Summer Lovin'

It's Monday, it's snowing outside my window, and it's cold. I think I have hit the stage of being sick of the cold already! How about you? So, to try and pump some heat back into everyone, let's have beach themed weddings! Now of course, it would be amazing if we could rock onto a beach, set up a beautiful ceremony, and get married with the sounds of the waves, but I would say that's more for our overseas readers. Unfortunately in Britain, unless you are really lucky, you probably wouldn't want to be on the brown sand, with the wind blowing you and your guests half way down the coastline. But that doesn't mean you can't influence your indoor wedding with a warm touch!

To achieve this theme, use lots of things from the beach! Seashells, sand and seaweed (dried of course) all add to the picture. Colours should be bright and summery such as sky blues, pinks, yellows and oranges. During the ceremony, play ocean sounds to let your guests feel like they are really there, top chef Heston Blumenthal did this with one of his seafood dishes, and he proved that his guests felt more of the sea with the sounds!

Name cards with Table place

Favours

Brides can wear whatever they want really, of course a light and airy dress would give more of a beach theme, but if you are indoors, you want the dress of your dreams. So instead, add seashells to your hair to have a hair-do even Ariel the mermaid would be proud of! Grooms are similar, using seashells for buttonholes. Alternatively, if neither of you want shells on your body, use exotic flowers such as lilies and orchids. But if the bride does want shells, why not try a seashell bouquet!

Lilies (My Favourites!)

Seashell bouquet

For the rest? Just keep it beach! Decorate with shells, buckets and spades, and sand. If you Google search 'beach themed wedding cakes' you will find an arrayment of magical cakes, and you will never be short on invites either. One idea I have seen which I love is having fishbowls as centre pieces, with real fish! Lots of bright flowers, and maybe a steel band for part of the day, to really give the tropical paradise vibe. My fave top ideas?

• Get a sandpit for children to play in with buckets and spades to treat them to the seaside too.
• There tend to be local Ukulele groups (I know there is definitely one in Norwich if this interests you), so you can hire them, at a cheaper rate than most bands, and have Somewhere over the Rainbow playing you down the aisle by the melodic Uke!
• Have a photobooth with lots of seaside hats and sunnies for guests to strike a pose in.
• Provide your guests with flip-flops so they (especially the girls) can dance the night away!

Hopefully I warmed you up a little bit!!

Beach Wedding Cake

Fishbowl centrepiece

Guest Book and Pen

Invites

Flip flops for the Bride