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Trading in Pumps for Flip-Flops: Is a Beach Wedding for You?


When standing in front of a magnificent alter, in an ornately bejeweled cathedral, and dressed in layers of tulle and lace, the idea of standing at cool, breezy shore with the fresh wet sand under your feet can seem very appealing. An attractive alternative to a traditional church wedding is a beach wedding. This allows for great flexibility in dress standards, and it also sets a casual, laidback tone for the wedding, as opposed to the orchestrated pomp that results in a church wedding. While a beach wedding isnt for everybody (most notably for the bride that wants to dress up like Princess Dianna), the idea is something to consider when planning a ceremony.

Tuxedos or Boardshorts? What to Wear to a Beach Wedding

The question of what is appropriate at a beach wedding is very tricky the ceremony is at a beach, so a monstrously elaborate Dior gown is definitely out of the question (not only would it be sweltering for the bride, but it would be eons before she would be able to rid all of the folds, puffs and lace of sand). The other extreme is wearing bikinis and that should also be out of the question.

The best bet for the bride for a beach wedding would be a light, flowing summer dress a great example would be a simple, yet tasteful elegant linen dress by Calvin Klein. The design isnt fussy and the material ensures that the sun wont bake the blushing bride. The same rule should apply to the bridesmaids have them wear simple, yet classy summer dresses, as well (the bride may want to instruct her bridesmaids to wear color, as the natural instinct when dressing for the beach is to go white).

For the groom and groomsmen, simple linen slacks and a loose white dress shirt is perfect. As for shoes well, the best advice is to not wear any. Wearing heels can not only be dangerous, but it also can ruin a good pair of shoes men should also opt to go barefoot at a beach wedding. If the wedding couple wants to wear shoes, then sandals are the best bet; however, it is best to avoid cheap Old Navy flip-flops and instead choose quality sandals. Men should also look into getting a pair of Kenneth Cole sandals instead of the drugstore variety even though it is a beach wedding, its still a wedding and the wedding party should keep the ceremony dignified, no matter where the location.

Make Sure You Can Have the Wedding

Making sure that having a wedding at the beach is even permissible, is a vital first step. Nothing puts a damper on a beach wedding like a fine. Call the park district or the city to make sure that having a beach wedding is allowed at the beach being considered. Also, when planning a wedding, make sure and ask if there are any restrictions on having a beach wedding is there a limit of how many people can be gathered together, are chairs allowed, can you bring food (public beach properties almost always do not allow open alcohol).

The More, the Merrier

When having a beach wedding, on-lookers must be expected. Having a wedding in a public area will result in people stopping to take a look. If this will bother the wedding party then it shouldnt have a beach wedding. The strangers do not have to be invited to the actual ceremony, and most of the time, once their curiosity is satisfied, they move on. The best advice is to blissfully ignore the looks or respond graciously if the onlookers throw out well-wishes or congratulations.

Is This Going to Take All Day?

Another important thing to consider when planning a beach wedding is how much of the actual ceremony will be performed at the beach. Will the reception be also held at the beach? If this is the case, a better alternative than traipsing to your local beach is to find beach-side resorts. The resort will own the beach property, so the wedding party will not have to worry about a lot of the rules and regulations that can damper a public beach wedding. A beach-side resort will be more expensive, but this option gives the wedding party the privacy of a church wedding and the casual, relaxed feeling of a beach wedding.

Wedding camera shots of your family, friends, and, yes, even the happy couple will bring smiles to your faces and lightness to your hearts when you're old and gray.

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Sewing is the long, tedious part of making your wedding dress. Full albums for the new couple, and each of their parents (or sets of parents, if applicable) should be crafted. The grooms mother wants to do one thing, and the brides mother wants something completely different. What part do they see each parent or step-parent playing?

You dont want a heavy dress to wear, especially in the sand and if the temperature is going to be hot.
It can be rainy, windy, threatening, stormy or hot. If this will bother the wedding party then it shouldnt have a beach wedding. Instead of wedding cake, you could have the wedding couples favorite desserts, sort of his and her desserts. Dont assume that expensive equals quality; if you do, youll be sadly mistaken. Those are wonderful accessories that can be tossed in if you have money to spare. If your dream is to have a beach wedding, and break free of the traditional church ceremony, then you will need to prepare for it.