Our beaches offer a dramatic and romantic setting for your special day, allowing you to share your vows against the backdrop of breaking waves and Atlantic waters on the horizon. New jersey offers a few beach settings, and you can marry along the shoreline even if you aren’t a New Jersey resident. While arranging a beach wedding isn’t overwhelming, it’s best to handle these tasks far in advance to give you the best chance of securing your preferred site. Some towns, such as Cape May, allow you to hold your beach wedding without a permit, while others, such as Atlantic City, require you to purchase a permit.
Prep Your Guests
Make sure your guests know that the wedding is actually on the sand, so they can dress appropriately. This can be communicated with the invitation (included with the map/directions), on your wedding website and through word-of-mouth.
Feet: Some beachy couples are providing a “shoe valet” where guests can trade out their Ferragamo pumps for casual flip-flops. Another nice touch is to have a de-sanding station—soft bristled paint brushes are a fun way to wipe the sand from between your toes!
Eyes: Sunny days at the beach can be blinding, so make sure everyone knows to bring sunglasses, hats, or parasols—you don’t want them squinting at you the entire time!
Weather: Remind your guests to bring appropriate wraps, in case it gets chilly. It’s not a bad plan to have sweaters, shawls, sweatshirts or even blankets on hand, should Cousin Ann show up without her pashmina. Alternatively, if it’s a high-noon ceremony in August, providing cool drinks (you can even order your own private-label bottled water!) and paper fans (we love them printed with wedding programs) would make guests more comfortable.
Dress Code
A beach wedding is not the ideal setting for a formal ballgown or long train. Whether you opt for a tropical island sheath or a demure slip-dress, take advantage of the heaps of stylish fashions available to set a coastal mood. Light fabrics, such as sheer silks and chiffons, have a nice fluid movement to them, yet still look dressy.
If you’re having a platform set up as a wedding aisle, then your satin pumps will be fine. Otherwise, consider sandals…or why not go barefoot? Find a pair of bejeweled barefoot sandals and you’ll look both dressy and casual. You can save your high heels for the reception.
And don’t forget your own wrap—a filmy stole, lacy shawl or faux-fur capelet makes an elegant cover-up while keeping goosebumps at bay.
Loose, flowing hair may suit your free-spirited style, but if there is strong breeze, you could be battling strands in your face. Instead, select a wedding hairstyle that has at least the front part of your hair off your face. Loosely arranged up-dos are also a lovely choice.
