22 Ideas for an Elevated Beach Wedding

These thematic details will inspire your own waterfront event.

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Beach weddings have so much to offer. From picturesque views and the rhythmic sounds of waves to the refreshing breeze and sunshine, a coastal locale can create the perfect big-day ambience. Although high winds and sand can make setting up a party challenging, saying "I do" on a breathtaking beach will make any and all planning pains worth it. That's why we've rounded up our favorite beach wedding ideas—they will help you make the most of your venue and throw the seaside event of your dreams.

There are unlimited options for incorporating coastal elements into your celebration. We suggest turning to oceanic and nautical motifs, like sand and boats, for inspiration. Shells make for thematic place cards while driftwood could easily be transformed into a centerpiece, too. Plus, a sea-inspired color palette of blues, greens, and neutrals can enhance your big-day aesthetic. Take this The Artful Event Co. setup, for example; the tablescape mimicked this locale's hues and textures throughout thanks to sapphire dishware and a dune-inspired pampas grass centerpiece. Overall, the station created a relaxed vibe that made guests feel like they were on vacation.

Whether you're planning a tropical destination soirée or a summer event on the shore, these details are definitely worth considering for your ceremony and reception. Between the following refreshing food stations, dress code options, and design ideas, there are so many ways you can wow guests on your beachy big day. Go ahead and start daydreaming about your wedding on the water—these ideas will make it impossible not to.

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Shell Escort Cards

Ryan Ray

Outdoor Escort Cards That Won't Fly Away

Take advantage of all the sea has to offer by making thematic escort cards out of shells, like these calligraphed iterations by Chelsea Petaja.

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Driftwood Centerpiece

Lexia Frank Photography

23 Non-Floral Wedding Centerpiece Ideas

Use elements of oceanic nature—like driftwood, as Lexia Frank did here—to create a centerpiece that adds to the nautical feel of your sea-inspired tablescape.

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Polished Seating

Sanaz Photography

35 Altar and Aisle Decorations We Love

Cushioned benches decorated with florals can help give your beach ceremony a classic, polished look—especially if you mirror this setup by Onyx & Redwood, which featured a white-and-green color palette translated through roses and greenery by Precious & Blooming.

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Sheer Tent

Stephen Karlisch

Here's What Every Type of Wedding Tent Looks Like

Hosting your beach reception in a sheer tent—this space was design by DFW Events with florals by Bienamé—puts your natural backdrop (the rolling ocean!) on full display.

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Formal Attire

KT Merry

A Comprehensive Guide to Wedding Guest Attire

Despite the fact that beach weddings are innately casual, you can still make a black-tie dress code work for your big day. Request that guests' formal attire feature ocean-inspired colors (like dark blues and grays) so their looks complement your event's setting and aesthetic.

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Coral Reef Cake

The Ganeys

22 Summer Wedding Cakes That Speak to the Season

Make like Cathy Huber Cakes and connote an ocean-inspired wedding theme with a cake modeled after coral reef.

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Seafood Tower

Paige Reaux Photography

23 Delicious Food Bars for Your Wedding

Turn your seafood appetizer into a décor piece by displaying shrimp on a tower that resembles driftwood. We love how Pretty Presentations' weathered wood setup featured blue accents, which complemented the event's nautical theme nicely.

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Lobster Favors

Jamie Mercurio Photography

The Prettiest Place Settings from Real Celebrations

Just because you're hosting an ocean-inspired wedding doesn't mean you have to stick to a cool color palette of blues and greens. Take this place setting by A Family Affair of Maine, for example. Lobster shell crackers, which doubled as favors, topped each station for a beachy look that featured a fun pop of red.

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Popsicle Treats

Carrie Patterson

57 Summer Wedding Ideas You'll Want to Steal

Offering summery frozen treats during your beach cocktail hour will keep guests cool and refreshed. Here, Carolina Catering Co. served gourmet popsicles in tropical flavors like lime coconut, mixed berry basil, and orange mango.

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Ring Bearer's Look

Michelle Lange Photography

Dapper Ring Bearers Who Completely Stole Our Hearts

Dress your ring bearer in beach-appropriate clothing, focusing on comfy shoes and a hat. This little attendant wore venue-ready boat shoes, seersucker suspenders, a bow tie with anchors, and a fedora.

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Casual Dress

Shanell Photography

27 Stunning Beach Wedding Dresses

Since beach events are inherently casual, your wedding dress can be, too. Take notes from this bride who wore a backless, airy Carol Hannah look that moved in the breeze.

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Bike Rides

Melissa Marshall

Looking for an intimate way to bond as newlyweds on your big day? Take a quiet cruise together for some alone time in the salty sea air.

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Beachy Garland

Kyle John Photography

Recreate Vanessa Jaimes Floral Design's crescent ceremony arrangement to ensure your beach altar doesn't distract from your water backdrop. The dark greenery and driftwood complemented the sea so well, it looked like it washed up on its own. Plus, its low-to-the-ground design didn't interrupt guests' views of the ocean.

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Tropical Leaves

Anna Roussos

20 Tropical Leaf Wedding Bouquets

Play up your tropical venue with an altar made of local greenery. This couple said "I do" in front of a pampas grass, palm, and split leaf philodendron arrangement by Betty Flowers Santorini.

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Cool Color Palette

Brandon Kidd Photography

27 Cool Blue Wedding Ideas You'll Love

A cool color palette that reflects the ocean's many shades is always a good choice for a beach reception. LVL Weddings & Events executed the look perfectly with round tables that featured blue linens and lots of greenery.

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Shell Ring Holder

KT Merry

19 Unexpected Wedding Ring Pillows

For a thematic upgrade, forgo a traditional ring bearer pillow and opt for a nautilus shell instead.

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Sailboat Photo Booth

KT Merry

20 Inventive Ways to Revamp Your Wedding Photo Booth

We love how this photo booth backdrop by The Wedding Atelier by Lelian Chew played up this event's surroundings, putting guests right in the "water."

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Bohemian Altar

Hunter Ryan Photo

Boho-Chic Wedding Ideas for Free-Spirited Brides and Grooms

Looking to give your beach ceremony a bohemian look? Style your altar after Anna Lucia Events' oriental rug and floral teepee setup. The eclectic mix of vintage carpets and natural details, like this branch structure covered in greenery and blooms by 50FIFTY, created an artful juxtaposition that melded nautical and boho-chic motifs.

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Oceanic Cake

Erich McVey

25 Over-the-Top Wedding Cakes We Can't Get Enough Of

Emulate LeNovelle Cake's towering confection for your own impressive sea-inspired dessert. The multi-tier creation featured fondant ocean life and an ombré scalloped design that resembled waves.

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Lounge Area

Jillian Mitchell Photography

Wedding Lounge Ideas Your Guests Can Cozy Up To

There's no place like the beach to kick back and relax, especially at a wedding. We suggest designing a lounge complete with hammocks, like this one planned by Sea of Dreams, to help guests feel like they can unwind at your event.

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Bench Seating

Hunter Ryan Photo

28 Unique Ways to Seat Guests at Your Wedding Ceremony

Anna Lucia Events' seating setup proves that a mix of wooden benches and chairs can give your ceremony in the sand a laid-back feel.

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22 Ideas for an Elevated Beach Wedding

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Shell Escort Cards

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Driftwood Centerpiece

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Polished Seating

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Sheer Tent

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Formal Attire

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Coral Reef Cake

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Seafood Tower

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Lobster Favors

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Popsicle Treats

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Ring Bearer's Look

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Casual Dress

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Bike Rides

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Beachy Garland

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Tropical Leaves

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Cool Color Palette

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Shell Ring Holder

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Sailboat Photo Booth

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Bohemian Altar

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Oceanic Cake

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Lounge Area

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Bench Seating

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