What are the most common mistakes a bride and groom make when planning a wedding on the beach?
I asked the expert, A-list destination wedding planner Amy Rubins of Fete Perfection, for her top tips on having your beach wedding day run smoothly. Amy holds so many awards for wedding planning, it’s almost embarrassing, and she was named as one of the top 25 wedding influencers in the world last year. Here is her advice….
Michelle & Brandon’s Cancun wedding
1. Remember basic needs on your wedding day
“Couples never think of eating or drinking/staying hydrated on their wedding day. One of the first things I focus on is breakfast and lunch for the entire bridal party. Breakfast should be healthy with fruit, bagels, coffee and bottles of water. Lunch shouldn’t be heavy, and should be easy to grab on the go. Mini sandwiches, like subs cut into smallish pieces, assorted cut fruit and veggies, and water. And never have red colored drinks which could stain if spilled!”
A very good point. Even as Riviera Maya wedding photographers (we work in a HOT place!) we have constantly had to remind the bride and groom about taking the time to drink something. Even when it is 100 degrees, it’s easy to forget!
(What needs to be in your beach wedding survival kit?)
2. Getting ready for wedding day chaos
Amy warns, “Brides severely underestimate the amount of time needed on their wedding day. Hair and makeup for four or five bridesmaids, two mothers, grandmothers, can take six hours or more!”
This is also why we encourage you to have your wedding photographer start when you are just finishing getting ready. The whole process is usually much longer and more chaotic than you think!
Read what The Knot says no one tells you about getting your hair and makeup done.
Jessica & Brian’s Tulum wedding
3. Delays are normal with weddings
A wedding day can be stressful enough, but an accident on the highway while you are trying to get between venues, well that’s something that can bring out the Bridezilla in anyone! “Brides never plan on traffic delays getting to and from the church, reception, salon, etc. which is why I pad my timelines with fifteen minutes here and there to account for traffic delays and problems.” Amy says.
And if you are getting married on the beach in Mexico, you may want to pad your wedding day timeline even more!
Download our FREE Ultimate Guide To Getting Married In The Riviera Maya
4. Timely wedding speeches
Another common mistake made by the bride and groom? Amy says it is “Not planning enough time for toasts. I give guidelines for effective toasts and speeches, but they are often ignored. This causes delays in timelines, and as well bored guests, or guests who start talking over the speaker.”
(And come on, nothing kills the party vibe at your wedding reception quite like a wedding speech that sucks!)
5. Microphone is a must
Unless your friends and family are expert lip readers, then Amy suggests that “Not planning to have a microphone for the ceremony is a mistake. Everyone, including the officiate, always believes that they have a strong voice which projects. I insist on a mike because people always turn shy and can barely be heard. Guests complain all the time that they couldn’t hear the ceremony.”
If a beach wedding is in your future, then a microphone is essential! Those warm ocean breezes, although romantic, will snatch up your words and carry them away as soon as they are spoken.
Yuri & Adolfo’s Playa del Carmen wedding
6. Trust the wedding professionals
And Amy’s top tip?
“Using amateurs instead of professionals is a huge mistake. The old saying goes ‘You think hiring a professional is expensive? Just wait until you hire an amateur!’ Using your sister, brother, uncle or grandmother’s doctor’s niece as florist or caterer is fraught with problems. Volunteers who are not paid lack passion and do not give it their all. Also, when they do not do it for living, how can they anticipate problems or what is needed…they don’t even know what they don’t know.”
Yup. Agreed. In our industry we see brides trying to save a buck this way on their wedding photographer all the time! You need to understand that down here in the Riviera Maya the light is different, the sunset is unique, and an amateur will disappoint you. And at the end of the day, all you have left are your wedding photos…
Thank you, Amy Rubins, for your wonderfully helpful advice!
What did you find the most helpful tip? we want to hear about it in the comments below!
Are you looking for the best Playa del Carmen wedding photographer for your beach wedding? Then get in touch with us now! We are Fun In the Sun Weddings, for the best Riviera Maya wedding photography in Playa del Carmen, Cancun and Tulum.
Download our FREE Ultimate Guide To Getting Married In The Riviera Maya
