Fun informal beach weddings with Minimal Boho style are this year's trends for Greece. We love the dreamy, free, magical sense of them not to mention they create lovely pictures and amazing mood boards on Pinterest . They are a dream come true to many creative fun couples like you.
There is a big difference though between dreaming about your destination beach wedding and planning it.
I'm sure you can picture how you would like it to work out, but can you imagine what it took to make it happen.
By having a beach wedding in Greece you must take into consideration weather, accessibility, amenities, etc. We have put together some helpful tips for planning your beach wedding in Greece.
Think light
This goes for everyone attending the wedding and especially the bride. Many bridal gowns that we all dream of are not made with breathable fabrics. In most climates that would be ok or even in a church wedding. When it comes to beach weddings, being out in the sun in the wrong type of dress could make you over heat. Choosing light weight fabrics such as chiffon and charmeuse will help keep you cool and seem very elegant in the ocean breeze. Inform your guests before the wedding so they can prepare for the weather as well.
Consider an up-do.
It may or may not be windy on the day of you beach wedding. Which in most cases it's just a light breeze, but you must be prepared for some gusty winds when considering a beach wedding. An up-do is much more manageable than loose curls, so speak to your hair dresser and make sure your hairstyle can withstand windy weather. Also think about the veil, being so light and long it can be all over the place. I have seen veil weights used to keep a bride's veil down in very windy occasions. Another thing many brides have done is wear a crown of flowers and a smaller version of a veil.
Beach rules.
In Greece all beaches are public and with the right permits and arrangements almost any beach destination is possible. There are a few exceptions to consider. If the beach is a protected nature reserve or a holy monastery there may be more restrictions. Greece is full of beautiful beaches, some with sand and some with small little pebbles. Also keep in mind from June till the end of september is beach season, so while its ok for you to have a wedding on the beach it is also allowed for swimmers to stay as long as they wish. A wedding planner can help by managing swimmers. Expect that your beach wedding will take place around 6:00-7pm. This is
the best time for the heat, the beautiful sunsets, and most swimmers start to pack up and go for dinner.
Avoid tan lines.
It is very nice to be sun kissed for your romantic beach wedding but keep a few things in mind. Wear a bathing suit that will not give large obvious tan lines. Also wear sun screen and other sun protection throughout your vacation to avoid getting burned. It is also very important that you drink a lot of water, your skin photographs best when you are well hydrated.
Timing.
When arranging the date and time of your wedding day, it is really important to know where the sun will rise and set, at what time that will happen, and whether or not there will be too many swimmers at the beach. In most cases the best time to have your beach wedding in Greece is around 6-7 depending on the time of year. Hiring a wedding planner can help with many of these little details.
Hire a wedding planner.
Planning a wedding is hard enough as it is. Your dream beach wedding is possible, but will be much less stressful if planned by a professional. Destination wedding planners help in so many ways. Having a wedding on the beach needs a little extra in the planning department. In most cases there is no seating available, and depending on the location there are no bathrooms either. But a wedding planner who is familiar with Greece and has the connections can arrange for all of these things to run smoothly.
Set up a shoe station.
Set up a designated spot for you guests to dust off their feet. I have seen benches with water buckets and towels available, and paintbrushes to brush off sand. You could also supply your guest with bug spray and sunscreen.
Let your guys go informal.
You may have always dreamed of your husband wearing a tux for your wedding. As we talked about before for the bride's dress, same goes for the groom. A black tux in the sun, no way. The best attire for men in a Greek beach wedding is linen pants or long shorts, cotton shirts, sandals or loafer type shoes, and light colors. If you are both set on him wearing something a bit more dressy, he could wear everything except the jacket.
Prepare for wind.
Something to always consider for every element of your wedding is the wind. A good rule is anything that can fly will. So, weigh down papers with shells or rocks, pick flowers that can stand the possible wind, and make sure your decorations are weighed down. Wind also has an effect on the way sound travels on the beach. If your wedding is fairly large you may need to rent a microphone and sound system so all of your guest can hear your vows to eachother.
Please be kind and respectful.
While visiting Greece soak up the sun, partake in Greek customs, swim as much as you want, but please be respectful of our beaches and culture. You may not think that your wedding will have an impact on the eco system here, but it can if proper measures are not taken. Please provide a few bins and encourage your guests not to leave anything behind. One of the best things in Greece are its beaches, let's keep it that way.
