Summer time may evoke images of laying out by a pool, relaxing with a book or a cool beverage for some people. If you are a bride in New Jersey, summer makes you think of one thing only—beach weddings. Planning the perfect beach wedding in New Jersey starts with the bridal gown and the venue and works all the way down to the centerpieces and guest favors—as they say, the devil is in the details. A beach wedding is elegant, simple, and fun, but planning it can take a lot of work because you will want to incorporate your theme of the beach into every aspect of your special day. If you are toying with the idea of a beach wedding at the Jersey Shore, here are some tips you will want to keep in mind.
Timing is Everything
Two things you will have to consider as a beach wedding bride that most other brides don’t have to think about are the sunset and the tides. They suggest planning to have your ceremony one to two hours before sunset will result in the best lighting for your ceremony and your photos. Other reasons to consider having your wedding later in the day are that there are fewer crowds and cooler temperatures. The last thing you want is for your wedding to become a spectacle to the tourists lounging on the beach.
Not All Photographers Are Created Equal
You will want to be sure that when you choose a photographer for your wedding that they have a strong portfolio with beach wedding photos. Shooting a beach wedding is different than at other venues namely because of the lighting and weather conditions. Do not be afraid to ask to see more photos from the weddings they have shot in the past if their portfolio is not varied enough for you to get a sense as to their expertise with shooting beach weddings. You want to make sure you select a photographer that will capture your wedding day the way you envision it.
Buy Your Dress Locally
Even if you are from out of town if you can at all manage it, try to look at bridal gowns in NJ. You will want to do this because local shops will be used to catering to the beach wedding bride, and are more likely to have a large selection of beach-friendly wedding gowns in stock as opposed to boutiques not near the beach, which only have to deal with the occasional destination bride. Your dress is such an important part of your wedding day and you do not want to settle simply because you went to the wrong dress shop that did not have the selection you deserved for your beach wedding.
Planning your beach wedding will be an experience you will never forget. On that special day, as you make a promise to love and honor that special someone forever with the salt ocean breeze and sand between your toes, you will realize how special a beach wedding really is and be thankful that you chose this as your wedding theme.
Jan Brielle is an event planner who enjoys spending time with her sons and husband