A Beach Wedding Reception: Perfect or not?

Having a  beach wedding reception sounds like a very romantic idea. It’s different, and
kids will have enough place to play in plain sight of their parents. It could also turn
horrible if the wind should set in, and you are not properly prepared. Here are a few
helpful tips to make the most of your great day.

(1) Have a backup plan. It could be that you run into a “freak” day, with bad wind, or
rain, appearing on the day when you want it least. Have an emergency alternative available,
and have all the necessary backup arrangements in place. Even on a reasonably windy day, you could still have the wedding ceremony out on the beach, and just move the eating
arrangements inside.

(2) Talk to someone who knows the local weather patterns. In many places, the layout of the
land, combined with heat and air currents, cause winds to occur, or be expected, at a
certain time of day. Do not be caught unawares, and just adapt to it as well as you can. If, for instance, you expect wind from around 6 PM, serve your last course at half past four to five o’clock. This will help prevent your beach wedding reception from turning into a sand eating reception. Alternatively, if the wind dies down later in the day, you might want to change the planned time schedule, so you can serve dinner afterwards.

(3) Take practicalities into account. How far does everything have to be carried, and what
is the closest point to which you can transport heavy objects? Tables, chairs, utilities
for food preparation, decorations, and even music equipment might be on the list (if you
want music, you will need powerful sound to be audible above the waves - you can use a
generator for electricity).

(4) Come prepared. If you expect windy conditions, but really want a beach wedding reception, you could arrange for menu courses to be individually packaged into closed containers. Use weights to hold down the table cloths and overlays, and make sure your decorations will stay put.

Having a beach wedding reception could add something even more special to your great day. With a bit of planning, and the weather holding up, you could have a “different” and memorable wedding.