Unique Beach Wedding Invitations For the Discerning Bride

Beach Wedding InvitesThe date of your beach wedding is fast approaching and so far, you have the major parts covered. You already found a caterer, finished the guest list, booked the venue, and shopped for wedding gown and accessories. But wait, what about the small things like the invitations? If you’re a smart bride, you know that the big things are not the only ones that matter. If you want a wedding that’s perfect, you must invest time and energy in picking the best designs for your wedding invites. After all, it’s the sneak peek to your wedding! And you need to make the right first impression. So here are unique beach wedding invitations that even a discerning bride would find beautiful.

Island Adventure

Marriage is an adventure in itself. Many couples who have been married for a long time would tell you that it’s truly one dizzying roller coaster ride. Because of this, it would probably be apt to get an Island Adventure invitation design for your wedding. This is not only to reflect the nature of your wedding celebration but also to symbolize what lies ahead in your future with your spouse-to-be. This frivolous sandal-shaped invitation comes with tropical floral and striped accents. When folded, you can see your first names on the front part. On the left, you can put your choice of quote.  There are five sandal strap ribbon colors for you to choose from. To complete this beach-y invitation are tropical themed enclosures.

Show and Tell

Simple but unique and classy—these are what your guests would immediately think when they receive this wedding invitation. It’s a folded paper version of the Adirondack chair that adds playfulness to your wedding celebration. The Adirondack chair has become one of the symbols of a beach wedding as it illustrates the relaxing and laidback nature of these types of celebrations. It also symbolizes how the event is free from pretenses and uptightness of regular weddings held in traditional venues like halls and ballrooms. The details of the invite are to be printed on the middle part of the chair. Your guests would have fun assembling this invite to transform it into a chair.

Swaying Palms

When you hear the words “beach wedding,” what’s the first thing that you see? Most people would say they see a couple exchanging vows on a beach, under some swaying palms. And it’s true, the seaside is always adorned with these beautiful palm trees. That’s why, this invitation design is truly apt for your beach wedding event. This invite is a formal tea-length card with a pair of embossed palm tree design on top. The details are printed with grayish green ink and the inside of the envelope is also covered with this color.

Picture Paradise

The picture paradise invitation showcases bridal elegance. For one, the wording is printed on a translucent paper that is a lay-over on top of a 4×6 photo of you and your beau. See to it that you choose the best and sweetest photo that you have together. The translucent paper and photo will be tucked into a tropical white base card frame that comes with seashell embossed designs on the middle top and two corners at the bottom part.

Popular Florida Beach Wedding Locations

Happy Beach Wedding CoupleFlorida won’t be called the Sunshine State for nothing. As one of the five hottest cities in the United States, it provides a nice warm weather all year round so you can have a grand time in its collection of fabulous beaches. The top ones are enumerated below. These can be the best options if you’re planning a beach wedding in this state.

Delray Beach

A lovely quaint village by the sea, that’s what Delray Beach is known for. It’s situated just north of Boca Raton in Palm Beach County. Every year, thousands of tourists visit this beach, which boasts of a two-mile stretch of white sand perfect for sunbathing, picnicking, and of course, saying your I Do’s. After the wedding, you and your groom can take a stroll along the Atlantic Avenue, which is dotted with seafood restaurants, boutiques and other interesting attractions like the Pineapple Grove Arts District.

Clearwater Beach

One of the finest beaches not only in Florida but in the entire country as well, Clearwater Beach lures packs of tourists every year to its broad sandy shores. It spreads along the Pinellas Peninsula on the Gulf Coast, Tampa Bay to the east and Gulf of Mexico to the west. Your wedding guests would never run out of things to do while they’re here. Recreational options include fishing, beach volleyball, diving, parasailing, and dolphin watching.

Naples

The pearly white sands in Naples are not the only attractions in this part of Florida. On one side, you’ll be fascinated with the strong rolling waves. On the other side, you can watch out for your dropping jaw when you catch a glimpse of the glittering mansions of the Millionaire’s Row. It would truly be a one of a kind wedding if you decide to go for this option.

Sanibel Beach

This one is a distinct barrier island that has an east-west designation. It’s also famed for being one of the Shell Islands. It’s a prime spot along the coastline of the state for seashell collection. Just before the wedding, you and your beau can hit the beach with buckets and nets on your hands so you can collect shells of all sizes and shapes to use for decorating your beach wedding reception. If you prefer to have a quiet and peaceful wedding, hold it at Bowman’s Beach.

Atlantic Beach

You’ll get the relaxation of a lifetime when you visit this place. The sugary soft sand, gleaming sunshine and small-town charm make the Atlantic Beach the ideal spot for your exchange of vows. You’ll also love the fact that it’s just a few minutes of drive from Jacksonville, where you can take a day tour or go shopping after the wedding.

Palm Beach

There are over 40 miles of exquisite beaches in Florida but the gem of all is no other than the Palm Beach. This 14-mile long beach houses some of the state’s finest restaurants, shops and hotels. It lies next to the Gulf Stream so you can expect warm blue water and soft breezes. Have your wedding at the beautiful John D. MacArthur State Park.

Top 10 Destination Wedding Locations

What would you choose: a big and extravagant wedding near your home with over 500 guests (most of them you barely even know)? Or an intimate one with your closest family and friends in a gorgeous place miles and miles from where you live? If you’re a bride looking for a dreamy and romantic wedding with only very few people to witness it, you’ll probably choose the second option. Now, even if you choose the first one, this list of the most beautiful destination wedding locations around the world might possibly change your mind.

  1. Mauritius, Indian Ocean – If you’re slanted towards having a beach wedding, Mauritius should be on top of your list. This stunning island nation boasts of pristine beaches, crystal clear lagoons and a romantic ambience that you won’t be able to get enough of.
  2. Le Château d’Esclimont, France – Is there anything more romantic than getting married inside a castle? Yes there is! That is if you choose a castle that’s located in the most romantic country in the world. Le Château d’Esclimont can be found just above Paris, the city of love. Its expansive 150 acres of land can be dressed up to be the perfect wedding location for you and your beau.
  3. Cathedral Peak Hotel, Drakensberg, South Africa – One look at this grandiose hotel and your heart will jump with joy. It’s surely one of the best locations in South Africa that would give you nothing short of a gorgeous country style wedding with beauteous views of the mountains and the stone and thatch chapel.
  4. Taj Palace, Pichola Lake, Rajasthan, India – Feel like a princess with a royal wedding in Taj Palace in India. This palace is an architectural wonder with its white marble structure that is seemingly floating in crystal blue water. Here is where you’ll find the Lake Palace, which has been hailed numerous times as one of the world’s most romantic hotels.
  5. Bermuda – The pink sand beaches in Bermuda are like no other. Even though it’s just a few hours of flight from the US, you’d feel like you’re stepping into a paradise from a different dimension when you arrive in this place.
  6. Maui, Hawaii – Many brides dream of having a Hawaiian wedding. And undeniably, one of the best locations here in the sun kissed island of Maui. Out of the thousand beaches in this island, Kapalua Beach stands out. The lovely stretch of sand as well as the magnificent marine life are just few of the many things to love about this place.
  7. Dalhousie Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland – Just thinking about having a Scottish wedding is enough to make your heart skip a beat. What if you’re going to make this dream a reality by tying the knot in the splendid Dalhousie Castle in Edinburgh?
  8. Venice, Italy – The gondolas in Venice have been a popular tourist attraction for many years. But it can also be a wonderful location for your wedding if you want something that’s beyond extraordinary. Say your I do’s while you traverse the fascinating canals of this romantic city.
  9. Mykonos, Greece – This is a part in Greece that’s not all about the ancient ruins. Here is where you’ll find one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the Paradise Beach. It’s brimming with life and celebration, making it a topnotch location for your destination wedding.
  10. Phuket, Thailand – It’s quite hard to pick a beach in Phuket to hold a destination beach wedding. To make things easier for you, pick Kata Beach located along the west coast. You’ll enjoy the calm waters, peaceful ambience and awe-inspiring views.

How to Plan an Exotic Beach Wedding

Couple on the BeachIt has always been your dream to have a beach wedding. But over the years, you’ve seen a lot of brides walk down the sandy aisle. And you’re not that happy that the wedding of your dreams has become what others would call a cliché. That’s where they’re wrong. There’s nothing cliché about a beach wedding if you’re able to personalize it as your own. Having an exotic beach wedding is another great idea to ensure that yours is out of the ordinary. Here’s how to plan one.

Scout out for exotic beach locations

If you’re going to hold your wedding in a beach location that has been used many times before, you might as well drop the word “exotic” from your plans. What you should look for is a location that’s not been overly used yet. It should be secluded, peaceful, and beautiful. In short, it should be a paradise. The best options around the world include The Baths in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands; Flamenco Beach in Culebra Island, Puerto Rico; Flic en Flac in Mauritius; Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Playa Tamarindo in Tamarindo Bay, Costa Rica; North Playa del Carmen in Playa del Carmen, Mexico; and Paradise Beach in Mykonos, Greece.

Make some VERY detailed lists

Like a regular wedding back at home, you should also make several checklists for your exotic beach wedding. These checklists shouldn’t be generic but should be as specific and detailed as possible to ensure that every base is covered. First, make a checklist for all the tasks that need to be done. These would include shopping for wedding supplies, booking vendors and suppliers, inviting guests and arranging for travel needs. Next, write down a list of all the things that you need to buy not only for the wedding but also for the entire trip. The budget is another list to make. And lastly, don’t forget to jot down the names of the guests that you’re inviting.

Arrange for your travel

It’s also essential to start early with the travel preparation. Unless you already live in an exotic location like the Caribbean islands, you’d need to travel quite far to have your dream exotic beach wedding event. This makes it necessary for you to prepare your traveling documents including your visa, passport, insurance and many more. You must also organize the travel arrangements of your guests especially those whom you will be shouldering the travel expenses. Booking hotels and buying airplane tickets early and in bulk can save you a lot of money so be sure to check that out as well.

Contact local vendors and suppliers

While you’re all set on hiring your favorite caterer or photographer for your wedding, you should consider hiring local talents that will save you a great deal of money. Instead of paying for the travel expenses for the wedding supplier, you can use this money for other more important things and just hire local services instead.

Planning an exotic beach wedding is just as difficult as planning for a regular one. So be sure to start early and get everything in writing to ensure success.

Top 15 Wedding Favors for Destination Beach Weddings

Beach Wedding FavorsThere are plenty of things to think about when planning a destination beach wedding. But always remember: it’s not only the big things that matter, minor details count too. No matter how small these are, they can still affect the overall outcome of the wedding celebration. One good example would be the wedding favor. Check out this list below which gives you a rundown of the top 15 wedding favors to consider for your beautiful destination beach wedding.

  1. Adirondack place card frame – It’s a small white resin replica of an Adirondack chair that can also serve as a seat card holder. Personalize this favor by including the guests’ photos.
  2. Beach themed mint tin favors – These metal tin favors adorned with seashell embellishments and filled with candies, mints or treats are always a great hit for destination and beach weddings.
  3. Beach themed spreader – A spreader with stainless steel blade and an ivory resin handle dressed with starfish and shell accents would surely be a welcome addition to your guests’ home.
  4. Sand and shell tealight holder – This tealight holder can illumine any space beautifully. Each is made with heavy glass complete with sand and seashells. It’s packed with a cute rope ribbon and beach theme tag.
  5. Flip flop design refrigerator magnets – These adorable items, which are molded together as one, add a fun factor to any refrigerator or metal surface. They can be used to display notes, letters, and photos.
  6. Flip-flop luggage tag in beach-themed gift box – If you love the flip flop magnets, you’ll find these cute too. These are luggage tags that are shaped like flip flops. They’re so realistic, they even come with traction grooves.
  7. ‘Destination love’ cruise ship luggage tag – Since a luggage tag is really apt for a destination wedding, here’s another option for you to consider. It’s a cruise ship shaped tag in chrome with an adjustable black leather strap.
  8. Ocean breeze seashell scented soaps – Each favor box contains seashell soaps that are as fresh as the ocean breeze. The box is dressed with an aqua blue lid tied with a satin ribbon and bow.
  9. Beach memories guest photo album favors – Each of these album comes with a textured mulberry paper cover frame with hand-painted charms.
  10. Sand castle tea light (set of four) – The castle with its sandy texture, turrets and flag look like the real thing, only it’s a miniature version. An elegant box with sheer organza ribbon holds this eye-candy favor.
  11. Heart design place card holders – Since the heart is the ultimate symbol of love, giving away these favors is surely a wonderful idea. They can double as place card holders for your lovely wedding event.
  12. Unique beach themed wine charms – Drinking by the sea can be one of the best pleasures in life. Do it with style by giving away these incredible beach themed wine charms.
  13. Life is good-beach chairs with hearts cocktail favors – Your guests will have a grand time mixing and drinking these festive cocktail mixes. There are plenty of flavors to choose from but the most popular is the Cosmopolitan cocktail mix.
  14. Set sail frosted glass sailboat tealight holders – These nice little tealight holders can make any table glow with romance and sophistication. They are perfect for your destination beach wedding.
  15. Love beyond measure measuring tape keychain in sheer organza bag – It’s a practical and handy wedding favor that your guests will surely be able to use.

These suggestions on wedding favors will inspire you to choose the most creative and fabulous ones for your wedding celebration.

Ideas to Make Your Own Beach Wedding Centerpieces

Beach Wedding CenterpiecesBrides have various reasons for going DIY on their wedding centerpieces. Some want to save money and use what they save for other more important wedding expenses. Some just can’t get hold of their crafty side. And others simply want to have centerpieces that have never been seen before. Whatever your reason is, you’ll be delighted at these ideas and suggestions below.

Shell and Sand Aquarium

Get a medium sized aquarium bowl and pour some sand into it. Find shells of different shapes, sizes and colors and distribute evenly on the sandy part of the aquarium. Top it off with a big starfish in the center so that its other parts are sticking out of the bowl. Add colorful stones and tie the bowl with a raffia ribbon to complete the look.

Mini Sand Castles

A beach wedding won’t be complete without sand castle sculptures. It would be a nice touch to your beach wedding to decorate the tables with miniature versions of these. You have the choice to hire a professional sand sculpture to make several pieces for you. Or make your own using the sand that you get from the beach where you’re having the celebration.

Pineapple Palm Tree

This is one unique table centerpiece you haven’t seen before. For this idea, you’ll need several pineapples, preferably of similar sizes. You’ll also need a rectangular tray. Cut off the leaves from the top of each pineapple then stack them carefully on top of each other. Insert a barbecue stick in between each pineapple so that they don’t fall off. Decorate the top with fern leaves to make it look like a palm tree. The tray below can be filled up with fruit slices that the guests can snack on while waiting for dinner to commence.

Bamboo Candle Holder

This one takes some handy skills as you need to make holes on the bamboo for votive candle holders to fit in. Get a 12-inch long bamboo and make about three holes. Insert the votive candle holder into the hole. Put it on top of a rectangular tray so that it doesn’t roll around. Decorate the bamboo with colorful beads, shells and other beach finds to make the centerpiece even more interesting. Fill up the votive candle holders with sand and tiny pebbles before putting the candles.

Stenciled Luminaries

Buy paper bags in the supermarket. The ideal size would be 4 x 5 inches. Using a stencil, mark and cut out shapes into the top part of the paper bag. Then insert a votive candle holder and candle inside. Put 4 to 5 paper bags in one rectangular tray and light up each of the candle. You’ll find the stenciled designs a lot more beautiful when illumined.

Floating Orchids

For this centerpiece, you’ll need a low clear vase with a wide opening. Fill it up with water and arrange orchids like yellow cymbidium petals and other flower petals to float around it. If you’re having an evening wedding, add floating candles to light up the centerpiece.

Top 16 Beach Wedding Locations In The World

Some brides can only go as far as imagining themselves walking down the sandy aisle on a gorgeous beach. You’re lucky. You get to do it for real. So don’t waste this opportunity and make sure that you choose the best location for your beach wedding. Here are the top 20 options to consider.

  1. Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, Hawaii – Some of the best beaches in the world can be found in Hawaii and one of these is the Kapalua Bay, which is nestled between two lava points. Its calm waters make it an ideal wedding location.
  2. Whitehaven, Australia – Whitehaven’s stretch of seven kilometers of pristine white sand provides a mouth-watering backdrop for your beach wedding. It also helps that it’s one of the world’s most isolated coasts.
  3. Tulum Beach, Mexico – This is undeniably the finest beach resort in Mexico. It’s not only the beach that would make you go wow but also the awesome vista of the Mayan pyramid.
  4. Mnemba Lodge, Tanzania – Here is where you’ll find the most visually striking beaches in the African continent. The trip here is quite a challenge for you and your wedding guests but its beauty makes every hard commute worth it.
  5. Lanikai Beach, Hawaii – This beach boasts of having one of the clearest waters that you’ll see in your life. It also has the gorgeous views of small islands called Mokuluas.
  6. Kondoi, Coral beach Okinawa, Japan – Japan may not be the first thing on your mind when you say beach but Okinawa actually has some of the most exquisite beaches the world has seen.
  7. Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda – Even though Bermuda is going to hit you hard in the pockets, you’ll realize every penny spent would be worth it. It’s certainly the best beach island in the Caribbean.
  8. Anguilla – It won’t be hailed first in the Discovery Channel Travel and Adventure Top 10 World’s Best Beaches of 2005 for nothing. It has everything you need: peace, quiet and jaw-dropping vistas.
  9. Maldives – It’s very rare to find a beach with a combination of modernity, seclusion and beauty. But you’ll find all these in the Maldives beaches.
  10. Fernando De Noronha, Brazil – This one is an archipelago composed of 21 islands and islets in the Atlantic Ocean.  It’s considered as the most beautiful marine park in the world and is also a Unesco World Heritage Site.
  11. Las Islas Cíes, Galicia, Spain – Just north of Portugal, you’ll find dramatic pristine national park with a crystal clear sea that shelters a calm lagoon within.
  12. Tayrona national park, Colombia – The moment you lay your eyes on this beach, you’ll fall in love with its turquoise waters, bright white sand, and most of all, the scenic views of virgin rainforest cascading down on the mountainside.
  13. El Nido, Palawan, Philippines – Palawan is dubbed as the Philippine’s Last Frontier. And one of the most elegant beaches in this province is in El Nido. The sandy white beaches and towering marble cliffs are more than enough to meet your expectations.
  14. Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania – Zanzibar is truly the gem of the east Africa. Out of its 30 marvelous beaches, the best there is would have to be Nungwi located on the northernmost tip of the island.
  15. Sinclair´s Bay, Caithness – This beach is situated between two 16th century castles that make it a beach wedding location like no other.
  16. Aroa, Aitutaki, One Foot Island, Cook Islands – This hidden paradise welcomes you with extraordinary snorkeling and scuba-diving opportunities that you can do after you exchange vows with your groom.

The list doesn’t end here. Explore more of the world’s most beautiful beaches until you find the perfect place to tie the knot.

Outdoor Wedding Receptions that Rock!

Rocking Beach WeddingsWith an indoor wedding reception, your choices on venue are limited to rental halls, ballroom and restaurants. The opposite is true for an outdoor wedding, which gives you a myriad of unique locations to choose from. Below, you’ll find a list of different venue options that you would want to consider. Just keep in mind your guest list and event theme before you make your final decision.

Amphitheater

This open-air venue is usually used for concerts, sporting events and theatrical performances. Now, it can also be used as a venue for weddings and other celebrations. The wonderful thing about an amphitheater reception is that it gives you a nostalgic feel such as during the ancient Roman times when people would always gather around in a venue like this. It’s also unique so nobody can say you had a cliché reception.

Arboretum

An arboretum is essentially a collection of trees. Some would call it the “wooded version” of the botanical garden. Whether it’s by the sea or nestled within a busy cityscape, it can provide an exquisite backdrop to your wedding reception. You’ll be pleased to know that there are dozens of arboretums spread around the country. Some of your top choices include Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts; Azalea Path Arboretum and Botanical Garden in Hazelton, Indiana; Cylburn Arboretum in Baltimore, Maryland; Donald E. Davis Arboretum in Auburn-Opelika, Alabama; Holden Arboretum in Cleveland, Ohio; and Mount Pisgah Arboretum in Eugene, Oregon.

Backyard

If you have sufficient space in your backyard or you know someone who does, you can take advantage of this for a beautiful outdoor reception that would save you a lot of money. Since a backyard already has natural decorative elements like trees and flowering plants, there is less work needed to beautify this space.

Barn

Nothing says rustic elegance better than a barn. It’s also an inexpensive wedding location like the backyard. Although it doesn’t come for free like your own backyard, it’s definitely a lot cheaper than rental halls or other wedding location.

Seaside resort

Of course, the list won’t be complete without a beach reception. As you probably know, this is one of the most popular locations for an outdoor reception. The beach, no matter where it’s located, is an awesome venue with its combination of sand, sea and sun. The world is rich in gorgeous beaches. Hawaii, Caribbean Islands, Mexico, and Florida are some of the first places to consider if you’re going to choose a beach wedding reception.

Courtyard

If you live in or near a historic city, you’re blessed with close proximity to old homes and hotels that have magnificent courtyards. Courtyards are not only very beautiful they are also charming and elegant.

Golf course

Crazy for golf? The golf course is truly a unique venue that any golf aficionado will appreciate. There are plenty of golf courses around the country where you can say your “I do’s.” Just make sure you have a private membership so it would be easier for you to book this location.