An easy guide to planning a successful beach-side wedding

Destination weddings will never go out of style, and if you and your partner are self-proclaimed beach lovers, there’s nothing like a romantic beach-side wedding to seal the deal. But planning a wedding by the beach involves some extra legwork, from the accessibility of the venue for all the guests (especially old relatives and kids) to beach-appropriate décor. Go through our tips below to get started!

Choose a destination and venue

The first step to planning a beach wedding is also the most important one—where is it going to be? Are the secluded white sand beaches of Andaman and Nicobar your vibe or are the bustling beaches of Goa more your thing? Or would you prefer a lush backdrop for your wedding, like the beaches of Kerala? While picking a location, don’t forget to factor in things like accessibility, your budget, and both your and your partner’s aesthetics. 

Research the weather 

So, you’ve finally zeroed in on the perfect venue, now what? Check the weather—you don’t want to hold your ceremony in a place that is always too humid and unbearable or a locale that gets frequent rain. Also, make sure to steer clear of certain seasons like monsoon and try to pick a date when you can celebrate in pleasant weather. 

Plan the décor keeping the venue in mind 

Delicate tulle that will blow away in the wind? Non-seasonal flowers that will wilt away in the heat? Cake that will melt in the scorching sun? When planning a beach-side wedding, it’s important to keep these elements in mind. Figure storage for food items that will get easily spoiled, and make sure the rest can survive the higher temperatures. For flowers, local varieties are your best bet as they’ll be more durable. For the rest of your décor, too, pick practical options. Also check the sound system and its suitability against background noise, as voices won’t travel as well as in an indoor space. 

Be prepared for unexpected weather 

Yes, as mentioned above, you’re going to research the place’s weather to make sure that it has more sunny days than rainy, but it always helps to be prepared as tropical climates can be quite unpredictable. Keep an element of your ceremony indoors or in an al fresco area to get the best of both worlds. If you’d rather have the entire event on the beach, have provisions for a tent ready in case it rains. 

Don’t forget the post-wedding clean-up 

You just got married to the love of your life in a fairytale wedding. One might get swept up in the moment, but it’s important to ensure that the venue you’ve picked or your wedding planner does a proper clean-up post the event. Beaches are ecologically sensitive areas, especially if you’ve chosen one in a remote location, so putting in the extra effort to clean up the area is necessary. 

Lead image: Stories by Joseph Radhik

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