GONE WITH
THE WINDBe honest, when you imagine your wedding,
does it involve you standing by the water’s
edge with a coastal breeze gently lifting your
hair, giving you that flattering supermodel-
near-an-industrial-fan look? We totally get
it, but if the breeze isn’t so gentle the reality
versus the dream can be a bit different – the
end result: your face behind a curtain of hair!
To make sure the only thing sweeping you
away is your charming husband, consider a
well-secured, up-do and think twice about a
veil if it’s particularly windy. Flowing braids,
loose ponytails, fishtail plaits and messy buns
look stunning for beach weddings, and also
keep those pesky fly-aways in check.DRESSING FOR
THE OCCASION
You wouldn’t wear a massive ballgown and
six-inch heels on the beach at any other time
of the year, so why do it on your wedding day?
Soft, flowing materials are a beach bride’s
best friend as they reduce the chance of you
working up an unattractive sweat (sorry,
‘glow’) while walking down the aisle. Unless
you and your bridesmaids have Michelle
Bridges’ calf muscles and balance, ditch the
heels for a pair of flat sandals, sparkly flip-flops
or even a pair of boho-chic ‘barefoot sandals’.
Keep the guys looking cool, calm and collected
in a pair of tan or white cotton pants with a
classic white button-up shirt. When it comes to
suits, pale tones are a great choice and reduce
the sweat-factor. The relaxed, effortless look
is key for a beach wedding, so swap the dress
shoes for a cheeky pair of – dare we say it –
thongs. They’re practical, a little bit kitsch, and
a good conversation starter.BE READY FOR
UNINVITED
GUESTS
Beaches are public spaces so onlookers can
be considered unwelcome guests. If you don’t
fancy having onlookers attending, aim tohave your ceremony
on a small, lesser-
known beach – and
potentially in the tourist
off-season.
Or you could reconsider
marrying on a
public beach altogether. Many
overseas resorts are blessed with
their own private beaches – just be sure
to look into their beach
wedding policies.MAKE
IT LEGAL
Other than the obvious wedding legalities,
research your beach of choice and get a permit
if required. Most Australian beaches will have
a guest limit in order to minimise impact on
the environment and other beach users. If
you’re having an overseas wedding, check any
permits or guidelines in the months before
you go. Be prepared to have a small, intimate
ceremony and to fill out some pre-wedding
council paperwork.HAVE A
“PLAN B”
Like any outdoor wedding there is,
unfortunately, always the possibility of rain,
especially if you’re marrying in the monsoon
season. Having a “Plan B” is essential: think
gazebos or shelters in nearby parks, or even a
nearby hotel or hall – a good wedding planner
will be full of suggestions specific to your
destination. If research and weather maps don’t
intimidate you, look up the weather patterns in
the area from previous years and find a time of
year that’s mostly sunny, but under 30°C – your
guests will thank you.“Fans
for guests are a
great thing to provide at
a beach wedding in case there is
no breeze. Also be sure to have cool
water available for guests to drink. Petal
aisles look beautiful but the petals may fly
away before the ceremony even begins, so
perhaps plan arrangements that aren’t loose
but in the sand or in pots instead. Talk to a
professional organiser at your destination who
knows the local venues and beaches well, and
can give you advice in relation to things like
tides, access and power, as well as organise
the required permits for you.”
Katrina Simorangkir, Bali Weddings
International
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