If you’re planning your nuptials between the sea and sand, then you’ve landed in the right place! We’ve got your big day covered with our favorite beach wedding ideas.
Tying the knot on the sand is a dream for many brides. A beach wedding is minimal, romantic, and beautiful. It can be as simple as a few chairs on the sand or as grand as a huge reception with all the trimmings. There are so many ways to make the most out of your beach wedding, from decor and color schemes to ocean-inspired food. Whichever ideas you choose, a beach wedding will be one of the most treasured memories you’ll ever make.
Find inspiration for your special day with our selection of the most gorgeous beach wedding ideas.
1. Beach-Inspired Invitations
Start the excitement for your beach wedding with your invitations! Give your guests a taste of what’s to come with beautiful tropical or beach-inspired illustrations. These can be as minimal or as intricate as you like, to reflect the style of your special day.
2. Ceremony Arch
The ocean views already make a stunning backdrop to your ceremony, but add some more gorgeous decor with a memorable ceremony arch. Incorporate creative flair with an asymmetrical arch, or a romantic and soft touch with a linen-draped arch.
3. Pampas Ceremony Aisle
Pampas grass is popular across all wedding styles, but its soft texture and neutral tone add a magical touch to a beach wedding! Go all out by lining your aisle with gorgeous oversized pampas. Or add light touches on the backs of your guests’ chairs. You can even create a pampas ring around you and your partner instead of an arch for an extra effect!
4. Beach Inspired Backdrop
Take inspiration from beach elements for a gorgeous backdrop. It’s a perfect way to highlight the main table behind the happy couple, or as a photo op for your guests to enjoy. Use lush green palms, a nautical-inspired wall, or a surfboard with fun props.
5. Boho Styled Hair
Incorporate your beach-style wedding into your hair. Use gorgeous elements such as a flower crown or oversized braids. These are perfect for a boho and effortless aesthetic to match your special day.
6. Tropical Bouquet
Make a statement with a tropical bouquet. Use exotic flowers such as orchids, anthuriums, and palm leaves to vibrantly highlight your theme. Or you can even opt for neutral-toned dried flowers for a softer bouquet.
7. Seashell Escort Cards
This cute detail is a simple yet sweet nod to your beach theme. It’s a perfect beach wedding idea if you don’t want to overdo your theme and just want subtle touches. It also doubles as a fun favor for your guests to take home to remember your special day.
8. Beach Inspired Place Settings
Make sure your reception tables reflect your theme with gorgeous boho inspired place settings. This casual style perfectly shows off the undone and soft nature of the beach. Use beige, whites and pastel blue tones for a true beach feel with hints of green.
9. Exotic Centerpieces
Show off your theme with stunning centerpieces. Go all out with oversized palms and exotic flowers to create a fun beachy vibe that’s bound to impress your guests! Or choose subtle beach-inspired elements such as an assortment of shells if you’re having an intimate beach wedding.
10. Hanging Greenery
Suspend greenery across your reception to make a statement with your natural theme. This decoration element works for a minimal beach wedding for a bright and airy feel. Or an extravagant style with vibrant flowers for a bold bride.
11. Wooden Details
Add wooden details across your wedding to heighten a rustic and boho beach theme. These wooden design elements emphasize nature and warmth, and exude a soft ambiance. You can include romantic touches by decorating the wooden accents with flowers, greenery, or beautiful calligraphy.
12. Rattan lighting
Include unique touches to your special day with special rattan lighting decor. This aesthetically pleasing and rustic design is a gorgeous way to light up your reception or dance floor. As the sun sets your guests will feel like they’re stargazing on the beach.
13. Palm Details
Nothing quite reminds you of a tropical beach location like palm leaves. So find creative ways to incorporate this element into your wedding decor. From backdrops and chair decor to place settings or seating charts, every idea works. It’s a gorgeous way to bring nature indoors, and it matches so many color palettes.
14. Ocean-Inspired Wedding Cake
If you’re looking for beach wedding ideas that are subtle, this one is for you! An ocean-inspired cake is a beautiful way to highlight your wedding theme. You can make it as understated or as extravagant as you like. For example, you can opt for a simple blue and white toned cake. Or create several different layers, with each layer symbolizing different aspects of the beach.
15. Coconut Cocktails
Another fun beach-inspired idea is to give your wedding drinks a tropical twist. Start your reception with coconut-filled drinks. Include a mix of cocktails and mocktails so that everyone can enjoy this creative treat. They can even double as name cards by adding your guests’ names and table numbers.
16. ‘Message in a Bottle’ Guestbook
Include fun and unexpected beach wedding ideas such as a ‘message in a bottle’ guestbook. This quirky take on a traditional wedding element is sure to make your guests smile. Find a beautiful large bottle or vase, and leave paper and twill for your guests to write you a note, wrap it up, and pop it in the bottle.
17. Beach-Inspired Wedding Favors
Make sure your guests never forget your beautiful wedding with a beach-themed wedding favor. You can find plenty of affordable and stylish options to choose from. For example, wooden trinket boxes with beach tokens such as seashells or starfish, personalized flip flops, coasters, beach motif luggage tags, ocean-scented bath bombs, mini bath sea salt bottles, or sea-inspired candle holders.
The backdrop of the beach is one of the most romantic settings for your special day. For more beautiful inspiration head over to WedBoard. You’ll find many more stunning decoration ideas to suit your wedding style including, 24 Creative Eco-Friendly Wedding Ideas, 17 Pastel Wedding Theme Ideas, and 26 Non-Traditional Wedding Ideas.
Featured image: Rachel Artime
