As I’m sitting here in the sweltering heat of a late-January afternoon, preparing for a wedding on beautiful Whangamata beach in a few days’ time, I’m wondering why more people don’t consider having a beach wedding in the winter months. I know it’s hard to think about winter while we are enjoying this summer heatwave, but there are plenty of advantages to off-season weddings, especially if you don’t want to wait too long.
Sure, a summer beach wedding is a magical event, but there are definite drawbacks:
· The most obvious is, it can be hot ... VERY HOT! Today we are looking at 32 degrees. Think sweat trickling down your body and legs, damp patches on your dream dress, frizzy hair, and your makeup sliding down your face (which is becoming redder by the minute).
· Shelter is often non-existent. Your guests will be standing on the sand waiting for the wedding to kick off. “Fashionably late” takes on a whole different meaning when your guests are melting. Think sunburn, heat exhaustion and dehydration. Not to mention the ever-present sandflies, midges and mozzies.
· There are only so many layers of clothes you and your guests can remove without getting arrested!
· That harsh summer light can be a challenge for your photographer.
· Last but not least, a beach is a public place, and even though you have your permit from the council there may still be people sunbathing, swimming and playing beach cricket right by where you are having your ceremony.
Which is not to say you shouldn’t get married by the water in the middle of summer. Of course it will be wonderful. BUT ... there are some real upsides to doing it in the WINTER:
· It’s cheaper. Vendors will often offer discounts for off-season weddings.
· You’ll have a better chance of scoring your dream vendors without having to book them years in advance.
· You’ll get stunning pics. There’s nothing like that moody winter light.
· If you’ve got a yearning to wear fur (fake or ethical of course), now is your chance.
· How about a velvet wedding gown? The ultimate in opulence.
· It’s easy for your guests to add layers of clothing to suit the conditions, and you could have some throws handy if extra warmth is needed.
· And, you’ll probably have the beach pretty much to yourselves.
As with any outdoor wedding, you will need to have an alternative venue sorted in case the weather doesn’t come to the party. But that can happen regardless of the season. Rain is a feature of our climate, summer and winter, and the wind may howl and the waves crash just as loudly whatever the time of year.