We are spoilt for choice when it comes to beach wedding locations in South East Queensland. Here is the first part of our guide to planning the perfect coastal ceremony.
1. Creating a short list
The most important question when choosing a beach wedding location is how many guests will be attending and whether you would like them all to be seated for the ceremony as this will affect the size of space required. Once you know this, you will need to decide whether you prefer sand, decking, a rocky plateau or grassed area as the setting for the ceremony. As online photos provide an indication of what each location looks like, we recommend developing a short list from this information and visiting your preferred spaces in person to get the best feel for each venue.
2. Conducting a site visit
The best time to visit short listed locations is on the same day of the week that you will be holding your wedding, at roughly the same time you would expect your ceremony to begin. This will provide a good indication of how private, quiet and shaded the space will be.
Check parking availability so if there is limited space you know you will need to consider transport arrangements or carpooling for guests. Knowing where the nearest bathrooms are located is also important for guest comfort on the day.
Make sure to take your camera and capture a 360 degree view of each area as it will be a lot easier for you to remember what space you are working with and communicate your needs to suppliers once a choice is made.
3. Booking a location
Whichever space you choose needs to be booked with the local council to guarantee availability. Terms and conditions vary between locations, so visit the relevant website for helpful tips, costing and regulations. Restrictions can include maximum event size, time constraints and site accessibility.
4. Planning your timing
Even though you can’t predict what the weather will be on your wedding day, it’s important to gather as much information as you can so you are prepared for anything! Check if the area is affected by tides, the average temperature for the time of year and sunset times so you can determine the best time of day for your ceremony. Be sure to include at least an hour for photos at the location in your calculation.
As the public will have access to your location, check if any events are being held on your chosen date. Your photographer is skilled in making it look like you are alone on the beach, but not if there is a surf carnival!
Now that you’ve chosen your beach ceremony venue, check out Part 2 where we cover everything you need to know about preparing for the day!