Planning a beach wedding seems easy enough, but there are a number of details you’ll want to keep in mind to ensure a spectacular outdoor event. Honeymoons.com & Amoro.com have asked some of the top wedding planners, photographers, beach resorts and destination wedding sites for their best tips to help you plan a successful soiree in the sand:

• Check the Tides

Understand the tidal chart for the day you are getting married. the time of the day (or the seaon) may change the height level of the tide, so be sure to check so that you don’t end up in a place where there is no beach left to set up your event.
Suzanna Palazuelos, Certified Wedding Planner
www.susannapalazuelos.com

• Take advantage of the Magic Hour

The final hour of daylight always produces the most beautiful golden light which makes for gorgeous natural skin tones in the photos. Plan for your ceremony to be during this time and have your photographer research exactly when sunset is on your big day.
Trevor Dayley, Photographer
www.trevordayley.com

• Lavaliere your ceremony

The sound of the breaking ocean waves is absolutely beautiful, however your guests came to hear your ceremony – so make sure they are able to by including some kind of microphone or audio system for the officiate and yourselves. This will also help your photographer be ready for the special moments – such as the big kiss!
Trevor Dayley, Photographer
www.trevordayley.com

• Ask your photographer to use a polarizing filter

By using a polarizing filter your photographer will be able to cut out all the glare and haze that comes with reflective elements (sand, water, clouds) and produce beautiful, rich colors in your photographs.
Trevor Dayley, Photographer
www.trevordayley.com

• Know the electrical capabilities

Before deciding to have your wedding on the beach, make sure you find out what the electrical capabilities are as compared to what you are going to need. For example, if you are planning on walking down the aisle to music from a CD player, make sure there is a battery operated CD player that you can use, or that there are other electrical capabilities. If you want your reception on the beach and it is going to go into the evening, find out how they can accommodate your lighting needs.
Candice Cain, Candy Cain Travel Co.
www.candycaintravel.com

• Consider a “first look”

The new trend is for the bride and groom see each other for the first time in a private setting before the ceremony and get most of their formal photographs taken before –rather than after — the ceremony. More and more couples are choosing this as a way of reducing the amount of time needed after the ceremony to shoot photo, thereby allowing them to spend more time with their guests at the wedding.
Trevor Dayley, Photographer
www.trevordayley.com

• Know the legalities of where you are being married

Make sure you check with the on-site coordinator to find out how long you have to be on island before you can hold the ceremony.  Some islands require you to be on island for 3 business days prior to the ceremony, others (such as Antigua) are as little as 1 business day.  Some islands also do not hold ceremonies on Public Holidays, so ask your coordinator about any restrictions prior to booking the date. Make sure you both bring your required legal documents: copy of your passport, birth certificates, original divorce decree and if you have changed your name legally, bring that paperwork along, too.
Alina Armstrong, Elite Island Resorts
www.eliteislandresorts.com

• Consider alternate shelter
• Photo: https://unsplash.com/photos/dSRhwPe6v9c

You may want to have a tent or other shelter available to handle unexpected downpours or guests who cannot tolerate the sun. Urge your guests to wear light weight cotton or linen to help keep cool.
Natalie John, Certified Wedding Planner
www.dreamyweddings.com

• Check access for elderly or disabled family and friends
• Photo: https://unsplash.com/photos/cKYgt4K0g5w

Think about using hardboard or flooring to create walkways to your beach venue. You may also want to make sure those who may not be able to traverse sand can also enjoy the wedding from a distance.
Natalie John, Certified Wedding Planner
www.dreamyweddings.com

• Make sure restrooms are available close to your event

If not, you may want to rent some.

Kitzia Morales, LOVE Mexico
www.lovemexicoweddings.com