Beach Wedding Tips
If you dream of getting married with sand in your toes and the sound of waves breaking on a golden beach, Waiheke Island is the perfect location. With 131 kilometres of coastline, you will be spoilt for choice.
You can get married on any beach on Waiheke – including a few we know of that are only accessible by boat – as long as you mention the location on your wedding licence.
We can advise you of the beaches likely to be least busy, or most sheltered, or with easiest access or best sunsets. Your beach wedding checklist should also include:
- Knowing the tide at the time of your ceremony so you know where on the beach to set up
- How the ambient noise of the sea and wind will impact on the guests ability to hear the ceremony - consider printing your service for guests to follow or using a microphone
- Shade options, especially at the height of summer. We can arrange parasols for the bridal party (and they look fabulous in wedding photos) and beach umbrellas are a good option for musicians or elderly guests.
- Seating for at least some of the guests eg immediate family or elderly is recommended. This helps create an area for guests to gather around and we can arrange a variety of seating options. You’ll also need somewhere to sign the register.
- Getting creative about your wedding on the beach can help mark the spot for the ceremony and create some privacy from other beach users. Wedding arches, circles made of shells and stones or hanging lanterns are just some of the ideas that Waiheke Island Weddings has used.
- Make sure your invitation is specific as to where on the beach the ceremony will be held to ensure all guests arrive before the bride. Bear in mind that parking by most of the beaches is limited.
- Advise your guests to wear appropriate footwear – high heels or handcrafted Italian leather shoes rarely make good beach wear!
- Add sophistication with a champagne toast on the beach after the ceremony. Waiheke Island Weddings can arrange for your champagne to arrive in style, ice cold and impeccably served by wait staff with all the glasses and bottles taken care of.
- And, a reality check - a beach wedding may be your dream scenario, but we recommend a back-up in case Mother Nature has other plans. We can often arrange a wet weather contingency at the wedding reception venue.
Beach weddings require prior knowledge, planning and preparation to pull off a casual but not chaotic wedding event. Enjoy your day to the full and let Waiheke Island Weddings co-ordinate your day.