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Ceremony set up on the beach and placement of key components
Your ceremony set up on the beach needs to make sense. Take into consideration how your guests will arrive, from what area and create flow. The following are key components to your beach wedding ceremony set up that you will need to take into consideration:
Signage - Depending on where the ceremony is, you may want to provide some sort of signage to let your guests know where the ceremony and/or reception is located. This is true especially if it is at a public location. Colorful balloons always work well to get your guests attention.
Gift table - Yes, it is true, there are still people who will bring a gift or card to a wedding ceremony on the beach or even to a destination wedding. You need to make sure you provide for this. The table should be placed as close as possible to the ceremony. And make sure you provide a box or basket or decorative bag for your cards. You do not want them lost on the beach. You will also need to make sure that these items are cared for. A person or persons should be in charge of collecting the gifts and cards and taking them to reception. If the reception is close by on the beach, it may just be a matter of carrying the whole table or the items themselves. I you are going elsewhere for the reception, they will need to be put into someone's car for transportation to the reception location. A good idea is to provide some large plastic bins for transporting. 
Time it right - The afternoon can be brutal for a beach wedding ceremony. Most brides dream of a sunset wedding. But if you plan on your ceremony too close to sunset, you will miss those breathtaking sunset pictures that are taken after the ceremony. Planning too close to sunset will put you in darkness when it is time for pictures! Keep in mind, ceremonies rarely start exactly on time, so give yourself a cushion of time when you are considering your ceremony timing. Check the farmers almanac for exact sunset times.
Position it right - Depending on the time of day, you could encounter a sun problem. Remember, even if you want the water and the sun or sunset as a backdrop for your wedding, you do not want your guests looking directly into the sun. If it is morning or sunset, remember to position the seating so that the sun is to the side and not directly behind you. Another reason to check the farmers almanac. This is the reason that I mention in my wedding rehearsal checklist to have your beach wedding rehearsal at the same time as the wedding will be. You want to see and feel the same situation as the guests will experience the day of the wedding.
Beverage area for your wedding ceremony set up - You will more than likely want to set up some beverages for your guests at your beach wedding ceremony. The beverages can be as simple as bottled water. Personalized bottled water is a unique option. If it is a morning ceremony, it can include juices. In the afternoon, it can even have flavored iced tea. Some couples will ask a caterer to pass a themed drink or have a bar set up before the ceremony for your guests. Whatever you choose to do, set the bar or table with beverages close to the ceremony. If it can be seen in pictures, make certain it looks pretty. If you are doing this on your own,again, someone will need to be in charge of setting this up and breaking it down.
Read about beach beverages
Ceremony table - You may want, and I would suggest some kind of small table at the ceremony site near where the bride and groom will stand. It can hold whatever wedding accessories you will need.
Ceremony decorations - There are so many ways to go. Again, I say to keep it simple. You have one of the most beautiful locations on earth for your wedding, no need to go overboard. Enhance what you already have. Using an archway, chuppa, or trellis creates a beautiful framework for you and your wedding party and for pictures. Two stands of flowers on either side of the bride and groom look awesome. Potted palm trees create a beautiful background that blends perfectly with your beach setting. I have had brides stand within a sand sculpture for their ceremony. It was amazing! Any idea that plays up your beach wedding theme will work for your ceremony set up.
You can see now, that there are definitely many wedding ceremony set up components to consider when planning a beach theme wedding and reception.
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