By Guest Blogger Gary McSwain of SouthCarolinaMemories.com

South Carolina has some of the most beautiful beaches and saying your vows with the feel of the ocean breeze and the sound of breaking waves can make memories to last a lifetime. Since an outdoor wedding has many considerations, we have compiled a list of tips from brides who have said “I Do” along the coast of South Carolina.

South Carolina Beach Wedding Locations

Location – Popular Hilton Head Island beach wedding locations are Sea Pines, Shipyard Plantation, Palmetto Dunes and Daufuskie Island. Popular Charleston beach wedding locations are Edisto Beach, Kiawah Island, Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island and the Isle of Palms. Popular Myrtle Beach beach wedding locations are Pawleys Island, Garden City, Surfside Beach and North Myrtle Beach. All of these locations have areas that would make for a lovely ceremony. Many local facilities specialize in beach weddings and have the expertise to handle every consideration to make your ceremony go as you have always dreamed of including tide charts, required permits, decorating and music restrictions.

Weather – There is an element of risk with an outdoor wedding and many brides have said the best way to take the fear out of what the weather may do is to have a backup plan. This will put you, your wedding party and your guests at ease, so communicate it with your invitations and let them know that you have an alternative in case of inclement weather.

Time of Day – It is a good idea to consider a morning or late afternoon ceremony when the heat is not as intense, or to plan the wedding for a cooler spring or fall month. Since beaches are open to the public, these times usually have fewer people around which can reduce the level of distraction for the ceremony. And make sure you rehearse the positioning of the wedding party relative to the sun so that no one has the glare in their eyes.

Attire – Dresses that flow beautifully indoors can be ruined in a beach wedding because of contact with the ground so keep that in mind when selecting your dress. Shoes can work if they are low or no heel, especially if carpet is placed on the sand for the wedding party to stand on. If the ceremony is actually on the sand, consider wearing flip flops or sandals, but be careful of going barefoot so bugs don’t distract you. Wind is also a factor to consider with deciding to have a veil since a breezy day could break your concentration if you have to hold down the veil when the wind blows.

Expense – Beach weddings can offer a lower cost approach if you let the ambiance and views provide your natural decorations. You can have the ceremony and reception at the same place which saves expense and travel time which can be a great convenience for out of town guests who may not be familiar with the area.

Food – Special consideration has to be paid to the reception food to make sure that bugs do not interfere and that the wedding cake does not melt, so selecting a caterer that has beach wedding experience is almost a necessity. Some of your guests can pitch in to assist in keeping birds away.

South Carolina Beach Wedding Companies

With careful planning your South Carolina beach wedding can be a beautiful and enjoyable experience for you, your wedding party and your guests to remember for a lifetime!