Southern California Beach Wedding Planning Tips

By Christopher Bell


One of the most important, and memorable events in an individual's life is getting married. For many, their dream scenario is to have their ceremony on the sand in front of the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean. There are a couple of things one should be aware of when making plans for a romantic Southern California beach wedding to help make the experience smoother.

Because sunny, sandy beaches with the sun glistening upon the Pacific Ocean at sunset is a particularly popular ceremony setting, anyone wanting this option should start planning as soon as possible. There are many great venues to be had, but they tend to be booked far in advance. Certain restrictions may also limit viable choices for a couple.

As most of the beaches are public, it can be extremely difficult to find a private section of sand, which is why venue choice is important. Certain ones may be able to offer client exclusive access near the water, or have a ceremony space that overlooks the ocean. Factors such as catering needs, guest count and specialized requests can all limit viable options.

One very important thing to keep in mind if the ceremony is to actually be held in the sand, is to make sure all guests are properly informed. This allows them to dress accordingly in clothing and shoes that are more befitting the setting. The bride should also consider this when choosing her gown and footwear, and perhaps consider going for something less formal but still just as stunning.

To keep guests from being inconvenienced by the glaring sun and clinging sand, a few creative amenities might be able to help. Shoe valets allow people to switch out their formal footwear for customized flip flops, and provides a place where they can use soft bristled brushes to wipe their feet off and switch back to their other shoes for the reception. Passing out visors, hats or sunglasses as favors will also shield eyes and keep everyone more comfortable.

Though the area is known for its perfect weather, it does occasionally rain or become windy. It is always advisable to have some sort of back up plan in place whenever an outdoor event is desired. For this reason, most venues actually have indoor spaces, shelters, tents or affordable rental contacts, that are available for emergencies.

Having excessive decorations may be going a bit overboard since it is hard to top the beauty of the Pacific Ocean as a background. Generally speaking, simple seat covers, and arches or chuppahs with minimal adornment are the perfect way to frame the bridal party against the setting. Floral arrangements are best limited to just a few bouquets on solid pedestals or small accent pieces on chairs along the aisle.

Although the event is a very personal one, it is important not to forget the business aspect of it. Make sure all agreements with the coordinator, venue, caterer and other vendors are in writing and clearly spelled out before signing the commitment for services. It is also necessary to double check with the planner and management that all applicable permits have been acquired.




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