Steps for Planning a Wedding:
California Beach Weddings

Steps for planning a wedding on Southern California's beaches from
Joan Burns, Event Planner Extraordinaire.

Nothing is more romantic than a wedding ceremony on a beautiful beach with a gentle breeze and a beautiful sunset.

Southern California offers the opportunity to have such a wedding within a short drive or flight. Of course there are a few things to carefully consider.

Follow these steps for planning a wedding day you'll cherish forever.


Choosing the Right Beach

- Is the location a public beach? If so, be prepared for strangers and on-lookers to be watching as you say your vows.

- Do you need special permits? Some beaches will not allow alcoholic beverages, chairs, tents or sound systems? Some cities insist on proof of event insurance.

- What about parking and access for elderly guests? Is your beach site accessible, or will you need to make special arrangements needed to accommodate everyone?


Selecting a Date and Time of Day

- What time is sunset?Look at weather reports for previous years and check the tide schedule. Make sure the tide won’t be rising to the site you are exchanging vows!

- What's the weather likely to be? Choose a time of the year and hours of day that won’t be too hot. It wouldn’t be practical to have the high noon sun beating down on you and your guests in the middle of August.


Steps for Planning a Wedding

1. Sketch out your site.

- After you have selected your beach site, date and time, draw out your vision. Will the guest be seated in rows of chairs with an aisle for you to walk down?

- (If it's allowed) would you like the aisle strewn with flower petals or maybe lined with shells? Perhaps the guests will be better standing in the sand surrounding you as you exchange your vows. Or maybe you'd rather set up a casual environment with beach chairs and blankets. Anything is possible!

- If your reception is also on the beach, sketch out a diagram including guest tables, gift tables, the dance floor and the food and beverage areas.


2. Think of the dress.

- A beach wedding allows the bride and groom to be a little casual. In fact a tight-fitting or heavily laced gown might be too much on a hot day. A long, flowing dress will definitely collect sand in the hem and train. High heels are difficult in the sand. Sandals are the best.

-And what about the guys? Tuxedos might be too formal and too warm. Linens and khakis might be the way to go.


3. Don’t forget your guests.

- It's important to make sure your guests will be comfortable, too. Consider having a "shoe check" as guests step onto the sand. (Guests would leave their shoes with an attendant in exchange for a pair of flip-flops.) Provide parasols for shade.

You might also want to have on hand baskets filled with sunblock, bug spray, sunglasses and hats.

4. Devise a back-up plan!

- Most important, make sure you have a Plan B just in case the weather does not cooperate. Create flexibility in the day in case of rain delay or a sudden wind.

With a little planning and flexibility, your wedding day will be as perfect and special as you dream it can be.

For more beach wedding ideas, read Steps for Planning a Wedding: Your Dream Day on a Budget.

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