US couples spend an average of $20,000 on their weddings.
Decorations are usually around 8% of the total wedding cost, averaging
about $1,600. But wedding beach decorations can be less expensive if you
plan well. Continue reading and you will learn how.
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photo credit: galswedding.com |
Finding
decorations for your beach ceremony is a no-brainer, right? Maybe if you
are a creative genius. For the rest of us things can be a bit more
complicated.
Follow these simple tips for creating chic, hassle-free beach decorations for your wedding.
Flooring
Casual,
barefoot beach weddings don't need flooring. But if your wedding will
be more formal, flooring is a must. Why? Without flooring on the beach,
sand will get into peoples' shoes, clothing will become wet, torn or
soiled, and guests may have a hard time walking in the sand. If anyone
attending is elderly or infirm they should have chairs. Without flooring
the chairs can easily sink into the sand or tip over.
Many rental supply companies offer flooring for rent. The average cost is $3.50 - 4.00 per square foot including set up.
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photo credit: 9weddingwebsites.com |
Arches
There
are as many styles of wedding arches as there are brides who want beach
weddings. Renting an arch is easy but it can be cheaper to build your
own. Start with a metal or wood arch you buy at a hobby shop or building
supply store. Then decorate it however you like.
These two sophisticated types of arches are perfect as wedding beach decorations:
Tropically-themed
arches: Making a tropical arch is easy. Wrap the metal or wood arch
with palm fronds or banana leaves. Then add a strong splash of color by
adding tropical flowers such as birds-of-paradise, antherium or
heliconia. Finish by suspending a starfish or sea shell from the apex.
Chuppah
Arch: Traditionally used in Jewish weddings, this is a cloth or sheet
canopy supported by four poles. A chuppah makes the ceremony more
intimate and provides shade on the wedding beach for the happy couple.
To make a chuppah more stylish, use shorter poles and ask four members
of your wedding party to each hold one of the poles during the ceremony.
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photo credit: weddingsromantique.com |
Accessories
Whether
you have set aside a small or large budget for your wedding, beach
decorations can add luxuriousness to your ceremony. Here are some
outside the box ideas for decorating your wedding without blowing your
budget:
1. Use local flowers along the aisle. If
chairs are on both sides, just suspend flowers from the chair backs and
arms. If there aren't any chairs, create an aisle with palm fronds or
banana leaves on the sand. Add some color by layering hibiscus, protea
or other local flowers on top of the leaves.
2. Beautify your decorations by adding some torches.
Tiki torches perfectly coordinate wedding beach decorations. Two rows
of torches can create a natural aisle if you place them four feet apart.
If you already have an aisle, then place the torches at random and
light them to provide a tropical aura. The effect is even better if you
have a twilight ceremony.
3. Ribbons are another spot-on accompaniment for beach weddings.
Ribbons, fluttering and waving in the ocean breeze, are just the thing
for setting off your celebration. Use pastel colors in pink, blue and
coral. Make sure ribbons are well-secured so they don't blow away.
4. Harmonize with the beach vibe by scattering starfish, shells, coconuts and palm fronds abundantly. Just be careful not to place any sharp items where guests may accidentally hurt themselves by stepping on them.
5. Boat oars, anchors and fishing net are also perfect elements for unifying your beach wedding theme. Borrow these from friends or nearby residents along the beach.
More Secrets for Keeping Your Decorating Budget in Check
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photo credit: theweddingspecialists.net |
Rent
expensive items instead of buying them. It's more sensible to rent
expensive flooring, tables, chairs and other large items. If you do
purchase them, buy them on sale at warehouse clubs and hobby shops.
Don't buy anything at full price.
Instead of buying or renting
smaller decorations, borrow from family and friends. Someone you know
probably has an arch, extra ribbon or sea shells they would be happy for
you to use in your ceremony. Make a list of what you need and ask
around.
Make your own decorations, or at least some of them. Bows,
ribbons, signs and similar items are easy to make and subtract from
your decorating cost.
Whenever you can, use locally grown flowers.
They are normally less expensive than flowers which are grown somewhere
else and then shipped in. Also keep in mind that flowers have a short
shelf life. If they aren't sold within several days they must be thrown
out. This means you can ask local florists for special deals on flowers
they need to sell quickly.
Keep your wedding decorations simple.
Your surroundings are the decorations when your ceremony is on a beach.
With just a few tasteful additions your wedding beach decorations will
be complete.