Beach Weddings in the United States
Getting married on a beach is a romantic idea that remains popular with many engaged couples. While a beach wedding can be planned in a variety of formats, most are small and intimate affairs reserved for family and a few friends. Relaxed and elegant, beach weddings are perfect for couples who don't want to mess with endless details. The hardest part of the planning may just be picking the right beach for you.
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Location
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The good news about planning a beach wedding in the United States is that America is filled with gorgeous beaches perfectly suited for wedding ceremonies. Unless you plan an intimate destination wedding, select a spot near where you and the majority of your guests live. The Knot lists 10 beaches in 2011, including five in places that aren't necessarily prime spring break destinations. Ogunquit, Maine tops the Knot's list followed by Crane Beach, Massachusetts; Watch Hill, Rhode Island; Cooper's Beach, New York; and Avalon, New Jersey. Beaches in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, California and Hawaii rounded out the preferred beaches.
Ceremony Type
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Decide what is more important to you, location or guest list, as chances are you have to strike a compromise between the two. If your ideal spot is hard to reach and only accommodates a small gathering, prepare to slash your guest list to immediate family and the wedding party. If you can't trim your guest list to less than 50, find a beach that accommodates large gatherings.
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Backup Location
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The biggest rule of thumb in planning a beach wedding is to be flexible. Nature and the weather are impartial to your special day and won't hold back flooding, rain or erosion just for you. Select a beach that has an indoor backup location nearby, such as a beach lined with resorts, hotels or community halls within a short drive of the waves. Reserve a ballroom or meeting room at one of these facilities as a backup in case bad weather prevents you from holding an outdoor beach wedding on your wedding date.
Fees and Laws
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Depending on where you decide to get married, the laws and permits you need to apply (and pay) for vary. As with the location, start early--at least a year out--to give yourself the best chance of getting a private beach spot reserved or securing the permits necessary for conducting a ceremony on a public beach. Contact the public beach or parks commission to find out specific regulations for that beach. Some may require you to provide a detailed list of all equipment, food and beverages you plan to bring to the beach beforehand. You must also have a clean-up plan in place, whether that means hiring someone to clean up the rose petals and chairs for you, or leaning on reliable family members to take care of the after-ceremony clean-up.
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References
- Photo Credit beach image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
