Most people imagine a beach wedding to be a luxurious, breezy affair, however, pulling off a flawless event comes with its own set of challenges. Here’s a list of tips to help you plan your beach wedding in Kingscliff.
TIP 1: CEREMONY LOCATIONS
Kingscliff is home to a range of stunning beaches and beach ceremony locations but we will narrow it down to the top four. Kingscliff Beach itself is one of the most popular wedding ceremony locations in the area. Lions Park is a great secluded gem perfect for intimate ceremonies. Fingal Heads is just north of Kingscliff and boasts pristine white sand beaches. Cabarita Headland is a protected spot with stunning blue waters as your backdrop.
TIP 2: CONSIDER ACCESS TO YOUR LOCATION
When planning your beach ceremony you must take into consideration access to your location. If any guests are elderly or injured then getting onto the beach may be a challenge. Some beaches offer large sand wheelchairs which can be used to help guests to the ceremony location. If guests are driving down ensure there is ample parking in the area and the correct beach entry point is easy to find.
TIP 3: BE PREPARED FOR WIND
A beach ceremony is often pictured with a light breeze in the air, warm sun and slow rolling waves in the background. Whilst you may be lucky enough to experience this on your wedding day you need to be realistic about the wind. Most beaches experience wind at some point in the day. Winds are usually lighter during the morning and stronger in the afternoon. If you are hosting a summer wedding then stronger North-Easterly winds are to be expected. Plan for this by choosing a location protected by headlands or organising your wedding parties so the bride’s hair will blow away from their face and not into it.
TIP 4: ENSURE YOUR CELEBRANT CAN BE HEARD
Nothing kills the mood like not being able to hear what’s going on. If you are hosting a beach wedding be aware that the celebrant’s voice needs to carry over the wind and the waves. To ensure the guests at the back can hear, either choose a celebrant with a loud voice that carries or organise a portable PA system.
TIP 5: CONSIDER THE TIDES
Something often overlooked when planning a beach wedding is the tide. In many cases high tide can swallow up most of the beach, leaving you with nowhere to tie the knot. Consider planning your wedding for low tide, preferably as the tide is heading out. You don’t want to worry about the approaching waterline as you try to say your vows. You can easily check NSW tide calendars online as you begin to organise your wedding date.
TIP 6: DESIGNING YOUR CEREMONY AISLE
A wedding aisle for beach ceremonies work best when kept simple. Carpets and covered flooring can be very difficult to walk on and you don’t want to risk tripping down the aisle. Instead, a great way to line the aisle is with flowers in the sand, candlelit lanterns or even metal or wooden stakes with a ribbon running through loops at the top.
TIP 7: RECEPTION IDEAS
After your ceremony, it’s time to celebrate! There are plenty of wedding reception venues available to suit any wedding style. For something more laidback a cocktail wedding reception with roaming canapés and cocktails is a great way to go. This allows guests the freedom to move and mingle. If you prefer a sit-down event then a long lunch with free-flowing beverages always works well. Treat guests to set menus or a range of share platters down the table. If you host a sunset ceremony, then a sit-down reception dinner makes for an intimate celebration. Organise a two or three-course set menu for a more formal affair. Or for a relaxed dinner, a hot buffet allows guests to personalise their dining experience.
Start Planning Your Beach Wedding
If you’re ready to start planning your dream wedding in Kingscliff, please contact us and a member of our team will be in touch with you.