Wedding Planner Emily Coyne Shares Her Expert Tips for Pulling Off a Beach Wedding (Exclusive)

Beach weddings are an increasingly popular choice. Not only do they make for an unforgettable experience for the couple and their guests, they can often be more affordable to host than a traditional wedding.

The oceanfront setting also provides a stunning backdrop — no extra decorations needed! — and creates amazing photos. And the best part? Newlyweds can say ‘I do’ on the sand and jump straight to their honeymoon.

However, to make sure everyone has an enjoyable experience, it’s important to consider the elements, according to wedding planner Emily Coyne, founder of Emily Coyne Events. She has organized many beach weddings for her clients in picturesque locations such as Los Cabos and Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

When you host your beach wedding, you’ll be battling sun, sand, wind, bugs, and everything else Mother Nature throws your way. But with careful planning, Coyne tells PEOPLE, you can smooth out any bumps.

Here, she shares her expert tips for the perfect beach wedding.

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Wedding Planning Expert Emily Coyne Shares Secret Tips Most Planners Won’t Tell You (Exclusive)

Offer a place to store your shoes

While guests will certainly enjoy the stunning views of a beach ceremony, they may be less thrilled to spend the day in shoes filled with sand. Coyne has the perfect solution to the problem. “We recommend creating a shoe valet experience for your guests so they can store their footwear safely and cleanly before they step onto the beach,” she says.

Options range from simple shelves to canvas shoe bags labeled for each guest. You can also get flip-flops, ballet slippers, or other beach-appropriate footwear that people can wear instead of going barefoot to the beach.

“Also, provide wet towels for afterwards,” advises Coyne. “People will want to clean the sand off their feet before they put the rest of their shoes back on.”

Set the Hat Bar

“Your guests will love the festive touch and benefit from the added sun protection,” notes Coyne.

Depending on your budget, she says this can range from inexpensive hats that are mass-ordered from Amazon to personalized styles. “You can even have a custom hot brander on site if you want them really elevated,” she adds. “It’s something you can take low or high, but still make it really fun.”

Wedding Planner Emily Coyne.

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Manage the heat

Depending on the time of day or season, beach weddings can be hot and the sun is scorching. Coyne says it’s important to take care of your guests’ comfort. “Consider mister bottles, umbrellas for sun protection, hand fans on each chair, mini ice packs, cold welcome drinks or chilled rolled towels on the tray,” she suggests.

He also recommends scheduling the wedding for a time of day when the sun won’t be as fierce. “Figure out where the sun will be at the time of the ceremony and plan around that,” she says.

Timely selection of the sun can also create a magical ambiance on the wedding day. “There’s nothing like the perfect glow of sunlight, or the glow of golden hour, as we like to call it,” notes Coyne.

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Prepare for all elements

The sun is not the only factor when organizing a beach wedding. It is also important to consider tide times, wind and the possibility of rain. “Be sure to research wind conditions and plan decor accordingly. It’s also important to be aware of high tide times to make sure water levels are under control,” explains Coyne.

Wind can also affect guests’ ability to hear the ceremony, so Coyne recommends using an amplifier — either a handheld microphone or a stand microphone.

In general, she advises couples to seek guidance and information from a local tour company, planner or resort before making any hard and fast plans for their event.

Be sure to have a backup plan

“The weather is unpredictable, so you have to have a plan B,” says Coyne. If rain is in the forecast, for example, can the ceremony be moved inside or delayed until the weather clears?

“Most halls know that it can rain on a whim, so you’ll get some guidance for them as well,” she adds.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education