What should you know about the best beach wedding venues?
You’ve heard about all of the benefits to hosting a wedding by the beach, and seen all of the swoon-worthy locales all across the globe. All of this said, however, there are a few drawbacks you’ll need to consider before you book your beach wedding venue. These noteworthy concerns include:
Unpredictable weather: Some beaches experience rain regularly, which could put a damper on your outdoor event. You’ll want to do your research and prioritize a date that doesn’t fall during the rainy season, if possible. For instance, the rainy season in Florida typically runs from mid- to late-May to mid-October. During this time, you’ll want to avoid planning a beach wedding, unless you have a contingency plan with an indoor venue or tent as a backup. Many beach wedding venues will offer this, but it could come with a higher cost and greater risk of last-minute changes.
Climate change concerns: As a result, changing weather patterns can lead to severe fires and catastrophic storms, among other life- and property-threatening weather events. For example, California is known for more mild temperatures year-round, but you’ll want to pay attention to weather concerns such as wildfires and earthquakes that could affect your wedding day. On the opposite coast, the Atlantic hurricane season goes from early June to the end of November.
Cost: Regardless of the weather, you may need to incur unexpected costs that you wouldn’t need for a classic indoor venue such as a ballroom or museum. A beach wedding venue may require a beach rental fee, as well as a cleanup fee to remove all waste from the area after the ceremony. There are also some venues that will require you to pay for a tent, just in case it’s needed because of a change in the forecast. Plus, extra charges could add up for external vendors hired at your beach wedding venue, which could cost anywhere from $350 to $1,500, according to Brides.
Timing: When you celebrate in an open-air space, you’ll want to check in with your beach wedding venue about noise regulations in the area. Most ordinances prohibit loud outdoor noises from 11 p.m. or 12 a.m. to 7 or 8 a.m. the next day. Because of this, you may need to cut your outdoor reception short, schedule an indoor afterparty, or hold a reception in a ballroom or other indoor event space on the property. You’ll also want to pay attention to the time of sunset, since you’ll want to have a ceremony with ample lighting as you exchange your vows. Later on in the night, you can easily add candles and string lights for an outdoor reception.
How do you choose from so many wedding venues by the beach?
There are a number of factors that can pique your interest about beach wedding venues, and of course, a few reservations as well. You and your partner should speak openly about your priorities and if you’re willing to make extra efforts and pay additional costs for contingency plans and noise complaint concerns. For those who want to be outdoors and in a naturally beautiful area, there’s no better choice than a luxury beach wedding venue. The sand and ocean are the ultimate complements to wedding portraits, ceremony and reception stills, and cinematic videography. It’s also a sensory experience for the wedding couple and their guests, giving them a momentous day to celebrate from a sunset ceremony to a reception under the stars.
If all of this is speaking to you, prepare to kick off those dancing shoes for the barefoot, beachfront bash you’ve always wanted. And while you’re at it, schedule your honeymoon near your venue to keep celebrating your love long after the last dance. Oh, and Siri, would you mind queuing up some surf music, or dare we say, a little yacht rock?
