Other Photography Tips and Hints For a Beach Wedding

While you may be tempted to have a friend or two take photos of your beach wedding, be aware that taking outdoor pictures in natural elements is a lot different than shooting pictures of their doggie sleeping indoors.(romantic wedding dresses) If you really do need to save money, consider hiring the professional photographer for the ceremony and the formal shots, but have your friends and family snap pictures of getting ready and at the reception. This way, you are sure to get the important photographs done professionally.

SHOP NOW

Make a list of the various kinds of shots you want your photographer to take. (colorful bridal gowns)Is it important that you have formal shots in front of the ocean? What about getting some playful photos, such as you and your spouse making sandcastles or running through the water? You may want to save certain shots for after the formal ones and after the ceremony, in case water covers the bottom of your dress, or you end up covered in sand.

Sunset photographs can be stunning photos, but trying to time it right can be impossible.(plus size wedding dresses)If your wedding is too late in the evening, your formal shots and ceremony may be too dark. Ask your photographer for recommendations of the best time to get married so photos turn out exceptional. You can always head back to the beach to shoot some evening photos.

Destination Wedding Photographers

If you have to find a beach wedding photographer for a destination wedding, do not stress. Although a little harder to do, you can still find one you are pleased with. To begin your search, ask your reception or wedding planner for recommendations. (Simple Beach Wedding Dresses)Be aware that she/he may have an agreement with photographers to recommend them, but it is still a good place to start.

SHOP NOW

View photographs of the photographer’s work online. (Beach Wedding Dresses)You can often find the photographer’s website by using a search engine.() Speak with him or her on the phone, and have them mail you package information, along with a sample copy of the contract. If you find someone you like that your wedding planner didn’t recommend, have him/her speak with the photographer in person and get references.

Before signing a contract with a beach wedding photographer, read it over carefully. (short beach wedding dresses)You want to be sure you get everything you want. Having the option to purchase online or own the negatives might be important if it would be hard to visit the photographer to get copies of photographs.

Questions to Ask Beach Wedding Photographers

As you plan your beach wedding, you will spend considerable time finding a photographer you like and can afford. (simple wedding dresses)You want to capture and preserve your day forever, and the professional photographer will help you achieve lasting memories.

SHOP NOW

As you interview the photographers, you will find there are some specific questions you need to ask them in regards to a beach wedding. They include

What preparations do you have in case of wind or rain? You don’t want the photos to be blurry or marred.
Is the photographing the reception included in the price if held at a different location? Even if the wedding is on the beach, many couples opt to have the wedding reception held at a local ballroom or hotel. (tea length wedding dresses)
Are there any travel expenses I will be required to pay? If you have a beach wedding that is further than 30 or 60 miles from the studio, you might have to pay a mileage or transportation fee.
Will my photos be available in an online website album for people to view? (modest wedding dresses)This is a great option for destination brides who has a small guest list but wants to share her photographs with the friends and family who couldn’t make it.
You will also want to be sure and check out examples of the photographer’s work. If you are going with a studio, find out exactly who will be shooting your wedding and who the back-up photographer would be. Even within the same studio, experience and skill level can vary. Choosing someone with previous beach wedding photography experience will pay off in the quality of photos

Parasol Favors and Accessories

Parasols are not just for sun shade or photos. You can incorporate them into many other aspects of your wedding.(column wedding dress) For beach themed weddings that are inland, hang them from the ceiling and behind the head table at the reception for a pretty effect. Cocktail parasols can be added to drinks, of course, but also can be incorporated into a fabulous floral reception centerpiece.

SHOP NOW

Couples who will have a lot of children at their wedding reception might want to set up a parasol painting station (Paint-your-own rice paper parasols are available at SandScripts.com). Have a large table with plenty of old shirts and aprons in a corner of the reception. (mermaid wedding dresses)Ask a responsible adult (or two, so they can switch off to enjoy the reception) to supervise the painting station. (strapless wedding dresses)Be sure to pick up thank you gifts for the people who helped out.

You can also choose to add beach wedding parasol graphics to your beach wedding invitations, stationary and thank you notes. A small parasol can even top a beach wedding cake

Beach Wedding Parasols for Guests and Maids

Parasols are good for photos.A bride is not the only one who needs shade from the sun at a beach wedding. Cute parasols make great gifts for bridesmaids, can be used in photos, and are a unique bridesmaid bouquet idea. (short wedding dresses)Colored parasols are great choices for bridesmaids and can match the bridal party dresses.

Guests will appreciate parasols, as they often arrive early for the ceremony and must sit in the warm sun. (princess wedding dress)Place parasols at the end of the main aisle in buckets for guests to take as needed, or alongside each seating row.

SHOP NOW

Keep your budget in mind when purchasing parasols for guests to use. Even bridal party parasols can be found cheaper than a bride’s beach wedding parasol, helping you stay in budget. Consider any of the following parasols:

Nylon Wedding Parasols: At under 10 dollars each, these parasols come in mint, pink and white, perfect for a summer wedding and nice enough for bridesmaids to carry. (ball gown wedding dresses)
Hand Painted Parasol Favors: Despite a slight Asian theme, these brightly colored parasols would look lovely in the hands of any guest at a beach wedding.
Paper Parasols: Simple white parasols that will not detract from other beach wedding decorations.
Rice Paper Parasols: With over 20 colors to choose from, you will surely find the right color parasol for your wedding.
Hand Painted Parasols: White parasols with pink flowers look lovely against any beach scene

Parasols for the Bride

A parasol can make a great bridal accessory. Whether it is an alternative to a wedding bouquet or used for photographic effects, it is an interesting element to use at a beach wedding.

Brides who want to use a parasol as a beach wedding accessory should choose one that reflects the tone of the wedding. (romantic wedding dresses)Although a theme unto itself, a beach wedding might also be Asian-inspired or island themed. Weddings held on the beach can be informal gatherings or elegant galas. Pick out a parasol that reflects the overall tone of your wedding.(colorful bridal gowns) You may also want to consider your beach wedding dress design and wedding colors when picking out a parasol. Choices include:

SHOP NOW

White Lace Bridal Parasol: A frilly parasol that will show off any bride’s feminine side.
34” Battenburg Lacy Cotton Wedding Parasol: Available in ivory or white, this parasol evokes a vintage feel to any beach wedding.
Sequin Flower Bridal Parasol: Sequin flowers and lace trim make this a pretty choice for beach brides.
Embroidery & Battenburg Parasol with Pastel Flowers: Add a splash of color by picking a parasol with colored flower embroidery.
Pearl Drop Parasol: Imitation pearls line the edge of this bride’s parasol. (simple wedding dresses)
A large number of parasols, from Chinese to henna to color to bejeweled, are available through Luna Bazaar. Some have discounts when bought in bulk, making them perfect for giving to guests and bridesmaids

Popular Beach Wedding Locations in California

With many of the state’s largest cities sprawled along the coast, there are a number of highly popular beaches that frequently host weddings.(beach wedding dresses) Some of California’s most popular beaches for weddings include:

SHOP NOW

Say I do on the sand.Santa Barbara Beach
Crystal Cove State Beach near Newport Beach
Bolsa Chica State Beach near Huntington Beach
Paradise Cove in Malibu
Marina Del Rey
Pismo Beach (vintage wedding dresses)
Santa Monica
Sunset Beach in northern Orange County
San Francisco Bay beaches
Monterey (modest wedding dresses)
Laguna Beach
The exact destinations vary widely based on the type of beach wedding a couple envisions; beaches just a few miles apart may have vastly different physical characteristics. Before choosing a beach simply because it is near a popular destination, couples should try to visit the site or arrange to see photographs of the location, preferably of recent weddings there. This can help couples decide if that luxury Malibu Beach wedding is right for them, or if they’d rather have a more isolated, casual celebration in Pismo Beach.

Choosing the Best Beach

With such a wide range of beach styles to choose from, couples may feel overwhelmed when deciding on a specific beach. (Strapless Bridal Dress)To narrow down the selection, there are several questions to ask to find the best beach for each unique celebration.

SHOP NOW

What beaches are near a convenient city for traveling guests?
Is the beach crowded or isolated? (Modern Bridal Dress)
What fees are required to perform a beach wedding or to use beach facilities?
Are facilities – parking, restrooms, etc. – adequate for the wedding?
What condition is the beach in regarding cleanliness, wildlife, etc.? (V-neck Bridal Dress)
Are there local accommodations, attractions, and other amenities available for guests?
What views are available from the beach that may be reflected in photographs?
Is the beach easy to access, both in terms of driving as well as walking along it?
By considering each of these questions carefully, couples can narrow down their choices of beaches to find the perfect spot for their wedding.

Types of California Beaches

With such a lengthy coast, there are many types of beaches couples can choose from to celebrate their wedding on the sand in California. (Cheap Bridal Dress)Depending on where in the state they plan to wed, options may include:

SHOP NOW

State parks with picnic facilities
Small local beaches (Plus Size Bridal Dress)
Beachfront resort hotels with private beaches, gardens, or golf courses overlooking the beach
Nostalgic piers
Dramatic coastal cliffs
Rented beach houses
Sandy beaches
Rocky shores with dramatic formations
Isolated, private coves(Modern Bridal Dress)
Chartered cruises or yachts
Grassy parks just steps from the water
City parks with bridges, mansions, and skylines in the background
Stunning west coast sunsets
Luxury beach clubs

Why California?——-Your Beach Wedding Locations

California has 840 miles of coastline (second only to Alaska), giving it hundreds of unique beaches for couples to choose from when planning their wedding. (Summer Bridal Dress)While the most popular image of a beach wedding that many couples have may be white sand, turquoise water, and towering palm trees, they assume those locations are only available in Hawaii, the Caribbean, or other tropical locations, never realizing that there are many beach wedding locations in California that offer the same idyllic backdrop. (Ivory Bridal Dress)At the same time, the wide variety of shore types along California’s Pacific Coast gives couples many options for more unique locations.

SHOP NOW

In addition to a wide range of locations, California is a more affordable, more convenient location for many couples whose wedding budgets may not stretch to distant islands or foreign countries, and it is a more affordable destination for guests as well. (Wholesale Bridal Dress)There is less paperwork required for a California wedding (no passports or extensive travel papers for U.S. citizens), and the state’s liberal nature makes it a perfect choice for couples who have unique plans for their celebration.