Whether you are planning a big soiree or an intimate celebration, tying the knot on the gorgeous, shimmering sands on the Gulf of Mexico will bring a magical and unforgettable touch to your wedding day! In order to make your big day a massive success, I’ve decided to share 10 tips for planning a beach wedding:
- Hire a coordinator
Contrary to popular belief, hiring a wedding coordinator can actually save couples a great deal of money and avoid potentially stressful situations that arise during the planning process. Because wedding planners bring so much business to vendors, they can often negotiate discounts on your behalf. They always know the best vendors in the area, so the risk of having a horrible vendor experience will be far less, and they are also great at helping you set a budget and stick to it. Your wedding day should be peaceful and stress-free, and having your wedding coordinator take care of all the details and logistics will free you up to soak in every moment!
- Choosing the location
You fell in love with the idea of a Florida beach wedding, and now it’s time to choose the perfect spot! While there are an abundance of beautiful locations, looking for the perfect one can be time-consuming and even overwhelming. To help smooth out the process, we have compiled a list of some of our favorite gorgeous locations for you to choose from (click here to view).
- Sending invitations
Your invitations are the first glimpse your guests get into your wedding! It sets the tone of your event and will get your guests excited about what’s to come. So after you’ve picked you beach wedding location, take some time to do some research on creative and affordable ideas for your invitations. Remember, the more personal your invitations, the more visible it will be for your guests that you’ve put your whole heart and soul into creating your event!
- Choosing the right time
As you know, Florida can be very hot, so most likely you will want to avoid an afternoon wedding. I recommend having a morning or sunset ceremony, but if you can’t schedule your ceremony at any of these times, then consider setting the date between October and November, as the humidity and temperature are more tolerable and the weather patterns are more consistent.
- The way to your guests’ hearts is through their stomachs
Let’s be honest: after attending a wedding, aside from remembering how stunning the bride looked, you remember how good the food was! To set the mood with your food, try to incorporate traditional dishes and customs of the geographic region where you’re holding your ceremony. Your guests will love the experience! Also, don’t forget to consider the temperature when selecting your menu items (eg. hot soup and 95-degree weather don’t mix). Check out our suggested reception venues and catering vendors for ideas!
I hope these first five ideas will help you with your wedding planning process. Stay tuned for our next blog, where I’ll share the next five tips for planning your perfect beach wedding!
