Beach weddings are brilliant, they allow you to get married in magical locations with absolutely gorgeous backdrops immersed totally in nature, with the sounds of water lapping at your feet.
When Mark and I married in December 2016 a beach wedding was all I wanted. Well, actually, I wanted to elope, but Mark wanted a traditional wedding, so like all couples at this point we compromised for and with each other. We had a beach wedding then went home and had a party on the back deck with family and friends.
When you're planning a beach wedding there are many factors I think you must take into consideration and I've compiled my top 10 here for you.
Tide times - this can be crucial, as many beaches, especially on Phillip Island, are only accessible at low to mid tide. Some of the bay beaches, that may be quite muddy are not that pretty at low tide, so whilst there are many locations that you might choose for your beach wedding, it's always advisable to look at what the tides are doing on your chosen date before locking in the time.
Accessibility - do you have elderly people attending your wedding? How will they reach the beach? Check the location your wanting to get married at, and assess how everyone will get to the ceremony spot. Are there stairs to get down there? How many? Can all of your chosen guests access the location easily?
Plan B - do you have a plan B in case of bad weather? I'm not just talking rain here, I'm also talking extreme winds, blistering hot days and any other unforeseen conditions that might make your outdoor wedding a potential danger to you, your guests, and to the vendors and suppliers putting your amazing day together. It's important to have a back up plan to avoid potential risks. I have seen event co-ordinators in tears because all their hard work of set up has been blown away through extreme winds and threatening rain.
Permits - Does the shire you are getting married in require you to have a permit to set up a wedding on their beaches? Phillip Island Nature Parks may require you to obtain a permit, depending on size of guest list and any structures you are wanting to erect. Go to https://www.penguins.org.au/search?q=beach+wedding for more information on this.
Confetti - All of our beaches, everywhere in the world, are natural reserves and must be treated with respect at all times. This means NO CONFETTI at any beach weddings, unless they are natural products such as rose or other flower petals, gum leaves or other locally derived foliage. I have been known to jump in front of people who were about to send off a popper with synthetic confetti in it - yes I must have looked like a mad woman at the time, but I'd rather that than spending an hour or so picking it all up afterwards.
Take out everything you bring in - this relates to any time you visit any beach, please remove every item that you take to the location with you. Except for that natural confetti if using it :-)
Cold drinks - It's a good idea to take an esky to the beach with ice and water in it, particularly if hot weather is predicted on the day you get married. Your guests will welcome the sight of cold drinking water while waiting for the bride to arrive.
Public toilets - this may be something you haven't even given a thought to, but having your wedding ceremony close to public toilets may be a convenience your guests may appreciate. For that matter, that last nervous pee may be something you guys might appreciate too. There are many beaches that have public toilets located nearby, there are also many that don't, so if it's a thing, check it out before you lock in your location.
Parking - How many guests are invited to your wedding? Is there enough parking nearby? Can some of your guests car pool, or can you arrange a bus for the drop off and pick up? Ambling along Tours offers a great service for transporting wedding parties and their guests on Phillip Island, and surrounds https://amblingalong.com.au
Have fun - You're at the beach, AND its your wedding day. Have fun, remember to take in all the moments with all the people and enjoy every single minute of this extraordinary day.
If you'd like any more info on getting married at the beach, or would like to pick my brain on some amazing locations please feel free to contact me on
0412 339 795 or patriciajamiesoncelebrant@gmail.com
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