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San Diego Beach Weddings

7 Steps to Perfecting Your San Diego Beach Wedding

Planning for an outdoor wedding requires you to think outside the box and anticipate the unexpected. While the planning requires even more thought than an indoor ceremony, the rewards of your extra efforts are priceless for those that dream of a beach wedding.

These seven steps will help you relax and prepare a perfect San Diego beach wedding. 

1. Proper Attire
Consider head-to-toe, beach-friendly attire for you and your wedding party. Sundresses and khakis are appropriate, but for a more formal look, turn to bright colors and light fabrics like silk and chiffon to keep the bridal party comfortable while looking gorgeous. Consider wearing sandals or even going barefoot on the sand, and choose a hairstyle that keeps your curls from blowing onto your lip gloss.


2. Permits
Not having the correct permits can really place a hold on your wedding day. When choosing a beach location, make sure you obtain the necessary paperwork for use of the site. Permits are needed for San Diego's shoreline parks such as Cuvier Park, famously known as the "wedding bowl," and can be booked a year in advance.

3. Promising Locations
Coronado Beach offers three separate areas of flat, sandy beaches and can easily accommodate a large and formal beach wedding complete with wedding aisle and chairs. More rustic Torrey Pines State Park and Sunset Cliffs provide a casual ambiance and a beautiful backdrop for your "I Do's."


4. Pampered Plans
With San Diego's many unique venues and ocean- front locations  your dream wedding can be all that you imagine. For the couple who prefer the planning be done for them, contact the Hotel del Coronado and the La Jolla Shores Hotel and allow their catering staff to plan every detail of your sandy wedding.


5. Preparing Your Guests
Make sure your guests are aware that the location of the wedding will be taking place on sand so they can plan to wear appropriate footwear, sunglasses and sunscreen.  Keep your guests cool with fans and color-themed umbrellas. Some brides opt for a guest shoe valet and exchange stilettos for monogrammed sandals.


6. Perfect Weather
Keep your fingers crossed for a warm, sunny day. In San Diego your chances of picture-perfect weather are more likely than not, but when it does rain here ... it pours. Create a back-up plan for the unexpected. Wind shields, tents or an alternative location are all good for poor weather conditions.


7. Potpourri-Filled Shells
The best part of beach wedding is the ability to let your creativity go wild. This is the perfect opportunity to give a personal thank-you to your guests -- which, with a little thought, can be a cost-saver as well.

• Wedding favor cookies shaped as sailboats, sea shells and sandals are sweet treats for your guests.
   
• Personalize beach items such as packages of sunscreen, towels, flip-flops and beach balls with your initials and wedding date. Carry them to the beach with other fun items to send home such as Seashell wine stoppers and Seashell- shaped mint tins.
   
• Sand castle tea lights and beach pail tea- light candles make idyllic favors.
   
• For a more personal gift, create a message-in-a-bottle with wedding vows or remembrance cards of wedding.

 

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