Unique Beach Wedding Destinations
by: Andee Schmidt
Whether you’re planning a royal affair on the open ocean or an intimate beachside bonfire, wedding options by the sea are on trend for nature-loving brides. The advantages of a beach wedding are endless; it’s a package deal of picturesque sunset backdrops, built in adventures, and easy access to a budget-conscious honeymoon. If you’re dreaming of a beachy wedding destination, keep in mind the following popular locales as potentially perfect spots to say, “I do.”
South Walton, Florida
Head to the Northwestern rim of Florida for a dreamy beach wedding on sugar white sand; South Walton offers access to several popular beaches, including Alys Beach. The town is famous for its walkability that you and your guests will adore. Enjoy a convenient stroll from the beach to the reception while admiring the beautiful Bermudan-style architecture and courtyard. With plenty of venues to choose from that also offer honeymoon packages, this coastal paradise is sure to be a hit for any beach wedding. Explore the endless list of ways to keep your guests entertained, like their nature preserve-a 20-acre protected forest with a quant boardwalk-or watch the sea turtles hatch and make their journey to the sea, then top the night off with a beach bonfire and stargazing.
Corolla, North Carolina
Experience the quaint allure of North Carolina in Corolla, a beachside town that’s making wedding industry waves for its natural ocean beauty. Plan a small Corolla beach wedding at one of their many fine sand beaches, where treasured wild horses run free along the waterside, or throw a ball at Whalehead in Historic Corolla, a 1920s Art Nouveau manor that echoes country elegance. The small-town feel of Corolla offers guests the intimate experience of privacy, where time pauses just for your special day, and smiling friends and family become the most important thing in the world. This romantic destination is ideal for the active bride; kayaking, parasailing, and surfing are all available at the dock’s edge.
Bar Harbor, Maine
If white sand beaches don’t get your heart swooning, consider a rustic wedding in Bar Harbor Maine, a peaceful town on Mount Desert Island. Next to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor is a union of deep green woodlands and epic rocky beaches overlooking the waters of Frenchman Bay. Propose a nature-lovers wedding at the foot of a majestic lighthouse with a fresh lobster bake reception; sea birds singing, whales on their seaward journey, and sunset of red-gold set the scene for this romantic provincial festivity. Nature hikes, ocean trails, and windjammer cruises all make for an exciting way to entertain guests before the big day.
San Diego, California
With nearly perfect weather year-round, San Diego is the ideal spot for a luxurious wedding on the coast. Get hitched on a Victorian-era catamaran, with stained glass windows and an open-deck for the perfect sunset photo-op. As one of the more popular California wedding destinations, there is no end to the options for choosey couples seeking out their dream day, but it will come at a cost. A hotel or resort venue on the crystal-clear beaches easily accommodates a larger wedding party and often includes a swarm of event-planners ready to take the load off your shoulders for your big day. However, there are a number of wedding venues in San Diego that cater to the budget conscious bride, but you might want to plan ahead and search during off-peak season for the affordable beach ceremony of your dreams.
Chesapeake Beach, Maryland
Look no further than the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland for a romantic waterfront wedding on the eastern shore. With easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, this coastal town is a hit with beach loving couples looking for a ceremony with all the heart of home. Fresh seafood and picturesque boardwalks, hiking and outdoor adventure, and a variety of venues are all at your fingertips, ready to make your wedding day an unforgettable affair. Book a ceremony at one of the nearby beach resorts with staff on hand to handle the more stressful parts of wedding planning or settle into a luxurious spa with your best pals for the evening before your ceremony and awaken to a sunrise feeling refreshed and ready to take a stroll into your new life as two.
Seabrook, South Carolina
This once hidden gem of a town is now making its mark as a serene getaway for the more elopement minded lovers. Seabrook Island, a barrier island in South Carolina, is just miles from the historic city of Charleston. Choose a wedding with a sunset view of the spectacular marshlands or keep it new-age traditional with a private wedding on one of Seabrook’s pristine white sand beaches underneath the sway of a breezy palm tree. This destination is guaranteed to deliver gorgeous photos and unforgettable experiences. Guests can fly into to Charleston’s newly renovated airport, where there are ample hotel options and unique bars and restaurants for a reception or bachelorette’s night out.
About the author: Andee is a recent college graduate from Arizona State University with a love of writing, the outdoors, and funky cafes. You can usually find her hiking or planning her next trip. She is passionate about traveling, her family, and the perfect cup of coffee. Find her on Instagram as @andee_schmidt