We can all picture a dreamy beach wedding, where everyone is sun-kissed, and the salty ocean air puts everyone in the best mood. Not to mention, any water and sand background means spending a lot less on décor because you don’t need a lot to enhance that already stunning view. We want to focus on how to plan a beach wedding so you can focus less on stressing and more on enjoying your perfect day.

What are the best tips for planning a beach wedding?

1. Save-The-Dates

You will want to make sure you send out save-the-dates well in advance especially if it is a destination wedding. When people must travel, you want to make sure you give them plenty of time to plan. There are more factors to consider than just one day of travel, so you want to make sure you are courteous to your guests. A year in advance is usually ideal for a travel destination so people can request time off work and have an adequate amount of time to prepare.

2. Travel and Accommodations

When it comes to travel and lodging for destination weddings, the bride and groom are not responsible for paying for guests' travel to and from, however, when it comes to etiquette, guests appreciate when the bride and groom do everything in their power to make it as easy as possible on attendees. You can often make arrangements ahead of time using a hotel block, which is the easiest and most cost-effective way for guests to have accommodations that are easily accessible to the wedding ceremony venue and reception site.

3. Dress Code

Beach weddings are typically more laid back when it comes to dress code than a traditional wedding, however, the rules are yours to make. Whatever dress code you decide on, you will want to make sure that is included on the invitation, and we always recommend creating a wedding website to keep guests updated and informed. That way if they lose the initial invitation, they have one spot to reference back to. Make friendly suggestions based on comfort for your guests such as sunscreen, a pair of sandals to walk through sand, sunglasses, etc.

4. Location

There are hundreds of beautiful beach locations all around the world and each one is unique in its own way. You can choose the location in a few different ways such as a sentimental place like a family member’s lake, or a place where you and your fiancé have vacationed before. You can also lean more towards convenience and book a resort on the beach so you have an entire team that can help with setup and backup plans. You’ll want to make sure you do your research on weather for the time of year you will be wed in case you need to plan around hurricane season or heavy rain. You could find the perfect wedding venues, but none of that matters if the weather is too dangerous to get married that day. Finally, you will also want to be mindful of any permits you may need for beach access on your special day.

5. Theme

Lastly, you will want to choose your theme. You can do so much more than just a beach theme at a beach wedding so don’t hold your creativity back. You’ll want to make sure décor, furniture, centerpieces, photo ops, etc., are all tied to your central theme to make the visuals seamless. If you are looking for beach wedding venues in Los Angeles, you will want to keep your theme in mind as you look at the venue and how it is set up. The venue itself can be a key component when it comes to playing up your theme and if something is off, you may want to keep looking.

How to select the perfect beach wedding venue?

When it comes to selecting the perfect beach wedding venue, we always suggest looking at numerous different event spaces, so you have a wide range to compare too. This will also help when it comes to pricing negotiations because you have other venues as a reference. We also suggest finding a wedding venue with an on-site event planning team, so it takes a lot of stress off of you the day of your wedding. They can be very involved or more hands-off, it’s completely up to you and what you have budgeted.

We hope this guide helps give you a jumping off point when it comes to planning the perfect beach wedding. At Piovra Group, we are partnered with numerous outdoor or indoor wedding ceremony venues around the Los Angeles and Orange county area and are always happy to bring your special day to life. Our venue matchmakers team has also helped location scouts and producers connect with property owners looking for film location rentals in Los Angeles for projects, from engagement & wedding photography to product and editorial shoots.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: If I want my wedding to be entirely outside, do you think that is a mistake?

A: Not necessarily, but you must do your research. Know what the weather is like around that time of year and make sure you plan accordingly.

Q: Do I have to have a dress code at my wedding?

A: No, it’s your day, you can do whatever you please! However, if you prefer that guests don’t show up in jeans or joggers, we recommend having a more casual dress code but with certain limitations that you can communicate to your guests.

Q: If I don’t get my save-the-dates out a year ahead of time, do you think that will deter guests from attending?

A: Not necessarily, however, the less time you give guests to plan, that could be a possibility. People have their lives that they have to plan around so giving them ample time to prepare is ideal.