Hi- need help on planning my reception in chicago after our wedding in keywest! I want to incorporate a slight beach theme without overdoing it cuz the reception will be in late November! Have any ideas? Thanks Marisa
After all that gushy romance, it's time to party. Here are some ideas for a beach themed wedding reception on the sand itself, or at a reception site with a beach-inspired theme.
Beach Tunes. For a fun and frivolous beach reception, have your guests boogie down to the beach tunes popular in the 1960s like the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, and the Mamas and the Papas. Hire a local band that specializes in this kind of music, Hawaiin shirts and all. Have a limbo contest, a shag competition, or a conga line to add to the summer fun festivities.
Seafood Smorgasboard. Ask your caterer to fill the guests' plates with gifts from the ocean like crabs, lobster, and salmon. For appetizers, make Hawaiian puu-puu platters of shellfish and pineapple. Serve exotic cocktails with umbrellas in them. Or, if you are looking for a more Cape Cod-style event, have an old-fashioned clam bake. For a truly casual beach affair, rent a beach house - so after your oceanside ceremony, you can all head back to the yard for a barbeque.
Almost there. If you're having your reception inside, you can still pretend you're out on the cliffs. Hang antique liferafts for decoration, or place your favors on a surfboard or in beach buckets. Line the dance floor with seashells, or stack them in buckets around the room mixed with seaglass. Bring in deck chairs for the lobby.
Shell Cake. Extend your ocean dreams even to your wedding cake. Ask your baker if they can make shells, starfish, or seahorses out of fondant, chocolate, or icing to decorate your cake. Ask for tropical fillings like pineapple. Or, accentuate a simple wedding cake with the real deal - surround it with real starfish, shells, or other beachy items to bring your cake into the nautical theme.
Layer the bottom of some glass hurricane lamps or shallow decorative bowls with shells (buy at a local craft store). Top with a few flaoting candle. Voila...beach ambiance!
Make candles out of coconut shells or use the cocnut shells in a mond on a rattan or wicker plate. Skatter with shells or inert candles.
Decorate the venue with palm trees, either real of silk.
Make a seashell "bouquet. Insert small shells into buds witha hto glue gun. Adorn with coordinating ribbon or raffia.
Name your tables after local beaches or fish. Make placecards from shells.
Have fun! Now, the world's your oyster! Top Wedding Questions Forum Moderator - "Write your sorrows in the sand, your blessings in stone".
(This post was
edited by TWQadmin on Dec 9, 2006, 7:13 PM)
Destination wedding
