Summer weddings are a whole barrel of fun, with clear blue skies, colorful flowers, and happy sunny days which come with the magical power to lift moods and make everything look a hundred times better! You can show off a daring neckline with your wedding dress, your wedding guests will have more fun with their wedding guest outfit choices, and most importantly, you have the world on the platter when it comes to wedding destinations! Outdoor wedding destinations are the top pick of most summer brides, because who wouldn't want to thread through the lush grass field and get married with the abundance of nature as their ceremony backdrop? 

The good thing about outdoor weddings is that the options are as open-ended as the “outdoors” is. Whether you want to get married to the sound of lapping ocean waves and golden dunes, or you want to say your vows amidst chirping birds and cobwebbed branches of towering trees in a decadent woodland, it is all outdoor wedding by definition. Today we are here to talk about some of the best kinds of outdoor weddings we can think of- the waterfront weddings! 

Needless to say, we are heedlessly in love with waterfront weddings! There is something about the serene glassy green lake or the ocean blue rhythmic waves that swell and crash that soothes our eyes, calm our souls, make us catch our breath in appreciation of nature, and proves to be the perfect setting for a wedding ceremony! While we all love the dreamy stage that a waterfront wedding venue brings to the table, it does require some strategic planning. We are here to give you some useful tips and venue ideas for you to explore!

Essential tips for a waterfront wedding!

Waterfront weddings, while beautiful, do need a little bit of foresight and planning. If you are daydreaming about saying “I do” with the pristine water lines in the background, we have some tips for you.

Book fast
If you want to get the date you choose, make your reservation as soon as possible.

Because the busiest times for inquiries are one year in advance, the best time to get the date of your choosing is 1.5 years away. Most weddings are generally booked between May and October because it is a destination venue. Keep in mind that some venues have annual events that prevent them from booking weddings on particular days. When you book early, you have the advantage of securing the date you desire.

Back up plan
You might be dreaming of a gorgeous ceremony by the beach or lake and the weather might have other plans! If the weather doesn't cooperate, have a backup plan in place. It's always a good idea to have a backup place! When Mother Nature has other intentions, certain outdoor wedding venues are always prepared to host an indoor ceremony and cocktail afterward.

Think about your attire
Consider your outfit and footwear. If you want to go to the beach and play in the sand, make sure your dress doesn't have a long train! On the beach, finding suitable footwear can be difficult, so you may prefer to go barefoot. If you wish to get married on the Inn's wide lawns, consider "rescue flats" or, more recently, "rescue heel protectors." These are fantastic, and they come in three sizes to keep your guests and bridal party from sinking into the grass. It might also be a great idea to think about your wedding guests and have appropriate footwear available for them to wear, and also take away as a memory of your special day!

Year-round waterfront wedding
Weddings by the water aren't just for the summer. Spring and fall are two of the most popular seasons for weddings, as being on the lake provides a pleasant evening breeze and allows your guests to escape the hot heat. If you're holding a tented event, you won't have to worry about installing heating or air conditioning to your tent, and you'll be able to rely on the natural surroundings to offer a wonderful temperate atmosphere for your guests.

Add some shade
During this type of event, it can get extremely hot outside. Not everyone will be able to withstand the heat. For your reception, you might wish to rent a huge canopy. A huge canopy can give plenty of shade while yet allowing you to enjoy the outdoors. If you're getting married in the summer, you may also add some sprinklers that will keep your guests cool. One of the best things about renting a canopy is that it gives you a backup plan in case the weather turns bad and it rains on your wedding day. When hosting an outdoor event, it's always a good idea to have a rain strategy in place.

Decorate minimally
You'll want to keep the decorations modest if you're having a wedding by the water. The majority of the event's ornamental features should come from the environment. Simple decorations that accentuate the natural beauty of your place are recommended. For example, you might want to get married beneath a lovely flower archway. You might wish to use gorgeous tablecloths that are fastened down to cover the tables. Keep in mind that you will almost certainly be dealing with some wind. As a result, you don't want to utilize any decorations that are easily blown away. Flowers and other natural decorations are ideal for this type of event. The landscape supplies the majority of the decoration in this type of setting.

Permit consideration
While most venues will take care of permission paperwork, if you're getting married somewhere public, such as a public beach, a National Park, or even your local neighborhood park, you'll need to do some extra legwork to ensure your wedding location is legal. Even if you're celebrating on a private beach, you may need to investigate and follow city rules and permissions. Spend some time exploring the web to check if your local government's website defines requirements as a first step. If you're unsure about something, talk to your wedding planner and maybe even go down to city hall or visit your convention and visitor's bureau for extra information.

Waterfront wedding venues we are loving!

Celebration Cottage, North Carolina
The Crystal Coast of North Carolina is one of the most natural and attractive coastlines on the east coast. With herds of wild horses galloping straight past its soft dunes, it is nestled in the state's southern Outer Bank and boasts southern charm and a strong maritime history. On Atlantic Beach, Celebration Cottage is the only public seaside venue. The beach-chic structure features a huge deck perfect for soaking up the seaside breeze while dancing the night away, as well as a highly-rehearsed event team that can handle all of the details. The crew is happy to assist couples in creating a custom menu of delicious local fare, inventive beverages, floral arrangements, and all the finishing touches for a stunning beachfront ceremony and celebration.

Terranea Resort, California
Terranea Resort, perched above the Pacific Ocean on the beautiful Palos Verdes Peninsula, provides everything you could want in a waterfront wedding setting. On three sides, the 102-acre property is bordered by the ocean. It's just outside of a large city, so it's handy for any last-minute emergencies, yet it feels like a calm respite from the rush and bustle just beyond its driveway. The resort has three beautiful ballrooms to choose from, one of which was where Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson of Dancing with the Stars out-danced everyone at their recent celebration and has 75,000 square feet of outdoor venues with sweeping ocean views.

Faena Hotel, Florida
You'll find gilded-age splendor at this architecturally gorgeous Miami Beach hotel, whether you want to eat under the stars or have an open-air ceremony and dance till dawn at the Saxony Bar. Recharge the next morning with a classic and delicious Argentine Asado (barbecue) brunch before relaxing in your beach cabana for several days. From the Juan Gatti, mural-adorned "cathedral" gateway to the Damien Hirst sculptures displayed around the property, such as the gilded wooly mammoth labeled "Gone But Not Forgotten," pictured below, varied elegance awaits at every turn.

Pelican Grand Beach Resort, Florida
Pelican Grand, one of only a few resorts directly on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, provides couples with a luxury ambiance for their special day right on the sand. Unlike many of its trendy adjacent buildings, the modern hotel nevertheless has a bit of an Old Florida flavor, as well as seven separate wedding sites with fantastic views of the Atlantic. Inside, couples can pick from the Oceanview and Atlantic Ballrooms, which offer stunning views and protection from the elements – something to keep in mind is South Florida's sweltering summers. The Oceanview Terrace has a charming gazebo with a backdrop of a calm ocean as far as the eye can see, which makes for a lovely altar in a setting that can accommodate up to 120 people.

Maine Maritime Museum, Maine
The Maine Maritime Museum chronicles the state's maritime heritage. This 20-acre campus on the Kennebec River in Bath, historically known as the "City of Ships" because of the 22 shipyards that once lined its waterfront, boasts stunning views and plenty of maritime importance. Percy & Small Shipyard, the only intact dry dock of the original two dozen that manufactured big sailing vessels, is one of the riverfront institution's historically significant waterfront locations. Many couples opt to tie the knot on the pier against the backdrop of the 1906 schooner "Mary E." Symbolic, to say the least.

Edgewood Tahoe, California
This High Sierras resort combines an Alpine lodge with a lakeside hideaway. Edgewood Tahoe, perched on the shores of Lake Tahoe, North America's largest alpine lake—with water as clear as the Caribbean—offers some of the best beauty in an area already famed for its mind-bogglingly magnificent vistas. The LEED-certified 235-acre resort features 154 luxury rooms and suites, an 18-hole championship golf course, a spa, salon, three restaurants, a ballroom, and the area's only private beach. On the North Deck, with the crystal lake and snow-capped peaks as a background, you can get married in full isolation. Most couples prefer to transfer the party inside the mountain chalet-inspired North Room after the nuptial rites before the temperature lowers.

Sound View, New York
This family-owned motel has had some of the nicest waterfront views on Long Island's nautical North Fork since it first opened in 1935. However, it was given a thorough makeover in 2017 by a well-known hotel business. With sleek mid-century-style furnishings, lots of bright whites and blues, and plenty of wood, the rebuilt inn combines a modern New England aesthetic with aspects that celebrate the Golden Age of the motor hotel, drawing influence from Greenport's maritime past. It's a calm and serene setting for a beach wedding. Couples can say "I do" in front of 250 guests on the hotel's private beach before feasting on seafood at Halyard, the huge on-site restaurant with a dance floor and stunning views!

Castle Hill Inn, Rhode Island
The adjacent lighthouse, ships passing through Newport Harbor, and the Atlantic Ocean are all visible from this 1875 inn, which lies high on a hill above Narragansett Bay. Couples can say "I do" in a variety of locations on the 40-acre property, which is situated on its peninsula and offers tranquil waterfront views. Whether it's a lantern-lit garden and white sand seashore ceremonies in the summer, followed by al fresco dining and dancing under a white sailcloth tent, or a warm party in front of the fireplace in the winter, this magnificent site is sure to dazzle even the most difficult to please visitors. Invite your friends to join you for the restaurant's legendary Sunday brunch the next day.

Besler’s Cadillac Ranch, South Dakota
Besler's Cadillac Ranch, located on the banks of the Redwater River in the famed Black Hills of South Dakota, is a stunning location to exchange vows. Most couples say "I do" in the gazebo, as the river rushes by, then move into the two-story barn to party the night away. The facility includes a full-service bar, a bandstand, a dance floor, a kitchenette, and everything else you'll need to organize a spectacular party. With a farmhouse, tiny home, cabins, tent space, and complete RV hookups, the ranch—which also boards horses—has plenty of room for guests to stay overnight, so everyone can enjoy your rustic celebration without having to worry about traveling at the end of the night.

The magic of waterfront weddings is not limited to the serene vibe that it lends to your wedding day, but extends far beyond! The shimmering city lights on the water or the allure of purple sunsets, and water bodies tend to make everything more beautiful! Whether it is the fact that waterfront weddings lead to some amazing photo opportunities or the way most of the decor element is already served by the majestic water body, the perks are just too many to ignore! If you are planning a waterfront wedding, we hope this article helped you get some valuable information and got you excited for your special day by the water!