Ideas at the beach?

[luvthemstrawberries]

We have pretty much narrowed down our reception spot we like to the aquarium. We''re in North Carolina, and the aquarium is located on the southern portion technically on an island. I''ve looked at a few different ceremony sites, and we haven''t chosen one yet. We both wanted a church, but all the ones we''ve talked with are pretty unhelpful, very strict (especially with prohibiting photography), and pretty darn expensive too. So we''re exploring other options, like a hotel courtyard (that might overlook the beach, I don''t know for sure yet), possibly a private pier (just like a fishing pier but not public), or maybe just using a separate room in the aquarium (this is our last resort I think). We''re both beach people, but we just don''t want a ceremony actually on the beach, b/c the wind and waves just tend to be so loud, plus I think some of my older family members would have a tough time getting out there... haha let alone the griping I''d hear about having to take off shoes!

So here''s what I''m looking for ideas on. Let''s say for sake of argument that we choose to have the ceremony somewhere you don''t see the beach. The aquarium is on the sound side of the island, facing West, so you see no beach from the reception at all. But since we both love the beach, I''d like to incorporate the beach somehow into the day/events.

Any ideas on how to do that? I''ve wondered about everything from having a "cocktail hour" with just snacks or something on the beach before we head to the aquarium, or maybe find somewhere to have the rehearsal dinner that''s on/overlooks the beach, or a bonfire the night before if there''s a place to do that... I don''t know. Any ideas or creative people out there?

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

This is an aerial view of the pier, looking back at the hotel that owns it. I assume the actual beach location through the hotel is somewhere along this shoreline here or within the near vicinity.

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

I just found this picture - it''s the courtyard I''ve been told about. I can''t tell in this or any other pictures, but it doesn''t appear to overlook the beach at all. Actually looks kind of boring... but I also haven''t been there in person yet, so I can''t talk.

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

Picture of the pier as you walk up towards it

 

[cbs102]

I was in a wedding this past september in PA but it was a beach theme. obviously there is not a beach in PA we brought the beach in. rather than the typical "escort" cards, we had collected clam shells all summer. I bleached them, sprayed them with laquer and painted the names in script lettering. it was VERY time consuming but totally adorable. i will see if i can find a pic somewhere. they also incorporated sand and water and sea grasses into their centerpieces.

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

Thought I might add this picture - it''s the room at the aquarium that''s often used for ceremonies there. I think this picture is at night, but off to the right the entire wall is floor to ceiling windows that look out over the boardwalk and trees. I think it could take some beach theme decorations well like cbs suggests.

 

[katamari]

I think especially if your reception is at an aquarium, it will be fine to use a beach theme in your wedding. I think your ideas all sound great. Taking pictures on the beach would be nice, too. I also love cbs''s idea of using shells and nature elements for decor. I think you could introduce shells and sand in a lot of cool ways--like using sand and submerged flowers in a centerpiece (instead of rocks). Personally, I would have something more casual on the beach, like a send-off brunch. At the rehearsal dinner or cocktail hour, as a guest, I would likely have heels on and would have no interest in either taking off my shoes or walking on the sand in heels.

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

Hey guys thanks for the suggestions so far!

I actually heard back from the contact at the pier and she said they''ve had many weddings on the pier and they work out well. So we''re planning a trip there soon to see it.

I do like the ideas of using shells/sand/etc for decorations. I''m also interested though if anyone has ideas of activities or things to do to somehow actually be on/near the beach at some point. Maybe if we use the pier as the ceremony spot we won''t have to, but if we don''t choose that, I''d like to be at/near the beach sometime since we''re less than a mile from it the entire weekend. I do like the idea to have the send off brunch there! That would be fun.