5 Reasons to Have a Beach Wedding

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Trying to decide if a beach wedding is right for you? There are wonderful reasons to host an elaborate ceremony in a cathedral or ballroom, and for saying “I do” in a blooming, flower-filled garden. But getting married on the beach has its own special charms!

In honor of summer weddings, here are 5 fabulous reasons why you should pick a coastal venue to exchange your vows.

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No Shoes, No Problem

Are you a laid-back bride? Want to steer clear of stiletto heels? If you would rather go barefoot or dance in flip-flops, a beach wedding is perfect for you. This situation is ideal for a casual theme with nautical details like starfish, sand, surf, and shells.

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Sunglasses Always Look Cool

Go on, get that photo of everyone wearing sunglasses, looking like they’re straight out of the CIA. You can ditch the formal jackets and ties, and go for an all-out summer theme! If your idea of a good time involves tropical drinks and sunblock, this is a good way to go.

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Dare to Bare

Is your dream wedding gown free-flowing rather than structured? Does it lack straps or show a bit more skin than usual? If you’re just itching to ditch the traditional dress with a long train, the beach is your opportunity to show off a more relaxed style. Your guests can come with casual attire, too!Just-married-couple-kissing-on-tropical-beach-at-sunset-000032199840_Medium-(1).jpg

Incredible Veil Photos

Beach weddings give you amazing photos. You can get one with your veil blowing in the coastal wind, and showcase the natural ocean scenery. Rather than skipping accessories, highlight them in beautiful, beachy bridal portraits that will be anything but boring.

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Romantic Getaway

If you want to honeymoon on the coast or at a tropical location, a beach wedding just makes sense. You’ll already be at or near your destination, and friends and family can stay longer than just one day! The beach is soothing, romantic, intimate, and absolutely gorgeous. What better place to kick back and start your married life?

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Are you dreaming of a beach wedding? Check out our Destination Weddings and Nautical Weddings boards for ideas!Romantic-decoration-on-the-sea-side-000068855939_Medium.jpg

How To Get Hitched, Rustic Style

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Rustic. Glamping. Country Chic. You’ve seen these buzz words for wedding themes all over Pinterest—but how can you realistically bring your vision to life?

A lot of details go into creating a cohesive wedding theme; planning can get overwhelming in a hurry! Here are 10 easy ways to style your very own rustic wedding with minimal effort.

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Wooden Signs

Wooden signs are easy to make and can be used to label food and drinks, direct wedding guests to different areas, preclude the bride’s walk down the aisle, or post a favorite Bible verse or romantic quote. You can hang signs to posts, use them in centerpieces, or just hold them for photos.

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Mason Jars

Cheap and available, mason jar centerpieces are great for holding flowers, candles, or favors. You can wrap them in burlap or lace and secure the decorations with glue or string. This is a relatively easy project that you can do in a few days.

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Burlap & Lace

No rustic theme is complete without burlap. Inexpensive and easily obtainable, burlap and lace can be used for chair covers, table cloths, seat covers, aisle runners, bouquets, centerpieces, and even your invitations. Get creative!

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Rustic Invitations

Your invitations will set the stage for the rest of your wedding. Your website and save-the-dates should also reflect your theme: add details like burlap, lace, twine, fireflies, mason jars, leaves, or lanterns. Pick invites in neutral tones if you haven’t decided on your wedding colors yet.

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Lanterns

Lighting is what creates an extra-special, romantic ambiance. For a rustic theme, lanterns or mason jars with candles beautifully light up walkways and table tops. You can also string lights inside your venue or from poles/trees to illuminate the reception area.

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Barn Venue

For a rustic theme, you should pretty much get married in a barn. Use the family farm or rent a wedding barn for the ceremony; you can also host a backyard wedding or choose a sprawling estate. Be sure that your venue has plenty of natural wood paneling or flooring to create that rustic look you’re going for.

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Horses

If you’re a horse girl, snap a few photos with your equestrian pal to include them in your wedding day memories. You can take pictures near a pasture fence, or supervise pony rides for children in attendance. It’s a nice gesture to provide outdoor games or entertainment for your guests while you’re taking family portraits.

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Outdoor Reception

A rustic theme is great for summer weddings, as you’ll enjoy more daylight hours and can have camp fires when it gets dark. Furnish your reception space with bales of hay or benches so guests have somewhere to sit besides the grass. Provide blankets or space heaters if it might get cold. You can set up an outdoor stage for the music and dancing. Add s’mores and a bar for a fantastic reception!

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Cowboy Boots

Let’s talk about your bridal ensemble, shall we? This is totally the time to rock your favorite cowgirl boots—or, if you prefer, a pair of burlap sandals or woven flats. This simple touch adds a fun element to your wedding day look, and you won’t have to change your shoes for dancing.

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Gold Accessories

The rustic-chic theme celebrates nature-inspired beauty. Complement your bridal gown with accessories to match! Choose a blush or gold flower comb or leafy metallic headpiece to go with your veil for the ceremony; then switch to a sparkly design for the reception. Check out our Fall 2016 Collection, Classic Veils, and Belts/Jewelry pages to see all of our latest designs.

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Are you planning a rustic wedding? Follow us on Pinterest for more ideas, and share your photos with us on Instagram using #BelAireBridal!

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Our 5 Favorite Veils from the Fall 2016 Collection

We are so excited to release our Fall 2016 collection of gorgeous bridal headpieces, belts, jewelry, and veils! Topping off this season’s pretty treasure trove are some truly incredible veils that flawlessly complement the hottest designer gowns. Which one is for you?

The Glam Girl

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Your look is formal, elegant, bold, and timeless—with a bit of luxurious sparkle! Style V7352 is a flattering 1-tier fingertip silver rolled edge veil featuring twinkling Swarovski rhinestones. You deserve the best, most beautiful bling for your big day! Pair this lovely design with stunning earrings, an eye-catching belt, and fabulous shoes.

The Fairy-Tale Bride

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You want your wedding to feel absolutely magical. Your look is graceful and feminine with a touch of vintage-inspired, straight-from-a-storybook flair that makes you stand out from the crowd. Style V7357 features a light rolled edge and Baroque lace swirling along the curve. Dotted with tiny rhinestones, this unique veil adds that bit of timeless beauty to your look.

The True Romantic

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You’ve been dreaming of getting engaged and choosing the most gorgeous wedding gown since you were little—or at least since you found The One. Complete your vision with an utterly perfect lace veil! Style V7369 is a 1-tier knee length veil with rolled edge and elegant floral lace twinkling with tiny rhinestones. This romantic, graceful style is beautifully complemented by a floral hair comb or clip.

The Femme Bohème

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You enjoy laid-back fashions and bohemian pieces that speak to your personality. Style V7371 accentuates your figure with a graceful, slender ribbon edge on a cascading veil with pointed corners and a pointed back. This simple design lets your natural beauty shine through and focuses the attention on your statement jewelry and dress.

The Fashionista

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You are up on the latest trends and know what is hot. Your bridal outfit will be fantastic, of course, and you’ll need several accessories to go with your gown changes. Style V7374 is great as a ceremony or reception veil: this 1-tier fingertip style features a cut edge with a line of silver beads and clusters of opal and clear crystals. Match this design with opal or rhinestone jewelry, and be sure to pick out a headpiece or two to make your wedding weekend extra-special.

Want to see more? Check out our Fall 2016 Collection of headpieces and new veils to find the perfect accessories for your big day.