You’ve decided to have a beach wedding in the Dominican Republic! Congratulations on finding your location and venue, that’s half the battle! (If you haven’t found your venue yet, check out How to Choose a Wedding Venue Without Seeing it in Person.)
There are a lot of places to choose from on this beautiful island. Punta Cana is the most popular place, but places like Samana or Las Terrenas are quickly getting more and more attention.
No matter where you choose, we want you to have an unforgettable wedding! With that in mind, we have a few tips to help your beach wedding run smoothly.
Tip #1 Choose an Up-do
The idea of long hair flowing in the breeze sounds incredibly romantic. And it definitely can be! However, combining that flowy hair with the ocean breeze can be an issue. There’s no guarantee you’ll get a soft breeze and not huge gusts of wind. And if it is a really windy wedding day, you’ll have hair blowing in your mouth while saying your vows or hair stuck in your lip gloss as it blows across your face (ew). Doesn’t that sound frustrating? And it makes for some rather unflattering photos of the ceremony…
That being said, there is a chance that the wind won’t be an issue on your wedding day. If your mind is set on mermaid waves, you should have two hairstyles in mind: one if there is no wind, and one in the event of a hurricane. Okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic, but you get the point. Choose your final hairstyle based on the weather on your special day.
Another option is to wear a flower crown or decorative headband with your hair down which will give you a little bit more control and can keep the hair out of your face.
Tip #2 Skip the Veil for the Ceremony
Veils can be absolutely lovely given the right weather conditions, aka a windless day. But if there is a lot of wind, you’re going to have the same issues with the veil that you would have with your hair. It’ll be flying all over the place, pulling on your hair, or blowing in your face. You’ll be more worried about your veil than you will be on your wedding ceremony. And no one wants that!
Keep the veil as a backup (similar to having two hairstyles), OR bring the veil for photos, and leave it off for the ceremony if the wind is too bad.
Tip #3 Ballgowns are for Ballrooms
Ballgowns are beautiful, but they can be an issue at beach weddings. Some women have a difficult time walking through the sand in them since they’re heavy and have a lot of fabric.
Opt for something lighter. At the end of the day, you can choose whatever dress you like and that makes you feel beautiful (of course), but keep in mind that it’s going to be hot and a ballgown won’t make your day easier.
Tip #4 Ditch the Stilettos
We know that stilettos look great on all women (they add height and confidence to all who wear them) but you might want to save them for another day. The heels will sink into the sand and make walking nearly impossible unless you’re planning an indoor reception or your venue has a hard floor.
Option One: Sandals. Roman sandals are trending right now, and you wouldn’t have to worry about sinking or shaking the sand out of them.
Option Two: Go barefoot. Going barefoot is comfortable and can make for some romantic photographs.
Find the Perfect Shoes to Wear to Your Beach Wedding.
Tip #5 Have Shade Options
The beach is a relatively shade-less environment, which means you and your guests will be in direct sunlight for quite a bit of time. This can get hot and uncomfortable. If you’re having a wedding in the Dominican Republic, you need to offer a place to get some shade.
Consider setting up a tent for guests to sit under in case the sun becomes too much. You can also bring paper umbrellas or fans for the ceremony to help your guests stay cool.
Tip #6 Plan B
Imagine yourself two weeks, one week, days before, and the day of the wedding, checking and rechecking the weather. I can’t tell you how many brides do this! All is well, for the forecast reads sunny and 85 with a light and refreshing breeze. Then suddenly the clouds roll in and you’re being rained out of your own wedding. Better have a Plan B!
Talk to the resort or venue, and make sure there is somewhere you can move the ceremony and wedding party to in the event of a weather disaster. Most wedding coordinators will have an indoor option for you, but it always helps to ask beforehand. Be certain of all your options, and ask if they’ll charge any fees for you to change your location at the last minute.
Whether it is in Punta Cana, Samana, Las Terrenas, or anywhere else on the island, you should always check this information with your wedding planner and have a plan B in case of rain! After all, you want to have an unforgettable wedding in the Dominican Republic!
Final Tip: Live in the Moment
We know that weddings can be stressful because of all the planning that is involved. Try to relax. Everything will be wonderful.
Give yourself a spa day to try and disconnect to find your inner self before the wedding day.
And when your wedding day finally comes, enjoy it! Live in the moment, and remember that even if things do not go the way you planned, it will be okay.
Even if it rains or the wind messes up your hair, everything will be great because (at the end of the day) you and your fiancé will be together as husband and wife; and your union is really the only thing that matters.
