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US couples spend an average of $20,000 on their weddings. Decorations are usually around 8% of the total wedding cost, averaging about $1,600. But wedding beach decorations can be less expensive if you plan well. Continue reading and you’ll learn how.

Finding decorations for your beach ceremony is a no-brainer, right? Maybe if you’re a creative genius. For the rest of us things can be a bit more complicated.

Follow these simple tips for creating chic, hassle-free beach decorations for your wedding.

Flooring

If you are planning a casual, barefoot wedding, forget about flooring. If however, you are planning a more formal ceremony, you’ll want flooring. Why? Without it, shoes will fill with sand, pants and dresses will become soiled, wet or torn and guests will have difficulty walking. Also, if any of your guests are elderly or infirm, you’ll want to provide chairs for them. Without flooring, chairs can easily sink into the sand and tip over.

Rental companies frequently offer flooring. Including set up, the typical cost is $3.50 – $4.00 per square foot.

Arches

Many styles of arches are available, probably as many as there are brides who would love a beach wedding. It’s easy to rent an arch but making your own is often cheaper. Begin with a metal or wood arch from a hobby shop or building supply store, then decorate it to suit your taste.

These two sophisticated types of arches are perfect as wedding beach decorations:

Tropical Arch: Start with your metal or wood arch and wrap palm or banana leaves around it. Add a big dash of color with tropical flowers like antherium, birds-of-paradise or heliconia. Hang a large seashell, starfish or other beach item from the peak and you’re done.

Chuppah arches: Often used in Jewish ceremonies, chuppahs are canopies made with a cloth or sheet supported by four poles. A chuppah provides an intimate ceremony and shade for the wedding couple. For additional appeal, use shorter poles and ask members of your wedding party to assist, with one holding each of the poles during your wedding.

Decorative Accessories

Here are five ideas to help you think outside the box and complete your wedding beach decorations inexpensively:

1. Use local flowers to line the aisle. If there are chairs on both sides, hang flowers from the chair backs or arms. If you don’t have chairs, make an aisle by putting palm fronds or banana leaves on the sand. Then add color by placing orchids or local flowers on top of the leaves.

2. Enhance your decorations with torches. Tiki torches are just what the doctor ordered to balance and harmonize your wedding beach decorations. Two rows of torches placed four feet apart can be used to create a natural aisle. If you already have an aisle, plant the torches randomly and light them to create a textbook tropical atmosphere. If your wedding takes place at dusk, all the better.

3. Ribbons are another spot-on accompaniment for beach weddings. Ribbons, fluttering and waving in the ocean breeze, are just the thing for setting off your celebration. Use pastel colors in pink, blue and coral. Make sure ribbons are well-secured so they don’t blow away.

4. If you scatter local items like starfish, seashells, coconuts and palm leaves throughout the area you’ll harmonize your wedding beach decorations with their setting. Make sure you don’t put any sharp items where guests might accidentally step on them and hurt themselves.

5. Boat oars, anchors and fishing net are also perfect elements for unifying your beach wedding theme. Borrow these from friends or nearby residents along the beach.

More Money Saving Ideas

Instead of buying expensive items like flooring, tables, chairs and other large items, it makes sense to rent them. If you want to buy them anyway, buy what’s on sale at warehouse clubs and hobby shops. Skip items that aren’t on sale.

Instead of buying or renting smaller decorations, borrow from family and friends. Someone you know probably has an arch, extra ribbon or sea shells they would be happy for you to use in your ceremony. Make a list of what you need and ask around.

Make some of your own beach decorations. Bows, signs, ribbons and those types of decorative items are easy to make, and making them yourself will save you money.

Use locally grown flowers whenever possible. They’re usually cheaper than flowers grown elsewhere. Another consideration is the limited shelf life that flowers have. If flowers aren’t sold quickly, within just a few days, they have to be thrown out. Ask local florists for special deals on flowers that need to be sold quickly.

Keep it simple. When you get married on a beach, the surroundings are the decorations. You don’t need much else. Include a few tasteful accessories and you’re home free.

Beach Wedding Magic is devoted to helping couples create their own magical on beach wedding. Visit BeachWeddingMagic.com for expert advice on wedding beach decorations, cakes, flowers, wedding planners and much more.