Outdoor marriages in Hawaii are lovely - except when the weather is not. Here are some things to consider when planning your outdoor wedding ceremony (on or near the beach).
1)Get a backup plan in the event of rain. Passing showers are frequent in the islands and thought to be a blessing. But longer rainstorms make for a less comfortable ceremony and/or reception - so, if at all possible, have an alternative. Options are renting a enclosure or booking an indoor site. Another option is having your ceremony at an oceanfront location with indoor capabilities such as a resort or estate.
2) If you're holding your ceremony literally on the beach, try not to put chairs directly on the sand if you can help it. The sand is shaky and uneven, and many of your guests may not be dressed appropriately for walking and/or sitting on the sand. Look for a grassy knoll to put seating for guests. If you do want your ceremony on the sand, discuss renting some type of platform for the chairs to be placed on.
3)Think about the glare of the sun for you and your guests. Try to position everyone so that there is minimal time where the sun is shining directly into their eyes. The beauty of the ocean waves gets lost when people can?t even open their eyes.
4)If it's a daytime ceremony, consider having bottled water available for guests as they arrive. Hawaii's sun can be quite warm; and people can dehydrate swiftly in the afternoon sun.
5) Think about hand-held fans to hand to guests as wedding favors or as thoughtful gifts to help keep the sun out of their eyes and a cool breeze handy.
6) Check with the local weather service about tide and sunset times. And remember these things when discussing your ceremony time.
7) Don?t neglect to find out all the rules and regulations for the beach or park you are planning to use. Some guidelines to prepare for are restrictions on number of guests; use or availability of electrical outlets; use of amplified sound; how long you can be there. Most public beaches and parks will only allow smaller ceremonies.
1)Get a backup plan in the event of rain. Passing showers are frequent in the islands and thought to be a blessing. But longer rainstorms make for a less comfortable ceremony and/or reception - so, if at all possible, have an alternative. Options are renting a enclosure or booking an indoor site. Another option is having your ceremony at an oceanfront location with indoor capabilities such as a resort or estate.
2) If you're holding your ceremony literally on the beach, try not to put chairs directly on the sand if you can help it. The sand is shaky and uneven, and many of your guests may not be dressed appropriately for walking and/or sitting on the sand. Look for a grassy knoll to put seating for guests. If you do want your ceremony on the sand, discuss renting some type of platform for the chairs to be placed on.
3)Think about the glare of the sun for you and your guests. Try to position everyone so that there is minimal time where the sun is shining directly into their eyes. The beauty of the ocean waves gets lost when people can?t even open their eyes.
4)If it's a daytime ceremony, consider having bottled water available for guests as they arrive. Hawaii's sun can be quite warm; and people can dehydrate swiftly in the afternoon sun.
5) Think about hand-held fans to hand to guests as wedding favors or as thoughtful gifts to help keep the sun out of their eyes and a cool breeze handy.
6) Check with the local weather service about tide and sunset times. And remember these things when discussing your ceremony time.
7) Don?t neglect to find out all the rules and regulations for the beach or park you are planning to use. Some guidelines to prepare for are restrictions on number of guests; use or availability of electrical outlets; use of amplified sound; how long you can be there. Most public beaches and parks will only allow smaller ceremonies.