A beach backdrop can be a stunning location for a wedding reception.
Have you considered having your wedding or reception on or near the beach? The great thing about getting married on the beach is you can also have your reception in the same place.
COASTAL-CHIC WATERFRONT VENUES
Maritime Museum San Diego
Oceanfront, San Diego
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina
Newport Beach, Orange County
If you’ve opted to just hold the reception on the beach, there are several locations in Southern California to choose from. One of the main considerations is; do you live near the beach? Transporting hundreds of people more than a few miles to a beach is probably not feasible unless the wedding is also at the beach and friends and family can travel to one location instead of two locations.
Ole Hanson Beach Club
San Clemente, Orange County
If you plan to have your wedding reception at the beach, there are several things to consider beforehand. It will be more relaxed than a traditional reception hall, but it should still be planned as precisely as any other reception. Consulting with a professional planner may be a good idea. Professional planners will think of things that you may not consider. Even small things can be important when planning a beach reception.
Important to consider
Some important aspects of having a beach reception is wind, lighting, and even the sunset. Will your decorations withstand the breeze coming off the ocean? Do you need to take extra precautions to ensure everything remains in tact? Have you considered lighting issues when the sun starts setting? Do you want an illumination effect?
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina
Newport Beach, Orange County
Another question is, Will the location you’ve chosen allow the guests a nice view of the sunset, especially the ones who remain seated at tables? And you don’t want to forget about seagulls. These birds can become pests and crash a reception.
The Balboa Pavilion – Harborside Ballroom and Restaurant Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach
Other considerations include transporting all the tables and chairs to and from the beach location. If you do not have a rental company or previously arranged staffing, you will either need to rent a truck or have several close friends who own trucks to help you out. Of course, if you go with a professional coordinator/wedding planner all the way, it will be their responsibility to do this and set everything up as well.
Ole Hanson Beach Club | San Clemente, Orange County
These things may seem mundane and you may not have even considered some of them. This is why you should consult with someone who’s dealt with this type of reception before. You and your guests will be much happier for it.
RELATED LINKS:
Beach and Waterfront locations in Southern California
Ocean and Coastal locations in Southern California
Some of the top beaches in Southern California for having a wedding/reception are:
- Oxnard and Santa Barbara Beaches
- Newport Beach
- Huntington Beach
- San Diego Beach View/Settings
- Marina Del Rey
- Laguna Beach
- Manhattan Beach
- Redondo Beach
- San Clemente
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and Marina | Orange County
Ole Hanson Beach Club – San Clemente
Orange County
Seacrest Oceanfront Hotel
Pismo Beach, Southern California
