Herman Melville, in his epic novel Moby Dick, stated that there is a longing in all people for the sea, that human beings are drawn to it.  It very well might be this very longing that has spurred the rise in recent years of beach-theme weddings, both by couples that live near the ocean and those that do not.

When planning a beach-theme wedding, one thing to remember is not to go over the top!  There are thousands of resources available online, but don’t get carried away.  Remember, the idea is to give your guests the hint of the sea, not make them feel like they are drowning in the ocean.

INVITATIONS – Start off the theme before the wedding even begins by mailing out invitations with a beach or nautical theme.  This can be as simple as having a seashell embossed on each invitation.  There are many resources online where you can order these, and many shops have an extensive selection of styles.

LOCATIONS – Of course, it is not necessary for a beach-theme wedding to actually be held on the beach, but it is possible.  Many couples every year have simple and beautiful ceremonies on the beach.  If you would like a ceremony near the ocean but not actually on the sand, alternatives are to search for venues that have an ocean view.  Lastly, if you are located far inland and you are not interested in having a destination wedding, remember that, through the use of details, you can still evoke a beach theme without actually being at the beach.

FAVORS & PLACEHOLDERS – Making your favors a beach theme is a must.  There are lots of options, including shell-shaped candles, seashell-etched glass coasters, seashell-shaped soap gift packs (hint – these are easy to make yourself!), small frames shaped like Adirondack chairs, or sailboat-shaped candle holders.  If you live near the beach, particularly if you have a small congregation, one free option is just to collect beautiful seashells and place them at the tables as favors.  If you have time, you could even include a small note with each shell, explaining why you chose it for that person.

WINE CHARMS -  If you are not familiar with wine charms, they are small trinkets attached to a hoop that people put around the bottom of their wine glass to distinguish it as theirs among the others at the table.  They can be quite intricate and beautiful.  The most common beach-theme wine charms are ones made from blown glass or pewter, and they are widely available online.

OUT OF TOWN BAGS – For a fun beach twist on your out of town bags, make sure to include coupons to a local seafood restaurant for your guests to enjoy!

Remember, proximity to the ocean does not have to determine whether or not you will have the beach-theme wedding of your dreams.  You can easily create the feeling of the beach through beach or nautical details, even if you live in the Midwest.  It’s all in the imagination and the planning.