Hilton Head Beach Weddings Tips

Having your wedding on the beach in Hilton Head will be perfect! What could be more romantic than the Atlantic Ocean, the sand between your toes and the salt-tinged air. Whether you are planning a destination celebration or saying your wedding vows on a sandy spot close to home, these wedding tips will ensure an unforgettable beach wedding on Hilton Head!

Hire a Wedding Coordinator!

Leave the heavy lifting and wedding planning to the pros. From a freak thunderstorm to a toppled canopy, wedding coordinators are prepared for every situation. Wedding at a resort? Enlist the help of their wedding specialists.

Wedding planners in Hilton Head

The last thing you want to do is scrap your Hilton Head wedding fun in the sun at the last minute, but sometimes Mother Nature doesn't cooperate. Renting a tent is always recommended. For backup in the event of a complete washout, make arrangements in advance with a nearby hotel or hall as an alternate locale. If it does rain, try not to mope. Just go with the flow and enjoy -- you're pledging your love to your one and only and embarking on a new life together. We can't think of anything more wonderful than that. Most wedding planners will have secondary options incase of bad weather.

Pick a Good Time

The heat can be brutal on Hilton Head Island. But even if you're okay standing there glistening, think of your guests. High temperatures are not for everyone, especially older folks and young kids. To avoid the heat (and the crowds), consider a morning or sunset ceremony. Can't schedule your ceremony at one of these times? Go ahead and have it in the afternoon, but find a shady spot on the beach that's likely to catch a cool breeze. Be sure to check what the weather will be like, and inform guests so they can dress accordingly. Also check the tide schedules. Also be sure to choose a resort and make reservations far enough in advance!

The Photographs

First off, you'll want to find a photographer who's shot beach weddings -- Photographers not experienced with beach photography may be unfamiliar with the proper lighting techniques. Be sure to take advantage of the beauty of your natural surroundings: waves crashing in the distance, a sunset backdrop beside the water's edge. Make sure you and the photographer prepare a list of must-have shots.

Hilton Head Photographers

The Wedding Attire

Typically, beach brides leave the princess ball gown at home with the down coat and snow boots. Seaside weddings call for lightweight attire -- anything else and you'll be weighed down and hot, looking out of place. Grooms often sport linen suits, but if it's really hot, guys can forgo the jacket and wear a loose shirt and pants. For the ladies, light, airy fabrics are key; for comfort, try cotton, crepe, or linen. Nothing says beach wedding like a simple sarong or white sundress blowing in the breeze.

Food and Beverages

A beach wedding on Hilton Head Island will be quite different from a seaside ceremony in the South of France, and your menu should reflect that. Incorporate foods and customs of the area. Go with a Seafood plate or at least have a seafood assortment available. All of the Hilton Head resorts provide a unique and island themed menu that should accommodate even the pickiest of eaters! Alcoholic drinks are optional and the resorts have different solutions for offering them to guests.

Flowers, Flowers, and Flowers

Beautiful blooms add bursts of color to any space, including the beach. Consult with a local florist to choose the right flowers for your fete -- direct sunlight and heat are murder to many blossoms. You'll want flowers that last. Those that wilt easily, like freesia, poppies, and bouvardia, are not good choices. But gorgeous orchids, chrysanthemums, and plumeria are surprisingly hardy and hold up well in almost any kind of weather. For beach-theme centerpieces, fill large conch shells or colorful beach pails with your chosen flowers.