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Unleash Your Inner Diva: Beach Weddings Go Glam
By Cathy Baldwin
A beach wedding doesn’t have to mean Bermuda shorts and sea oat bouquets. Make your occasion a formal one by incorporating a few of these fabulously fancy details. The seaside is one of nature’s most gorgeous backdrops for a ceremony, so unleash your inner diva and glam it up!
Dress the Part
Want to feel like a princess on your wedding day? Then dress the part with a gorgeous ball gown and tiara topper. You might be having a wedding on the beach, but that doesn’t mean you have to wear flip flops or go barefoot. Simple ballerina slippers will work just as nicely, as will dressy flats. You might have to pour a little sand out of them after the ceremony, but who cares? Then, for your reception, slip into something a little dressier with strappy heels or pointy-toed stilettos.
Rather than outfit your maids in casual sundresses, opt for gowns that are tea length or longer in more opulent shades and fabrics. Steer clear of linen and head towards the satin and taffeta. Black bridesmaids’ gowns are formal, classic and come with the added bonus that your pals might actually wear the dresses again. Ruby reds, emerald greens and navy blues all lend themselves to dressier occasions, as well.
If linen pants and white shirts are way too beach casual for your taste, dress your groom and his pals in classic black tuxes. They’ll look striking against the natural setting and will be the perfect complement to your flowy gown.
Formal Flora
There’s not too much a bride can do to make her beach wedding in a breathtaking natural setting even more breathtaking, but choosing just the right flowers can help. Perhaps the most formal flower in the bunch is the rose. And of the rose, the most glamorous and symbolic of romantic love is the deepest red. One local florist recommends the Black Beauty for an elegant and classic bouquet.
If roses for the whole bridal party stretches your budget for flowers a little too thin, consider carrying a bouquet of them yourself, pinning single rose boutonnières on the groomsmen and having your bridesmaids each carry one long-stemmed red rose. Adorn your altar with swags of greenery, tie ribbons to the backs of chairs and – voila – you have instant beach glamour!
Timing is Everything
Let’s face it, it’s hard to make a morning or mid-afternoon ceremony seem very formal under the glare of the sun. Nor are tuxedos and floor-length gowns mid-day attire. If an elegant affair is what you desire, time your ceremony so that it coincides with sunset. A twilight wedding followed by a candle lit reception simply spells romance.
One word of caution here: If you’re considering lighting your early evening beach ceremony with candles, think again. The wind is a powerful force on the Outer Banks, and even hurricane lanterns don’t stand a chance when it’s blowing. Keep your ceremony early enough so that there’s still light for your guests to see, but late enough so that the fading sunlight creates a romantic glow. Save yourself the frustration and leave the candles for the indoor reception.
Creating a Mood
Lighting is so important when it comes to creating an elegant atmosphere – don’t let it be an after-thought in your wedding plans. If you can, visit your reception site at the time of evening that you plan to have your reception. That way you can get a feel for the lighting available. If your site has a sound view, what’s the lighting like right at sunset? How about once the sun has gone down? Are there chandeliers or is the overhead lighting harsh or, worse yet, fluorescent?
If the lighting simply isn’t romantic enough for what you’ve envisioned, you have a couple of mood-enhancing options. Candlelight is an easy and inexpensive way to create a warm glow and a romantic atmosphere. Place tea lights on the tables in water-filled vases or scatter long candlesticks in candelabras along the buffet. For a more fire-proof way to create a formal fete, hang strands of white lights from the ceiling.
Intimate Gathering
If you can’t afford the catering bill or bar tab of a super-ritzy ball, then consider trimming your guest list to a more doable number. That way you can splurge on all the Vueve Clicquot Champagne and Beluga caviar that your heart desires. Once the numbers in your guest list go down, you can amp up the glamour by adding on more luxurious extras.
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Creating the Wow-Factor
• Hire cocktail hour musicians to set the mood while your guests mix and mingle. Whether they play jazz or Sinatra, the effect will be old-school glamour.
• Keep your make-up artist and hair stylist on hand throughout the evening. You’ll always look fresh, and the added pampering will make you feel like a princess.
• Take dance lessons with your fiancé before the big day so that you can surprise guests with your fancy footwork for your first dance.
• Splurge on a few higher end wines that you and your groom enjoy. Your guests will be grateful that they won’t have to endure the usual “red or white” choice. If you need a little help in this department, take suggestions from your caterer.
• Add a post-dessert course of artisan cheeses and port wine. Even your foodie guests will swear they’ve never had a post-dessert course at a wedding before.
• Make a grand exit by riding away from your reception in high style. Rent a classic car, hire a stretch limo or arrange to have a sailboat whisk you both away in a getaway you and your guests will always remember.
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