Water's Edge
Gayle McCarthy
Ah … getting married on the waterfront. It all seems so romantic, so peaceful, so refreshing. What could be better than exchanging your vows, sand between your toes, at the water’s edge, watching a tangerine sunset? This idyllic setting can be picture-perfect for you and your guests to enjoy with a bit of patience and planning.
First and foremost, make sure to have a back-up plan in case of inclement weather. Many brides who plan outdoor weddings can get so caught up in hoping for perfect weather for their wedding day that they forget – or don’t want to have a plan B. As you plan for the perfect day, you should anticipate any problems that might arise, like bad weather. In order to avoid a disasterous scenario, ask in advance what space is available to move the wedding inside, if you’re getting married on a waterfront resort property. Reserve a room or banquet space in advance that will comfortably accommodate all of your guests and wedding party. Make sure everyone will have somewhere – and something – to sit on, should the event be moved indoors.
Oddly enough, this basic consideration, the comfort of your guests, is often overlooked in the frenzy of pre-wedding day stress. Intervening variables like weather, the heat of the sun, and biting bugs should all be factored into the final equation to make your wedding day an enjoyable one for all involved.
While it’s very easy to plan your June wedding in December and think that all of your guests will be comfortable seated outside, the sun can get hot very quickly, and 20 minutes in the sun can seem like eternity if you’re uncomfortable. You don’t want your guests baking out under the sun, dripping with perspiration, even before the wedding begins. And if the bride is running 10 minutes late, that’s another ten minutes that they have to sweat out under the sun. That doesn’t make for a joyous occasion. Instead of happy, smiling guests, you might get scouring looks.
If you’re planning a ceremony next to a lake or on the beach, consider making it shorter, ideally under 20 minutes. If possible, provide tents for the guests to be seated under during your ceremony, or have a shaded area where guests can wait until the wedding begins. That way, there is some relief from the glaring sun, which can feel even more intense on a windless, humid summer day.
In addition, guests should be able to wear comfortable, casual clothes for an outdoor event, not heavy jackets, cumbersome ties, or long gowns. Indicate on your invitation the style of dress that you prefer.
Another factor to keep in mind, even if you have a tented outdoor reception, is the annoyance of bugs. Even if you spray the area before your event and have a tented reception, bugs can still persist. They can really ruin an event, and most people usually don’t think about bugs until it’s too late.
Your best bet might be to have an indoor reception, particularly when large amounts of food will be set out in a buffet-style dinner and may attract more bugs like pestering flies and biting mosquitoes. Most guests prefer moving into the comfort of a climate-controlled, bug-free environment for the reception after an outdoor ceremony. And you don’t have to sacrifice your surroundings just because you moved the event inside. Many resorts and hotels feature oceanside or lakeside dining where you can hear the roll of the surf as you dance the night away. Make sure to book well in advance and have an approximate head count when making the reservation. Another pitfall to avoid? Take advantage of the natural beauty that is found outdoors. Don’t confuse and clutter your beach wedding with too many decorations like reams of tulle or garish florals. The more decorations you have, the more confusing and challenging it can be to keep a unified, neatly appointed presentation. The key is simple, classic elegance that complements your surroundings.
For some couples, it’s the most beautiful and spiritual thing they can do, to exchange their vows in such a setting. It’s a reflection of their relationship, to be married on the beach. There’s no other setting in the world that can compare to the splendor of sky at sunset. And with a little luck and a lot of planning, having your wedding on the water’s edge can be a dream come true.