Low budget beach wedding with no setups (point Dume)

No, sorry, you need chairs and one for each butt. Grandma and old aunt Sue are not going to be comfortable on the ground, and uncle Frank will spend the whole day standing because he won't be able to get up if he sits down. Obviously just using random names but you should get the jist.

While in a perfect world, it's a lovely idea to think that people could just use beach blankets, you need real chairs and tables. And as far as dancing goes, I'd suggest a floor as well, I'm imagining the one kid who thinks it's funny to pick up and toss sand as they twirl around in their dress.

It may be easier to look into venues by the beach that have this setup already. I know it's not what you're looking to hear, but I'm sure you want your guests to be happy and enjoy their evening.

Are you only having guests under age 25?

Everyone else will want to sit on something better.

No. If it’s windy it’ll be a disaster. I wouldn’t enjoy eating while sitting on a blanket in the sand especially in a dress

First, every butt needs a seat and a table to eat at.

Second, I would have a dance floor or forego dancing. It's very easy to twist an ankle in the sand.

Finally, what is the plan if there is any kind of weather (ie, windy, too hot, rainy, too cold, etc.)?

I had a beach wedding and in my experience, they are anything but "low budget" unless they are an elopement.

There's so much that seems like it could go wrong with this.... A picnic-style wedding on a public beach in So Cal in July??? You get that the beach (& parking) will be PACKED right? Are you good with random strangers putting their blankets down next to your wedding site? Not only might it be windy, but it will very likely be super sunny -- and hot in July!

If you go to the Point Dume State Park page, numbers are listed for information regarding special events & weddings, photography permits, etc.. If you haven't called them yet, I'd start there. It also cautions that parking is limited (especially handicapped parking) and that guests need to be able to negotiate a slight grade. This might be an awesome idea for a casual birthday party, but I would not be happy to attend a picnic wedding on a public beach. There are beautiful venues where you can hold a wedding on or adjacent to the beach. But, please don't expect your guests to haul themselves and their stuff to a beach blanket and sit in the sand.

I don't think there's such a thing as low budget beach wedding specially in SoCal.

Yeah this is gonna be problematic. I live in So Cal and beaches in July are a nightmare both ridiculously hot and crowded. I can’t imagine trying to host a wedding. Blankets won’t work, how are people supposed to eat? Have you ever tried eating a SANDwich on the beach? Yeah it all becomes nasty and sandy and gross. That goes for most food.

do the ceremony in the beach and have the reception somewhere else, inside.

Noted. It sounded better in my head I guess. Thanks everyone!

Unless it’s just the two of you, definitely reconsider! I don’t even like sitting on a blanket at the beach when I go for a day at the beach. I need a chair! Maybe do some beach photos and find a venue nearby? I’m getting married on a beach—but the venue provides chairs. And they have a backup venue in case of bad weather. The reception place can be indoor or outdoor. (Unfortunately it’s on the east coast! Or I’d recommend it!)

View Quoted Comment Definitely reconsidering how I’m gonna go about planning the beach wedding. Nobody has time for SANDwiches and dealing with random bad weather lol. I’ll save the blankets for date night

Good for you! Initially, we all have those "crazy ideas" that we think sound amazing until someone points out the little things we might have overlooked!