How to Plan Your Beach Wedding During a Pandemic

In life, it’s fair to say that we all make plans with the best of intentions. Often, these plans are crafted with the understanding that things might need to be altered a little bit along the way. Then, 2020 happened. This year, the concept of change was anything but subtle. Instead, the pandemic came roaring in—uprooting plans across the globe. Among those many well-intentioned plans were weddings that had long been in the works and closely woven into dreams many brides and grooms have held close since childhood.

This level of change is innately tricky to handle, but even more so when it comes to the moment you’re supposed to say, “I do.” A wedding ceremony comes with the hope of a blissful day set aside to celebrate love. Instead, the state of things has found a way to infiltrate every detail of weddings from the venue to the guest list and just about everything in between.

The unknowns are very real, but it doesn’t mean a wedding has to be canceled in this unprecedented time. A celebration of love doesn’t require an indoor venue to thrive and in fact, refocusing your attention on hosting a beach wedding instead may be just the answer couples are looking for. Keep your big day in place during the pandemic by taking time to move your ceremony to just the right beach destination.

Keep Far from the Crowds with a Beach Wedding Destination

Anyone who dreams of digging their toes into the sand and settling in with the sound of the surf knows that visions of the ideal beach getaway are great, but sometimes harder to obtain in reality. When you’ve decided on a beach wedding and are on the hunt for the perfect destination, making sure to keep large groups at bay is imperative. While the white sand and blue waves are important too, those looking to keep themselves and guests protected while celebrating during the pandemic will want to pick a beach destination with options to limit interactions with others. In many cases, this will mean leaning more towards an outdoor ceremony linked to a private beach or resort. Keeping your beach wedding destination exclusive means couples and guests can let go of worries related to uninvited guests tromping through and putting purposeful safety standards at risk.

Pick a Nearby Beach

If your plans have you saying, “I do,” in 2020, it’s highly likely that you’ve already had to change your wedding date and been asked to narrow down your guest list significantly in the name of social distancing. What you don’t have to sacrifice when you transition to a beach wedding destination is the scenery or accessibility! In fact, making it a smaller beach wedding that’s easy to get to is key to a safe and successful event.

It’s not necessary to look to far away, expensive, and exotic destinations to make a beach ceremony wonderfully memorable. Instead, couples can start looking for sunny nearby destinations that keep guests close to major transportation hubs. This type of purposeful planning eliminates the need for couples and guests to travel across the world to reach the ceremony itself and risk their health and safety along the way. Instead, look closer to home so your loved ones can have a fun and safe road trip to your wedding destination.

Cities like San Diego offer up a collection of stunning beaches and natural backdrops that provide that far-off feeling while still making getting to the ceremony easier than ever. Similarly, places like the Gulf Shores of Alabama sit just off the coast of the U.S., yet within easy access to city centers when it proves necessary. Much in the same vein, destinations like the Emerald Coast of Florida are packed with beautiful options that lend themselves to a collection of coastal communities brimming over with charm. Still, these areas maintain manageable access points for arriving and departing from the big day with ease.

Find a Safe and Secluded Beachfront Venue

When the health and safety of the bride, groom, and their guests is a top priority, not just any beach will do for the ceremony. It’s of the utmost importance that a beach ceremony destination is decided upon with convenience factors kept top of mind too. For the vast majority of couples, this means looking for a beach with private access points. And if the plan is for guests to linger and celebrate after the vows are exchanged, be sure to choose a place that can prove to be that protective bubble where everyone can safely enjoy themselves.

Since your guests' safety and health is the most important thing at this time, I recommend you to look for a secluded event venue, or you can book a luxurious beachfront property. In either of these two options, you can have a spectacular wedding and have all the security measures to protect attendees. The added benefits of booking a vacation rental on the beach are many. Many accommodations are private and professionally cleaned, and your guests will avoid risks associated with traditional hotel stays.

Whether you choose an event venue or a beautiful beachfront rental, you definitely will enjoy a safe and wonderful celebration.

Plan the Perfect Beach Wedding Under the Stars

A beach wedding is a perfect opportunity to have a fun, casual, and vacation-like environment for your celebration and get your friends and family together for a weekend getaway. Being in a setting as beautiful as the ocean, dancing barefoot under the stars, and the sound of the waves will make your big day unforgettable.

A wedding can be an event that gives your guests a break from all the stress and uncertainty of these months. To have a magical beach wedding, you must consider natural aspects such as humidity, weather, and wind.

Here is a list of things you should consider to be well prepared.

Provide face masks

Seat guests by family or group

Give individual care kits with hand sanitizer

Create decorative markers six feet apart

Guests must stay hydrated and refreshed

Stay away from heavy fabrics for your wedding dress

Use airbrush make up

Plan touch-ups for hair halfway through the event

Plan schedule times wisely (midday is the hottest time)

Consider the wind (for candles or open flames)

It would be best if you had a contingency plan for rain

True, it’s not necessarily the wedding you had planned, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be even better. When couples are ready to exchange vows and would like to do so without risking the health of their guests, planning a beach wedding is a wonderful way to celebrate in safety and style. Let nature be the backdrop to your beautiful day and beach access lead the way towards a ceremony that’s inspiring and weaves safety standards into the experience seamlessly.