Winter Beach Wedding

I love Beach weddings! So pretty and romantic! But you do have a point. In January its still winter right? I always thought if you are going to do a beach wedding, you are going to want to enjoy the moment and not want to hurry up and run inside. The whole point is to enjoy the scenery and the lovely breezes and smells etc. Having it be less then desirable makes for a less then desirable wedding. I would consider changing the date a little later? Or have you tried telling him your concerns? I would research some other amazing options and present them to him. Maybe you could sway him a little.

Maybe look for an indoor venue that overlooks the beach or some kind of sheltered pavilion on the beach. Some outdoor ceremony venues provide outdoor heaters. You could always road trip to Florida if you're up for a destination wedding!

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I like the idea of changing the venue to an indoor one overlooking the beach or a shelter with outdoor heaters, I would just have to find places like that and don't really know where to start. We don't have a lot of time to plan and have the wedding due to his military status. His schedule is a bit hectic at this point.

I was thinking that we could have it at our church in NC and somehow incorporate the beach in it like having sand on the stage and a video of the waves hitting the shore projected behind us on the screen they have. I'm not sure.

And as for having it in Florida I would love that because it isn't cold there in January so the beach wedding could work but a lot of my family would be unable to attend an out of town affair.

I'm not sure what to do or how to approach this, i'm planning alone until he's home and I feel like I may be in over my head. I want everyone to be there but it seems like it may just be us and parents and maybe 1 or 2 friends.

Maybe you could just do something simple now and then plan your beach reception for over the summer?? that way people will have more time to plan and you'll be able to explore more options just a thought

You can separate the ceremony and reception? I did not know that.

Outdoor winter weddings are only wonderful in the movies, where they have fake snow and whatnot.

Just dropping in to welcome you to our community @Kayla!!! I look forward to hearing more about your wedding plans as they develop

Doing some research for you and came across this venue/place.

https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/ocean-spray-beach-house-holden-beach/16aae99e2925effb.html

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p252733

It is on the beach, and provides shelter, depends on how many guests you are having.

I will continue looking for you

Here are a few places that are on the beach with also large rooms for reception and indoors..

https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/shell-island-resort-wrightsville-beach/website/6a10f7056d3762ba.html

https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/courtyard-by-marriott-carolina-beach-carolina-beach/website/aed77ea1a11cfade.html

Thank you so much! I appreciate any help I will check those places out!

There are also a few other resorts or Inns that are located on the beach and have ballrooms/banquet halls available for large wedding parties.

Best of luck in your wedding planning.

Congrats!

One of my friends eloped with a guy from the navy and told only a few people. TWO YEARS later they had a ceremony at a church and a reception. I personally think having a second ceremony is a little odd, but I could see having a reception/party later on so everyone can meet your new spouse.

As for Florida, one of the reasons we like it is because it keeps things simple and intimate with only a few friends and family present, not to mention affordable and less stressful. The only planning I needed to do was pick a beach ceremony company (they officiate, photograph, decorate, provide chairs, flowers, and music) and pick a restaurant for dinner afterwards. We are also renting a large beach house, so that the bridal party and a few family members have a place to stay.

Saw this and had to share, not sure how Christmas related you want the wedding to be but when I think of winter that the first thing that pops into my mind beside snow. Anyways Christmas trees on the beach??

Kayla, you could have a beach-themed reception indoors. A cake decorated with edible seashells, centerpieces consisting of sand-filled small bowls containing a votive candle. Blue/green color scheme. Starfish, sand dollars, etc.

I have a friend that found a venue on the water with very large windows everywhere. We felt like we were on the beach in January in Maryland, but without the draft.

We did go out to take some pics....BRRRR!

North Carolina should be a little warmer than that. I love Nancy's idea to take some of the elements inside, too.

I was nosy and checked out the links that Travis's Girl posted. I Freakin LOVE this one! https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/ocean-spray-beach-house-holden-beach/16aae99e2925effb.html

It looks perfect for the size of party you want. If you only needed it for one night the price isn't all that bad.

You could have the ceremony right on the deck and there's room for all your guests to stay the night! Gorgeous!

@Amy L.- Right, I saw it and wish I could of had my wedding there lol

It is beautiful and provides so many different options, In my opinion.

YES! I so want a do over right now!! LOL

But I did go back and notice there is a 3 night minimum Don't know what kind of budget you're working with Kayla.

Well we are both young (20) and we will be working with a small budget so that we can afford furniture in the home on base.

I'm extremely crafty so I have already planned out decorations that I can make myself at a low cost. Also, I am a graphic designer so I will be creating all invitations, rsvp cards, thank you cards, seating cards, guestbook, etc.

I have a photographer couple that are close friends who will do everything engagement/bridal/wedding for 1,000. That will be the most expensive element.

I know that venues are not cheap so I am looking around to friends and family to see if anyone owns a beach house on the water that we could have it at. And if not then the church will be free to use because I work there and my grandfather is the pastor. I was thinking of compromising with my fiance and incorporating beach elements inside the church like sand on the stage with a motion graphic playing behind us of the beach and waves. Just a thought.

Does that sound like a good idea?