Down by the Jersey Shore 7/7/11
Custom last name sign handmade by Sea Sand Designs.
Custom sign with message on the bottom for the couple to remember. Handmade by Sea Sand Designs
Custom sign with est. 2011 on bottom handmade by Sea Sand Designs
Groom, Bride and extra large wedding day sign handmade by Sea Sand Designs
Wedding frame with wedding date handmade by sea sand designs
Wedding arrow, beach arrow, wecome sign for the new couple and table markers for the reception handmade by Sea Sand Designs
I didn't get married with my toes in the sand at a sunny beach on a Caribbean Island but at a winery in Napa Valley near my home town. I didn't really think that my wedding would actually be a destination wedding when I was a little girl dreaming about it, but as I grew older, it seems to be a fabulous idea when the time came 31 years later. I think our guests were happy to attend our wedding then keep the mini vacation going, wine tasting in Napa afterwards (and I know the plane tickets were much cheaper than a flight to an island!). After living in the Caribbean and attending many beach weddings there, a beach wedding may have been an option for me 12 years back except when you are getting married in California, in April, the weather can be very unpredictable and well, hey, my huband and I loved wine so much, the winery theme just stuck (rain or shine)..... but we got shine on our day, whew!. Now we know why June is the most popular month to get married because in most places the weather is warm and nice in the month of June either on a beach or in a vineyard.
My great gal friend Mayra owns Barefoot Bride in Fairhaven, NJ (www.barefootbridenj.net) She knows a thing or two about putting on a beach wedding at the shore. She and I have been hard at work helping brides make their special day even better, this summer especially; Myra with the dresses for brides and bridesmaids and me with wedding day decor for tables, rehersal dinner signs and wedding favors. We both commented that we can't believe how busy this year has been for us both (not that we are complaining at all mind you!)
I asked Mayra to give me her top 5 tips for having a beach wedding and this is what she said:
1) Opt for SILK fake flowers for the beach when it comes to flowers in your hair vs. real flowers. They won't wilt and the petals don't fall off making you picture perfect all day long. Humidity and fake flowers get along just fine and no one will be able to tell anyway.
2) A ball gown doesn't really have the same look (or feel for that matter) in a beach setting that is does in a formal gathering, It is much easier to move and dance in hot humid air when you have chiffon or silk on. Keep it light! (I opted for removing the sleeves from my dress all together taking about 5 pounds of heavy off me and I now wish I had taken the butt bow off the dress as well...because it was just annoying)
3) A veil is like icing on the cake and while it's not necessary, a simple finger tip veil with the basic silk, satin cording trim looks great in pictures, especially if the photographer can capture it blowing in the wind, plus you can take it right off after the ceremony and show off the pretty silk flowers in your hair.
4) Flip flops are great but a little hard to move in when you are nervous. If you are having your ceremony on the beach and you have a runner to walk on, she says just go barefoot and throw the flip flops on afterwards. (I am sure my bridesmaids wished I did this instead of cramming their toes in high heels to walk on grass with). Sorry girls
5) Always have a plan B. Beach and outdoor weddings are beautiful and fun but you want to know that if the sun is nowhere to be seen...you have another plan up your sleeve. This is the best advice of all I think. Be prepared (like your mom always says)
One of Mayra's brides saw some of my art pieces up in her shop and decided and she wanted one for her own wedding. We ended up going back and forth a couple of times on colors of sea glass and placement of the starfish over the "i"'s in the name. I love that part of my job. It's also fun to add you own personal saying on the bottom of the last name sign or what year the wedding took place.
PS. If anyone is interested in a wedding in Napa Valley/Sonoma, my wedding coordinator, Robbin Montero is the top! She was ranked as the top wedding planner in the California Wine Country by Travel and Leisure Magazine and has too many featured weddings and articles to even mention here (just TRUST ME). Check out her website too at www.a-dreamwedding.com/. Mayra's got you covered on the Jersey shore and Robbin on the wine Coast of CA. Where else do you need to get married?