Beach Wedding Reception Ideas

Not everyone is able to have their wedding on the beach, even though they might like to. If a couple is in, say, Iowa, a beach wedding might just be too much for the budget. That does not mean that the beach can not be the theme of the wedding reception, though. Here are a few tips on how to have beach wedding far from the shore.

If you want a beach theme for your reception, check to make sure that the location you have booked can accommodate it. There should not be a problem as long as you aren't planning to bring in truckloads of sand. They may even be able to help in locating some items to help with the beach theme, like colorful nets and artificial palm trees. If you have a beverage bar, it can be set up to look like the beverage bars on some beaches.

Anything you would find on a beach can be used for decoration. Ice buckets can be plastic sand pails, for instance. Large conch shells can be incorporated into centerpieces for the tables. Beach balls and inflatable sea horses can be placed around the room and suspended from the ceiling. Whatever you can imagine finding at a beach can be used.

There are great wedding favors possible with a beach theme, too. One great idea is a blue gel candle with seashells in the bottom and fish or seahorses suspended in the middle. I bit of netting tied in a bow at the top of the candle would set it off perfectly.

Another wedding favor that would be wonderful for a beach reception is a scallop shell with a picture of the couple and their names and wedding date on it. The shells can be attached to a stand that allows them to stand up nicely. By extending the front of the stand and having a slot made in it, it can also serve as a wonderful place card holder. Your guests will be enchanted by favors like these.

If your reception is to be held in the evening, everything can be geared toward a night on the beach with candles in holders to resemble tiki torches. It can be very romantic to have a full moon on a wall as though it were just coming up. The opposite wall could have a mural of the beach with moonlight glistening on the water.

The music at the wedding reception can all be beach themed music, too. For dancing, the Beach Boys would be great. When there is no dancing, there could be sound effects of the waves gently coming ashore and seagulls calling. This would all play quietly in the background, adding to the nautical effect.

Finally, though you may be too far from the beach to actually be there, you can still have your beach themed wedding reception indoors any time of year. Just use a bit of imagination and have fun with it. It will make for a fun memory in years to come.

How To Plan A Wedding Budget

Planning your wedding is quite a daunting task and romance can be subjected to the harsh reality of the budgeting that has to be done. This is the first and foremost step that will decide everything that is to come later. So if you are having some trouble completing this dreaded task, here are a few tips that can help.

This first step is where many falter because money is going to be a cause for all tensions and frustration if you have to ask your parents for it. If they are willing to contribute, sometimes strings can be attached. They may become unhappy about certain choices and, in the bargain, try to restrict your choices because they want to direct their money towards something which is not what you have in mind.

The planning of your wedding budget and putting everything down in black and white will help you to see the bigger picture and know how to exactly allocate the funds correctly. So if you need to start, what should be your first step?

Of course you are very excited and wish to have everything planned to perfection. So at this point, we are just trying to get a handle on how much the wedding ceremony will cost and where the reception will be. Sit down with your fiancé and try to agree on the basic details. If you specifically dreamed of having a three tiered cake for your wedding, then say so. When ideas are bounced back and forth between the two of you, there will emerge a stable ground for both of you to stand on instead of regretting anything later or having misinformation.

Now after you have at least a basic plan, meet each others parents. You can choose to have this meeting with both sets of parents together or separately. Leave out any extra people like the maid of honor or the best man if they are not going to help with the finances. The reason you must meet your parents and let them know what is on your mind is to make clear certain facts about the guests you will invite and the planning to be done. If you are paying for the wedding yourselves, it may not be possible to have 500 guests at the wedding ceremony.

Now begins the stage that you may want to opt out of, but is very, very important. Parents will each have their own dreams and hopes for their child's wedding, so there may be differences of opinions. Calmly sit down and sort everything out. Also, make sure not to offend anyone. This is a very delicate situation.

Next, start with the actual number crunching. Figure out the total amount that you are going to have to work with. Now from this figure, subtract an amount that you will need to set aside for last minute expenses.

Sit down with your fiancé and come up with what you would like to spend on the day's important features. Here are some guidelines.

· Wedding and Engagement Rings (15%)


· Wedding Dress and Veil (5%)


· Wedding Reception (Site, Ceremony and Catering) (35-37%)


· Photographer/Videographer (10%)


· DJ/Band/Entertainment (4%)


· Invitations/Stationery (4%)


· Flowers (8-10%)


· Cake (3-5%)


· Wedding Party Gifts (2%)


· Rehearsal Dinner (2%)


· Decorations (3%)


· Transport (2%)


· Tuxedos (1%)


· Pre-Wedding Parties (3%)

Yes, there is more and you have to find a way to introduce these into your budget. Things like beauty salon appointment, marriage documents, and jewelry must be accounted for. Also, don't forget expenses like alterations, dry cleaning, wedding favors, and the honeymoon.

The list can seem endless! You will have to keep adding to this as you go along. However, these figures are an average, if there is something that is important to the both of you, feel free to go ahead and allocate more for that. Start modeling your budget.

Congratulations! You should be proud, you have just done what most bride and grooms loathe, but what is most important. Planning the remainder will be fun!