Beach Theme Weddings

Beach theme weddings are one of the most romantic settings. With spectacular sunsets and gorgeous sunrises, it is no wonder that beach weddings have become so popular.

Formal or casual, a beach wedding is beautiful, unforgettable, and easy to plan.

INVITATION IDEAS FOR A TROPICAL WEDDING THEME

Let your guests know about your seaside wedding from the start by sending nautical themed invitations. Choose designs of seashells, dolphins, or palm trees.

Some creative ideas for your beach theme wedding invitations:

• Send your invitation as "a message in a bottle". Roll your invitations up and put them into small bottles with a little sand or tiny seashells. You can purchase these small bottles online and they come with mailing boxes.
• Have your invitations look like a postcard with a photo of the bride and groom at the beach. Have the words, "S.O.S.! We need your help to celebrate the wedding of..." written in the sand.
• Purchase large conch shells and insert the invitation inside the shell. Place the shell in a small box to mail.

ATTIRE FOR BEACH THEME WEDDINGS

Forget the formal ballgown. Be comfortable!

Wear a simple, strapless gown made of light weight fabric that flows with your body. Or a sarong.

Wear sandals, flip flops or go barefoot.

The groom should be comfortable too. If the ceremony is formal, the groom could wear white slacks with a navy jacket.

However, a colorful shirt with khakis or shorts would go more with the beach theme!

WEDDING DECORATING IDEAS FOR BEACH THEME WEDDINGS

Since you can't control the weather, be sure to set up a large party tent on the beach for protection against wind or rain. Or have an alternate indoor site nearby just in case of bad weather.

• Use Tiki torches for lightening pathways at an evening reception.
• You can also have a Tiki hut built as an outside bar.
• Use a conch shell aisle in the sand for the bride to walk down.
• Announce the bride's arrival with a conch shell horn.
• A captain's log book could be used as the guest book.
• If you are using chairs for your guests, decorate them with strings of shells or starfish. Or place chaise chairs around with beach towels on them for your guests to use.
• If you are not using chairs, spread blankets on the sand for your guests to set or recline on.
• For your wedding table centerpiece ideas, use shell studded candles with seashells, starfish, and sand dollars scattered around. Or use fishbowls with goldfish as your centerpieces. A small-sized life buoy with flowers in the center would also make a nice centerpiece.
• Have buckets of ice with bottles of water and other beverages setting around for your guests. You can even decorate the buckets with seashells to go along with your beach theme.
• Be sure there is plenty of sunscreen and bug spray for your guests. Give your guests a palm leaf fan to use during the ceremony.
• Use palm trees, fishing nets and sand castles as decorations.

MENU IDEAS FOR A BEACH THEME WEDDING

Since it is a beach wedding, your menu is defined by the setting.

• Serve tropical fruit and a conch salad.
• Have an oyster bar.
• Serve seafood - lobster, shrimp, crab legs, clams or salmon.
• Have an ice sculpture in the shape of a dolphin to hold shrimp or a salad.

For your beverages, serve tropical "umbrella" drinks, margaritas, daiquiris, lemonade and ice tea.

TROPICAL WEDDING THEME CAKE IDEAS

Stay with the beach theme for your wedding cake - use nautical designs, such as a lighthouse, a seashell, or a sailboat. Or you could have a tropical fruit wedding cake.

If you want to have a traditional wedding cake, decorate it with seashells or tropical flowers. Coconut or pineapple are good choices for your wedding cake's flavor.

MUSIC IDEAS FOR A BEACH THEME WEDDING

For your music, play be sure to play some calypso, reggae, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Don Ho, Jimmy Buffet, and of course, the Beach Boys.

FLOWERS FOR A BEACH THEME WEDDING

Use any tropical flowers, such as hibiscus, orchids, King Protea, Heliconia, and calla lilies. Wear a tropical flower in your hair or a flower head wreath.

WEDDING FAVOR IDEAS FOR A TROPICAL WEDDING THEME

For your wedding favors give studded seashell candles or little bottles of sand.

Use plastic sand pails and put a deflated beach ball, cheap sunglasses, bug spray, and a lei in it.

MORE IDEAS FOR BEACH THEME WEDDINGS

• Avoid having your wedding in the afternoon. Instead choose an early morning sunrise or the evening sunset to help set the stage for your beach wedding.
• Be sure the beach is clean of debris on your wedding day - before and after.

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