Beach weddings are very popular today. Couples would rather say their wedding vows beside the rolling ocean rather than at a church alter more and more frequently now days. It isn’t hard to see why.

There isn’t a more romantic place on earth than the seashore at sunset with the big round orange sun just above the horizon making the ocean glow with the its last rays. A gentle ocean breeze slightly lifting the bride's veil and gently tousling the groom's hair as they stand barefooted in the sand repeating their sacred wedding vows is as about as romantic as it can get.

There are a great many advantages to having a beach wedding. The most obvious being that it will cost a lot less. Another plus is there aren’t any rules about beach weddings so whatever you choose to do is ‘proper’. The guests don't have to sit in chairs or pews and can actually participate in the ceremony if you want them to.

Where there are pros there are always cons. It’s a rule, I think. You have to take the good with the bad and that is very true with beach weddings.

Beach weddings are highly dependent upon the mood of our dear 'Mother Nature' and she has been known to throw tantrums at the most inopportune times, such as your wedding day. It’s a good idea to always have an alternative wedding site arranged just in case things don't go as planned. 

Candles and candle ceremonies are a bad idea for beach weddings. Those gentle ocean breezes aren’t conducive to keeping candles burning. Not even in coves that are better protected. Candles are very romantic but you will have to choose between having your wedding on the beach or having candle ceremonies included in your wedding.

Also, remember that there are bugs on the beach. Go prepared and don’t forget to provide chairs that won’t sink into the sand for your elderly guests.