Wedding Trends, Wedding Planning, Wedding Tips
10 Tips for Planning Your Australian Beach Wedding
Aug
With Australia’s world-renowned beaches and breathtaking coastlines, it is no wonder why hundreds of grooms and brides who opt to have their wedding right by the gorgeous shores down under. Australian beach weddings have reached its worldwide popularity that destination weddings in this beautiful continent have increased over the past years. If you are planning to turn your dream Australian beach wedding into a glorious reality, read below to know our top tips and hacks on wedding planning and beach weddings here in the OZ.
Tips for Planning Your Dream Australian Beach Wedding
All single ladies have dreamed of their wedding day and most of these dream weddings take place right by the breathtaking views of the beach. As the home of some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, Australian weddings right by the beach aren’t new for us all. From the alluring coasts of Surfers’ Paradise to the exquisite sights of Bondi Beach, brides and grooms from all over the country and even from other parts of the globe are simply in love with the idea of having a beach wedding right on the gorgeous shores in the land down under.
Beach weddings are beautiful indeed but planning for the big day happening outdoors might be a bit overwhelming for young couples and the newly engaged. With hotel receptions and indoor venues, weather conditions aren’t an issue and guests don’t have to worry about getting sand on their feet as well. But with a little creativity and a whole lot of planning, an Australian beach wedding can be a breeze to plan for.
If you and your beloved fiance are planning of exchanging vows right by the sand and the sea, we’d love to help you out with a couple of tips and tricks when it comes to beach wedding celebrations.
1. Opt for a wedding weekend instead of just having a wedding day.
Get to spend time throughout the weekend with your dearest friends and closest family members. Make the most out of the beautiful scenery and the wonderful company you and your spouse have lovingly merged. Plan out activities for everyone to join throughout the weekend, even simple picnics or bonfires are fine. Also, don’t forget to give them their own time to explore the shores and take a rest from all the wedding-related happenings.
2. Plan one or two pre-wedding location visits, if possible.
If you are living away from the beach you are planning on using as the wedding venue, it would be best to be able to visit the site at least twice before the wedding day. You can personally get a better idea of the size of the area and the feel of the entire location. Also, take note of how strong the breeze may be or notice where the sun might be shining from during the actual time of the ceremony. These little details are important in making sure you and your guests are comfortable during the day of.
3. Prepare for loud waves and strong winds.
What’s nice with beach weddings is that everybody gets to enjoy the view, the waters, and the breeze. But because it is outdoors, there is no way to ensure that the waves and winds don’t interrupt your planned solemn wedding ceremony by the shore. Hire a sound system if the waves are too loud and may cause for the vows to be inaudible from afar. If you are still worried, opt for a spot a bit further away from the sandy shores and pick a space wrapped with trees and shrubs to buffer the sound and the winds.
4. Opt for lighter fabric for the dresses.
When picking your wedding dress, the wedding venue is usually one of the first questions asked. Lighter fabrics are great for outdoor weddings to make it easier for the bride to move around, especially with the breeze and the sand from the shore. Think twice about having a long bridal veil when your wedding ceremony is right by the waves, as it may only get caught with your hair or be smeared with makeup and lipstick at the end of the march.
5. Give guests a head up.
Be it through the wedding stationery or your wedding website, let the guests know if you are planning to have the ceremony right beside the waves. Whether you are having both ceremony and reception outside, the guests can dress appropriately for the venue – no stilettos heels getting buried by the sand.
6. Get a wedding planner when in doubt.
When you are in a tight budget, you’d always opt to DIY everything to save on the wedding details and splurge more on the food and drinks, right? But if you are pressed for time and you are clueless on how to pull off a beach wedding, get a wedding planner ASAP. These pros can help you coordinate with vendors and they know how beach weddings work. All that is left for you to do is to look your best on the day and write your life-changing vows for your beloved.
7. Keep everyone hydrated.
While enjoying the scenic views and fresh ocean waves, offer your guests some refreshments to avoid dehydration. Prep fruit-infused water and iced tea right by the venue’s entrance or assemble a charming drinking station using a steel beverage tub filled with ice cubes and bottles of beer and cider. Serve the cold drinks and bottled water along with a stylish personalised stubby holder so everyone keeps their cool all day long under the heat of the sun. Plus, they get to use it all weekend long, too!
8. Anticipate the needs of guests.
From bug sprays to sunscreen, prepare for anything that might be needed by you, your spouse-to-be, the bridal party, and the rest of the wedding guests. Hand out sunglasses for the groomsmen to wear as they stand next to the groom and give the mums and grandmums a cozy shawl or scarf to use when the evening’s breeze turns a bit chilly. Handout personalised bottle openers to help keep the dads, uncles, and mates in partying mood throughout the wedding weekend.
9. Always have a Plan B.
Are you having both the ceremony and the reception outdoors? What happens when it rains? What about if it is too hot for grandpa and grandma? Venue managers and wedding planners know that having a second location ready in case of unfortunate weather or unforeseen circumstances.
10. Make sure everyone gets to have an unforgettable and enjoyable time.
With all the problems to deal with and the details to worry about, don’t forget that it is still your wedding after all and your dream beach wedding is finally coming true. So, make sure you get to have an incredible time on your most special day and ensure that you and your beloved spouse get to enjoy the day’s festivities no matter what. Give your family and friends personalised wedding favours which will remind them of the fun and memorable celebration they have shared with the newlyweds by the beautiful beach.
With everything set and prepared, the only thing you’ll need is your big beautiful smile right by the breathtaking shores. Beach weddings might be challenging to plan but the reward, in the end, is simply priceless as you get to treasure the momentous day for an entire lifetime
