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10 steps to the perfect beach wedding

From wedding themes to weather, here’s how to plan the perfect beach wedding.
Got your sights set on a beach wedding abroad? We’ve got you. We offer beach weddings in lots of destinations – from closer-to-home spots like Greece and Turkey to faraway places like Mexico and Jamaica. To help you put your plans into progress, we’ve rounded up 10 steps to the perfect beach wedding, covering everything from what to wear to wedding favours. Let’s get into it…

Once you’ve had a read, get all the info on TUI Weddings.

1. Decide on a destination

Deciding on your wedding destination is probably going to be the biggest decision you’ll make when you’re planning your wedding. The good news is, we’ve got plenty of options, so finding somewhere that matches your vision is easy work. When weighing up your choices, it’s worth thinking about your guests, too – is everyone up for travelling on a long flight? If not, Greece or Cyprus are a great go-to. Fancy saying I do on a faraway shore instead? You can choose from the likes of Mexico, Mauritius and the Dominican Republic.
View of White Sand Coastline of the Dominican Republic.

2. Choose what to wear wisely

We’ll be honest, beach weddings, huge dresses and thick suits aren’t a good mix. When you get married abroad, it’s likely the weather is going to be hot, so you want to bear that in mind when you’re planning your wedding day fit. If you’re wearing a wedding dress, choose one that’s light and floaty – natural silks will keep you a lot cooler than most other fabrics. For suits, look out for linen sets, and don’t forget to ditch the trousers for smart shorts.
Bride in wedding dress holding flowers.

3. Don’t forget the footwear

Tried walking in heels on sand? If not, don’t try it for the first time on your wedding day. You can go barefoot if you’d like, or step down the aisle in sandals. If you’re set on wearing heels, you can always slip them on once you’re back on solid ground.
Footprints on a beach with golden sand.

4. Keep an eye on the weather

We know you’re going abroad for the good weather, but it’s important to keep an eye on the forecast in the days running up to your big day. All our outdoor wedding venues have wet weather plans, so you’re in safe hands if it does rain.
Undercover wedding ceremony space.

5. Sort your wedding favours

Placing favours like handheld fans and sunglasses on your wedding guests’ seats is a nice touch if you’re planning to get married in the sunshine. To save you space in your case, speak to your wedding planner about organising these locally.
Wedding favours set up.

6. Plan your wedding meal

We’ve got lots of options for your wedding meal, from barbecues on the beach to buffet spreads in hotel gardens. Prefer to head out after you’ve said “I do”? No problem. We can arrange a meal at a local restaurant for you and your guests, too.
Wedding table set up for guests.

7. Think about theming

All white everything or lots of colour? Our wedding coordinators will get in touch before your big day to arrange the finer details, including your wedding day theme. They’ve got local contacts, so they can help however big or small your plans are.
TUI Rep decorating for a wedding.

8. Think about your wedding gifts

We know you’re only just thinking about your wedding, but don’t forget the honeymoon! Pop a message in your invitations asking guests who plan to get you a wedding gift to buy a TUI Gift Card. Not only will it help you to save when you’re booking your honeymoon, but you won’t have to worry about taking anything extra home in your suitcase, too.
TUI gift card in the sand.

9. Capture the moment

Our team can help make sure you’ve got a professional on hand to capture all the special moments on your wedding day. As well as photographers and videographers, they can also organise a live video link for any family and friends back home to watch your ceremony live.
Videographer filming a wedding.

10. Make plans for before and after your big day

A spa treatment for two or a romantic meal on a beach? It’s a good idea to take some time for the two of you before and after your wedding day. Or, get the whole party involved and take off on a TUI experience for a day – we’ve got everything covered from foodie walking tours in Corfu to sunset sailings in Mexico.
Two People getting a spa treatment.
Ready to say “I do” to a beach wedding?

Find out how to get in touch with our Weddings Team.

Plus, read about the best places to get married abroad, best same-sex wedding destinations and best honeymoon destinations.

Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.

Author: Karl Taylor

Last updated: 02.10.2024