If you're having your beach wedding in the hotter summer months, there are lots of fun ideas to help you, your bridal party, and your guests beat the summer heat. If you're having a tent reception, ask your rental company about portable AC options! If you're having a beach ceremony, here are some great tips:

Provide Bottled Water: You can put out really cute buckets with ice to keep bottled water cold for your guests during the ceremony. You can even get personalized labels for the bottles with your initials.  

Fans as Programs: Instead of a traditional folded program, have your programs made into fans that your guests can use to cool themselves. 

Say No to Full Length Bridesmaid Dresses & Suit Jackets: Full length dresses and suits are very elegant, but when you're standing in 100 degree weather, it can be very hot. Your bridal party will definitely thank you if you opt for shorter, cooler fabric dresses and let the groomsmen ditch the jackets. You can always have the guys put jackets on for formal photos.

Eleise Theuer Photography, Ava Clara Bridal

Keep the Ceremony Short: A full catholic ceremony is not one you want to have on the beach. Plan a short ceremony so your guests won't get too hot. Remember that the bride is also typically wearing a long gown and you don't want to be sweating throughout your ceremony. So keep your vows short and sweet. The entire ceremony can still be so meaningful and special!

If you've always dreamed of a beachfront wedding, there are definitely some steps you should take when you start planning to make sure you cover all the basics. For even more information, check out page 70 of the latest issue of HRWG here!

Check for city permits and limitations: In the city of Virginia Beach, you don't have to have a permit to have a beach wedding, but that also means that the section of the beach you want to use won't be free of other beach goers. In order to cordon off a portion of the public beach, you have to apply for a permit. This permit is also only good for 3 hours so you'll have to hold your reception in a different location or pay for more than one time slot. Check the city you are having your wedding in for specific codes.

Sand: Sand is beautiful, but it's also very challenging to walk in, especially in heels. Opt instead for flat shoes or wedges! Make sure your elderly guests have assistance getting to their seats and that your guests know the ceremony will be directly on the beach so they can plan accordingly. 

Sound: The sound of the waves crashing is so lovely, but it's also pretty loud. Your guests will have a hard time hearing the ceremony if you do not have some type of sound system set up. If you are having your wedding at one of the awesome venues above, check with them about how to best amplify your ceremony. 

Beach wedding decor can range from romantic and neutral to whimsical and colorful! There are so many directions you can go and ways to adapt the vision you've always had into your venue or oceanfront space. We love the growing trend of beautiful arches of florals or greenery for the ceremony.  The best thing about getting married with the ocean as your backdrop is there isn't much need for a lot of decor or decorations.

Our friends at Classy Covers has been making some really beautiful arches recently for beach weddings. They are an easy way to have a statement piece for your ceremony. Tidewater & Tulle has a great slideshow of more arches for inspiration.