10 things you MUST-DO before your Beach Wedding

Planning a beach wedding? Here are the top 10 things every beach wedding bride should do before their big day:

1.) Check and then double check
Make a list of everything that you could possible want or need for your beach wedding. If you are planning a destination wedding take inconsideration anything that may not be available to you at your location.

2.) Final Fitting
Stop and get fitted for your wedding dress one last time. Be sure to allot a day or two if you need any last minute alterations. Finding someone to alter your dress at your beach location can be a nightmare. Don’t forget ladies, sand and a nice gown are already a bad match so don’t make it worse by exposing your dress anymore unnecessarily.

3.) Never assume!
Don’t assume that your beach wedding location is going to have the little extras you need to make your big day special. Most beach wedding venues will be far from convenient stores. Clear open beach front is the best backdrop for any a wedding ceremony, but can be the worst place to be if you’re looking for: an extra pair of stockings, tape, scissors, electrical outlet, etc. Go back to our #1 reminder and make sure you add anything NOT wedding related that you could potentially need on your special day.

4.) Finalize the venue.
Unlike other themes, beach weddings are much less flexible when it comes to venue preparation. This is why it’s crucial that you finalize all the details around your beach venue as soon as possible. Here are few things to be 100% positive of before your wedding:

• The exact beach wedding location / address
• The exact times the venue is available to you and your guests
• The exact amount of charges that can (and will) occur
• The exact look of your beach venue.

**Tip** Don’t solely rely on the online photos of your venue. Beach venues naturally require constant upkeep (because of storms, salt water damage, wildlife waste, etc). As a result, some changes could have been made that differ from the illustrations posted on the internet.

5.) Rent the Tuxedo
If your beach wedding doubles as a distant destination wedding, be sure you rent your tuxedos before you leave your hometown. Depending on where the beach venue is located, it can be difficult to find a tuxedo that matches your fit and style. Likewise anything else that can rented or prepared at your hometown rather than at the location is recommended. Unless you are familiar with the vendors close to your beach wedding venue, it can challenging to receive the same kind of “back home service.”

6.) Prepare the agenda
In addition to your existing wedding agenda (ceremony, reception, brunch, etc.), be sure to anticipate any time needed to recover from any of the following:

• jet lag
• settling in
• last minute tasks
• local time changes

7.) Relax
Beach weddings are inherently more stressful then your average wedding, so be sure that you take some time out to relax. Get a massage, read a book or sleep in the day before your event. Relaxing before your wedding will help you with the anxiety (Every bride-to-be gets it!) and give you that beautiful well rested look.


8.) Check with your wedding Officiant
Meet with your officiant the day before your wedding to go over your finalized wedding plans. Be sure they know where and when they need to be at your beach venue.
**Tip** Make things easier for your minister by preparing a wedding folder that includes:

1. A detailed map and directions to your venue
2. Your wedding schedule
3. A reminder of any other special requests they are to fulfill.

9.) Pack
You should pack your bags several days before your wedding day. Give yourself a few days before you leave in case you remember anything else that you need to take along. If your beach wedding is a destination wedding, make sure you keep all your important wedding accessories with you on the plane in a carry-on bag. Don’t leave important documents, expensive jewelry, or anything else that could single handedly ruin your wedding day if your luggage happens to get lost in transition.

10.) Find a helper!
Getting someone to help you prepare for your beach wedding isn’t necessary but can be a real life saver. Ask someone you can trust to be help split the responsibilities above. Knowing that you have 2 minds working on the same list of priorities can give you a priceless sense of assurance.

 Tweet This   Stumble This