A beach wedding is one of the most popular types of weddings, especially in areas surrounded by ocean. It normally consists of a wedding ceremony on the beach and a reception at a nearby location. It’s definitely very popular in Hawaii, because of the sheer number of beautiful beaches available on the island. After all, who can resist a ceremony with stunning views of the ocean and the beach? However, planning a beach wedding is different from a hotel or a garden wedding. Our tips below can help you plan your beach wedding in Hawaii easier and give you direction as you plan your beach wedding.
Research on possible beach wedding locations!
There are plenty of beach wedding venues on Oahu. There are also several types of beach locations you can choose from. You can choose a beachside resort and have your wedding on a beachside patio or garden. Public beaches are also an option, as long as permits are secured and guidelines are followed. There are also plenty of beachside private estate wedding venues on Oahu. You can create a shortlist of beach wedding venues you want to check out and see what they require to reserve for a beach wedding.
Find an experienced wedding planner
It’s important to have an experienced Hawaii wedding planner when having a wedding on the beach. You don’t want your wedding to get interrupted because of any unforeseen circ*mstances you could have prepared for. Your wedding planner can help and remind you what permits you need for your Hawaii beach wedding and they will also know what else is needed to pull off a beach wedding flawlessly. On the actual day of your wedding, their help will be valuable in overseeing vendors and making sure everything is set up and secure.
Find ways to manage the heat
An issue with having weddings on the beach is finding ways to be comfortable under the heat and sun. If your beach wedding venue does not have sufficient shade, you may want to consider having a sunset beach wedding. This will help make everyone feel much more comfortable during the ceremony and reception. You can also have bottles of water and umbrellas available as well, so kids and older people are hydrated and protected from the heat.
Ask your florist for heat-friendly recommendations
Some flowers don’t deal with the heat properly, so i't’s a good idea to let your Oahu wedding florist know that you are having a beach wedding. They can show you what blooms and arrangements can hold up well in the heat. You can also find ways to supplement the decor with non-floral touches, such as drapes.
Choose a fondant wedding cake
Buttercream melts in heat, so a fondant wedding cake is the safe and wise choice for an outdoor wedding, especially one on the beach. Fondant can hold up well in hot temperatures. You can play around with tropical flavors to match your beach wedding. Your wedding cake maker or bakery can assist you and help you as long as you let them know in advance that the cake will be displayed outdoors. The key is letting them know about the type of wedding you are having so they know what ingredients will be ideal for your wedding cake.
Secure your wedding sound system
The sound of waves crashing on the shore can drown out your voices, so make sure you have a well-equipped sound system so everyone can hear as you exchange your vows. You can rent these, but you can first find out if your wedding venue or resort has these available. This is an essential part of the wedding ceremony since you want your guests to be able to hear your vows clearly. You can speak with your DJ or ceremony sound system vendor to ask them what solutions would be best to make sure the sound is clear during your wedding.
Make sure your decor is windproof
Beaches are windy and sometimes this can cause equipment to get knocked over and damaged. It’s definitely something you and your vendors don’t want to happen. You can ask your wedding planner to make sure that everything is installed securely and remind your wedding vendors and Oahu rental companies that you need sturdy equipment that can withstand wind. Secure anything that can be blown away by the wind with adhesives or weights, which you can easily find at hardware stores.
Have a backup plan!
A back-up plan is essential. A clear-top tent is beautiful in case of light rain and should be rented in advance. This is so your wedding team won’t have to search for a tent on the day of the wedding if it’s suddenly needed. You don’t want them coming back empty-handed. Also try to find an alternate indoor wedding location in case of heavy rain which may require you to move the festivities indoors. There are plenty of oceanside wedding venues that have indoor options. You can still enjoy ocean views while staying safe and dry in your alternate indoor location.
Keshia is a lifestyle writer and the Studio Manager at HNL Studios offering wedding photography, videography, and photobooth. You can find her at home watching Korean dramas, experimenting with different ways to brew coffee, or playing The Legend of Zelda or Stardew Valley on the Nintendo Switch with her hubby Billy. She is an avid fan of fountain pens and have used them exclusively as her writing tool of choice since 2013. Follow HNL Studios on Instagram at: @HNLStudios
