10 Tips for the Perfect Beach Wedding in Daytona Beach

Nothing says romance quite like turquoise waters, golden sands and warm Floridian weather. If you are a beach-loving couple then you may be planning to say "I do" in Daytona Beach. Fun, sun and surf is the perfect combination to bring your dream wedding to life, and Hilton Daytona Beach has wedding planners, catering services and exclusive wedding packages to make your wedding unforgettable. Here are some helpful tips to make sure getting hitched goes off without a hitch.

1. Pick the Perfect Location

No matter whether you want a toes-in-the-sand wedding or a formal affair, the venue you choose should be able to accommodate your wedding party and specific needs. Hilton Daytona Beach has been a premiere choice for couples desiring the ultimate beach wedding, offering more than 60,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space and accommodating up to 2,000 guests. Celebrate your nuptials overlooking the beautiful Atlantic Ocean or dance the night away in our elegant ballroom.

2. Have a Backup Plan

If you are planning to have an outdoor wedding it's necessary to have a backup plan in case of inclement weather. While the best time to get married in Florida is March through May and September through November, we can't predict what Mother Nature will do. Our wedding planners can help you come up with the perfect contingency plan. While the most important thing is creating your picture-perfect wedding day it's also better to be safe rather than sorry. If it rains, Hilton Daytona Beach literally has you covered with a complimentary indoor event space to host your ceremony or reception.

3. Choose the Appropriate Beach Attire

A beach wedding has a relaxed, casual vibe about it. While you may have dreams about the perfect wedding dress it's important to remember that certain fabrics will be more comfortable and forgiving when walking on the beach. Lighter fabrics like chiffon will flow better in the ocean breeze. Speaking of ocean breeze…you may also want to skip the veil and opt for a beachy updo that will be easier to manage and won't leave you readjusting throughout the ceremony. As for the men, ditch those heavy formal tuxedos for lighter suits and more beach-friendly attire.

4. Make Sure Your Guests are Comfortable

It's important to let your guests know well in advance that they will be attending a beach wedding so they can plan accordingly. Of course, there are also things you can do to make sure everyone feels comfortable. This includes having a shoe station setup where guests can kick off their shoes. You may even want to offer them fun, colorful flip-flops to sport on the beach. Also consider providing small tables with sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray and other protective goodies to make sure that your guests have fun in the sun without the sunburn.

5. Capture Beautiful Memories with a Beach Photographer

You want your wedding photos to be just as perfect as your special day; however, beach lighting can be a bit tricky. You want a professional who is an expert at beach wedding photos and know just how to capture the best moments. One very helpful tip: End your ceremony about one hour before sunset so you still have natural lighting to capture the big moment but you can still have some gorgeous sunset shots.

6. Create a Refreshing Coastal Menu

During prime wedding season, Daytona Beach can get quite warm. Therefore, your guests may not want to eat hearty soups and heavy steaks. In this case, lighter fare that offers a mix of cold and hot selections may be the way to go. If you are having your reception outside you'll also want to coordinate with our caterers to make sure that the foods you choose won't sweat in the sun. Daytona Beach is also the perfect spot to get fresh local seafood, so why not add some local cuisine to the menu for a real treat? Our catering team can help you plan an incredible, beach-centric menu.

7. Make Planning Simple with Wedding Packages

If you are ready to tie the knot on the sands of Daytona Beach our all-inclusive wedding reception packages will provide you with what you need to create your happily ever after. We offer intimate reception, silver, gold and platinum packages that can be customized based on your number of guests and wedding date. Packages include delicious appetizers and multi-course menu, open bar and champagne toast, two-tier wedding cake, elegant décor, ceremony space and audiovisual equipment to ensure that we are able to hear those beautiful vows over the sound of crashing waves.

8. Obtain a Beach Wedding Permit

While beach rules will vary city to city, it's important to check with the local Daytona Beach government to find out whether you will need a beach permit. While more intimate weddings may not require a permit, larger wedding parties often do. If you also want to say your "I do's" without worrying about sunbathers or other beach goers stumbling into your ceremony then you'll want to have a beach permit to block off specific areas.

9. Choose the Perfect Beach Cake

There is nothing worse than having a beautiful wedding cake that sweats and melts in the heat. You want a cake that will handle hot temps but also match your vision. If you're going for a beach-themed wedding consider adding sugar sand, shells and tropical flowers on top, or go with a beautiful ombré style that can resemble ocean waves or a vibrant sunset. Fondant will fair much better than buttercream in the heat, and our catering team can help you design the perfect cake that will be able to handle the summer rays.

10. Hire a Wedding Planner

Wedding planning can be exhausting so why not leave it to the experts? A wedding planner knows how to handle everything from the appropriate permits you need to have a beach wedding to making sure that everything is set up and decorated according to your wishes. Our wedding planners are here to help take the stress out of planning a wedding and to make sure that even the little details like having sunscreen handy, are taken care of.

Plan Your Daytona Beach Wedding with Us

Here at Hilton Daytona Beach we believe that your special day should be exactly as you envisioned. Our all-inclusive wedding packages offer great deals including a complimentary suite for the newly wedded couple and discounted rates for your guests. Schedule a consultation with our wedding planning team to create your perfect happily ever after in Daytona Beach.