Planning Your Perfect Beach Wedding in Cape Town

When planning a beach wedding in Cape Town there are a few things that you should consider first

Cape Town is known for its breathtaking coastline and blue flag status beaches. It’s hard not to imagine saying “I Do” while surrounded by the ocean waves and the sand between your toes as you dance the night away.

If you are thinking about tying the knot with your toes in the sand, we thought we would share some essential advice before you take the plunge. We have asked Cape Town Wedding Planner, The Wedding Fairy for some points to consider when planning your Cape Town Beach Wedding.

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Although getting married on the beach still requires the same planning, there are still a handful of unexpected things that you may not have considered. Your wedding planner will be able to point you in the right direction and guide you through the process of planning your seaside romance.

Planning your wedding can be stressful enough and it’s important to have professional support to guide you through all the necessary steps. So if the budget allows we recommend that you save yourself the time and hire a wedding planner.

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Consider the additional costs factored into a beach wedding.

When finalizing your wedding budget you should consider the additional costs that may occur in a beach wedding.

Not only does the permit cost a pretty penny depending on the size of the wedding and the setup requirements. You also need to consider the basic needs of your guests, which a venue would usually have otherwise:

Permits: Make sure you factor in all the permit costs and fill out all the necessary documentation.
Power supply: You would need to hire a generator. The costs vary on the size of the generator required to run all the festivities.
Setup: Extra manual labor will be required as you will be building your foundation from scratch.
Accessibility to the beach: You don’t want grandma and grandpa to miss out because of the location.
Additional suppliers: Consider items like tables, chairs, shading, staff, cutlery, crockery, glassware, and not to mention facilities like bathrooms and running water.
Catering requirements: The Caterers will require workable surfaces and equipment to heat and prepare food.
Your guests will also require shading during the day and adequate warmth later in the evening.
The Cape Town weather can be unpredictable.

One of the beautiful aspects of living and celebrating in this beautiful city is its hot summers and clear starry skies.

Although we know when the most appropriate times for outdoor wedding celebrations (usually between November to March). We cannot safely prevent the westerly winds, which can bring in the rain. You always run the risk of rain and wind, no matter how closely you monitor the weather channel.

Sneaky tip: Don’t forget to check for high tide before your wedding day!

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Apply for the necessary permits

It is easy to get swept up in the fantasy of the seaside romance, but you do need to remember that the beach is a public (government-owned) space.

To celebrate on the beach you do require a permit from the Cape Town City Council. For areas that fall within the South African National Parks, you submit your permit applications on the South African National Parks website Some subcategories require additional permits such as baboon safety, health & safety, noise permits, etc.

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Contingency plans are important and should be planned for

Should the weather turn sour at the drop of a hat you should always have a plan B for an outdoor wedding. You could either have a venue on standby if costs allow, or it’s always a great idea to arrange a marquee.

Regardless of rain or shine, a marquee can still be utilized, either without all walls if it’s hot or with all walls if it’s cold. A sneaky tip to save you the weather worries!

Prepare for the photographs of a lifetime!

The beach can be a photographer’s playground! With so many picturesque opportunities, surrounded by natural lighting and sunsets, your photographs are bound to be fabulous.

Feel comfortable in front of the camera

Furthermore, in Cape Town, many venues are located on the beach or have an ocean view. This allows you the flexibility of still having the beachy feel without added stress.

Here is just a shortlist of some of the Cape Town (and surrounds) beach-friendly wedding venues that you can consider.

A beach wedding can make for the most romantic occasion, but just make sure you put all the proper planning in place to have the wedding of your dreams.

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