Ideas for Beach Theme
Wedding Decorations

First, decide if you will be getting married on the sand or on a pier or patio with a beach view.

Will you be renting an arch for the wedding ceremony location and chairs for guests?

Decorating an existing arch or gazebo?

Don't go overboard on decorations for the ceremony.

A spray of flowers on the arch above where you will take your vows (if there is an arch) and petals strewn on the aisle are enough. Add ribbons and small nosegays of flowers or seashell pomanders to chairs along the aisle.

Avoid dripping the scene with flowers and tulle. Spend more time and money at the reception venue instead.

Learn how bride Lisa Spooner saved over $20,000 on her dream wedding

For a casual beach party or surf theme, take your vows in front of a surfboard buried in the sand, or skip the ceremony decorations altogether and just get to the party!

Take advantage of ocean breezes and post a row of tall nylon good luck banners in the sand where the ceremony will be.

For a sunset ceremony, place lanterns in the sand on the beach, or tiki torches, if allowed. These are some of the most beautiful beach theme wedding decorations for evening events.

You can also commission a special sand sculpture for your ceremony location, or ask friends to make a sculpture for your ceremony as a wedding gift.

Your choice of reception decorations will depend on your overall theme and how formal or casual your wedding will be.

For a casual beach party or clambake affair, prop surfboards near the bar and buffet, or fill a small wooden rowboat with ice and drinks.

For a tropical theme wedding reception rent palm trees and grass mat dividers or wall hangings. Place tiki torches around any outdoor spaces.

Tack up sheer cotton curtain panels (Ikea) on porches and in doorways for an upscale resort look.

Hang multiple light strings or paper lantern decorations on the ceiling in the reception venue or place candle lanterns on buffets and tables.

Bring the ocean into your centerpieces with shallow glass bowls or tall vases filled with sand, shells, flowers and floating candles.

Be careful not to overstate your beach theme wedding decorations, fishermen nets and seashells do not need to cover every surface in your reception space.

Simple is better, and an attractive wedding venue and good lighting will always be money well spent.

See white light strings, lantern strings, Moroccan lanterns, tiki torches, wedding arches, blue glass votives, mercury glass votives, votive candles, bulk seashells, seashell garlands, shell chimes, seashell wreaths, seashell chocolate molds, seashell pans and books about decorating with seashells on Amazon.com

Return from the beach theme wedding decorationspage to the planning a beach wedding main page

Go to the steps for planning a wedding page

Go to the wedding planning home page