There are so many reasons to choose a beach setting for your wedding venue. The fresh air, a romantic oceanfront setting, a gentle breeze in your hair as the waves crash onto the sand. A far cry from the traditional church wedding or formal, elaborate indoor setting – a beach wedding is unique and absolutely something to consider if you’re in Australia where the choice of beaches is endless.
One of the attractions people have to an intimate beach wedding has much to do with the creative license you have. You have freedom over the dress code, the traditional or non-traditional elements you’d like to include and so much inspiration to draw on from coastal colour schemes and themes.
As with any big day, there’s a few things you’ll want to consider when choosing a beach wedding venue. Here are some beach wedding tips to help you plan ahead and make sure you have the wedding day you’ve been dreaming of.
- How will you create your dream day?
It’s important that you can share your beach wedding ideas with your chosen venue and collaborate with them to create your dream day. We’ve held a few weddings in our time at Long Reef and believe The Ones We Love are some of the best in the business! We have beach wedding tips from renowned wedding contractors; celebrants and florists through to photographers, stationers, and even entertainment providers. We provide a complete service to make sure we can help you with every aspect of your special day – all you have to do is say “I do”! - Does the venue have any restrictions?
As you would with any venue, you’ll want to find out about any limitations or restrictions at your chosen beach wedding venue. Some venues will have rules around playing loud music, alcohol consumption or the number of guests permitted. At Long Reef, we are here to put your mind at ease with any concerns you might have. We can hold a wedding reception for up to 140 guests including a dance floor and our team of experts are on hand to discuss all the finer details and share their beach wedding tips with you ahead of your big day. - What will you do if it rains?
An outdoor wedding can present you with certain challenges that an indoor wedding wouldn’t. The weather is one of those things. Unfavourable weather is a big consideration when planning a beach wedding and selecting a venue. It’s important to ensure you have access to a wet weather alternative where guests can shelter if the weather takes a turn for the worst. At Long Reef all of our wedding packages include complimentary access to our Reef Room as a wet weather ceremony alternative which still provides you with a beautiful backdrop and styling options to help put your mind at ease. - What time of day will you have your ceremony?
One of the top tips for a beach wedding is to make sure your guests are comfortable. Especially in our hot Australian climate, you can ensure you keep everyone cool by scheduling your ceremony at a time when the sun is not at its hottest – morning or late afternoon is usually best. By avoiding the midday heat, you and your guests will be more comfortable, and you’ll be able to move smoothly into a lunch reception. The other option would be a afternoon ceremony. The benefits include softer lighting which makes for more intimate and romantic photos, cooler temperatures and an amazing sunset view. With this type of ceremony, you can also head straight to dinner afterwards with friends and family. - What type of catering would you like?
At Long Reef we have a talented team of in-house chefs who offer a comprehensive range of package menus and can cater for a wide range of dietary requirements. Beach weddings lend themself to a more relaxed and fun environment, why not add a an outdoor drink station for your guests to enjoy whilst you are off having your photos taken or adding a gelato cart for a fun dessert option. - What’s your dress code?
Your wedding day is the most important day of your life and you’re going to want to dress like it. A beach wedding will usually mean warmer temperatures for your big day so you’ll want to wear something that doesn’t cause you to overheat – the same goes for your guests. Look to lighter fabrics, and opt for an up-do to keep your hair in place just in case of a coastal breeze. - What kind of support will you have on the day?
This is your special day. You want to be able to focus on your guests and enjoy every moment of your blissful beachside wedding. Book your wedding at Long Reef and from the moment you arrive, our specialist team of wedding coordinators will be hard at work to ensure everything runs smoothly for you, from the moment you walk down the aisle through to the last dance at the end of the night and beyond. - The cost involved
Beach weddings can be much cheaper or much more expensive than church or hotel based weddings. It of course all depends on the size of your wedding party and all those additional upgrades, like styling, food and beverage. At Long Reef we have wedding packages available to suit all budgets and tastes. We also offer a bespoke service to allow you to create the day of your dreams, your own way.Need a little inspiration? We’ve got some of the best beach wedding ideas for you. Take a look at some of the magical wedding days that we’ve hosted at Long Reef in our Wedding Gallery. Thanks to our breathtaking beachfront location and unsurpassed views all the way to the Central Coast in the North and Manly in the South – we think you’re going to love it here!If you’re interested in having a beach wedding, we would love to hear from you. Let’s start creating your special day. Get in contact with the Weddings and Events Team via hello@longreefgolfclub.com.au or call us on 9971 8113 (Ext 2).