12 Ideas to Level Up Your Beach Wedding
From decor and fashion to beauty, photography, and more.
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This year will have loads more beach weddings than we've seen in the past, with smaller, outdoor weddings taking the place of larger, indoor affairs in a mid-pandemic world. With that in mind, many of 2021's celebrations will likely take place on the beach, or shoreside, from the Hamptons to Miami to Malibu and beyond. But these ceremonies on the sand won't be the standard, low-key, bohemian affairs we've seen in the past. Sure, a beach wedding suits the bohemian bride, but even that beloved aesthetic has evolved, it's effortless—but has far more facets than ever before.
Expect an update to beach weddings, some where ball gowns may walk down aisles and others where dinner is hosted around a fire pit on the sand. Some might feel like two events in one, featuring an easygoing ceremony on the shore followed by a more over-the-top dinner in a tent on dry land. There are countless ways to host a wedding on the beach or the coast. Here, 12 ways to elevate, update, and think outside-the-box when planning a beach wedding.
Grasses Galore
Arches, urns, and grand installations have a place in gardens and ballrooms, but you chose to wed on the beach for the ease and the epic view. Don't block the landscape; frame your ceremony with natural grasses that feel as though they could be organically sprouting from the sand. Take notes from this design, and opt for a serpentine aisle that weaves and cascades just like the waves.
Pictured: Design by Joy Proctor; Photography by Donny Zavala
Wed In Color
The beach is where you let it all go—so do the same when it comes to traditions that don't serve you. If you aren't one to wear white, don't. If long gowns, full skirts, or strapless necklines aren't your thing, skip them.
Bridal has long been held back by rules, customs, and ideals—but some of those all-too-expected mainstays have become restrictive to many fashion-loving brides who prefer to be more daring when it comes to dressing up. Now, there are no more rules, and donning color may feel more true to you than sporting all ivory. Consider your setting; sky or ocean blues, sunset blush, or sandy shades of champagne feel right on the sand.
Pictured: Planning by The Wedding Atelier; Photography by KT Merry
Keep It Cool
A celebration and ceremony on the beach is all about keeping cool, and high temperatures should have you planning ahead to consider your guests' wants and needs as they sit in the sun. Rather than leaving guests to fan themselves with their programs, anticipate their needs one step further.
A chic fan printed with your program is a great start, but parasols and ice waters packaged prettily and conveniently take attention to detail one step further. If you dole out what guests use to shade themselves, drink out of, and fan themselves with, they won't provide an (accidental) eyesore in photos when left to their own devices to beat the heat.
Pictured: Planning by Rosemary Events; Photography by John Dolan
Bridal Swim
You're by the ocean and in the heat, so be sure to dress the part. Whether you dare to walk down the aisle in swimwear for an elopement, don a maillot or two-piece inspired ensemble for a small ceremony, or simply stock up on loads of options for lounging poolside, late-night swims, and dips in the ocean, keep in mind what you would typically pack for a trip to the beach when planning for a wedding by the water.
Our tip? Plan a waterfront party, like Devon Windsor and Johnny Barbara's pre-wedding beach party in St. Barths to get guests in the mood for the vacation vibes ahead.
Pictured: Danielle Frankel veil and Zimmermann swimsuit, photographed by Christopher Ferguson at Amanyara
Embrace Everything Local
Getting married in a tropical destination? Opt for local blooms. Celebrating on the coastline? Serve local seafood. Whatever your destination (even if it's at home), showcasing local produce, product, and flavors is key to making your beach wedding unique to the space you're hosting in, rather than it feeling like a basic beach resort with little authenticity.
You don't have to lean fully into the location so much that it feels like a theme party; after all, it's important to infuse yourselves as a couple and individually into your event. But being conscious of what's available in terms of locally-sourced product, talent, and more can stand to elevate your event, and differentiate it from any other beach affair.
Pictured: Planning by Easton Events in collaboration with The Wedding Bliss Thailand; Photography by Jose Villa
Waterside Bar Carts
Nobody likes waiting for pool or beachside service, especially when temperatures are high. For pool parties, welcome events, and in-between moments, set up self-service bar carts with your favorite poolside cocktails, lots of cold water, and light snacks to keep the party going, guests taken care of, and to make your wedding weekend feel more like an elevated version of how you'd entertain at home—but in the sun.
Pictured: Photography by KT Merry
Easy Glam
This may be obvious: Beach weddings are where you should tone down the super-done hair and red-carpet-inspired makeup in favor of a look that feels undeniably effortless.
This concept, however, does not mean your hair and skin look void of effort, or that you should pass on a glam team for your event. Instead, work with your hair and makeup artists for tousled hair, beach waves, or natural curls and illuminated skin that feels just the right amount of undone and polished.
Pictured: Dior dress, photographed by Christopher Ferguson at Amanyara
Resturant-Style Dining
Rather than set up traditional tables or long, communal dinner parties, facilitate conversation and a laid-back energy amongst your guests with beachside, restaurant-style dining setups that feel authentic to how guests would typically enjoy meals at your property of choice.
This style of service also lends itself to COVID-19 safety precautions, where guests can be seated in smaller, outdoor groups by pod or family. Looking to host a more formal dinner for your reception? Stick to this dinner service style for your welcome event, rehearsal dinner, or brunch.
Pictured: Planning by Mindy Weiss; Photography by Sergio Sandona
Make Time for an Engagement Session
You've chosen a beautiful landscape to exchange vows, but don't let those be the only photos you leave the beach with. Work with your chosen photographer to make time for a session together on the wedding weekend (ideally, before guests arrive) that you'll cherish for years to come.
These aren't photos to use for your wedding website or save the date, leave the look and feel of those to your graphic and stationery designer; these are shots you'll showcase at home, share with loved ones, and look back on.
Pictured: Photography by Elizabeth Messina
Bright-Toned Tabletop
Have fun with your decor, and use bold tones that suit your sunny setting. Keep your actual location in mind when choosing your color palette; tropical destinations may inspire bolder shades of red, orange, yellow, and more while coastal, nautical locations may call for a range of bold and soft blues.
Don't shy away from prints, or layering them with complementarily printed menus, colorful glassware, and loads of colorful vessels and florals. A trip to the beach always makes one smile, your table settings should do the same.
Pictured: Planning by RobbinsOtoya; Photography by Bruno Rezza
Ballgowns on the Beach
Beach weddings don't necessarily require slim shapes. Dare to be bold, and take risks. Opt for a full skirt, even on the sand—but opt for a lighter fabrication, like featherweight layers of tulle, to avoid overheating.
Try not to obsess over everything being stiff, structured, and perfect—you've opted for a location that's all about being carefree. Fabrics like crinkled tulle (pictured here) allow you to move with ease as you make your way down the aisle and throughout the day—even in a ballgown.
Pictured: Vera Wang gown, photographed by Christopher Ferguson at Amanyara.
An Authentic Getaway
A traditional getaway lined with sparklers at the end of the night has had its moment (and then some). Rather than opt for the standard, stick to a departure from your ceremony (which will take you to a photo session and then back to your guests) or at the end of the night that feels distinctive to your wedding's location. If you're planning a wedding in the Caribbean, try a rugged jeep to drive through the mountains; a vintage car works for retro hotel weddings in Palm Beach or Miami; or, choose a getaway boat and drift away as you wave your guests adieu.
Pictured: Planning by Mindy Weiss; Photography by Sergio Sandona
Carrie Goldberg is HarpersBAZAAR.com’s Weddings & Travel Director. She oversees the site’s BAZAAR Bride channel, travel & dining content, and styles fashion and bridal editorials for BAZAAR.com. When she’s not traveling, she spends her free time in her hometown–New York City–where there is no shortage of new places to shop, eat, drink, see and explore.
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