A common concern for couples planning a public beach wedding is wondering if the spot on the beach that they desire will be available on their wedding day. The solution to this concern is very simple. Get there first and make your presence known.
This is what I suggest to all couples planning a beach wedding. Recruit at least two family members or friends who would not mind spending some time holding your spot. I have found that younger guys actually really enjoy having this "duty". They should arrive with a cooler, a football or frisbee and a few lawn chairs and basically set up camp in your desired location. How early they arrive is best calculated by the season, the day of the week and the weather. But for the sake of example, a Saturday during peak summer months means someone should be there no later than 9:00AM. Beach-goers will avoid your spot as long as they know where it is. What they will NOT want to do, is move after they have gotten settled in. Imagine how you would feel if someone asked you to move. But the sight of your friends throwing a football back and forth, with maybe music playing, will drive people to different spots, because they likely want a relaxing spot on the beach. It is absolutely essential that along with this activity, your friends actually tell people that there will be a wedding there today. I suggest they don't say what time. Once the other folks find their spot on the beach, they won't care. But your friends need to realize that they need to be a friendly, courteous but very visible and vigilant deterrent to other people.
This is what I suggest to all couples planning a beach wedding. Recruit at least two family members or friends who would not mind spending some time holding your spot. I have found that younger guys actually really enjoy having this "duty". They should arrive with a cooler, a football or frisbee and a few lawn chairs and basically set up camp in your desired location. How early they arrive is best calculated by the season, the day of the week and the weather. But for the sake of example, a Saturday during peak summer months means someone should be there no later than 9:00AM. Beach-goers will avoid your spot as long as they know where it is. What they will NOT want to do, is move after they have gotten settled in. Imagine how you would feel if someone asked you to move. But the sight of your friends throwing a football back and forth, with maybe music playing, will drive people to different spots, because they likely want a relaxing spot on the beach. It is absolutely essential that along with this activity, your friends actually tell people that there will be a wedding there today. I suggest they don't say what time. Once the other folks find their spot on the beach, they won't care. But your friends need to realize that they need to be a friendly, courteous but very visible and vigilant deterrent to other people.
Trying to save a spot without people will not work. Outlining an area with furniture, yellow caution tape, balloons or signs will only upset people and they will almost without exception remove those items. (I've actually witnessed a group move someone's wedding setup and put theirs in its place. The reasoning was that they were ready to have their ceremony, and there was no one around from the other group.) All locals, and most other vacationers, know that beaches cannot be reserved and will indicate their disapproval of cordoning off an area by moving your stuff. You must have friendly, courteous people present, and typically they really enjoy the job.
