Beach weddings are still the most popular option for the Sunshine Coast area.  Whether you are on the beach itself or on a spectacular lookout overlooking the amazing coast line there are some details that must be considered when planning your beach wedding.

Eight simple steps to planning the perfect beach ceremony

1. Choose your location wisely. Beaches are usually breezy. Try to pick a cove or area protected from direct winds for your ceremony. If you are on the beach itself….check the tide times.  Check out your ceremony location a couple of days prior to your big day to make sure that nothing has changed too much.

Point Perry Lookout, Coolum

2. Decide how many guests will be attending. All Sunshine Coast Beaches require a permit. Check with local council for details and booking forms.  Make sure that the area that you select can fit the number of guests and also that there is plenty of parking near by for  your guests.

3. Find a local wedding celebrant to perform your wedding ceremony. By selecting a local celebrant they will know the area and can advise you on the best options available.

4. Remember your guest’s comfort and safety. Provide seating for the elderly and remember if anyone has issues with getting around. If some of your guests have mobility impairments, recognize that it’s nearly impossible to push a wheelchair in the sand, and it’s very hard for people who have difficulty walking to negotiate sand  or rocky stairways as well. Many beaches have walkways or platforms.

Maison La Plage, Noosa

5. When it’s hot it’s hot!  When selecting your beach wedding remember that there generally is not a lot of shade, so if your wedding is in the hotter months please arrange some large market umbrellas or a cute bucket of parasols for your guests to shade themselves.

6. Picture perfect…  When selecting the decorations for your beach wedding keep in mind if you are going to be getting friends and family to set up or if you are hiring a wedding stylist / decorator.  It can be cheaper to hire the items and set up yourself but with beach weddings they are generally a long way from carparks and once your wedding guests are all dressed for the wedding – I am sure the last thing you would want them doing is lumping all those decorations back up the beach in all the heat.  Sometimes it is just better to pay the professionals & know that your wedding will be perfect without any hassle.

7. Let the celebrations begin…Remember that public beaches do not allow alcohol to be served and rangers or police may become unwanted guests.  It is a good idea to have a drinks station for your guests, fill eskies with mini bottles of water or even have a sparkling fruit punch to quench guests thirsts.

Image by Alan Hughes Photography

8. “Plan B” – wet weather planning… We all went the best weather for our wedding days but sometimes it just doesn’t work out.  Have a wet weather option so that on your wedding day the stress of the rain doesn’t consume your entire day…

Just keep in mind no matter what happens on the day of your beach wedding ceremony… by the end of it you will be the new Mr & Mrs!