We had discussed in an earlier post why beach weddings in the winter are especially appealing and fun to have.  One of the most important factors to consider for a winter beach wedding destination is the location of the beach. It cannot be stressed enough on choosing a place with a temperate weather throughout the year. In this post, we will look at some of the best destinations that you can have your winter beach wedding at.

If you are looking for a private beach wedding in the peak of winter, then search no more. Fiji’s Vatulele Island Resort is an excellent choice. Apart from having plenty of private beaches, it is set in a lush jungle, and has thatched roof bungalows that are separated from each other by more than twenty meters and they have easy access to the water.

Another exotic beach wedding destination is the Maroma Beach in the Yucatan Peninsula about 30 minutes south of the Cancun airport. The sand is like sugar and the water is crystal clear. You have the romantic Maroma Resort and Spa nearby for your lodging options.  There are other destinations in Mexico  too which are a good choice for a winter beach wedding. It’s not very far from home and its friendly people, amazing culture and beautiful landscaped will thrill the couple and their guests. Not to forget, Mexico also enjoys a warmer temperature in the winters.

For a destination closer home, consider Florida’s Fort Walton Beach.  You will find long stretches of gorgeous white sandy beaches and almost tropical like weather throughout the year.  Your guests would love to go back home with a tan during the peak of winter. Throw a little of fishing and a swim in the warm waters and this makes a perfect winter destination for a beach wedding.

Ever since you decided to have a beach wedding, one of the more important questions is pertaining to the footwear that will go with your beach wedding clothing.  Though most beach weddings are casual, the options available for choosing your footwear can be mind boggling and confusion. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of footwear to choose from. The bride does not have to limit herself to the traditional shoes. She may also consider sandals, flip – flops or even go bare feet at the wedding ceremony.

Even the simplest of flip flops or sandals can be made to look elegant with a little creativity. For example, consider flip flops embellished with accents such as Swarovski crystals, small sea shells, ribbons, beads, or rings. If the bride is not satisfied with a store design, she can just use her imagination and design a customized shoe to suit the wedding dress.

The bride also has the option of wearing sandals. You can find classy sandals in silver, decorated with rhinestones, decked out with suede, or more. There are also beautiful sandals that use bows to literally wrap around your lower leg – a beautiful touch, especially if you are wearing a shorter beach wedding gown.

As for the groom, he has the option of deciding between simple yet stylish leather sandals, some cool sneakers and beach shoes to go with his wedding clothing.  Whatever may be the type of footwear you choose for your beach wedding, keep in mind that a thick heel or a wedge heel will prevent your feet from sinking into the sand.

One of the best ways to walk down the aisle on a beach wedding is to go bare foot. You may consider decorating your feet with henna patterns to add some glamour and style to your feet.  You could also pick some really good foot jewellery to complement the bare feet. There are just two factors to consider for the beach wedding footwear – comfort and style.

It is a common fact that the cold weather can be a reason why most of the confirmed guests would not turn up at the wedding. The days are short and all of us long hopefully for a few rays of sunshine. This is the reason why one of the best times to plan for a beach wedding is in the winters. To have one of the most memorable weddings ever, the couple should definitely consider winter beach weddings. The guests will be eternally thankful to the couple for having them whisked away from the painful winter to some tropical paradise.

Another advantage of having a winter beach wedding is that it will help you cut down on the costs. It is easier to avail discounts on weddings in the winter simply because there are very few people who decide to say ‘I Do’ in these months. It is also a low season at the islands which should help you get a relatively expensive place for a reasonable price. You can also find discounts for the wedding jewelry and clothes. Remember that you will be shopping for summer clothes in the winter and should have plenty of choices to select from.

One of the most important factors when deciding on a winter beach wedding is the location. Not all beaches are sunny and warm in the winter and choosing an island with a temperate climate all year round can make your wedding a much more enjoyable event for you and your guests.

Another important consideration would be the date for the wedding. With Christmas and New Year around, winters can be an extremely busy time. If you are planning to have your wedding around this time, then make sure that your invitations are sent much in advance so that your guests can schedule their holidays around your wedding. It will also help them to book their tickets early and avoid the holiday rush. Just remember that many of your guests will not be able to make it due to family obligations, but the ones who do make it will make sure you have a blast on your wedding day!

The beach as a wedding venue has many disadvantages.  Beach wedding attire and beach wedding accessories have to keep in view the several disadvantages of having a beach wedding.

So what are the disadvantages? Beaches are full of sand. The air is filled with the salty tang from the sea. These are two major factors that cannot be ignored. Added to this is the fact that there is almost no shade on the beach unless you plan to hold your wedding ceremony under a canopy set up for the purpose. While this may mitigate the disadvantages a jot, it will rob your wedding of the glamor that is associated with a beach wedding under the sun and in the open!

Sand can enter the brides sandals and prove an irritant all through the ceremony. The brides train may pick up sand and may look dirty or shabby. The makeup may run with the heat and the hair may become limp with sweat! Horrified?  Well these are facts and it has happened to many brides who did not take into account the nature of the environment while picking up their beach wedding dress or accessories.

It is very important for both the bride and the groom (and of course the wedding guests) to consider well before they select the beach wedding apparel and accessories. The groom dressed in a tuxedo is likely to rue the day he picked his clothes.  He should dress sensibily in cotton button up embroidered shirts and tie up cotton pants that are comfortable and airy. The bride should pick cotton or semi cotton dresses that are knee length or at least do not contain a train that can pick up the sand as she walks up to her groom. A veil is infinitely attractive, but if she has luxuriant hair, it will be a good idea to leave it loose or swept in informal styles and decorated with flowers or pearls.

Sensible beach shoes should be selected by the bride and groom. The makeup should be light and should not contain elements that will melt when exposed to the sun and run down the face.

So, if you are planning a beach wedding, be sensible and practical in your choice of clothes and accessories.

At your beach wedding, one of the most important parts of your attire is your hairstyle. You need to have the perfect ‘do’ to match the wedding theme. You cannot leave anything to chance and so we will show you what needs to be done to make sure that you look your best on your wedding day. Bridal hairstyles have to be the best hairstyle at the wedding. She is the centre of attention.

Depending on whether you have chosen a formal or casual wedding attire, you can perhaps sweep you hair up and entwin it with pearls or flowers f or the formal look.  You should probably go in for the tousled look for the latter. Consider gentle curls mixed with pears or a tiara for the fairytale effect.  Whether your hair is long or short, the tousled look will not only keep you comfortable and glowing but also allow the wind to play with your hair and you can literally let your hair down. Pick the right beach wedding dresses that will complement your hair style.

Ideally, you should stick to a look that suits you best and avoid experimenting with new design. A good idea is to look through a number of photographs of model hairstyles at least a couple of months is advance and give your hair stylist plenty of time to get you the perfect “do” that is just right for the beach wedding dress that you have selected.

Apart from the cascading curls, you can also consider a loose bun such as a chignon, with a side-swept bang. Remember to take into consideration the effects of the breeze and the salt and choose a style which will help you stay picture perfect all day. Beach breezes call for a soft, relaxed wedding hairstyle that looks casual, yet polished.

Here are five tips in a nutshell which will help you have a perfect hair do.

• Select a bridal hairstyle before selecting accessories
• Take care of your hair
• Schedule salon appointments early
• Wear a button shirt after your hair is styled so that it does not mess with your hair.
• Do not go overboard with your accessories.

Now that you have decided to have the beach wedding, one of the most important thing to plan in advance is the wedding cake. The fact that you have decided on a beach wedding makes you adventurous and shows the world that you dare to be different.  It is the same with the beach wedding cake too!  Break away from tradition and let your imagination run loose.

When planning your beach wedding cake, size is of crucial importance. Consider a simple cake if you have a large number of guests as cakes which are labor intensive, can cost a lot more. Remember, the simpler it is, the less you worry and the guests have more fun.

When it comes to the shape of your cake, you can carry the theme that you have chosen for the wedding. The cake can be of any design and just remember that if you can think of a design, then someone can make it. Do not limit yourself to convention. You can choose to have a sculpted cake, individual mini cakes, cupcakes or even cookies. Cakes can be shaped like shells, sea animals or designed to look like the beach itself! You will be limited only by your imagination.

One of the most important things to consider when designing your cake is the time of the wedding. If it’s at dawn or dusk, then the heat will not be a problem. If it is at midday, then you may consider an ornamental cake with  the bottom edible so that the couple can cut it after the wedding ceremony without wondering if the gooey mess that you see before you is really your wedding cake! You don’t want the cake to melt in the heat. So, make sure you take the heat into consideration when you order your wedding cake.

Let us have a look at a few ideas for a wedding cake. If you like any of them, then you can use your imagination to carry the theme forward. Feel free to share your ideas in your comments.

Seashells

Tropical flowers

Sea life

Sand castle

Cruise ships.

You have chosen your beach and are delighted with the natural beauty of the ocean and the sand. You are starting to plan the seating for the ceremony and the reception and you want things simple. Suddenly you are assailed with doubts about things looking too drab. Flowers as part of your décor can help you hit the right note between simple and blah. Flowers will show you cared to decorate and, if you choose carefully, they won’t take away from the beauty of the natural setting. They can well serve to enhance it.

Since you are in a tropical setting, tropical flowers and greenery should be part of your plan. The drama of flowers such as Bird of Paradise or Anthurium works particularly well for centerpieces. Ginger and Heliconia are also recommended by florists for their ability to stand alone. These are flowers with vibrant colors and you don’t have to have large bunches of them. They can add the right touch of the tropics to each table. You can also experiment with using grasses or other greenery just by themselves or as interesting background for your flowers.

Now there is the question of the bridal bouquet. You can choose roses or daisies but it seems unlikely if you are the bride who picked the beach. You can go tropical style and wear a lei; or if you prefer the flowers held in your hand, consider a small bouquet of star shaped lilies or Cymbidium orchid. Both these can stand the heat and should stand well without wilting. Plumeria is another great choice to be included in a bouquet because it looks stunning and can add a lovely fragrance to your special day.

Flowers are festive and beautiful and are associated with good cheer; with their pleasant fragrances they can be a big part of creating just the right ambience for your big day. Have fun with making use of the tropical flowers available at your location and just remember that less can be more.

Sometimes a couple who is getting married may have children from previous weddings or have children on their own from before. The wedding ceremony can be a great time to send a message of cohesiveness and unity. It is a good time to start thinking in terms of integrating everyone into a large family unit. While the wedding is about the couple making a formalized commitment to each other, children may also appreciate the gesture of commitment to them.

Beach weddings lend themselves to this situation particularly well. Unlike a traditional wedding ceremony where modifications stand out, a beach wedding is relaxed and allows for greater customization. If you want children to walk with you or stand by you, it is a easy thing to do.

At a very cosmetic level, you can all get coordinated beach themed attire. This does not have to mean matching colored clothes as much as similar themed clothing such as embroidered shirts or linen pants. Whether this makes for future harmony or not, you will definitely establish yourselves as a family with good taste.

At a more meaningful or spiritual level, you can have the sand ceremony. It is particularly appropriate at a beach wedding. Traditionally, the couple pours sand from their individual containers into a single larger container or vase to indicate their coming together in mind and body. Just as the sand mingles and you cannot separate the individual grains apart this ceremony is supposed to symbolize the unity the couple aspire to. The sand ceremony will be fun for the children and it is an easy thing for children of various ages to participate in. You don’t have to worry about spilt sand if you are out at the beach. The joint container of sand from everyone can be a meaningful memento of the family’s coming together. You can even choose to make it colorful if you have the children pick different colored sand.

A cruise wedding is a fun way to combine a destination wedding and a honeymoon trip. It can be a beach wedding or a glacier wedding depending on the cruise you pick!

Do you wonder how a cruise wedding works? As the name indicates, it is a wedding ceremony associated with a cruise. But it may not be obvious that the wedding can be on board or at a chapel while the ship is docked. Different cruise lines have different policies on this and it will be good to get the details sorted out early in your cruise ship planning. If the cruise allows a wedding ceremony on board, the next point to consider is whether they provide the clergy person or whether that is something the couple or wedding planner should cover. Some of the ships have a chapel on the ship and others have great ballrooms which can be used for the ceremony.

One option many couples use is to have the wedding on the ship at the home port and they are allowed to invite their friends and family on-board for the day as non-sailing guests. They use their own wedding official and after saying goodbye to near and dear they can set sail on their honeymoon cruise. Those who still want the drama of being away for the wedding, choose to get married in some exotic place the cruise docks whether it is in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean. Friends and family, who can afford to, can plan on making it a vacation and meet the couple while they are there; this way there is a joint celebration and a relaxed vacation all combined.

Cruise weddings are gaining popularity because they provide an interesting alternative for couples who want to do something off the beaten path. It has the right dash of romance and adventure one wants associated with weddings. And it is hard not to point out the aptness of couples setting off on a cruise as they start their journey through life together!

You are planning a tropical-theme prom or just a fun beach style backyard party. And you are far from the beach. What are some of the ways you can recreate your last fabulous tropical vacation and add some dramatic elements to get your guests into the flow of things?

Décor is a big part of setting the right tone. You can go all out and spread sand around a section of your backyard or party area and swathe some of area in flowing greens fabric and with a well-placed fan have a sense of breezy islands. You can also go for subtler touches like using sail-boat shaped tea-lights and flip-flop shaped coasters. Or better yet, do both! You will want music at your party and it would be great to get some island beats there. But at the entry way, as the guests are walking in, it may be fun to set up the sound of waves using one of those sounds of nature CDs. You can hand your guests some fans or even straw hats, especially if the event is outdoors. Make sure there are drinks served with little paper parasols because nothing screams tropical as much.

One other major part of the ambience is the clothing that the hosts wear. You can have fun figuring out your beach-themed attire. There is the ever popular Hawaiian shirt, of course. But you can think outside the box. Maybe a Guayabera shirt with its elegant embroidery will make a nice alternative. These come in a range of colors and you can choose anything from a cool white to a dramatic black. Pair it with nice pair of linen trousers and you will be all set. Women can try it with a flowing skirt also. Now you are all set to enjoy the tropical beach party!