Top 5 ways to enjoy the beach on your wedding day

Here’s how to make the most of your private villa’s beachside position on your big day

If the idea of getting married on a sublime white sand beach tempts, then it’s likely that you’ve already considered Thailand for your celebration. The Kingdom is home to countless miles of white sandy coastline, and an increasing number of couples are heading to the country to say their vows. While many hotels offer beach wedding packages, couples in search of a truly bespoke ceremony with plenty of wow factor often opt to host their wedding in a luxury private villa. Many of these lavish properties feature direct access to secluded beaches – perfect for couples on the hunt for an exclusive, tropical wedding ceremony. We’ve put together a selection of ideas for how you can make the most of the gorgeous Thai coastline on your big day.

Romantic setting

The moment when the bride and groom exchange their vows is always one of the most memorable of the whole ceremony. Factor in the spectacular setting of a white sand Thai beach with deep blue ocean views and a glowing, cerise sunset, and you’ve got a moment that’s simply unforgettable. One of the best things about hosting your wedding ceremony right on the beach is that it suits an array of wedding styles, from casual affairs to more formal occasions, too. So, if you want to give your guests a wedding ceremony to remember, then a beach on Koh Samui or Phuket is the way to go.

Say cheese

Once all of the “I dos” are taken care of, most couples tend to set aside an hour or so for photographs with families, groomsmen and bridesmaids. However, if you’re getting married on a secluded tropical beach, then you can also make the most of the glorious setting to have a romantic photo shoot with your new husband or wife. In addition to the stunning backdrop, there are plenty of quirky elements on a beach that can be incorporated by the photographer to make the shots stand out from the standard ‘just married’ snaps. For example, you can have the bride or groom silhouetted against the vivid sunset sky. Or, you could have adorable shots of the bride and groom walking barefoot through the surf – that’s not something you can do at any venue!

Good fortune

As well as providing a sensational setting for your wedding, the beach offers the chance for plenty of entertaining activities and memorable moments. Many brides and grooms who tie the knot on Phuket or Koh Samui go down to the beach once evening has drawn in to release lucky paper lanterns with their guests. Not only is this activity a whole lot of fun for guests, but it’s also a way to bless the new couple with good luck for the future. What’s more, once all of the lanterns have been released, there will be some incredible photo ops as the lanterns bob away over the ocean.

Oceanside entertainment

For couples who have friends with children, it can sometimes be tricky to think of ways to keep little ones entertained while all the boring grown up stuff continues throughout the afternoon and into the evening. If you’re hosting your wedding celebration on a beach, however, this isn’t a problem. That’s because a beach provides the perfect tropical playground for you to set up a range of activities to keep little ones busy for hours on end. Kids will have plenty of space to play energetic beach ball games – although you might want to ask mums and dads if they can bring a spare outfit so kids aren’t playing on the sand in their best clothes. You could also set up arts and crafts stations for little ones who prefer less boisterous beach activities. Shell and pebble decorating are sure to go down a hit with arty kids.

Real wow factor

If you feel that all of the above simply hasn’t infused your wedding day with enough wow factor, then why not end the celebration with a bang? Beaches are supreme destinations for fireworks, with the flashes and twirls of light reflected beautifully off the surface of the ocean. A firework display could also be used to signal the end of the more formal part of the wedding day, before the evening drinks and dancing begin.