Many happy couples these days opt for a wedding outdoors – they may even have the reception outside too since we get so much fine weather in Australia. While Mother Nature will provide a bountiful backdrop, especially on the beach, you can also add beach wedding decorations to help your wedding day be memorable.
While the wedding guests usually don’t mind roughing it a bit, it is a very nice touch to have chairs for everyone to sit on. At the very least you will need a table and chairs to sign the registry. Seagrass or carpet runners will also help to keep the sand out of your shoes and define the space for you and your groom to walk – and to help keep the guests out of the aisle.
A decorated archway will make a point of reference so that everyone knows exactly where the ceremony will take place and so know where to stand if you don’t have chairs. You might also consider a bamboo canopy to add a nice touch and create a bit of shade on a hot day. This is important especially for older guests who might feel a bit faint if they have to stand out in the hot sun for too long.
If the wedding is to take place in the evening you will need some form of lighting such as torches or lanterns and these would look nice along the edges of the aisle. You could also have fairy lights around the arch. Bridal table decorations to reflect the beach theme could be glass pebbles to represent water drops, frangipanis, shells and even a light scattering of sand here and there.
Another good idea is to have a garden wedding if you or a friend has a nice garden. For that, you will need a few extra garden wedding decorations apart from the flowers and shrubs that are growing there. You could have flags, tubs of topiary or flowers, lights, bamboo tepees and, of course, folding chairs, table and an archway.
Some people have the wedding outside, but the reception inside at another venue. However, it really saves time and costs to have a marquee set up for the reception. These days you can get mobile fridges and spit roasts or other mobile catering services so that the meal is no problem. For those on a budget, this could really be the best way to go. You can easily set your own date instead of having to fit in with a reception venue for the most important day of your life.
