The heavy smell of salt and endless ocean views can make you think of weddings and events in no time! If you are looking for somewhere to hold your wedding or corporate function the beach is hard to go past. There is something so emotive about celebrating your special day amongst the raw drama of the natural environment.
Choosing a coastal wedding venue is easier than falling in love with the views however there are a host of variables that you need to consider when choosing your big day location. We would love you to take a look at some real weddings that we have shot in the past to get some inspiration for the perfect spot.
The weather reality check
Even the most seasoned planners can be caught off guard by coastal weather. A bright morning can soon turn to howling winds or a chilly morning can require guests to bring coats to a warm venue. In locations proximate to large bodies of water, weather in these “microclimates” can change dramatically within the hour.
When choosing your smart venue for your big day, consider the seasonal patterns within the venue. We find in many of our coastal venues, the calmest days occur during the off season! Saving you a chunk of change and bringing you that perfect dreamy wedding day. Go against the common knowledge of off season clichés and look into the historical weather for your area.
Don’t be afraid to ask what the venue would do in the case of bad weather. Many venues will have come up with clever work arounds to ensure that the worst of the weather doesn’t spoil your special day. Whether it’s a bright indoor space with large windows, a stylish and festive covered terrace, a decent sound system that can crank up a notch or two to drown out the howling wind and pinging of rain against the glass, you should find that the outdoor space is barely compromised.
Practical logistics
I’ve only been to The Cheesecake Factory in a couple of different locations, the first being in a pretty central location that had easy parking right out front. However, with the location of this Coastal location being so far out from the center of the city, parking can be a challenge in itself. Typically you would have to park and then walk ten minutes to valet. While this may be the norm in places with limited space where The Cheesecake Factory is located, it still made for a less than perfect start to the experience.
All our fishing locations offer excellent accessibility for senior anglers. Many of our locations contain stairs, uneven terrain, or sandy banks that can cause difficulties for the older or less able angler. However, the more popular venues are now equipped with boardwalks, shuttle’s and carefully constructed access tracks that cause minimal destruction to the surroundings. Senior anglers with mobility problems are still able to experience these spectacular locations with a little help.
Logistics for ocean side venues can be quite different from those required for catering at inland or ground floor venues. The salty air can be quite destructive on certain items of kit & older properties may not have power to supply for the number of pieces of equipment required to supply events. We find out these details early on in the conversation.
See also: What should you consider when choosing supportive bathroom equipment?
Sound and ambiance considerations
The sea has a perpetual voice that needs acoustic management when it is visible from venues such as restaurants, function rooms, hotels etc. Otherwise this ever present background noise can interfere with conversation at banquets, wedding receptions, special occasions or romantic dinners. It is hoped that casual or informal conversation will not be prevented by this condition. However, formal conversation may well be compromised.
When selecting venues for an ocean themed event we recommend site visits occur at the same time of day as the event. Ocean ambience can change quite dramatically from morning to afternoon. The tide, wind and activity level change dramatically during this time. Consequently some venues become natural wind breaks creating what we call acoustic “pockets” of relative quiet. At times additional speakers or microphone positions are required to achieve a similar ambience.
Conditions on the beach are constantly changing. Even after the so-called “golden hour” has lasted longer than it would in landlocked locations due to the constant amount of light that is reflected off the surface of the water, there is always more to shoot. Unlike event venues where the lighting is always the back drop and designers will alter the space to fit the conditions, photographers use the lighting to enhance their images of people.
Making the most of waterfront dining
The traditional coastal wedding venue would serve plenty of fresh seafood and dishes that have been inspired by the ocean. Although the venue is by the sea it doesn’t mean you will get the freshest produce so make sure you check out venues and function rooms in this area and see what suppliers they use. You will be able to see if they can get seasonal produce at the right price for you.
The salt air at coastal venues can present particular challenges to the service of food and drink when compared to inland venues. Only by getting a coastal venue under contract will you realise the need for amended service hours, particular food preparation methods and the need for specially protected buffet services that require covers.
Photographic opportunities and limitations
There is no better location than a beach to provide a superb backdrop for your photographs but unfortunately sea air makes images soft and chalk or pebbles on the surface introduce gritty dirt.
It can be rough, it can be flat, it can be unpredictable, it can be windy. Having a good beach location is only as good as the relationship you have with a photographer who specialises in waterfront events, and also as the photographer themselves. You want to be able to discuss timing of the portraiture and groups and where on location they can take pictures at that beach all year round.
Some venues have designated areas to take photos. These can be a little covered area for small/portrait style photos, a higher platform for group frames, or even a good spot to capture a view of the celebrations and the venue itself.
Value beyond the obvious
We have looked around and come to the conclusion that there are some great coastal venues, but with high hire fees, and that ultimately this outweighs the cost for us. Also many of the other venues we looked at served food outside of the patisserie remit and had a very different flow of guests, which would not suit us.
Some venues are better than others, and there are venues that have mastered the art of holding coastal events and functions at their scenic locations. These venues can prevent bad weather from spoiling your special day or can work with it to create an even more memorable occasion.
