Our Favorite Beach Wedding Décor + Details

Whether you want your toes in the sand as you say "I do" or a view of the ocean, you'll love these real weddings.

Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of the summer, and we're celebrating the holiday weekend with some of our favorite décor and details from beach wedding portraits, ceremonies, and receptions.

By Kelcy Christy

Photo: John Schnack Photography

It's almost summer! The weather is warming up, the beaches are starting to open, and it's Memorial Day Weekend – which means we're looking back at some of our favorite beach weddings! Strolling through the sand to your future spouse certainly has a dreamy, romantic feel, which is why so many couples choose to exchange vows either on the beach or take their wedding portraits near the ocean to incorporate the blissful feel of the sand and sea into their nuptials.

Nuptials by the ocean seem to especially appeal to those hosting an intimate celebration or destination wedding, but with careful planning, large events can be held on the sand as well. Whether you have two guests or 200, there are a lot of details that need to be accounted for when planning a beach wedding. With both private beaches and public beaches available, you may either have a hefty location fee or require a permit, so be sure to consult with your wedding planner for details on your desired location.

For your ceremony, we recommend instructing guests that the ceremony will take place on the sand (if it will be) so they can prepare the right footwear, as you should too! If you'd rather not deal with sand getting your bridal gown dirty, a wooden aisle is an excellent alternative. As for the reception, we've seen gorgeous open-air beach celebrations, as well as beach weddings beneath striking tents – both either on the sand itself or on flooring that's been installed on top of the beach. Like any wedding venue, you can make the location a canvas for whatever type of event you envision – that's where your wedding professionals come in!

Discover inspiration for your beach wedding in the photos from real weddings, below! To see more from these celebrations, be sure to click each image!

Photo by Chard Photo; Bridal Salon: The White Dress; Floral Design by Flowers by Cina