Weddings on the Beach: Everything you need to get married on the beach

Getting married on the beach is the dream of many people. The beach is an unbeatable paradise with incredible settings for your celebration. If life is tastier by the sea, a beach wedding is one of the best things there is, not for nothing is it one of the most popular destination weddings of all time. If you are planning to have your wedding on the beach, keep reading because today we bring you everything you need to know about beach weddings, from how to organise it to the best ideas to have a dream beach wedding.

Beach weddings are a beautiful idea to celebrate a marriage. Whether it is a civil, religious or spiritual ceremony, weddings by the sea will always be a beautiful memory for both the couple and their guests. Beach weddings are perfect for all kinds of people, from those who love the whole maritime theme, to those who like to connect with nature, especially with the salty air of the coasts and the great ocean. Beach weddings are perfect for both city couples who want to get away from all the urbanity and relax, to couples who have been by the sea all their lives and it represents a beautiful place for them. Whatever your reason for wanting to get married on the beach, having it in this amazing location will ensure that your wedding is full of magic.

Step by step to organise a beach wedding
Getting married on the beach is a dream, but making it a reality takes a lot of planning and organisation. That’s why in the following sections we will tell you everything you need to know to plan a beach wedding in the best way possible. Take note and organise the best beach wedding in the world!

Getting the necessary permits to get married
The first thing to do, even before making the final decision to get married on the beach, is to research about the permits you need to carry out your event; find out if the place you have chosen is suitable for the celebration, if they will allow you to do everything the way you want, etc.

If you opt for a hotel beach we recommend that you contact the municipal authorities, as in some places it is not allowed to hold celebrations, due to the ecological care that is taken. There are certain months of the year when these permits can be completely denied, as they generate noise, rubbish and can hinder certain natural processes that must be taken care of, such as the birth of turtles or other marine species.

Now, you will have to investigate and carry out these procedures in good time, don’t forget that these are bureaucratic matters and for one reason or another your authorisation can be delayed. Do it with a time cushion and avoid problems that can turn into a real nightmare.

On the other hand, in Mexico the most popular places to get married on the beach tend to be: Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos, all are beautiful beaches that every day gain more and more followers for marriage bonds, all with different rates and requirements. And to make these rates lower, as a solution we recommend you to get married within the municipality and have an informal party on the beach, you will save a little money and the party will be just as enjoyable.

Organise every detail
The theme of getting married on the beach can be for many people a very relaxing, bohemian theme that inspires peace and tranquillity. But this is not always the case, the reality is completely different, as its organisation can be really complicated. We believe that the best thing to do in this case is to hire a wedding planner who is an expert in structuring beach weddings and who, with the experience they have, can manage a wedding of this type.

On the other hand, try not to choose dates within the holiday period such as summer, as the beaches can be too saturated by tourists and prices rise considerably. Choose spring or late summer where it will be more relaxed and the unbeatable weather will not change, plus the scenery you will have such as the magical sunsets will be something your guests will never forget.

You will have to make a good guest list and choose well the number of people attending your wedding, because sometimes the space is limited and it will be better to have a small and intimate wedding.

Check the policies of the hotel where the celebration will take place, you can for example get special rates for your guests with breakfast included. Or all-inclusive packages to pamper all attendees.

The access to the beach should be comfortable for your guests, as well as considering that the weather on the coast can change from one moment to another easily and have problems due to rain or too much wind. Make a plan B so that they do not suffer discomfort during the celebration, always remember that it is better to be safe than sorry.

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Wedding dress and groom’s suit for beach wedding
As you know, getting married in the city is not the same as getting married on the beach. Usually for beach weddings a boho style of dress is chosen, which is a bit more relaxed than in traditional weddings. Always remember though that you decide what your big day will look like, so you can really do whatever you want. However, if you want to know how to dress like the typical beach weddings you see in magazines, Pinterest and movies take note of the following.

The use of flowing fabrics, fabrics such as linen and dresses with ruffles is ideal for beach weddings. For the couple to be married, the colour white prevails, although many couples decide to go for other tones, such as pastels or more vivid and unconventional colours like blue.

For the wedding dress for a beach wedding, it is recommended to look for an airy one in the silhouette you like the most. Lace, flower crowns, loose hairstyles avoiding updos and all kinds of boho accessories are more than recommended to get that beach wedding look. Everything that represents life on the coast, in an atmosphere of peace, tranquillity and freedom, will fit perfectly with the style of the wedding.

The groom’s attire can be in light colours such as beige, ivory or grey. He can choose from the typical tuxedos or jackets, or on the other hand have a more relaxed and beachy outfit, with a formal guayabera or a shirt without a bow or tie, with khaki trousers and a matching jacket.

How to dress for a beach wedding
For the rest of the guests, it is suggested that they wear very light colours due to the nature of the wedding. Remember that guests will always dress according to the dress code you have specified in the invitation. In this case, brighter colours such as blues, pinks or yellows can be used as long as they do not overshadow the couple.

Beach wedding reception
If you are looking at how to choose the catering for your wedding if you have decided to get married on the beach and your reception will be outdoors, don’t worry! The catering for the reception, like any other element of the wedding, is chosen by you and at the end of the day you only have to worry about you and your partner liking it. However, we recommend a buffet or cocktail menu which will be much easier to manage and will be perfectly suited to the fresh and natural style of the sea. We recommend dishes that include fish, seafood, exotic gastronomy, etc.

In case you have chosen a hotel and its beach, they will surely take care of the food. Have a meeting with the chef and let him advise you, ask him to serve fresh and not too heavy things and share with him the ideas you have about the menu, so you can choose together the ideal type of dishes for your celebration.

Beach wedding packages
As you have already seen, planning a beach wedding can be complicated. Two recommendations we give you to make your life easier when planning your beach wedding is, first of all, to hire a wedding planner or hire a beach wedding package from a specialised hotel or website.

It’s usually a little easier to get married in a hotel with beach access than on a public beach, as they offer packages that help you organise everything from medical exams, to bureaucratic paperwork, to getting the judge or minister to marry you. It’s a matter of researching which hotels offer these services and choosing the one that suits you best. What you will have to take into account, and that no one can guarantee, is that there will be no curious people watching the development of your event, especially because in Mexico all beaches are public, so no hotel can prohibit the passage of tourists. It depends on how much it bothers you as a couple and your guests, if you don’t have a problem with this, go ahead.

What can reduce the issue of curious onlookers is to choose a more unspoilt beach, where the flow of people is less and you can be in a more intimate atmosphere.

Beach wedding decorations
Beach weddings are beautiful, because regardless of the decorations, the sand and the huge sea will give a beautiful setting to your wedding. If you are choosing your wedding decorations, first of all, remember that this is your wedding and you can decorate it however you want. However, typical beach weddings tend to have some particular decoration styles, either bohemian style that transmits relaxation and peace; maritime that alludes to the activities that take place there with the colour white as the main element, or tropical vintage, with bamboo, umbrellas, wood, candles and vaporous fabrics. Everything spread out on the sand will give a very special touch to your event.

Now, the theme of the invitations cannot be left behind. You will have to choose a type of invitations that go according to the type of wedding you will have. Here you should specify the dress code that you are going to use and the type of wedding that will take place so that the guests are well informed since this element, as we have mentioned before, is key when it comes to inform them about the type of wedding that will take place.

The best beaches in Mexico to get married
Mexico is a beautiful country with many options for beach weddings, so you don’t have to look abroad for a beautiful location. Mexico’s beaches are very different from one another, but what they all have in common is that they are really beautiful. Read on to find the perfect beach wedding in Mexico for your ceremony.

Cancun Beach Weddings
Cancun is probably the most famous beach in Mexico, and not for nothing, as it probably has the whitest sand and the most delicious water for swimming. With beautiful sunsets, getting married in Cancun could be your dream come true. If you are thinking of getting married in this beautiful beach in the state of Quintana Roo, here is a list of hotels in Cancun for your wedding. By getting married in Cancun you will not only have a very romantic setting, but also a memory to last a lifetime.

Acapulco Beach Weddings
Another beautiful beach in Mexico is Acapulco. This beach is well known for its party atmosphere and its incredible cliffs, which in addition to the romantic beach scenery, offer an atmosphere of fun and adventure. If you are thinking of celebrating your wedding here we leave you with this list of the best hotels in Acapulco to have your wedding on the beach. If you choose this spectacular place, you and your partner are sure to have a spectacular time.

Mazatlan Beach Weddings
Located in the beautiful state of Sinaloa, Mazatlan is one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. This can be the perfect location for your wedding with its beautiful waves and beautiful sunsets. You will surely fall in love with it just by strolling along the boardwalk when the sun goes down. If you are thinking of celebrating your wedding here we leave you with this list of the best venues in Mazatlan to have your wedding on the beach. If you have your wedding here you will realise with its beautiful beach why Jose Alfredo Jimenez said that Mazatlan is the “land where the Pacific is something without equal”.

Yucatan Beach Weddings
Ceci Casado of Maia Eventos, tells us that “on the beaches of Yucatan there are some hotels where you can organise your event in a more practical way, enjoying the natural beauty of the place, or have a place (in airbnb or private) that lends itself to this type of event. It is important to consider that many of the beaches are more rustic in terms of access and services, so it is necessary to bring everything you need for your event from Mérida or the surrounding area.

There are many beautiful beaches in the Yucatan, our favourites are Progreso, Celestun, Sisal and San Crisanto. If you are looking for a boutique style, more bohemian, natural, or even ecofriendly, they are a perfect destination for your wedding”.

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Photo: André Gouin

How do beach weddings work?
Beach weddings are part of the so-called destination weddings, normally the couple and their guests stay in a hotel and carry out the ceremony by the sea. In order to achieve this, however, they must obtain the necessary permits, coordinate with the hotel in the organisation and carry out all the necessary steps for the wedding ceremony (civil, religious or spiritual).

What is the cost of a beach wedding?
The price of a beach wedding will depend on the beach where you are getting married, the services included in the packages you choose, the hotel you choose and the number of guests. A beach wedding in Mexico can cost a minimum of just over $2,500 pesos for the wedding itself, and can go up to $50,000 pesos or even over a million pesos if it is a luxury wedding. The key is to create a budget and use it to design the wedding of your dreams, seeing what elements are essential to you and discarding those that aren’t worth it.

“The price for a beach wedding can vary depending on the number of guests, the final venue and all the amenities you wish to hire. The costs of the suppliers are usually cheaper to hire, however the transportation of the suppliers must be taken into consideration. As for venue rentals, they are also cheaper than in other beaches in Mexico, as they are smaller venues, ideal for a more intimate wedding”. – Ceci Casado, Maía Eventos

What does it take to have a beach wedding?
To obtain the necessary permits.
Tackling the organisation
Choosing the decoration
Choosing special and appropriate attire
Match the banquet with the location
Ceci Casado – Maia Eventos tells us that the most important thing to have your wedding on the beach is to have the help of an expert so that during the planning you can be aware of any detail. In case you don’t have a wedding planner for your wedding, we recommend you to have at least one consultancy session to help you review all the important points to consider for a beach wedding:

If the venue has permits and the guidelines for events in this new normal.
The minimum and maximum times you need for the whole event (from the reception of suppliers, the set-up, the whole event and the dismantling).
Accommodation and/or transportation for your guests.
That the venue has everything necessary for the bride and groom to get ready, rest, and their own accommodation and/or transport.
That the ceremony and banquet space is ideal for the number of guests.
You should also consider whether all the guests can have a good time at a beach wedding or take the necessary measures in case you have many guests who are older adults, if any of them need to use a wheelchair, if there are many small children, etc.
Once you have everything organised and ready, share as much information as possible with your guests: programme, recommended hotels, transport logistics, etc., so that they know they don’t have to worry about anything and can enjoy it to the fullest.
When is the best time to get married on the beach?
We recommend spring or late summer where there are not so many tourists and the weather will not change, plus the scenery you will have as the magical sunsets will be something that your guests will never forget. At the same time we recommend that you avoid the high summer season at all costs.

Tips for choosing a beach wedding date
Ceci Casado from Maia Eventos shares her tips for choosing the best date for beach weddings:

Avoid the months of heavy rainy season. It may vary a bit depending on the place where you decide to get married, but in general it is from June to November. If you want to get married in any of these months, you have to be very aware of the weather forecast and have a plan B in case you want to celebrate outdoors.
December to May are undoubtedly the favourite months for beach weddings. Within these months, you can take into account that if you do it in low season dates for holidays, you can find more availability and better prices.
In case you are planning your wedding in warmer months, (April, May, June) you can hire outdoor fans and think of small details to help cool the event, such as a cocktail trolley, complimentary fans, and always bring electrolyte drinks for the bride and groom to keep them hydrated.
January, February and March are the months with the most advantages for your beach wedding: the weather is cooler, it rarely rains and it’s the low season.
This is everything you need to know about organising your beach wedding, we hope this information has been useful and that with it you can organise the beach wedding of your dreams.