A beach wedding reception should be just as much fun as a beach wedding!
After you exchange “I Do’s” with your groom, you can relax and enjoy the calming ocean vibes with your family and friends.
But, there are certain things you need to consider when planning a beach reception, so keep reading for our top 6 tips on how to put together an amazing celebration.
6 Tips for Your Beach Wedding Reception
1. Consider having your beach wedding and reception at one of the Destin, FL area state parks along the beach. Not only do you get your seaside wedding, but these parks allow you to rent a pavilion for your reception. Combine that with the fact that the parks also provide parking for your guests and nearby restrooms, and it just doesn’t get any easier than that!
a. Do keep in mind, though – many parks do not allow alcohol, so be sure to check to see if your choice does. In some cases, even if they do not allow alcohol, a champagne toast may be permitted.
b. Another stipulation to consider – state parks require an event permit for a wedding and reception, so be sure to find out whether you need one or not.
2. If the restrictions of a state park aren’t for you, the Florida Panhandle has countless beach cottages for rent. Many of these bungalows are either on the beach or within walking distance and make a great place for a reception. By renting a cottage, your guests have all the comforts of home and your caterer has facilities available for the storage and preparation of your food. Additionally, in the case of inclement weather, a beach bungalow keeps everyone warm and dry.
3. Have fun with your décor! The great thing about a beach wedding is that it can be as laid back or as formal as you would like it to be. If you are planning an outdoor reception, though, keep the weather in mind: be sure your décor isn’t going to fly away in breezy conditions and that it will stand up to the heat you sometimes find at the beach.
4. Consider the temperatures at a beach wedding: it can be chilly after sundown, so provide blankets or rent portable heaters if you are having a sunset wedding and outside reception. Conversely, if you are being married during the day in the summer months, be sure to have adequate water on hand for your guests.
5. For guest favors, you can purchase personalized tubes of sunscreen to hand out or you can buy wedding flip flops decorated with the newlywed’s names and wedding date. Have them available by the entrance to your wedding (maybe in a cute metal tub decorated with your wedding colors) to ensure everyone is comfortable standing and walking on the sand.
6. Have a backup plan for your beach wedding reception, in case of bad weather. You can’t control Mother Nature and there is nothing sadder than planning a great reception, only to have it rained out.
For more information about planning a Destin, FL beach wedding, call Sugar Beach Weddings at 850-650-1515 or email us today.