If you’re dreaming of saying “I do” with the sun on your face and the sand beneath your toes, a beach wedding may be just the romantic and scenic setting you’ve been searching for.
But is a beach wedding economical?
While it’s true that any wedding can come with its own set of expenses, a beach wedding can be a beautiful and cost-effective option when planned properly.
Let’s discuss a few of the costs typically involved in a beach wedding:
Venue Rental
One of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the perfect beach venue for your wedding.
Some beaches may be free or low-cost …
Others may chrge a fee for permits or use of the space.
It’s important to research your options and factor in any additional costs, such as parking or restrooms.
If you’re planning on having your wedding at a resort, a hotel or another setting near the beach, one of your biggest expenses could be the venue rental.
Depending on the location, these venues can be quite expensive. Some popular beach wedding destinations, such as the Caribbean or Hawaii, can be particularly costly.
But there are ways to save money on the venue rental. Couples may choose a more affordable location or choose a less popular time of year to get married.
You may also want to consider saving room in the budget for a back-up location, in case of stormy weather.
Wedding Decorations
The beautiful thing about a beach wedding is that nature provides much of the décor.
The stunning views of the sparkling sea and sunsets, the fragrant salt air, and even the sand and shells create a romantic atmosphere that is perfect for your ceremony.
But you will probably want to add your own touches to the decor, and you should consider every expense when planning your budget.
A wedding arch and chairs may be included in a wedding package, but you should make sure everything you need will be there.
Flowers and centerpieces are another decoration that can be expensive, or you may find some beautiful, reasonable options for your ceremony.
Lanterns, lighting, ribbons, a guest book – everything adds up when planning your wedding, so make sure you make a detailed budget to keep track of every expense.
Wedding Attire
Your wedding can be as simple or as elaborate as you’d like … and so can your wedding attire!
Lighter, flowy fabrics are perfect for beach weddings, and are usually more affordable than heavy beaded, lacy dresses.
Shoes may also be an item you can cut from the budget. A barefoot beach wedding is popular in areas where the ground is soft and sandy, without shap rocks or shells that would be painful to walk on.
Gentlemen are often seen in light fabrics for shirts and pants (even shorts), instead of heavy suits.
Choosing beach-friendly attire for your wedding can save you an impressive amount of money.
Food
Catering costs can add a lot to a wedding budget.
And you may want a full formal sit-down meal for your wedding celebration, either on the beach or at a nearby venue.
But many brides opt for lighter, beach-friendly fare, like fresh fruit, tropical drinks, light hors d’oeuvres, or even alternatives to a traditional wedding cake.
Whatever you prefer, you can save a significant amount of money by planning the food for your wedding carefully.
The bottom line is this:
Careful planning is the key to planning budget-friendly, beautiful beach wedding.
Happy Planning!