Did you know the main cause of emotional stress in planning your picture perfect beach wedding is overwhelm.

If you planning a beach wedding for the first time the key is knowing where to start and what to do. And a recent survey conducted by a leading bridal magazine shows that the key to a stress free wedding is to create a beach wedding checklist.

I am sure you already know this. But according to the survey, you should go to work on the top 5 items and once you have this under wraps then the rest of the beach wedding planning tasks fall into place.

But for each person, the main challenge is that your top 5 priority list of wedding planning activities may be different than the next person.

But we all agree on one thing. A beach wedding is a great way to take a wedding ceremony and give it a unique twist. This is one kind of wedding that is sure to be remembered for quite some time. After all, who doesn't want to sink their toes into the sand and gaze at the ocean on their big day?

Beach weddings may seem more relaxed than conventional indoor weddings, but they do require a lot more planning and logistics. Not to mention you have Mother Nature to contend with and we all know that the only thing we can't rely on is the weather.

And therefore just given the nature of a beach wedding you may begin to prioritize your checklist differently.

Have you considered a theme for your beach wedding? One would think that being on the beach itself was the theme.

Believe it or not there are themes within the theme. You will have to consider if you want to stick to blue, the sea shells route or perhaps the tropical look of bright colors and florals, just plain elegant simplicity or a rustic look.

To help you plan I have condensed a few key topics into my 5 'must have' beach wedding checklist elements...5 key items that will help give you the starting point for your own beach wedding checklist.

Once you've decided on one of these themes you will then have to apply them to your choice of cake, table settings, food and drink and guest favors.

It may seem like a daunting task but I hope that once you will have browsed through my checklist you will have a great starting point and remove some of the stress.

Fair warning. The items i am going to cover may not be the most obvious or most important like choosing the wedding dress or location. I am sure you have these critical components covered. I wanted to cover specific items that are important, usually left for last and could cause some emotional stress at the last minute.

Ok...Let's get this beach wedding checklist started by adding these basics to your beach wedding checklist;

1. Do your guests a beach wedding favor- Demonstrate your token of your appreciation.
2. Let them have cake- Everyone loves desert make sure your beach wedding cake is a showstopper.
   
3. Go over the top -Express your sense of humor with your choice of topping.
4. Bon Apetit -Stick with a light summer menu.
5. Table Matters. Place settings at the table is crucial to get the guests talking about the table and to each other.
   

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR MUST HAVE BEACH WEDDING SURVIVAL GUIDE TO ELIMINATE OVERWHELM

Beach wedding favors guest are different than the traditional wedding favors. And the way you would pick theme will depend on your specific wedding theme.

Some of the unique beach wedding favors that you can offer to your guests include:

Sea Scented Bathe salts in a personalized jar. Guests can use the bath salts but also have the jar to keep as a memento.

Sea Themed Candles: Candles are usually regarded as a thoughtful gift and great for just decorations especially if they are scented.

Starfish Design Wine Stoppers: This is just one of many popular beach wedding favors; it is a starfish designed wine stopper sitting on top of a silver base and decorated with Rhinestones. This is rarely used and gives the impression that your beach wedding is unique.

Flip flop luggage tags: These beach wedding favors are incredibly popular among countless couples that are planning on have a beach wedding.

Designed in the shape of flip flops it is a constant reminder to your guests as to your special day and also allows your luggage to stand out whenever you are traveling.

Palm tree candle holders: What better ways to create fond memories than with candle holders. Palm tree candle holders is durable enough to hold almost any kind of candle easily, whilst still oozing the feeling of a palm beach lifestyle.

The wedding cake only takes second place to the bride on a beach wedding day...but it still has to be as perfect.

Not only does it have to look exceptional, but taste delicious. The right color, moistness, details will contribute to its showstopper status.

Also keep in mind that having a beach wedding is bucking the norm and making a bold statement that you are different. So don't set rules for a beach theme wedding cake...you can go bold and beautiful.

You do need to pay attention to size, and that depends entirely on the number of guests you are expecting. A wedding cake can range from $2 to $3 per slice, and in some cases up to $15 per slice.

The price is largely determined by the intricacy of the wedding cake design.

The second aspect of the wedding cake is the shape.

You don't have to limit yourself to a three-tier wedding cake. You can have a sheet cake, a sculpted cake, and in some cases individual mini cakes will suffice.

Some brides may prefer to offer an individual unique wedding cake at each guest table.

One key consideration on the type of cake that you may forget about is the weather elements.

You need to think about the effects of the sun on the cake. If your wedding is at sunset, or at dawn then your wedding cake may be sheltered from the heat and suns rays, but if it is a mid day wedding then this may taste as if the cake is over baked.

A light cake caters to all dietary requirements of your guests and may include some fruit, for example pineapple, strawberries or coconut.

You can also choose a floral cake, perhaps add flowers that make you think of the beach, something a long the lines of orchids or caly lilies.

Both flowers are beautiful, they have a tendency to express uniqueness and quiet elegance. They can be real flowers, or made of icing or even marzipan, the choice is yours.

You could also opt out of a conventional layered cake and go with cupcakes instead if you have fewer guests. If your bold enough why not try a life size bride cake!

For these and more bold and beautiful cakes check out the following links;

www.pinkcakebox.com

www.elegantcheesecakes.com

www.wildflowersbylori.com

www.devineweddingcakes.com

www.torteditoni.com

If elegant simplicity is what your after, then bold and beautiful cakes make not be appropriate for your beach wedding.

Believe it or not cake toppers can go a long way to being the topic of conversation.

You could opt for the traditional bride and groom topping or some of the more humorous options now available.

Humorous options for seaside themed cake toppers, include the Hooked on Love Interchangeable Cake Topper Set, that features the bride "hooking" the groom with a fishing pole.

The fishing line length can be adjusted if needed.

Weddings can sometimes be an akward social situations with two families meeting for the first time, especially if you are trying to finalize the seating arrangements.

And the good news is that you can stimulate the conversations with showstopper table decorations that will get any conversation going.

The keys to selecting the perfect beach wedding centerpiece must take several things into consideration. Is your beach wedding formal or casual? Is it a daytime or nighttime celebration? And of course the all-important budget.

For a formal beach wedding, consider using tropical flowers such as birds of paradise, ginger and orchids.

These flowers are great for tall elegant centerpieces. Orchids are available in a large variety of colors so you have a good chance to find just the right color for your special day.

For an elegant floral centerpiece on a budget, consider using plumeria. You can design smaller arrangements using just a few flowers or take them and place them in a shallow clear glass bowl filled with water to create a beautiful floating centerpiece.

If you are having an evening or nighttime wedding consider adding a few floating candles for an elegant accent. Plumerias can also be used to create a wreath to encompass a large candle.

If you are working on a budget, fresh flowers can be expensive. Don't worry; get creative. Use the raw materials of the beach to create a centerpiece that your guest will be sure to remember.

Spend some time gathering beach shells, sea glass or even smooth stones. Once you have an assortment place your findings in various sized glass jars or vases. They do not have to match in size and shape.

The more unique the better.

Think eclectic beach wedding and let your findings inspire you to create the perfect centerpiece. You can also transform your tables by spreading shells and sea glass out and garnishing with tea lights.

With the ocean as your backdrop your centerpieces only need compliment it.

Tropical flowers or simple seashells, let your surroundings inspire you and you will surely create beautiful beach wedding centerpieces.

The way to your guests heart may just be the food so give them a lasting impression of your special day by ending with scrumptious food.

Summer time and especially beach weddings almost always demands a light theme approach for your beach wedding.

What better to serve than fish as the main course for that special day.Why not give them a taste of your take on fish and chips or to keep it cost effective why not opt for a buffet which will allow greater variety and cater for different guest taste buds.

I hope that you have found this hub useful.

All the best.

Betsy