Blog - BeachPeople Weddings & Photography

Planning Checklist Guide for Do-It-Yourself

Post author By core-admin
Post date April 19, 2023
Sticky post

Planning Checklist & Advice Guide

Need Help?
EASY Advice for How To
Plan Your Beach Wedding ~

Worried you might miss or forget something important as you plan? We understand! Below in RED BOX or BLUE BOX, choose 1 simple Wedding Planning How-To Checklist Guide for do-it-yourself (D.I.Y.) planning of your wonderful Beach Wedding or destination wedding–or to have a cool Vows Renewal!

READ ALL STEPS before starting

• SMALL or SIMPLE Wedding D.I.Y Checklist for 2-25 people, see Red Box:

• FOR BIG WEDDING: having 26+ people–scroll down to the BLUE Box:

Small Wedding D.I.Y. Checklist:

CHOOSE CEREMONY LOCATION/TOWN: also consider parking spaces and limits of elderly or handicapped guests.
Elopers: consider hiring a low-price, no-fuss, skilled videographer–Bob Collins on our Suggested Vendors.
CHOOSE DATE or DATE RANGE: or a week or window, or at least a weekend or weekday. OR, see #4 …
Got FAVORITE VENDORS / SERVICES? Such as a certain super-nice Officiant or talented, fun Photographer, etc? Contact your must-haves to check availability on dates/location that you want. THEN SET A DATE! Go back to each one, ask for a Temporary Hold on that date with each of them: TELL those vendors that you love them, you are booking them soon, and you need to find accommodations first, but you are coming right back.
CAREFULLY RESEARCH and FIRST BOOK ANY HOTEL/CONDO or HOUSE RENTALS! We post good Hotel/Rentals on our Suggested Vendors webpage. BUT:
- WARNING: most public travel websites include useless Rental listings that are very FAR away from your beach/ceremony! Can be located 1 hour away! So…
- CAREFULLY! BEFORE you book rooms/rentals, DO NOT SKIP THIS–double-check the actual physical address of that rental location to be sure it’s very near, or in, your ceremony city/beach! IF you aren’t sure how far it is, you may check the distance between the 2 street names on Google Maps.
THEN once you are sure, BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS FIRST!
Next, Read all your favorite Vendors’ contracts before signing, and ask them all questions. Avoid being shy… surprises are not good.
BOOK ANY OTHER SERVICES: we recommend other good companies on our Suggested Vendors page.
FYI: an experienced hairdresser is a lifesaver for windy, humid beach weddings…worth it even for casual hairdos! (All short-hair people NEED to use hairspray or gel to avoid ‘Medusa’ crazy hair in the wind. DO NOT IGNORE THIS--it’s a big deal in photos to AVOID LOOKING RIDICULOUS at your wedding!).
GET MARRIAGE LICENSE (Renewals don’t need it): All 50 states require a marriage license from the ceremony state, NOT your home state. See how to get your NC or SC license nearby the beaches, CLICK HERE.
A license from any NC county can be used inside any other NC county! Same goes for within SC. Call ahead to your license office to find out what to bring! NOTE: SC ONLY requires a wait-period plus 2 visits in-person, so plan that roadtrip well ahead.
Get your rings & clothes: be bold–neutral colors on a neutral beach is ‘meh’ photos – you will disappear and camouflage! We recommend you choose contrasting or bright clothing colors–read more HERE….
Answer your Vendors’ questions quickly.
For an overnight stay, email us for lists good local restaurants and hotels.
Before you leave home:
- Contact and confirm with all your vendors.
- Pack your IDs, your marriage license, and the rings.
- Pay off balances due (or whatever those contracts tell you).
If ceremony is outdoors, prepare to be FLEXIBLE for weather with this GREAT weather advice, LINKED HERE.
Hit the road and come have fun getting married!

BIG Wedding D.I.Y. Checklist:

CHOOSE LOCATION: Consider parking spaces and limits of elderly or handicapped guests.
GUESTS: decide how many and who–HE RE IS HOW. Honest advice: for a destination wedding, fewer people is better for your outcome.
- Consider the health and mobility of elderly and handicapped on long boardwalks, shifting sand, staircases, standing for 30 mins, maybe hot weather.
- Consider whether you help them find hotels/houses. Do some guests need pet-friendly hotels? do some need chairs?
- Consider guests’ cars parking space at wedding site, or renting transportation vans, or check if your hotel offers a shuttle.
- consider school days for guests with kids.
- Consider hiring a videographer to record for those not attending.
CHOOSE DATE or DATE RANGE: or at least a specific week or few days window, or at least the month and whether you want a weekend or weekday. OR, see #4…
Got FAVORITE VENDORS / SERVICES? Such as a certain super-nice Officiant or fun talented Photographer, etc? Contact your must-haves to check availability on dates/location that you want. SET A DATE among those they name. TELL those vendors that you love them, and you need to find accommodations first, and you are coming right back. Most offer a Courtesy Hold IF YOU ASK FOR IT.
CAREFULLY RESEARCH and FIRST BOOK ANY HOTEL/CONDO or HOUSE RENTALS! We post good Hotel/Rentals on our Suggested Vendors webpage. BUT:
- WARNING: most public travel websites include useless Rental listings that are very FAR away from your beach/ceremony! Can be located 1 hour away! So…
- CAREFULLY! BEFORE you book rooms/rentals, DO NOT SKIP THIS–double-check the actual physical address of that rental location to be sure it’s very near, or in, your ceremony city/beach! IF you aren’t sure how far it is, you may check the distance between the 2 street names on Google Maps.
THEN once you are sure, BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS FIRST!
Next, BOOK YOUR FAVORITE VENDORS second! Go back and do the paperwork for them. Read all contracts before signing.
BOOK YOUR FOOD: we have a list of good local ones, just email us.
BOOK a Wedding Coordinator if you have 30 or more guests. Seriously, you shouldn’t be working & stressing on wedding day…ruins it for you and others.
SET your bright/contrasting color choices, your theme, tell your vendors. Be bold–neutral colors on a neutral beach is ‘meh’ photos – you will camouflage!
BOOK OTHER SERVICES: we also offer rental bouquets or boutonnieres, live or recorded music, custom-made honeymoon basket, etc, but we recommend other good companies only on our Suggested Vendors page.
FYI: an experienced hairdresser is a lifesaver for windy, humid beach weddings…worth it even for casual hairdos-CLICK HERE!
- Plus all short-haired people NEED to use LOTS hairspray / gel to avoid looking like cockatoo bird heads, in the strong beach wind.
Book an Engagement Photo Shoot…use those pics on your invites, Save-the-Date cards, table decor at reception!
Send out invitations. Require guests to RSVP by at least one month ahead.
GET MARRIAGE LICENSE (Renewals don’t need it): All 50 states require a marriage license from the ceremony state, NOT your home state. See how to get your NC or SC license near these beaches HERE.
A license from any NC county can be used in any other NC county! Same is true within SC. NOTE: SC requires a wait-period, specific ID cards, plus 2 visits in-person, so plan that trip well ahead. Call ahead to your license office to find out what to bring!
Get your rings and get your colorful wedding clothes see WHY here!
Collect RSVPs, answer vendors’ emails questions quickly.
Email us for lists of good local restaurants and hotels.
Last 2 weeks before ceremony: contact and confirm with all your vendors, Coordinator, pay off balances (or whatever the contracts say).
IF ceremony is outdoors, prepare to be FLEXIBLE for weather with this advice HERE. Tell your guests that too.
Pack your suitcases, remember to pack your IDs, marriage license, rings, then come have fun getting married!

Tags advice, checklist, how to, list, plan, planning, resources, to-do list, wedding, what to do how-to

advice dress and hair during ceremony Photography pre-wedding reception

Rain, Heat, Weather Advice

Post author By core-admin
Post date April 18, 2023
Sticky post

Rain, Heat, Midday Weather Advice

Rain, Heat and Weather Advice~

Good news: in 13 years, LESS THAN 1% of our 2,000+ beach weddings were moved due to rain!
Besides us being very “charmed” here’s why:

For beach weddings along the coastline areas between Wilmington NC and Myrtle Beach SC, the weather is relatively stable and dry. Rain is very brief, real storms are few, and sunshine is plentiful. Why? The geography affects this weather:

the Carolinas coastline curves inward as it becomes South Carolina. See our little sunny “map” image here?
Look again at that blue coastline on that map… the inward coastline curve creates a weak eddy or whirlpool (shown in RED),
that swirling atmosphere overhead (BLACK arrows), so it all sweeps most rainstorms inland or out to sea!
As a result, often when it storms in Wilmington or Myrtle Beach, the weather remains clear and sunny INSIDE that red circle! Stays dry.
Thus, national forecasts for “the beach” here are 99% wrong. Better resource below, read on.

So FOR YOUR DAY:

**WORRYING OVER THE WEATHER and REPEATEDLY CHECKING FORECASTS works against you! ** Instead, read on for advice…
First, we recommend that you avoid the “R” word, disallow joking, talking, and worrying about it! Instead, tell people to think only “clear, calm weather.” Avoid manifesting the “R” word, give it no power. ONLY think about clear, calm, light breezes, overcast & dry weather! Overcast clouds are PERFECT!

Second, it sprinkles or gusts here SOMETIMES … for 5-15 minutes. Or, it may sprinkle or blow hard only on the next block, but not where you are! So if it does that on you, just wait a few minutes, it passes fast.

Third, you want to accurately track those scattered showers in real time? Download these free cellphone apps “AccuWeather” and “My Radar” that we also use. Use the “map” or “radar” icon on it.

If THESE real-time forecasters say 30% chance or less, then no worries here.
If its 50% or less, you MIGHT wait a few minutes if it comes to your neighborhood, if it does so at all.

HEAT & MIDDAY HARSH SUNLIGHT:

For May, June, July, August, September dates~

Avoid midday hours between 9am – 6pm between mid-April – mid-October! They are terrible times for a wedding… SUPER HOT (heat index around 100 degrees May-Sept) & humid, sweaty,
burning sand on bare feet,
crowded & very noisy (running screaming kids, others’ music boxes, etc)
trashed beach (i.e. cluttered with towels, chairs, shoes, coolers, litter),
overhead, harsh sunlight makes everyone squint nonstop with shadowy ‘black-eyes’ and black cheekbones/noses make everyone look super haggard, old, tired (see pics below)
THE hottest hours YEAR ROUND are 2-5pm.
THE Best time for beach weddings is first hour at sunrise time.
Second Best is the last hour before sundown time, sunset time.
FYI: a breeze will not help at 100+ degrees in direct burning sunlight! Remember, you cannot jump in water or walk away under a shade-canopy during your ceremony in wedding clothes. It is nothing like being on beach in your swimsuit and shorts, friend.
PHOTO INSIGHTS: overcast skies are BEST! Harsh overhead sunlight casts hard black shadows on faces, making everyone look haggard, tired, old, bleary. See these examples:

Also, sunburns happen within 5-10 minutes between 9am-4pm for fair skinned. Use sunblock especially on fair kids. Bring umbrellas for shade and water bottles too.
You can hope for overcast skies, but the sweaty high humidity, squinting, frowning faces, and noisy crowds will be there anyway.
***NOTICE*** We speak from 2,000 weddings’ experience–we saw many midday weddings suffer from burning heat, wilted expensive hairdos, sweat-blotched clothes, crying burned kids, burned feet, thick noisy crowds, and blinding sun ruining nice photos.
PLEASE heed this advice! 🙂 You won’t regret it, ever. Use sunrise or sunset times. ing

Midday & Harsh Sunlight Advice

Post author By Margo R. Sears
Post date April 19, 2023
No Comments on Midday & Harsh Sunlight Advice

Avoid harsh, burning, overhead sunlight in midday hours ruining your once-only beach wedding photos! See examples above. Sunrise or sunset times (with exception during winter) have cooler, cleaner, nicer, more private & beautiful results. See our 1-minute video on this:

SOLUTIONS!

Sunrise or sunset hours get you clean, soft, deserted beaches, more private, quieter, much cooler temps, and amazing sky colors with fantastic wedding photos! See explanations below.

The exception is wintertime & early spring in late November to March – midday warmth is needed then.

BUT DURING May, June, July, August, September dates:

Avoid 9am – 6pm between mid-April to mid-October. It is SUPER HOT (& heat index around 100+ degrees May-Sept!)
Overhead, harsh sunlight makes everyone squint nonstop with shadowy ‘black-eyes’ and black cheekbones/noses make everyone look super haggard, old, tired (see pics above & below & the video in this article).
Heavy humidity, sweaty, running makeup and hairdo wilting …
Burning sand on bare feet …
Crowded & very noisy (running & screaming kids, loud music boxes, half naked, sandy/dirty, sweaty strangers in your photos)
Trashed beach cluttered with towels, chairs, shoes, coolers, cups, wrappers.
THE hottest hours YEAR ROUND are 2-5pm.
THE Best time for summertime beach weddings is first hour at sunrise time. Second Best is the last hour before sundown time, sunset time.
FYI: a breeze will not help at 100+ degrees in direct burning sunlight! It’s just a ‘hot breath’ with humidity.
Reminder: weddings are nothing like visiting the beach in your swimsuit and shorts, friend. Cool off by jumping in water or walk away into shade during your ceremony, are not options. So control the timing instead.
Seriously! sunrise or sunset times are best choices to avoid harsh sunlight issues.

Tags advice, best time, harsh, midday, photographer, photography, photos, planning, sunlight, sunrise, sunset, timing

advice after wedding dress and hair during ceremony Photography pre-wedding reception

Hair & Wind Advice

Post author By core-admin
Post date April 19, 2023

Hair & Wind Advice

Avoid Windy Hair Covering your Face & in Mouth!

GREAT ADVICE FROM 2,000+ beach weddings’ experience:
THIS cannot be emphasized enough: Nothing ruins your lovely wedding photos (SEE PICS BELOW!) like wind-whipped hairdos flapping in your eyes and mouth because:

LOOSE HAIR absolutely DOES flop in your eyes and mouth, always! Secure your hair with the following advice, how-to videos, & tips:
DO NOT WEAR LONG HAIR LOOSE and down–speaking from over 2,000 weddings — DOZENS of our brides & guests regret ignoring this! This is a PROFESSIONAL advising you here – secure your hair away from your eyes with the hundreds of styles & tools available for it (look on YouTube)!
Loose hairdos are not romantic and flowy-looking at all. It whips around and appears as a large, tangled, crazy, hairy “squid” covering your face in pics OR a curtain over your face that no one can see through.
Frowning, clawing, spitting, frowning more, SCOWLing faces in your wedding photos are bad news.
And with flyaway guests’ hairdos: ALL your group shots HAVE to face in the same direction, same background, no creativity, no variations and some GREAT poses are impossible… cuz loose ‘dos must face the wind only. Seriously… Margo’s photos totally rock… don’t cut yourself off from that! Secure the hair!
ADVICE: secure hair OUT OF EYES AND MOUTH. NO tendrils at all! You two, all guests, men, kids, women, AND short hair too! Secure hairstyles with TONS and LOTS stiff gel or hairspray (a little ‘spritz’ is useless), AND use braids, clips, head bands, ponytail, pins, flowers, crowns, hats, barrettes or combs… secure it OUT OF EYES AND MOUTH.
Short hairdos will get bald spots and angry bird tufts / cowlicks in beach wind…use stiff sprays!
NO TENDRILS! that is the worst thing for this… they swing straight into your eyes and mouth nonstop, by design. It’s not cute or soft or romantic squinting and spitting for 45 minutes IN THE WIND OUTSIDE (not the same as indoors looking in your mirror). See pics below!
Here are 3 easy, pretty, HOW-TO videos on controlling your hair around the face. See 3 MORE fast, cool, how-to videos on our Facebook linked here: facebook.com/Beachpeopleweddings

MORE TIPS TO HELP YOU:

REMEMBER, it is WHIPPING WINDY at the beach by the water 95% of the time! See pics below! If the forecast says wind speed is above 9 mph, then fix your ‘do tightly which means:

BASIC: at least wear a nice headband with TONS and TONS of hairspray. NO tendrils at all – not even a little bit.
BETTER: use bobby pins, combs, flowers, braids at your temples AND hairspray a lot. NO tendrils! Eating hair is not cute nor pretty.
BEST for DIY: HEAVY layers of STIFF strong hairspray, plus pins, plus combs or barrettes, a tiara, flowers, plus gel and lots MORE HAIRSPRAY! NO TENDRILS at all! Think: they are meant to swing into your eyes and mouth by design. No good on windy beach–see proof pics below!
BEST OF ALL: hire a pro stylist who has experience with beach weddings (not all of them do!), PLUS insist on tons of hairspray.
This is true for men’s hair and short-haired ladies too! Wind means a silly-looking ‘bird’ tufts stick up, or a large bald spot or chunk missing on his head. Looks clownish, childish.
USE LOTS OF HAIRSPRAY! TONS and TONS! Your hair should feel VERY crunchy and uber stiff (shampoo will remove it later).

And Another Hot Tip — Jewelry:
WEAR your biggest and SHINY JEWELRY! This is a wedding…its one time only and Special…and these are your once-in-a-lifetime wedding photo Portraits. So, borrow some pearls, or a “big” necklace, wear shinier, nicer earrings, AND that a nice bracelet. Strapless dresses look VERY “empty” or bland without some bling at neckline. So wear your showy bling! REALLY! Even a simple string of costume pearls is great.

Men too, wear all your bling, earrings, bracelets, etc. Empty earring lobe holes aren’t pretty.

Men need hairspray/gel

Angry bird tufts!

Men's Tufts of Messy hair

Angry bird tuft /cowlicked hair

Squid hair attack

No tendrils

No tendrils, use braids

Tags advice, hair, hairdo, issue, men, problem, wind, women

advice during ceremony Legal Photography pre-wedding

What Do Locations Look like?

Post author By Margo R. Sears
Post date April 19, 2023

New clients for weddings or family photos, often ask us, “What does it look like there?” So to show you what the 3 most popular, gorgeous locations look like for a wedding in Margo’s lovely photos from our passed 2,000+ ceremonies, they are:
North Myrtle & Myrtle SC,
Ocean Isle Beach NC,
Sunset Beach NC.
BONUS! Each of them has ZERO travel fee with us! You may view each one right now in our “1-minute” slideshow videos, below.

Also, our map and a webpage listing ALL the NC and SC beaches and cities we serve, including other ones with travel fees, are at the bottom, too.

OCEAN ISLE BEACH NC
for Renewals, Weddings, or Family Photos.
View this 1-minute slideshow video to get a good overview feel:

SUNSET BEACH NC
for Weddings, Vows Renewal or Family Beach Pics.
What does it look like there? Have a 85 seconds look-see at this beauty:

NORTH MYRTLE / CHERRY GROVE / MYRTLE SC
And what does it look like there (including inland Little River) at SC locations? Just 57 seconds to see all (btw, City of NMB requires a new $25 beach permit starting 2024):

Tags beach weddings, beaches, cheap wedding, discount, locations, looks like, NC, SC, simple weddings

advice after wedding dress and hair during ceremony Photography pre-wedding reception

Wear Bright Colors

Post author By core-admin
Post date April 18, 2023

Wear Bright Colors Advice

Look at this picture in an overall way–notice how it “feels”.

In wedding photos, the FEEL is
THE. MOST. IMPORTANT. THING!
for your great, sentimental photos from your wedding.

No one wants ‘blah’ pics, right? We want exciting or at least pretty ones of happy times! So, in that same picture above– notice the camouflage of neutral gray clothing vs. the neutral background, and notice the left/right balance of whole picture…

Which side looks AND feels better – yellows or grays? maybe it feels ‘lopsided’ or off-balance?

For YOUR best results, WEAR COLORFUL CLOTHES to your beach wedding and any beach photo session, too!
Traditionally, your wedding party & guests can wear any bright colors, But its now popular for WEDMATES TO WEAR ANYTHING! Especially on a casual, outdoor, beach setting. AND, all-white makes anyone look bigger and fatter. Not a popular look if you aren’t a small person.

If you want THE BEST photos possible:

AVOID matching the beach: no white, ivory, cream, gray, silver, tan, beige, khaki, light blue, NO pastels.
This is true for your flowers too… white and pastel flowers disappear on a white/pale dress and the pale beach background!
**Choose strong colors or jewel tones for Flowers AND CLOTHING!** Can’t emphasize that strongly enough–you need CONTRAST!

More Honest & Blunt Advice for ALL Bridal Dresses:

The traditional American strapless, sleeveless, long skirt, white dress does NOT look good on most body types (80% of us are not tall and slender with athletic arms). So, get a colorful dress that FITS well, and covers what you don’t like. Seriously… read on…

Women (and Men) of Color: you got a natural advantage–you can wear the white/ivory/blue colors okay, but bright colors still look MUCH better on you too.
SHOPPING ADVICE: shop in non-wedding dress departments & bring honest friends who have good taste (do not rely on salesperson–they work for the store, NOT you. They are hired to sell the most expensive dress possible to you. It’s just business.). Try on different colors and pick YOUR best color & STYLE instead–be YOU! Be a stunning bride in color that compliments YOU.
IF you just GOTTA do a white dress, there are helpers. Put your partner and attendants in bright colors, you carry bright/contrasting flowers (avoid white/ ivory/ pale color), put colorful decor in your hair (like flowers, small hat, or crown wreath), consider a color sash or color accents.
Beach bride Veils: consider that likely-to-be-windy shores will whip it in your face, or pull it off your head, and yank the hairdo … so have a Plan B for it. (Margo has cool ideas for veils)

FOR ALL DRESSES: pick a style which has shoulders that flatter YOUR awesome shape. FYI: the photos will show EVERYTHING! Photoshop does NOT fix all the bulges and wrinkles and scars you dislike. So for example:

- You don’t like your upper arms or back bulges–AVOID all sleeveless, backless, or strapless styles.
- Feel self-conscious of your legs or ankles–choose a floor-length skirt only.
- Buy the right size for your bust and waist sizes–do NOT compromise on size.
- FYI: white and pale colors make your body appear much MUCH, MUCH bigger. Patterns and darker colors flatter any shape.
- Get the dress tailored or fitted to YOU! AND get men’s shirts IRONED (fold wrinkles give a sloppy, childish look). Don’t skimp here!
  Too small or too loose will make you wince or frown or fake-smile in all your photos… you’ll look angry, annoyed, goofy, stinkface … as you pluck, poke, yank, bend, re-pin, tuck, and swear unhappily (looking awkward, sad and ungraceful in photos) … NOT a happy day! And iron the new shirts… wrinkles and fold creases from the package looks cheap, sloppy, childish, lazy and indifferent. Put some effort into your wedding day clothes – LOOK GREAT for the next 700 years in these photos!
- AGAIN: BIG EMPHASIS: Get a colorful dress that FITS well, and covers what you don’t like on your body. Seriously. ~from a photographer of over 2,000 weddings

Hover on Each Picture Here:

They disappear all together!

Bride's dress is camouflage. His shirt defines her a little.

Escort shows; white clothes & flowers just 'disappear'

White clothing disappears; minister's coat saves photo

Ivory, white and gray all disappear on beach. The bright flowers save this pic.

Khakis make a "legless" boy!

Gray & white camouflage on the sand.

Teal dress helps this photo.

Coral shirt saves this photo.

Groom's shirt saves this picture.

Color lets you show up

Color on everyone is great!

Tags advice, bouquets, clothes, color, colors, dress, dresses, flowers, khaki, pants, suit, what to wear, white

advice after wedding during ceremony Photography pre-wedding reception rentals Uncategorized

Chairs and Arbors Advice

Post author By core-admin
Post date April 18, 2023

Chairs and Arbors Advice

Useful Chairs/Benches and Arbor Advice ~

Decor: we offer our unique, signature beach sand and seashell Heart Art as decoration, but NO seating or arbors / arches BECAUSE among our 2,000+ past couples decide against it as follows:

90% don’t get chairs (ceremony is 10 minutes) and
95% don’t use an arbor/arch after they read why in this article, BUT…
If you REALLY want or need them, we recommend these reliable rental companies (click here) but first read on…
We DO decorate the wedding site around your feet in our gorgeous, handmade, unique Sand Groomed Heart & Shells (click here to see more pics) or see some pic below.
MORE INSIGHTS:
- ceremony & arbors last only 5-15 minutes for this event.
- Lightweight, thin arbors are a risky wind hazard of falling or striking someone especially with drapes on it, and
- Renting heavy bulky, fancy ones are pretty but cost $200-$800 or more!
- HOWEVER, the lovely oceanscape / soft beach backdrop alone are very unique and profoundly pretty!
- Also, most Guests do not sit down even with chairs available … over 2,000 weddings’ experience–its the truth.

CHAIRS & BENCHES ADVICE:

Wedding ceremony lasts about 10 mins + guests assembling (5-15 mins) + photos session afterward (up to 60 mins):

BUT if any guests are elderly, handicapped, pregnant, then seats/chairs are a GOOD IDEA!
If you have fewer than 30 guests and no elderly or handicapped, then consider no chairs. Let them stand, and move comfortably, in a half-round formation around the couple instead (click here to see that in our Facebook album photos).
Or consider bringing out a few patio or folding chairs for the “first row” of special guests (parents, g-parents, elders, handicapped), and invite fit guests to stand around them.
If you rent chairs/seats or an arbor, we recommend renting from vendors we trust (avoid rusty, greasy, dirty, broken chairs, seriously) – click this link to see a list of Rental websites here: Suggested Vendors webpage .
When asking Rentals for quotes, be sure to ask for delivery fee and setup/breakdown fee…those are 2 additional, and often separate, fees besides the chairs or arbor.

ARBOR ADVICE:

With officiating, we include an artful marking on the sand for your ceremony site with our unique sand grooming and seashells heart at your feet, (see pics below) and our cast iron hook-and-shell horn.
But, some people like the extra color and framing of an arbor in their photos… so it’s personal taste.
FYI: arbors can be white PVC (shiny plastic), painted metal, bamboo or other woods. They can be 4 or 2 posts, in various shapes. People sometimes add flowers or drapes or similar things.
Arbors with 4 posts, chunkier and professionally well-anchored with metal stakes 2 feet deep, are safer and more lovely.
The thin, light, department store arbors are cheaper AND VERY LIKELY to fall over in the beach wind with soft sand beach (especially with fabric draped on them–acts like a boat sail!).
FYI: about 60% of the “homemade” arbors we’ve seen don’t work…hard to transport, delicate, breakable, not anchorable, not wind resistant, and fall right over during setup! Pretty much high-maintenance and stressful for the couple.
Honestly, if you really WANT an arbor, shop around and rent a sturdy one from trusted pros on our other page: beachpeopleweddings.com/suggested-vendors.

Tags advice, arbor, arbors, arches, beach wedding, chairs, chuppah, huppah, NC beach wedding, SC beach wedding, seating, seats

during ceremony pre-wedding

Sand Art Heart & Seashells

Post author By core-admin
Post date April 7, 2023

Sand Art Heart with Shells

Our Signature Sand & Seashells Heart ~

Among a few other beach wedding services unique to just us, and included free with every Officiant service we do, is a our popular, sand-groomed art heart outlined in seashells and imprinted with swirls and flourishes–unique to each couple. Each one is unique, made by hand, and we have made over 1,900 of them so far, since 2011. In our first year of services, this design evolved as we saw and felt the underlying need for a marking of your very special spot on the beach because:

It “attunes” and adorns the area for the great honor about to happen upon it…your wedding
Gives the wedmates couple a visual reference point of where to stop and stand
Gives guests a visual reference point of where they may gather around
Allows the Minister/Officiant to meditatively create it and then gift it to the couple
It becomes symbolic of literally standing in your Heart while you vow a lifetime of Love together
How do we make this art? Come see us do it for yourself! ♥

Tags heart art, sand art, sand art heart, sand design, sand groomed, shells, unique

during ceremony music Photography pre-wedding

Special Perks Choices List

Post author By core-admin
Post date April 7, 2023

Special Perks Choices List

Special, Free, Add-On Perks Choices when our Travel Fee is $200 or more ~

Below is our list of special selected, free, Add-Ons or Perks choices for your beach wedding (or indoor, or patio or lawn wedding) when a travel fee is $200 or higher.

You choose up to $150-worth from those items listed below.
If your Travel Fee is OVER $200, your actual dollar-worth amount will be noted in our quote to you.

SPECIAL FREE PERKS YOU CHOOSE FROM:

WOODEN FLUTE SERENADE $30 (on Contract Page 2, step 1)
Live, Rev. David Sears plays the wooden, Native American-style cedar or a crystal-embedded Love Flute (or the White Flute in wet weather) at whatever point you wish: bride entrance, groom entrance, guests seating, first dance on the beach, etc. Hear him play…
STONE TOSS CEREMONY worth $20 (Contract Page 2, step 1)
At beginning of ceremony, A releasing of the Old, and welcoming of the New! Everyone gets 3 small stones and is invited to the water’s edge. The Officiant leads everyone to make 3 throws into the ocean, as a group, while Officiant says 3 Celtic spiritual blessings or non-religious Wishing Stone Toss. Fun, grounding, and POPULAR! We supply clean stones.
WISHING STONE TOSS CEREMONY worth $20 (see Page 2, step 2)
At beginning of ceremony, A releasing of the Old, and welcoming of the New! Everyone gets 3 small stones and is invited to the water’s edge. The Officiant leads everyone to make 3 throws into the ocean, as a group, while Officiant says 3 Celtic spiritual blessings or non-religious Wishing Stone Toss. Fun, grounding, and POPULAR! We supply clean stones.
MEMORIAL worth $5 and up (Contract Page 2, step 1)
Custom wording at beginning of the ceremony memorializing any loved ones not present–simple or elaborate.
TYING THE KNOT worth $10 (Contract Page 2, step 1)
After the Rings, tie your half of a SUPER simple fisherman’s knot (we show you how), then together you pull the 2 half-knots into One whole knot! Displays well in a shadow box later! We supply 2 satin-y, white, thick, ropes that David meticulously prepares by personally hand-lashing the ends neatly.
RINGS BLESSING/WARMING worth $5 (on Contract Page 2, step 2)
During the ceremony, all guests touch and bless the couple’s wedding rings as they pass them around safely in your sheer fabric drawstring bags.
CELTIC HANDFASTING, SIMPLE worth $5 (on Contract Page 2, step 2)
During ceremony, an ancient symbolic bonding of your right hands with ribbons! A heartfelt, custom promises/vows are declared while Officiant places 1-6 cords or ribbons around your hands (temporarily). Bring your own lovely 3-ft. cords/ribbons to ceremony.
KIDS’ VOWS| GUESTS’ VOWS | IN-LAWS’ VOWS worth $5 (Contract Page 2, step 1)
For children or Guests or In-laws to say “I do” in a fun and meaningful way, accepting their new family member in response to customized wording, in support of your new marriage. BTW most kids simply say “I do” in unison, or just nod and smile.
JEWISH SMASH THE GLASS worth $5 (Contract Page 2, step 1)
At end of ceremony, the Officiant describes and blesses of the ancient Hebrew ritual for the groom or couple to stomp on wrapped light bulb, with a group “Mazel Tov!”
FAMILY BROOM JUMP worth $5 (Page 2, step 2)
At the end of the ceremony, the couple, family, and/or friends jump the Marriage Broom in honor of the union, of marriage, or new beginnings, new families, or re-commitment to own marriage. Great for photos and a LOT of fun for everyone! Bring your own decorated, special broom to hang afterward in your home.
FIRST GIFTS CEREMONY worth $5 (Page 2, step 2)
At end of ceremony, the first gift between the Couple which becomes an anniversary tradition in the future. Use 2 red roses or 2 gift-quality seashells (you supply).
ARTIFICIAL BOUQUETS & BOUTONNIERES for RENT (see Page 2, step 2)
Hand-delivery and tax included, handcrafted gorgeously by professional florist in 5 color schemes:
- 1 Coral, 1 Pink, or 1 White (in regular half-round shape) worth $20
- 1 Blue or 1 Purple / Pink (in medium sized cascade shape) worth $40
- 2 magnetized Starfish Bouts, white with greens worth $5
- See videos and pics of Bouquets with details…

If getting our Photography, these Special Perks are also options:

REEL/SLIDESHOW VIDEO WITH MUSIC worth $90 (Contract Page 2, step 1)
On a flashdrive–share up to 40 images of the digital wedding pictures easily, in a fun story format, for years to come
- Or share a Reel of up to 200 images, whole event, 7-15 minutes long, $150
- in a universal MP4 format
- images chosen and designed by Margo
- Includes shipping, by USPS first class, on the same Flashdrive using still-images created by Margo.
- Sample reel videos HERE.
Get 25% off any photo book or canvas wall print fee! See those details, scroll to bottom of this link, HERE.
EXTRA FLASHDRIVE COPY OF PHOTOS worth $30/ea. (Contract Page 3, step 3) Extra, duplicate USB Flashdrive for those who want their own printable images:
- Includes same digital, printable, finished images as original Flashdrive
- Includes Printing Permission letter
- Includes tested, bubble-wrapped USB Flashdrive
- Includes shipping (in US only), first class, USPS with tracking.

Gay Friendly! LGBTQ+ Couples Welcome

Post author By core-admin
Post date April 7, 2023

LGBT Friendly Since our First Day!

We Welcome All Types of Couples ~

ALL couples are always warmly welcome here! Since 2004 when first ordained to wed, we continue to happily serve our LGBT Q+ community with ceremonies loooong BEFORE the local government came around officially in 2013.

Here’s what one couple had to say about us: “We were a little reluctant at first during our browsing [for vendors], because we only wanted to share our special day with people who truly accepted us. David and Margo were/are definitely the ones! They made us feel at ease and accepted us from the moment we started working with them. I would recommend Beachpeople Weddings to absolutely anyone especially to the LGBT community.” Joanna A. & Lori F.A., wedmates

Concerned about being in public? Or how strangers may react?

No worries here. First, we feel very protective of ALL our clients. And, since we started this, NOT ONE stranger has been inappropriate at an LGBT ceremony by us. Quite the contrary, strangers often cheer from a respectful distance, or stand up and applaud, grinning & waving when they see us and you standing up for what we believe in…freedom and love. Your wedding gives people genuine Hope for our struggling society; hope for Humanity! It is quite beautiful to see, and an honor to witness! Also, we know when the beaches are least and most crowded.

Here are a few of the ways we customize a wedding to your needs:

You have a choice of male or female officiant, who are David or Margo (see About Us).
While every couple is inherently unique, we have no desire to view or treat your wedding as ‘different.’
We customize all pronouns and wording for your gender choices.
We love working with Everyone!
We offer our female photographer, Margo, who is 100% fine with same-gender weddings, but IF YOU WISH IT, we also can recommend great male photographers who are gay-friendly and very cool.
A simple ceremony, or an elaborate one, or something in-between are all good choices.
You may have non-religious wording, or spiritual Vows, or using YOUR own words also warmly invited here. We’ll guide you.

Questions always warmly welcome!

Tags gay, gay friendly, gay wedding, homosexual, lesbian wedding, LGBT, LGBTQ, rainbow wedding