While some weddings are extravagant events with hundreds of guests, others are simple, intimate occasions shared with close family and a few friends. If you are planning an informal wedding you do not need to observe many of the formalities, but there are still many points of etiquette and time-honored rituals, which you may find useful.

Discuss and decide on the style of wedding you want early on, bearing in mind that what the bride and her attendants wear will set the mood and influence the flowers, transport, the ceremony and reception. Another decision you need to make early is where you will hold the reception and who will take the photographs, as most weddings take place on Saturday and sometimes reception centers and photographers are booked up to a year in advance. I hope you find this planner useful in helping you achieve a more relaxing engagement and enjoyable wedding day.

The engagement
As soon as you decide to marry, consider yourselves engaged. Your immediate families should be the first to know. You may decide to wait until you have bought the engagement ring before announcing your engagement officially. The days when the engagement ring and the proposal were given on bended knee are long over – today the couple usually choose the ring together. Take into consideration your coloring, lifestyle and shape of your hands when choosing your ring.

Announcements
If you are having a press announcement, traditionally the bride’s parents arrange and pay for it.

The common wording is:
Steve and Jane Brown of Mt Albert, Auckland, are delighted to announce the engagement of their only daughter Emily to John, the eldest son of Mike and Suzie James of Lower Hutt, Wellington.

Both sets of parents should inform other relations and the bride and groom should inform their friends. You may feel that once engaged, the sooner you can be married the better. But weddings, even small ones, take time to organize, and six months is an average length of time. Before you finally set your date you must decide on the style of wedding, financial priorities and number of guests. Check that the church or registry office, marriage celebrant, photographer and reception centre are all available on that date.

Choosing Formal Attire

Many people tend to dress less formal at beach weddings . Its best to wear lighter fabrics so that you are comfortable at your wedding and keep it short enough so it doesn’t drag in the sand.

Choosing the Location

You want to make sure you look into legal considerations such as permits and restrictions. Make sure you find out how much parking is available and also keep in mind the number of guests you have invited. You want to make sure your location is secure and safe as well.

You’ll want to decide if your going to tie the knot at a public beach or private. Private may be more expensive, so your going to have to look at your budget and go from there.

Time of Day

Saying your vows at sunset may create the most romantic atmosphere for the wedding albums. You’ll have to keep updates on the weather so that you prepare yourself incase something changes.

Comfort level

You’ll have to set up chairs for your guests so they don’t have to stand in the sand. Make sure there are accessible bathrooms nearby as well. And keep the ceremony a fair distance away from the water incase of the tide. Incase of unexpected weather you’ll also want to have a tent set up.

Sugar Beach Weddings will travel to your beach side location to perform your marriage ceremony, setup at one of our beautiful pavillions on the beach like: Gulf State Park, Ft. Pickens State Park, Big Lagoon State Park, Pensacola State Park, Navarre State Park, Beasley State Park, James Lee State Park, Henderson State Park, St. Andrews State Park. There are wonderful facilities for a reception under one of the pavillions. Simply use one of many wonderful caterers in the area. Receptions and marriages on a Cruiser Yacht in Destin are also available. Full Dinner and Open Bar available.

Sugar Beach Weddings offers you a choice of Officiants to perform your beach wedding. You can choose a Male or Female Notary Officiant or an Ordained Minister. If you are energetic and love the beach, please contact them for information on owning your own Beach Weddings Business in any State that has a Beach.