The South Coast: A Wedding Destination
Looking for wedding venues? There are very few places that can compete with the beaches, beauty, weather and cost of a wedding on the South Coast of Kwazulu-Natal.
We would like to start off by giving a huge shout out and say a big thank you to the incredible Huffington Post for the great article.
Browse through our website to view all of the superb accommodation units we have on offer. Pick the perfect area along our incredible coastline to have your special day. For further enquiries or to make a booking, please do not hesitate to contact us at on southcoast@leisureletting.co.za | (039) 317-3004
Here are a few things we found that can help you during this exciting time planning your beach wedding. We know that when you picture a beach wedding, chances are youâre dreaming of the soft sand, cool ocean breeze and gorgeous sunset in the distance. But do your dreams include crowds of nosy onlookers, gusts of wind ruining your wedding hair or mosquitoes? Oceanfront affairs come with their own special set of considerations, so we solicited advice from top planners who specialize in destination weddings. They dish on everything from choosing the right gown to windproofing your decor, to keep you worry-free while exchanging vows on the sand.
Dress Accordingly
Skip the big dress. Letâs face it: A ballgown belongs in, well, a ballroom. âYou may be able to get down the aisle in a full dress and long train,â notes Paulette Davis of Bahamas Wedding Planner, âbut walking on the beach and taking photos wonât be easy. If a large dress is a must, make sure it can bustle easily.â
Think light. âDresses with lace trim can be difficult because they pick up debris from the beach,â says Kate Bentley of Happily Ever After Wedding Planning & Design in Key West, Florida. âInstead, choose a lightweight fabric like chiffon or charmeuse so your gown flows in the ocean breeze.â
Ditch the heels. Sand and high heels just donât mix. âWear flat-soled sandals, espadrilles or wedges â shoes that wonât sink into the sand,â says Banting. Have your gown hemmed with or without shoes, depending on which option you choose? âRemember, sand can get pretty hot. Have an aisle runner made of fabric or thick flower petals to help keep your tootsies cool?â
Consider an updo. âThink of the elements when deciding on a hairstyle,â says Beth Helmstetter of Beth Helmstetter Events in Los Angeles. âA tried and true updo will keep you looking polished all night.â Larissa Banting of Weddings Costa Rica suggests doing a trial run at your location. If wearing your hair down is the only option, Helmstetter recommends investing in the services of a stylist, who can do touch-ups throughout the day.
Nix the veil. âWhen marrying outside, think twice about a long veil,â cautions Stacy Mulcare of Ceremonies of St. John. âIf itâs windy, it will be a nightmare for you and the photographer.â Instead, accessorize your âdo with fresh flowers or a fascinator.
Let your guys go informal. âWhile many brides envision their groom in a tux, black wool is a no-no in tropical climates,â says Helmstetter. Allister Simmons of the
Bridal Suite Bermuda Weddings adds, âWe save the âpenguin suitsâ for our many beautiful chapels and churches. Lightweight cotton pants or even Bermuda shorts are great options for the beach.â
At the Ceremony
Prepare Your guests. Make sure your guests know your event will take place on the sand, says Kelly McWilliams of Weddings by Socialites in Cape Coral, Florida. Mention your plans on the invitation or wedding website, and prepare your guests for the sun by including necessary items in the welcome bags. Celebrity-wedding planner Preston Bailey suggests travel-size bottles of good quality sunscreen, bottled water, towels and hand fans to beat the heat.
Stay natural. A gorgeous ocean backdrop doesnât need to be too dressed up. Instead, highlight the natural beauty of the setting. âA beach wedding can be about shells and starfish, but it can also take inspiration from the harmonious colour palette of sand, dune grasses, stones and water,â says Karen Bussen of Simple Stunning in New York. âDecor should be simple; avoid going over the top with fussy flowers.â
Add colour. To make your setup really pop, Sasha Souza of Sasha Souza Events suggests, âChoose colours that contrast the sand and the surf rather than blend in, like corals, greens and other vibrant tones.â
Go local. Celebrity-wedding planner Colin Cowie recommends hiring local vendors as much as possible. âOtherwise you might find your favours or chair covers stuck in customs.â Tracey Kumer-Moore of Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge adds, âWhen it comes to food, look for caterers who are conscientious of local markets and respectful of the beach environment.â
Get a permit. Research the required paperwork to hold your ceremony on the beach, especially if itâs public. âAlso, inquire in advance about noise ordinances, and be sure to follow them,â Kumer-Moore advises.
Ensure privacy. âBeaches are most crowded on holiday weekends, so avoid them unless you want the general public in attendance,â advises Janet Renner of Royal Hawaiian Weddings. And remember, not all beaches are private. âHawaiiâs are all public,â reminds Evonne Wong of Events by Evonne in Hawaii. âWeâre not allowed to set up canopies, chairs or aisle runners. If you want decor, we suggest renting an oceanfront estate where you can have a secluded ceremony and still take photos on the beach.â
Time it right. When dealing with beach wedding photos, lighting is especially important. Barbara Fancsik of Eventful Moments Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, suggests ending the ceremony an hour before sunset. âThat way, youâll still get great action shots in natural lighting, as well as sunset portraits.â
Set up a shoe station. Donât let your guests spend the day with sand in their shoes. âProvide a shoe check, where guests can swap their shoes for flip-flops and wipe sand off their feet,â recommends Tara Guerard of Soiree by Tara Guerard. âIt could include a bench, towels and a bucket of water.â
Provide shade. âShade is your guestsâ best friend,â says Soloway. âConsider creating a canopy to cover the seating area; for example, you could source some rustic bamboo poles and loosely drape thin white fabric on top.â
Have a seat. âWooden benches, folding chairs, and waterproof ottomans are great choices because theyâre heavy enough to withstand the ocean breeze,â says Guerard.
Offer Refreshments. To keep your guests refreshed, Soloway advises, âSet up a table with ice water, lemonade or a signature cocktail that guests can enjoy while waiting for the ceremony to start.â
Prepare for wind. A good rule of thumb on the beach: Anything that can blow away will. If youâre using ceremony programs, weigh them down with shells, tie them to chairs with ribbon or print them on fans, which perform double duty. And if you envision a perfectly petal-lined aisle, McWilliams advises, âDonât toss them until the absolute last moment, right before guests arrive.â
Keep bugs at bay. âInsect repellent is a good idea no matter the season or beach location,â says Srimoon. Just make sure itâs a brand that wonât stain your gown.
Speak up. Youâve spent so much time writing your vows and personalizing the ceremony, so be sure your audio doesnât get lost against the sound of crashing waves. âRent a wireless microphone and speaker for your officiant to use,â suggests Iraida Gonzalez of Belize Weddings. Inquire if your officiant, resort or DJ can provide this equipment, and do a soundcheck prior to the ceremony to ensure thereâs no unwanted feedback.
Keep it short. Given factors like heat and audibility, Mulcare advises limiting the number of readings and performances during the ceremony â and making sure all participants know to speak clearly and loudly.
Have a backup plan. Unfortunately, the weather has a mind of its own, so be ready with a solid plan B. âTo keep the party on the beach, have a canopy or tent ready,â Cowie suggests. âOr find a space indoors where everything can take place.â
For the Reception
Anchor decor. Wind can topple tall floral arrangements, blow out candles and send other table elements flying. âStay away from glass vases, which can easily break in the sand,â warns Bussen. If tall centrepieces are your dream, Helmstetter recommends having the florist secure them to the table with heavy objects. âShe can always cover these mechanics by lining the vases with ti leaves, palms or other natural elements.â For lighting, âuse hurricane-style lanterns or LED candles, which are flameless and longlasting,â says Bussen. When wind-proofing place cards and favours, a little creativity can go a long way. âTie seahorses to each place card,â Helmstetter suggests, âand weigh your menus and napkins down with maracas or coconut shells.â
Rent a powder room. If marrying on a public beach, find out if there are bathrooms. If not, Natalie John of Dreamy Weddings & Tours suggests, âHire an upscale portable lavatory for a few hours, especially if there will be lots of drinking during the reception.â
Keep warm. To help you and your guests fight a wind chill, Bussen advises, âArrange a basket of comfy, colour-coordinated pashminas to warm ladiesâ shoulders.â
Browse through our website to view all of the superb accommodation units we have on offer. Pick the perfect area along our incredible coastline to have your special day.
For more information:
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