moment instead of a sea of phones and devices in the air.
Have a Photo Plan
After the ceremony, guests will naturally want to congratulate you. Plan for a few minutes together, then begin photographs. We love a large group photo followed by smaller family and wedding-party groups. Having a list of the groups you want photographed can help everything move smoothly.
Send Guests to the Reception
If you have a reception planned, let us know. After group photographs, guests who are finished can head to the reception while you and your spouse remain for more intimate photographs. This helps keep the day moving and gives you a little breathing room.
Don’t Try to Control Every Grain of Sand.
Beach weddings are naturally a little different. There may be a breeze. Your feet may get sandy. Your hair may move. Someone may laugh at exactly the wrong—or right—moment.
That’s part of what makes these ceremonies so special. Be present, enjoy your people and let your wedding feel like your wedding.
We’ll help with the details so you can concentrate on the reason you’re there in the first place.
Guest Comfort & Fun Details
Small details can make your ceremony more comfortable, organized and memorable for everyone.
Shoe Station
A shoe station gives your guests a designated place to leave their footwear before walking onto the sand. It keeps the ceremony area cleaner and more organized. Ask us about availability.
Hydration Station
Water is always a welcome addition to a warm beach ceremony. If you don’t want to bring coolers or bottled water yourself, ask us about adding a water station to your event.
Cooling Towels
Cold towels can be a simple but thoughtful touch for you and your guests on particularly warm days. Ask us about availability when planning your event.
The Celebration Toss
If guests will toss something as you walk back down the aisle, it should be biodegradable. Bubbles, dried flowers or petals, bird seed and DIY sugar confetti are options to consider. We recommend waiting until after important photographs are taken.
Throwing the Bouquet
If you’re using one of our bouquets, you can certainly use it for a bouquet toss. If you’d like the person who catches it to keep the bouquet, consider bringing a smaller toss bouquet or ask us about purchasing one to keep.
Keep It Simple
You don’t need to bring everything you own to the beach. Water, a few personal essentials and a plan for your guests are often all you need. The simpler the setup, the easier it is to relax and enjoy your ceremony.
Let’s Plan Your Beach Wedding.
Now that you know what to expect, let’s start putting together a celebration that feels relaxed, beautiful and completely yours.
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