Beach Weddings: The Gorgeous, Sandy, Slightly-Chaotic Truth

Let’s be real: a beach wedding looks effortless on Instagram, but behind the scenes?
There are logistics. There is wind. There is sand in places you didn’t consent to.
And yet — when it’s done right — it feels cinematic, intimate, and wildly romantic.

Here’s how to make your beach ceremony stunning, smooth, and stress-free.

1. Yes, You Probably Need a Permit (Don’t Skip This)

Most beaches aren’t the “show up and vibe” type — especially for weddings.

Every city or county has its own rules, and the quickest way to avoid wedding-day drama is to call the beach’s local authority and ask:

• Do we need a permit?

• How many guests are allowed?

• Are chairs/arches allowed?

• Are amplified sound or generators allowed?

• Any wildlife or dune restrictions?

It’s not glamorous, but it’s the difference between “married on the beach” and “escorted off the beach.”

2. Time Your Ceremony Like a Pro

If you want that golden, dreamy light… timing matters.

Here’s the move:

• Look up the exact sunset time for your date and location.

• Schedule your ceremony 1.5 hours before sunset.

• Tell guests to arrive 2 hours before sunset (because guests run on “oh traffic was crazy” energy).

• This gives you:
  → gorgeous pre-sunset light
  → a seamless ceremony
  → post-ceremony portraits that look like a Nicholas Sparks movie in the best way

Your photographer will thank you. Your photos will thank you. Your future self will absolutely thank you.

3. Parking Will Be Chaos so Plan Ahead

Weekend beach parking?
A Hunger Games–level battle.

Your three best options:

My expert recommendation:

Shuttle your guests. It removes stress, it keeps everyone together, and it guarantees no one circles for 45 minutes and misses your vows.

Alternatives:

• Find a beach with an actual lot and confirm capacity.

• Partner with a nearby business or community center and purchase parking spaces for your guests.

Do not wing this part.

4. Pick the Right Beach for Photos (This One Surprises People)

If your dream includes that iconic “sun setting behind us as we kiss” moment…
you need a beach that faces west.

Sun sets in the west.
Rises in the east.

If you're on the east-facing side of a coastline, you’ll get beautiful daylight — but not those golden, glowy, oceanside sunset portraits people expect.

If sunrise photos are your thing? East-facing beaches become perfection.
Just be honest with yourself about whether you’re waking up at 4:30 AM looking bridal.

5. Chair Placement = Lighting = Entire Vibe

This part gets overlooked all the time.

Your aisle direction and guest seating need to consider:

• Where the sun will be during your ceremony

• What your photographer needs for clean, flattering light

• How close you want to be to the water (tide charts exist for a reason)

If you want the sunset behind you as you say “I do,” you literally turn the seats toward the sun’s path.

Also: consult your photographer.
Every photographer lights differently — some love backlit, some need shade, some want angled sun — and the right setup will change your whole look.

6. Rake the Sand (Trust Us, It Matters)

It sounds absurdly extra.
But smoothing the sand makes your ceremony space look intentional, polished, and photo-ready.

You can:

• Sweep a clean, smooth aisle

• Create a subtle pattern

• Build a defined space that feels more like a ceremony and less like “we found a random patch of beach”.

Your planner or décor team can handle this — but don’t skip it.

Final Word: Beach Weddings Are Magical When They’re Planned Like a Production

Beach weddings aren’t hard, they just require leadership, intention, and a little logistical foresight.

Handled well, they feel romantic, immersive, and beautifully unfiltered.
Handled poorly, they feel like a sunburn with a marriage license.

If you want help designing a beach ceremony that’s seamless, stylish, and emotionally unforgettable, we’ve done this dance many times. Just say the word.

Photo credit: https://saraherreraphotography.com/