What Do You Need To Know Before Planning A Wedding
The answers to these four questions are a good starting point as you figure out how to plan a wedding. Once youve discussed these questions with your partner, you can move forward with other wedding-planning steps:
- Around how much do we have to spend on a wedding?
- Where do we want to get married?
- When do we want to get married?
- Do we want a big or small wedding?
Set Your Prewedding Self
We’re big proponents of having a prewedding self-care routine in place for the months leading up to the big day. You deserve to treat yourself, after all, because planning a wedding is no joke. While cosmetic treatments are certainly not necessary for your wedding, you may want to experiment with things like teeth whitening kits, sunless tanners, facials, or hair coloring. We recommend starting any new procedures early on, giving yourself time to find what works for you and makes you feel your absolute best.
Beyond cosmetic rituals, think about how you can prioritize your mental health and your relationship during this season. Now is a great time to attend premarital counseling to set yourselves up for success as a married couple. Be sure to get enough restful sleep, too, as it’s the crux of your wellbeing. And, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by wedding stress or “planxiety,” it won’t hurt to try talking to a therapist or licensed professional who can offer the help you need.
Can You Wear White To A Beach Wedding As A Guest
In recent times, there has been less of an aversion on the part of guests in wearing white to weddings. Even more so with beach weddings, which are usually a lot more casual. If youre really set on wearing white, wear something that is not going to take away from the brides moment in the spotlight. Its her wedding after all, and youre there as a show of support. If youre not certain, you can go with off white, or perhaps try something with a white lace overlay.
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What Will You Do In The Event Of Bad Weather
Many seaside celebrations take place in warm climates. But while tropical temperatures come with the territory, guests may become uncomfortable in the sweltering heat and beating sun. Consider scheduling your ceremony for the morning or late afternoon in order to avoid the worst of the weather. Also, make sure your ceremony site has sufficient shade, especially if many children or elderly people will be in attendance. Those getting hitched on the East Coast also need to worry about rain and hurricane season, so do your research on weather trends before booking any beach venue, and have a Plan B in place in the event of especially bad weather.
Plan A Beach Wedding In Ocean City New Jersey
Now that you know all these things to consider for planning a beach wedding, you can move forward with confidence, knowing that your special day will be perfect. And what better place to plan a beach wedding than Ocean City, New Jersey? Natural beauty and romance combine with a relaxed atmosphere that also makes a stunning backdrop for sophisticated celebrations.
Plan your beach wedding in Ocean City today! Discover plenty of wonderful vendors and locations for the perfect reception, all near the beach for a lovely summer wedding.
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How To Plan A Wedding Step By Step
Just got engaged and not sure where to start? Here’s our how to plan a wedding step-by-step guide to make it as simple and straightforward as possible, so you can keep stress at a minimum.
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Your wedding will likely be the biggest party youll ever throwand figuring out how to plan a wedding can feel pretty daunting at first . But whether you want a small, simple wedding or a big, lavish affair, the steps remain the same: Set a budget , find inspiration, start your guest list… well, we break it all down one step at a time below. We recommend focusing on one task at a time so you dont get overwhelmed by the wedding planning process. And if youre in a time crunch, go ahead and delegate some of these responsibilities to family members and friendstheyll likely be glad to help you as you navigate this process.
Fill In The Details With Your Personal Wedding Planner
Once the initial process is complete, youll be introduced to your wedding planner. Youll be able to make your first appointment at this time. Expect to receive a welcome letter by email.
You will revisit some of your beach wedding ideas and revisit the finer details of your wedding with your wedding planner, who will help you make any final decisions. Your wedding planner will also give you documents and tools, some of which will highlight all the services available for your Beaches wedding. The goal is to achieve perfection in your wedding, so dont be afraid to ask questions.
At this point youll also be able to book accommodation for you and your group. Ask about available add-ons or wedding inclusions, which can enhance the classic free wedding package available with your booking. You can also choose to trade your free wedding for $500 worth of credit towards your customized wedding. This credit can be used for décor, the reception, entertainment, activities, photographer, DJ, and other wedding preparation including select options at the spa.
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Determine What Youre Going To Wear
Anyone who is attending or will be in a beach wedding should focus on being comfortable yet stylish. Suggest that people wear light colors to reduce how much heat their outfit absorbs from the sun. You should also avoid textured fabrics and materials, like lace, that could pick up and hold onto the sand.
Since this is the married couples big day, you want them to feel as comfortable as possible with the right outfit for a beach wedding. For the bride:
- Avoid heels: High heels will sink into the sand on a beach and make it difficult to walk. Instead, opt for sandals or wedges if you absolutely need some height. Some couples even go barefoot for a beach wedding for a relaxed, boho look.
- Choose a shorter dress: Long dresses with full skirts and flowing trains are great for indoor ceremonies, but on a beach, youll end up with sand on your dress. Instead, choose a style thats ankle or knee-length to avoid having your hemline drag in the sand. Just make sure the skirt isnt too short or lightweight that the wind can catch it.
- Ditch the veil: While the veil is a traditional part of the brides wedding outfit, it could easily get caught in the wind and cause havoc during the ceremony. Try hair accessories like a tiara, flowers or decorative clips instead, and make sure theyre secure.
With those beach wedding outfit tips for the bride in mind, consider these for the groom:
Basic Legal Requirements For Getting Married In Hawaii
The State of Hawaii issues marriage licences and has a handy online system that makes it easy for out-of-state couples to fill out and pay for their marriage license application. This way, you can get the ball rolling on the license requirement before you even arrive at your Hawaii wedding location. You’ll have to finalize your license in person with a state marriage license agent, though, so make sure you build in time for that before your wedding ceremony. Make sure you comply these requirements for marriage license applicants, which apply to the majority of couples getting married in Hawaii:
- Both applicants must be at least 18 years old younger applicants may be ineligible or require official consent from a legal guardian
- Both applicants must appear before the marriage license agent at the time of application
- Official proof of age, such as a certified birth certificate or a driver’s license , must be provided
- Applicants must pay a $65 fee for the license and processing
As for who officiates a Hawaii wedding, the state’s guidelines are similarly straightforward. Ordained ministers and other religious officials, in addition to active and retired federal and state judges serving in Hawaii, may register to obtain an official license to perform marriages. Performers may file marriage licences with the wedding venue island’s Department of Health online or via postal mail and must do so within three business days of the ceremony.
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Pick Your Wedding Party
Now that you’ve got your guest list, it’s time to choose the people who will stand beside you on your big dayyour wedding party. So go ahead and select your bridesmaids, groomsmen, groomsladies or bridesmen and ask them to take on this important role. Check out our favorite bridesmaid proposal ideas to get started.
Prepare For Any Weather
Anytime you plan for an outdoor wedding, whether its on the sandy shores of a beach or among the lush greenery of the country, the weather is a factor. If youre concerned that a beach wedding may come with unpredictable weather conditions, prepare beforehand and learn what you may have to face. The main three weather conditions you have to be concerned about with a beach wedding ceremony are:
If you have to plan your wedding months, or even a year, in advance, you cant know for sure what the weather will be like. Have a backup plan in mind in case of rain or severe wind. Since most beaches only allow for a ceremony, youll likely have a venue set for your reception. Speak with the venue about the possibility of using it as an emergency ceremony location in case of unfavorable weather.
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Make Sure You Can Legally Get Married In Your Destination Wedding Location
Nichols said another thing to consider with weddings held abroad is whether you can actually get married there, or if you need to have a civil marriage ceremony in advance in your home country.
“Legal requirements differ depending on where you get married,” she said. “I got married in Mexico, but the legal wedding requirements caused for me to get blood drawn, and that was a no-no, as I am deathly afraid of needles. So this is something you will want to think about.”
As a compromise, Nichols said she and her husband chose to have a symbolic ceremony in Mexico instead and got legally married in their hometown the day before they left for Mexico.
“Also, on that note, because the primary language is not English in Mexico, if we would have gone through with the legal ceremony, the officiant would have been someone from the government and the ceremony would have been held in Spanish with a translator,” she said. “So if that’s not your cup of tea, you will want to look at residency requirements at home.”
Make Your Registry & Wedding Website
There’s no such thing as making your registry and wedding website too early. With engagement parties, showers and well-wishing relatives in your future, everyone will appreciate your foresight. After all, weddings and gifting are synonymous. And although gifts are optional for some wedding events, like engagement parties, some of your guests may want to give you something to commemorate the occasion. We recommend setting up your registry through The Knot so guests don’t have to ask what you’d like.
Your wedding website is equally as important. This is a helpful tool for loved ones, because it houses all the relevant details about your wedding day, like the date, time, dress code, and transportation logistics you’ve arranged, like hotel room blocks or shuttle services. Beyond that, it’s a place to show off your favorite proposal and engagement photos, as well as local recommendations for those that will travel to your nuptials. Create your wedding website early, and update it frequently as you finalize more details. Then, include the link on your save-the-dates and on an insert in your formal invitations so guests know how to find it.
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How To Get Married In Hawaii Legally
Matias Ezcurra / NV Maui Media
While the emotional and spiritual aspects of your wedding ceremony are in many ways the most important part of the whole event, it’s important to make sure you’ve got all your legal and procedural bases covered to avoid stress later on. Luckily, the requirements for legal marriage in Hawaii are pretty straightforward, so as long as you follow your wedding checklist and make sure everything’s done on time, you’ll have one less thing to worry about as your wedding day approaches. Some details, such as whether or not either or both of you will be changing your names, are up for negotiation, while others are absolutely necessary for your marriage to be legally valid.
Tips For Planning A Beach Wedding In Clearwater Florida
Scrolling through Instagram, its easy to see beach weddings are romantic and beautiful. But just like anything in life, there are logistical things to consider. So, we sat down with our awesome venue coordinators from Honeymoon Island and Sand Key Beach to find out their top 10 points to consider when choosing your beach wedding venue.
1. The Beach
In the Greater Tampa Bay area, there are a lot of beaches to choose from. We recommend going with a county or state park because the beaches are usually less populated, as they are usually only visited by the locals, giving the beach a more private feel, ideal for weddings.
2. Cleanliness and Maintenance
Another perk to going with a county or state park is theyre maintained. The beaches and restroom facilities are cleaned regularly. Big plus!
3. Towering Woes
Many beaches closer to the bigger cities, like Tampa, Miami or St. Petersburg, are filled with high rises. This could negatively impact your photos with shadows, and more high rises usually mean more people. If an intimate beach wedding is your goal, look at surrounding areas of the major cities. For instance, Honeymoon Island is conveniently located close enough to Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida, but it offers unobstructed views of the gulf.
4. Parking Made Easy
5. The Gulf vs. the Atlantic
6. Pro tip: Dont forget about the tides
7. Permits and Ordinances
8. Beach Receptions
9. Have a Backup Plan
10. Beach Hair Dont Care
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Expect To Run Into Your Guests During Your Honeymoon
“When we said goodbye to our guests after the wedding, we meant it,” Davidson said. “What we didn’t expect was for their extended vacation plans to be identical with our honeymoon itinerary.”
For example, Davidson said she and her husband weren’t expecting the guests to join them scuba diving on the third day of their honeymoon. Nor were they expecting to share a breakfast with them at a remote beach restaurant.
“It was amusing and pleasing at first, but every time we ran into a familiar face from home, it kind of felt like less of a destination wedding,” Davidson said.
On a similar note, Nichols said to keep in mind if you want your wedding to be family-friendly or for adults only.
“Will you stay at the same resort for your honeymoon or honeymoon-hop to a different resort or island?” she said.
