Bright blue colors shining on the waves, salty and earthy scents that engulf the breeze, and the calm sounds of the ocean – there are so many reasons that make beach wedding venues so perfect. And as much as they are tranquil and peaceful, they’re equally romantic as well.
This is why when it comes to destination weddings, most people prefer beaches. With bright sun, cool breezes, swaying palms, and a vast ocean in the backdrop, it’s the perfect place for a vacation or a honeymoon.
Whether you both are the adventurous types who like water sports or the quiet types who like to sit on a hammock and sip on a cocktail, a beach wedding needs to be on your list.
About Beach Wedding Venues
Why Get Married on a Beach
Experience a lovely breeze going through your hair while the birds chirp close by and the waves race with each other. Everything is romantic and blissful and just how you always imagined it would be. All this is possible only with beach wedding venues.
Different beaches have different personalities. Some have a rocky shore, others have powdery sands. No matter which type you choose, it’s going to be an unforgettable experience.
Breathe in the salty air and bask in the golden beauty of sunsets while you read your vows and unite with your soulmate. After all, it’s the best day of your life.
Average Cost of a Beach Wedding Venue
When it comes to a beach wedding, there’s no place like the Caribbean. Whether you tie the knot in Jamaica, Antigua, Grenada, Saint Lucia, or anywhere else, you’ll get to experience the famous Caribbean climate that’s sunny and pleasant all year round.
Planning your wedding in the Caribbean is super easy too. Most hotels and resorts will be happy to help you with event planning.
The average cost of a Caribbean wedding will be approximately between $20,000 and $40,000. We’ll discuss some resorts that offer all-inclusive wedding packages. All-inclusive beach wedding venues (including accommodation and food) might cost between $4,000 and $7,000, depending on the place.
The Best Beach Wedding Venues
Sandals Montego Bay
This is an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica that lets you indulge in luxury while you revel in romance and enjoy the spirit of the place. The modern and stylish open-air lobby of this venue offers amazing sea views that capture the essence of the Caribbean.
It’s a 5-star resort that offers unmatched accommodation and wedding planning. Its beautiful over-the-water chapel is the perfect place to read the vows in a religious ceremony. Don’t forget to visit the overwater bar and gourmet restaurant that serve amazing drinks and the most scrumptious bites.
The resort is on the shoreline of Jamaica so you can explore white sandy beaches while the resort wedding team organizes the event. And when it is nighttime, plan a little escape and visit the beach with your soulmate to gaze at the stars.
The wedding packages at Sandals Montego Bay are completely customizable. Right from the type of cake to the number of guests and types of accommodation – everything is done just the way you want it. You get to select the menu for your wedding, the wedding décor, the location, and everything else.
Sandals also offers deals and discounts. Sandals Military Discount includes 10% for firefighters, military, police, and FEMA members., For example, if you stay for three nights or longer, the wedding costs are on the house. All this makes it one of the best beach wedding venues.
Vedema Resort
While the Caribbean countries have a unique charm, you’ll find natural beauty in the Mediterranean areas as well. And when we discuss the Mediterranean, we cannot forget Greece. If you plan to tie the knot in Greece, Santorini is probably the best choice.
Check out Vedema Resort, one of the most attractive beach wedding venues in this place. It has almost 60 suites and villas. There are terrace-top private swimming pools and Jacuzzis for the ultimate experience in luxury.
Enjoy the spectacular ocean views from your balcony as you sip delicious coffee and dig into mouth-watering, fresh sandwiches.
The resort has classic Santorini architecture and with its pastel colors and bold arches, it is the perfect place for a wedding. All rooms offer amazing natural views – whether you want to look at the ocean or the resort garden.
There are many vineyards around the resort so make sure you go on a wine-tasting trip with your loved one.
Vedema has a wedding planning team that will handle everything from planning to execution. And since their plans are customizable, you can make changes according to your preferences. Their wedding team will make sure you have a dream wedding when you’re there.
Sandals Royal Bahamian
If you want the experience of the Bahamas to enrich your dream wedding, Royal Bahamian is just the perfect venue for you. It’s an all-inclusive resort that offers island adventures to newlywed couples if you’re into that.
And if you’re looking for a quiet little wedding, spend your time gazing into each other’s eyes next to any of their two sky-sized pools while sipping on coconut cocktails.
The resort has 12 dining options that include 2 beautiful food trucks. Visit their Red Lane Spa for a couple’s massage and explore the Crystal Lagoon with exclusive butler service. And when you avail of the butler service, you get VIP airport pickup and drop on Rolls Royce or Mercedes Benz.
It’s an all-adults resort that lets you live life king-size. It’s your wedding, make it big with Royal Bahamian.
The resort has private secluded beaches where you can relax with your partner. And if you’re into adventure, you can explore the best of the Bahamas with snorkeling and other water activities.
There are shaded hammocks, a Zen garden, and private cabanas where you can enjoy true Caribbean paradise. And all that in complete privacy. The resort also has a wedding planning team to turn your dreams into reality.
Sandals Barbados
If you’re looking for style and sophistication, say hello to Sandals Barbados. It’s a 5-star luxury resort that will elevate your senses – right from its architecture to its décor and from delicious foods and drinks to modern amenities.
It has a choice of 11 dining areas and offers eight intimate lounges. When you’re looking for beach wedding venues, this just might be the perfect place for you. The resort has three innovative pools where you can take a dip with your loved one.
Sandals Barbados offers the perfect backdrop for your wedding – a vast ocean in the background while you two stand on pristine white sands as you read your vows. It’s beautiful, dreamy, and charmingly romantic.
If that’s the kind of wedding you’re looking forward to, this is the resort for you. And the most amazing part is, when you book your wedding at Sandals Barbados, you get the amenities of two resorts – Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados.
This means you get to access a rooftop pool, a craft beer bar, a well-equipped bowling alley, and gourmet dining at both places. Since both these resorts are next to each other, you can simply walk into the other one.
Sandals Grande Antigua
The adults-only Grande Antigua resort is known as the world’s most romantic resort. It sits cozily on the most famous beach of Antigua, Dickenson Bay. While you’re here, make sure you explore the Caribbean village with your soulmate and discover a seaside oasis that contains majestic palms and meandering pathways.
Experience the true European grandeur with Grande Antigua and fill your senses with the authentic Caribbean atmosphere. It’s your big day, make sure you plan it to be the most memorable holiday of your lifetime.
There are several all-inclusive wedding packages here and you can customize them according to your needs. Their all-inclusive deals include everything from accommodation to food to drinks.
Start your day with a scrumptious breakfast on the beach and walk to Dickenson Bay. Visit the swim-up bar and get your favorite drink. You can also enjoy their handmade cocktails and then take a swim in the pool.
Head to the spa for a couple’s massage or if you both are the adventurous kind, try out a scuba diving session. In the evening, go for a romantic dinner at any of the restaurants available in the resort. At Grande Antigua, it’s always exciting and romantic.
The Beach Wedding Dress Code
Beach weddings often carry a carefree and casual vibe. However, weddings have a certain dress code. So what should it be for you?
If you want to settle on a specific dress code, it’s best to state it in the invitation suite. If you decide to dress up in a casual wedding gown, you can let your guests know that the dress code is casual.
Dressing up in a light gown can help you save money and also create a beachy ambiance. When you invite guests to a destination wedding, make sure they know beforehand what to pack.
If you have a wedding website, you can post the dressing information there. For example, you can let them know that it’s advisable to bring sunglasses, a hat, flat shoes, sunscreen, etc.
How to Pick a Beach Wedding Venue
Before you pick a beach wedding venue, you need to follow some steps.
Decide on the right location: Which country do you want to get married in? While the Caribbean is the first choice for many couples, the Mediterranean region is pretty popular too. And then there are several American and European locations as well. Select the country you like.
Understand their marriage process: If you want to have a civil wedding, you need to understand the laws and regulations in that country. What kinds of documents do they require? What’s the wedding timeline? How long does it take? You need to factor in all these conditions.
Research about their climate: The climate of a place plays a huge role in weddings. Since you’re looking for a beach wedding venue, you would most probably prefer a sunny area where it’s warm and pleasant so you can read your vows outdoors.
Find out how to get there: Before you reserve your accommodation at a resort, find out how to reach your venue. Many island places don’t have direct international flights so you’ll have to take a ferry from a nearby location. Include that in your wedding plan.
Make a budget: Make a wedding budget and stick to it. Many resorts offer all-inclusive deals so it’s easy to make a budget. All you have to do is find out the cost to go to the destination. The rest is usually handled by all-inclusive plans.
Have a plan B: You want to tie the knot on the beach. However, what if it rains that day? While it’s important to study the weather before going, keep in mind that weather can be unpredictable. If it rains, you should have an interior venue where you can go so the wedding goes as planned.
Now that you have done your research and found the right country or city to say, “I do” in, it’s time to settle for the right venue.
How to Decide the Wedding Guest List
Destination weddings are usually more expensive than regular weddings. That’s why they’re special. After all, they’re exquisite and this is why you’re paying for one.
If you plan to invite everyone you know to your wedding, it’s going to cost a lot. You need to keep the guest list short so you can have a beautiful wedding within your budget.
When you want to select one of the beach wedding venues, here is how to decide on the wedding guest list:
- Before you write down the names of people, decide the maximum number you can invite, depending on your budget.
- Write down the names of the people you would want to invite to the wedding.
- Prioritize your list as accurately as you can. It’s not always possible to assign a number to each person but try to prioritize to whatever extent you can.
- Strike off the least-priority guests from the list.
When you create a list, make sure you leave some room for last-minute entrants. For example, if Susan from work invites you to her destination wedding, you’ll need to invite her too. Keep space for at least two more guests.
Now that you’re ready to select beach wedding venues, check out our guides for Santorini wedding, Amalfi Coast wedding, and St. Thomas wedding.
