You can use the money you would have used for a big wedding and just plan a small wedding on the beach for a few of your closest friends and family. Just remember to consider a few things when planning a beach wedding idea, such as unpredictable weather, people's inability to get off work and other factors that might interfere with a perfect day.
If you are looking for ideas on how to plan a small wedding, a beach wedding idea is great if you have a small guest list. You can find several websites to help you with your beach wedding idea list, such as Florida Wedding Services or Beach Weddings.
These and other sites will give you tips about flying your guests to the beach wedding sites and list some things to consider when planning a beach wedding. Beach weddings are less formal and, as a result, guests generally have a great deal of fun at the event.
One of the best things about beach wedding sites is that they can be as inexpensive and simple as you would like or as extravagant and elegant as you choose. Either way, few things compare with crashing waves and the sun setting over the horizon as you're getting married.
The best beach wedding sites are typically found in California, Florida and North Carolina, but you can often find great places to have your wedding if you live near the coast.
When planning a beach wedding, there are a few things to keep in mind. If your guests are traveling long distances to attend your beach wedding, you might want to check surrounding hotel accommodations for availability and amenities. If you have a very small guest list, you might also consider paying for their rooms as a gift.
Also, find a venue for the reception that is nearby. Having a reception at beach wedding sites is not the ideal place, but since hotels and resorts generally surround coastal beaches, you can usually rent a hall for your reception.
When planning a beach wedding, another thing to remember is the sound system. With the breeze, open air, and crashing waves in the distance, guests may have trouble hearing if you do not have speakers hooked up. Finding a solution to strangers interrupting your event is also important.
You don't want your big day ruined by somebody diving into your guest area to catch a Frisbee. Hire security and find a secluded area of the beach so you can prevent this from happening. Finally, you might want to have a platform for people to walk along. Trying to walk through sand can be difficult for some guests, so a solid platform is ideal.
If you want ideas on how to plan a small wedding, having your wedding at one of many wedding beach sites is a great alternative to traditional church weddings. Beach wedding sites can be found throughout the United States. If your budget allows, you can even go to the Bahamas or another place with beautiful beach wedding sites.
While beach weddings are typically less formal than traditional weddings, they can still provide the elegance that you want for your special day. Whatever happens with your beach wedding, it will definitely be something that your guests will be talking about for a long time.
An elegant small wedding is one of the most beautiful weddings that can be organized. The budget is not too high, the attendees are all relaxed and will likely have a good time and nuances such as children running around and making noise will be avoided. A wedding without too much frills makes sure that the love between the couple is the focus of the ceremony.
Etiquette in a small wedding
ATTIRE: Guests are only advised to wear clothes comfortable to them. A dress from a closet selection, a white one or even a sundress is appropriate for a small wedding. A bridesmaid can wear a white dress or even a pantsuit. The groom can go for khakis, or even jeans paired with a shirt and a sport coat.
SETTING: A small wedding can be held in a community center, a local park or even your parents' backyard. Holding ceremonies in a unique location such as a rooftop, a barn, an art gallery can clearly speak about the personalities of the couple.
INVITATIONS: Invitations in a small wedding can be handwritten on handmade paper. Send them like writing a note to a close friend. It is important to note that attendees should be in casual attire.
FLOWERS: Simple bulbs such as hyacinths or tulips can serve as alternatives for floral flower arrangements. Using these will generate huge savings for the couple. Gerber diaries inserted in a flat container filled with wheat grass can serve as an attractive centerpiece.
MENU: The menu of a small wedding can be very diverse. A party can be set a few months before the wedding and the guests can be asked to bring their favorite recipes. The couple can choose their favorites and use them as wedding food. It is also good to acknowledge whose recipe it is by putting a label in front of every dish. Besides a party, a barbeque or picnic fare can be held.
REGISTRY: Common retail stores such as Sears or Target can be used as gift registries. Couples can specify what they want to receive in order to avoid the usual gift of expensive China that will likely collect dust in a cabinet.
Costs, costs, costs
Tradition dictates that the bride's parents are responsible for paying off the wedding regardless if it is small or big. However, expenses have become an issue due to the challenging times. The etiquette in requesting for money is by gathering both families and discussing how to share in the wedding expenses, as the couple will unlikely have enough to cover all of their needs.
The budget will be a major basis on what type of wedding will be held. The couple needs to meet with everyone who will be attending. However, the couple cannot force their parents to shell out money that is not available.
Couples can make various compromises if their budget falls short. For example, less expensive rings can be used. A more expensive replacement can be acquired in the future. Some couples do not even have wedding rings at all. Those living in a nice climate can have the reception at home and hire catering services. To help control costs, a butler can be tasked to pass around hors d' oeuvres and refreshments.
The parents of the groom traditionally pay for the following items:
Boutonnieres for groom's attendants
The bride's bouquet
Officiate fee or donation
Rehearsal Dinner
Lodging and transportation expenses of the rabbi or minister
Corsages for every family member
Transportation of the Groom and Best Man going to the wedding
Giving tips is a nice way of rewarding those that have given good service but it is not a requirement. A tip given to a minister can be seen as a gift for marrying the couple. Tips can be given to servers, drivers and musicians but still, this is not a requirement.
The etiquette in service fees
Couples should make sure that they are comfortable with the people that are helping in the wedding whether it is the wedding experts, the photographer and even the florists. They should share the same vision on how the wedding should come out and not merely focus on how much money will spent.
A couple may receive possibly the lowest price but if the rendered service does not meet what was promised, the value is useless, even if it is a small wedding.
Both Mike Selvon & Joe Silla are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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