The Ultimate Beach Elopement

Think about it, what could be more romantic than getting eloped on a beautiful beach?

Even if this is your dream come true, putting it all into action is another story. You might be wondering, how do you even begin to put something like that together?

You’re not alone. Thousands of couples every year opt to get married on the beach, whether through an elopement or more traditional means, and there is some planning that has to go into it if you want to get everything right!

Choose a Beach Destination That’s Right For You

Not all beaches are the same! The first step in planning any successful beach elopement is deciding where you want to have it.

There’s the obvious choices of tropical hotspots like the Florida Keys and Hawaii.

However you may want to go for the simple charms and rugged shorelines of Maine or Washington. You may also be interested in the sightseeing and quaintness of New Jersey’s white sand beaches or surfing at California.

Maybe there’s a beach that has sentimental value for you as a couple.
Regardless of your choice, this is a major part of making sure your elopement is just the way you want it.

We personally recommend beach elopements in Florida simply because of the gorgeous shorelines and attractions available all within a short distance of each other. 

Dress For the Occasion

With any exotic wedding or elopement comes additional challenges.

You might want to hold off on wearing that long trailing gown or anything too elaborate if you have your heart set on an amazing beach elopement.

Shorelines tend to be naturally breezy, and even under nice weather conditions can be downright windy. Add trudging through the sand, and you have the perfect recipe for an elopement blooper reel!

Take the time to pick out a simpler dress that fits the occasion and your style, which isn’t too billowy, long, or delicate. Boho style gowns and tropical style party dresses work remarkably well for beach elopements.

Don’t feel pressured into sticking with the traditional white wedding dress. Part of the benefit of having a beach elopement in the first place is comfort and the ability to do what you want to do, without tradition weighing you down.

In other words, yes you can get married in that simple flowery tropical dress you love!

Don’t Worry About a Chapel

You could have your ceremony at a nearby chapel and then migrate over to the beach of your choice, but why bother? Hold the whole thing at the beach!

One of the benefits of a beach elopement is the freedom to make it as whimsical as you want. Do away with tradition and let your imagination call some of the shots.

If you’re looking for a bit of cover from the sun and a kind of centerpiece to the ceremony, you could always hold everything on a gazebo at the beach. What could be more perfect than getting married under the shade of a white gazebo only feet from the rolling waves of your favorite shoreline?

Evening Works Best

Unless you’re a stickler for crystal clear blue skies for your ceremony backdrop, we recommend evening hours as the best time to get married on the beach for multiple reasons.

One, it’s simply a more romantic mood and atmosphere. You’re already imagining what it would be like to get married on the beach with the setting sun in the background, aren’t you?

There’s obviously other perks as well, such as better lighting for photography, cooler temperatures, less risk of sunburn or dealing with a harsh bright sun in general, and the ability to immediately follow your ceremony up with a nighttime party on the beach!

Party on the Beach?

Speaking of which, if you’re going out of your way to get married on the beach of your choosing, why not take advantage of it?

Depending on what city or location you choose to get married, there are certainly no shortage of activities you could do after you tie the knot, but if you invited several guests, you might want to think about having a classic party on the beach.

If you take the time to plan your ceremony with a party event in mind, you could have catered food, raffles, and other activities right on the beach, without having to disrupt the magic and go to another location.

Alternatively, if you haven’t invited many guests and wanted your elopement to be more personal, a romantic dinner for two on the beach following your ceremony might be the perfect end to an unforgettable day.

The key to having the ultimate beach elopement is not letting yourself get confined to typical wedding traditions and don’t be afraid to take some risks and have fun. After all, it’s your special day!

Just remember to plan everything ahead of time. Even the most whimsical weddings need a bit of foresight to go off without a hitch!