Need Some Beach Wedding Decorating Ideas?

The best part about having your wedding at the beach is that you already have a beautiful backdrop to work with. However, there are a few ways that you can make even the most beautiful beach sparkle! The following article will provide information on five different beach wedding decoration ideas that you can use to help make your special day perfect!

Beach Wedding Decorating Idea #1: Keep it simple!

The beach is a marvelous spot for a wedding, so instead of cluttering it with unnecessary bows, ribbons and balloons, use the minimalist approach and use decorations sparingly.

As opposed to filling the ceremony and reception space with an abundance of flowers, use the palm trees as part of your decorations. Snake delicate white lights up the palm trees and accent them with small and bright tropical flowers.

Additionally, instead of setting up an arch to stand under, select your favorite strand of the beach and stand in front of it, so that your guests can see the ocean’s natural beauty.

Beach Wedding Decorating Idea #2: Dress down!

The great part about having a beach wedding is that the decorating and the dress can be very casual. Since most guests will not be in suits or tuxedos, it’s OK to decorate the reception area with cozy lounge and beach chairs. Guests will find this type of decorating appropriate – given their own attire – and they will also be comfortable!

Furthermore, forget the fancy white chairs and silk tablecloths! Use wooden chairs and dress the tables with Hawaiian or floral printed tablecloths. All of the color will accent the sand floor nicely and will also fit nicely within the beach wedding theme.

Beach Wedding Decorating Idea #3: Experiment with color!

Beach weddings make it easy to color coordinate, since the sand and the water generally match everything! In light of your beach wedding, be creative and experiment with vibrant, flashy and bold color.

Instead of sticking to the "safe" wedding colors – the light pastels – jazz up your beach wedding decorations by mixing in chartreuse, purple, fuchsia and bright yellow! These colors look great at a beach wedding and will also make your wedding unique!

Since it’s a beach wedding and there are no rules as to how you should decorate, feel free to mix and match different colors to make it as lively and colorful as possible!

Beach Wedding Decorating Idea #4: Stick to the beach theme!

When you’re decorating for your beach wedding, keep the ocean, sand and sun in mind and decorate accordingly.

For example, place tiny cocktail umbrellas into everyone’s drink to stick with the “beach theme.” Include beach balls and beach towels throughout the reception area for guests to enjoy and lounge on.

Serve dinner on nautical-themed or fish-shaped plates and use the natural ingredients from the sea and the beach -- such as tropical flowers, sand and seashells -- as centerpieces for each table.

Beach Wedding Decorating Idea #5: Use nature as your wedding planner!

Obviously, the beach is a beautiful, relaxing place for a wedding. You can make it even more magical by using the elements of nature to spice things up!

For example, if you intend to have the wedding on a beach where the nights are fairly warm, then have a sunset wedding. The natural glow of the evening sky will make for a truly romantic, unforgettable ceremony, and your guests will be able to dance the night away under the stars!

If you’re afraid it may get too cold during the night for guests, then it might be better to have a morning wedding. Set up your ceremony on the beach at a time when the sand is untouched and before people arrive for their daily sunbathing.

Mornings on the beach can be peaceful, relaxing and romantic. Your guests may cringe a little at the thought of a morning wedding, but they will forget about it when they see the calm of the waves and the chill in the sand at that time of day. Eventually, the sun will come out and warm the sand and heat the rest of the reception up for dancing and drinking throughout the afternoon!

If you plan to marry on a beach, the easiest approach to making your wedding look great should be to use the natural beauty of the beach as your primary decoration. The beach is a great decoration in and of itself and can pave the way for a beautiful, romantic and unforgettable experience for you as well as your guests!

About the Author

Adrienne Turner is a freelance writer from Southern California, currently living in Oslo, Norway. Adrienne writes on a variety of topics including health, medical science and fitness. In addition to writing, Adrienne enjoys international travel, diving, yoga and cooking. She is currently working on her first novel.