Tips For Planning A Beach Wedding Ceremony | The Inns Of Ocean Grove

Pick a Date
Prime summer season means crowds on the beach, hot sun, no parking and higher hotel and vendor rates. Shoulder seasons (fall or spring) are a better choice.

Plan B
You cannot plan the most memorable day of your life without a Plan B.   The weather does not always cooperate so you will need an indoor option in case of rain –  even too much wind can make things difficult.

Location
When picking a location check on the following:

• Permit - Find out if a permit is required;
• Ordinances – Public beaches tend to have ordinances – check on restrictions;
• Parking - Be sure there will be parking available for your guests – especially if your date is in the summer months or the shoulder months of June or September when people are still going to the beach;
• Electricity - The sound of the surf may be one of the reasons you chose a beach ceremony, but it can also be noisy.  If you are having a large group be sure there is an electrical outlet close by – you may want to have a microphone hook up for the officiant.

Officiant

• A Pastor or Priest – whether they be from your church, or a professional who does on site wedding ceremonies
• A non-denominational Officiant – can be a Mayor or Judge.  In NJ, even a friend or relative can become an ordained minister in a short amount of time online.

Add Ons
If you are having a small informal ceremony you won’t need much in the way of extras, but if you are having a larger affair you may like to have:

• An Arch or Chuppah - even though the setting is picturesque, you may want your florist to dress it up.  They will need to deliver the piece and then pick it up immediately after the ceremony.
• Seating – it can be quite costly to provide chairs for all of your guests, and some towns do not permit more than 20 chairs. However, you should have some seating for elderly and/or handicapped guests. You can rent chairs from a local party store. They will need to deliver them, set them up and then pick them up immediately after the ceremony.
• Small Table – if you are planning a sand ceremony you will definitely need one.
• Music – if you would like music for your beach ceremony, some suggestions would be a harp, classical guitar or keyboardist.  You can also use the DJ or musicians that are doing your reception – they should give you a good deal.  Check to see if they need electricity.

Keep in mind that most beaches are public.  You cannot force people to move out of "your space", however, most people are happy to.  Beach brides usually wind up with a secondary audience.  Also, garbage receptables on some beaches are secured in the sand. If this is the case on your beach try to pick a location in between receptables so your photographer does not have to photoshop them out.

Hope that these tips will help make your beach ceremony an enjoyable and memorable one!