A beach wedding, whether held at an exotic destination or your summer getaway home, can be a great experience both for the couple and their guests. After all, it's like a mini-vacation for everyone involved! However, pulling off a flawless event at the shore isn't without its unique challenges.

Dress Appropriately

Not all dresses, fabrics, and veil styles work for a beach wedding. An airy sheath is most sand-friendly, but if you want to wear a gown with a fuller skirt, make sure you choose a dress constructed of a lighter fabric that allows for more movement. A ball gown belongs in a ballroom. You may be able to get down the aisle in a full dress and long train, but walking on the beach and taking photos won’t be easy. Dresses with lace trim can be difficult because they pick up debris from the beach, instead, choose a lightweight fabric like chiffon so your gown flows in the ocean breeze. If a large dress is a must, make sure it can bustle easily.

 Also, don't be afraid of trying a colored option, keep in mind a veil is a bit like a sail in the wind. The less fussy your veil, the prettier your photos will look.

Image: Michelle scot

Don’t Forget the Wind

As much as you think the rain is your enemy at a beach wedding, it's the wind you need to worry about. Windy afternoons and evenings can be chilly, sandy, or completely drown out the sound for the ceremony. Take time to learn about the typical weather for your particular destination and always have a backup plan. Because you just never know with the weather, choose a resort that has multiple areas that work for the ceremony so you have a built-in Plan B. If you choose to marry on a beach that's not associated with a hotel, you'll need to reserve an alternate backup location, whether or not you end up using it.

Daylight

The ocean presents one of the most beautiful settings so I always encourage couples to consider having their wedding during daylight hours, however once the sun drops below the horizon, the water goes black and unless you have a full moon, the sea is lost. When dealing with beach wedding photos, lighting is especially important. It is also advisable to end the ceremony an hour before sunset. That way, you’ll still get great action shots in natural lighting, as well as sunset portraits.