If you are planning a waterside wedding or just want to bring the magic of summer into your wedding scheme, decorating your tables and venue will be a ton of fun (in the sun)! Aside from seashells and starfish, there are lots of ideas for a gorgeous, classy, and unique summer wedding.

Colors of the Sea

Let your wedding colors be influenced by the varying shades of the ocean. Blue, green, turquoise, and silver, accented with navy or sandy shades are perfect for a beach-themed wedding, lending your venue that elusive, mystical beauty of the sea.

images from weddings on the french riviera

Or take some inspiration from this silver and navy blue wedding:

Candlelight

Your celebration may begin during daylight hours, but we know you’ll be partying through the night! Light up the night with lots and lots of candles–the twinkling lights add romance and festivity. Put them on your tables, line your isles, and any other available surface!

Images: candles and sandcastles: Wedding blog via Chillipit, candles in seashells: perfect-wedding-day, candles, stones, and orchids:  cheap wedding centerpieces

Fun Touches

Follow the beach theme as far as you want to go with it! Place cards, wedding favors, guest books, and wedding cakes… there is endless space for creativity!

Images: fish centerpieces: wedding by color, cake from pinkcakebox on flickr, coasters from American bridal, seascape centerpieces from PicsDigger, message in a bottle place holders: Blushing Bridezilla

Dress Accordingly!

Whether or not you are actually getting married on the beach, your dress choice should be light and airy! Bring on fun accessories such as parasols, shades, and sunhats, for both the wedding party and the guests!

Images: bridesmaids with parasols from SMH.com, Sunhat from Clothing Coupons, bride & groom in sunglasses from luster studios

Here are some of their secret weapons to help you get sexy for the season!

Plan toward your Goal

Chris Gaines of Equinox Fitness in Palo Alto, California offers these key steps:

1. Set a goal: Get specific about what your goals are, write them down and make a firm commitment to achieve them. (For example: Loose 10 lbs in the next 6 weeks)
2. Set a plan: By creating “stepping stones” or short-term goals, we give ourselves the opportunity to celebrate minor victories, which help us stay motivated. (For example: I will aim for 1.5-2 lbs a week.)
3. Practice time management: It is critical that we set aside the appropriate amount of time in each day to accomplish daily goals and schedule it in like an appointment with the same urgency and priority as a dress fitting. (For example: I will go running in the morning twice a week, work out at the gym 3 afternoons a week, and go swimming twice a week.)
4. Reward yourself: Set specific rewards for your accomplishments, such as spa treatments or favorite treats, when you achieve a short term goal. This way you will have incentives to look forward to. (for example: After every 2 lbs lost I will celebrate with a girl’s night out at the movies!)

Don’t Starve– Diet Smart

“Every bride wants to look her very best on her wedding day, but when they pursue drastic weight loss at any price they traditionally end up walking down the aisle with lackluster energy and a haggard look,” says Oz Garcia, PhD. “The best diet is eating frequent healthy small meals and snacks throughout the day consisting of fruits and vegetables of every color, fish and lean protein.”

If you omit carbs completely, you will lose weight initially because carbohydrates make you retain water. However, a carbs-free diet often backfires because it increases your desire for carbohydrate-rich food and it’s quite hard to stay on track. Instead, Oz Garcia advises that you replace breads, pasta and potatoes with one small serving a day of basmati rice, millet, squash or sweet potatoes, which are digested more slowly and are therefore more filling. Brett Hoebel suggests the following substitutes: agave (for white sugar), whole grain (for white flour), brown rice (for white rice), almond milk (for white cow milk), Celtic sea salt (for white salt).” Alcohol is also filled with empty calories and should be avoided.

One glass of raw vegetalbe juice a day has also been show to help dieters loose weight, according to celebrity trainer Marco Borges “Besides the weight loss, juicing will also significantly increase your Vitamin C intake along with many other important vitamins, minerals and micronutrients.  Juicing also reduces your appetite and you’re much more likely to meet the recommended three to five servings of vegetables daily. Increased energy, stabilized insulin levels, improved immune response and too many more benefits to ignore.”

A 3-Part Workout

Here’s a 3-step routine, designed byPJ Stahl, an elite personal trainer in Los Angeles:

1. At each workout, start with strength training exercises. This will kick-start your workout by burning a large amount of calories and will get your body tight and toned for your wedding day.

2. Move as many joints as possible: During your strength training workout, do multi-joint exercises, which work more muscles and burn more calories than the traditional isolated exercises.

3. Finish with cardio. Even if it is only 10 minutes (20-40 minutes is ideal), cardio exercise will burn additional calories and decrease your percentage of body fat.

Partner with your Partner

“When you have someone to help motivate you or someone else relying on you to make good on the evening jog or workout class, you are much more likely to stick to your goals,” says Peter Park, trainer to cycling champion Lance Armstrong. If you can grab your fiancé as your workout buddy, that’s great! Otherwise, ask your maid of honor or a good friend, and setup a few workouts a week. It not only forces you to stay focused, but  exercising with a buddy is a lot more fun that doing it alone!

image from effortless movement

Letting it loose!

For the look on the left, a curling iron and water-free hairspray are all that were needed to set and finish the bride’s lush locks. In the photo on the right, Brides.com placed tiny braids throughout the bride’s wavy mane; they add dimension without looking the least bit fussy.

Half and Half

To keep hair out of your face, but still achieve the beach-blown style, pull the sides back and add a spritz of texturizing spray.  Or pin the center section of hair back, leaving a few loose pieces around the hairline to frame the face.  This style is also set in teeny-tiny braids, giving hair an angelic, delicate look.

Pile it up!

Keep it looking loose and uncomplicated with an unstructured updo. Starting with an extreme side part, sweep hair back in sections and pin the ends under.  Straggling ends are anchored by jeweled hair combs placed just so.  For another great updo, work styling cream through slightly damp hair and scrunch-dry. Then make a center part and two loose braids. Coil each braids behind the head, and pin into place as you go. Top with a narrow band, and you’ll be Queen of the beach!

Wear it Straight

If you’ve been wondering what to do with your silky straight hair that won’t hold a curl, you can still be beach-tressed with the best.  Dress up straight hair with a shiny clip or two and wear a simple veil clipped in back. Short, straight hair looks great when you iron it

Flowers: The natural hair accessory!

A single bloom or a floral wreath stands in for a traditional headpiece, creating an earthy, free-spirited look that’s perfect for an outdoor wedding.  Achieve this breezy island-inspired style by simply prepping hair with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Apply a curling mousse and let hair dry naturally. Once it’s dry, pin up with clips.  Crown your lustrous, wavy tresses with a floral wreath. First brush hair with a round brush, and use a large barrel curling iron to curl. Spray with a medium hold hairspray and let it set in for 10-15 minutes. Remove pins and let the hair naturally fall into place.

Tip: Creating a floral headband is easier than you think. Just use a hot glue gun to attach flowers of your choice to a soft white headband or wide ribbon, which you can tie in the back.

According to the bride, Carol: “We did have the guests stand, after much debating about moving chairs around. In the end we had a semi-circle for those that needed to sit and everyone else just huddled up. Our ceremony was only four minutes long, so it worked really nicely in the end.”

A beach setting is another place where it may be easier to stand rather than deal with seating arrangements. Standing with the bride and groom during the ceremony creates a feeling of togetherness, especially if it’s a small, intimate group.

At Jewish weddings, which are traditionally held outdoors, the custom is for guests to stand clustered around the Chuppah. This is often done in Jerusalem, and I’ve been to many weddings like this. There’s something timeless and a little magical about this ancient tradition:

Of course, the key is the length of your ceremony. If guests are to be on their feet, you should try to keep things as brief as possible! If you are having elderly or feeble guests, try to bring along a few folding chairs to save them discomfort. Happy standing!

Beach Wedding Favors also has lots of cute things for you guests, including these beach-themed cookie cutters ($1.83) and Mikasa Maritime Bottle Stopper ($7.74):

Morgan Howard has three adorable, low-cost ideas for unique favors you can put together yourself. After all, even when you’re keeping the cost down, you still want your guests to feel appreciated!

First off, there’s a Beach Trunk of Saltwater Taffy, reminiscent of the ocean and perfect in every way, except for Grandpa’s dentures.  All you’ll need is a mini wooden trunk, tulle netting, optional stickers and acrylic, paint, and of course the taffy. Total cost is approximately $3.00 per box.

Her second idea is a Pirate Treasure Chest of Gold Coins, great for chocolate lovers! You need a small wooden chest, acrylic paint, pirate icon, and gold coin chocolates. Cost per favor is about $3.00.

The Wine Favor is her third and most versatile favor, as you can pretty much dress up the bottle to coordinate with any theme. You need a small bottle of wine, tulle, ribbon or raffia to tie with, and a sea shell, gift tag, or charm to dress it up. Cost per favor is about $2.50 each.

For more details on how to assemble any of these favors and where to purchase supplies, see Morgan Howard’s website. Wishing you lots of fun in the sun on your wedding day!