Make it Unique

Beach weddings are becoming more and more popular as people opting for a less traditional, more relaxed settings for their big day. Whether you are looking for an intimate seaside ceremony or a fun and casual ceremony, make it unique, make it YOU! The most unique beach wedding ceremony and reception ideas are sparked by imagination not tradition.

To plan for your wedding, you first need to know:

• What is your theme?


• What time of day will you be having your wedding ceremony?


• What type of atmosphere do you wish to create?

Answer those three questions and great beach wedding reception ideas will follow

Below are a couple other ways to make it unforgettable:

• Have a steel drum band, reggae music or the easy sounds of island music.
• Use lots of seashells and in places they aren't expected.
• Use fun and funky picture frames as placecard holders and they also double as favors.
• Use exotic flowers and seashells in your bouquet.
• Get creative with ring bearer pillows.
• Bring the sea to your ceremony, use starfish and seashells.
• Decorate the reception with a nautical theme.
• Use sanddollars or starfish as place card holders.
• And last but not least, showcase your theme on your wedding cake.

The most important thing is to make it fun and memorable. Your guests will be talking about your wedding for months!

The Sand Ceremony

One of my favorite parts of the beach wedding is the sand ceremony. The sand ceremony is a celebration that is usually three to five minutes in length and is a meaningful joining of two lives and often two families. In this timeless ritual of marriage, the couple pour various colors of sand from a container, such as a seashell, into one special container symbolizing their coming together as one. The sand usually matches the color scheme of the wedding colors.

This unique celebration was recently brought into the public eye with the marriage of Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter of the TV series, “The Bachelorette.” Rather than the time-honored ritual of the unity candle ceremony, the famous couple chose the sand ceremony. Their decision has sparked a craze in wedding ceremonies across the country.


Pouring Vessels
My favorite pouring vessels for the sand ceremony is the pearlized nautilus shell. They can be purchased at a really reasonable price on eBay. Or you can also use uniquely shaped bottles. There are many options. Whatever your choice, be sure to make it your own.

Special Containers
Be sure to pick a container that you really love and want to look at for many many years to come to remember your special day. Lead crystal is a wonderful option if your budget allows. Even a simple glass vase will look beautiful with the colored sand from your wedding. If the bride and groom have children from another marriage, they can have the children participate in the sand ceremony by having separate colors for the children. This adds to the special meaning of the moment and adds additional beauty to the sand.