Schedule a test drive

Remember, unlike a wedding in a hotel ballroom or restaurant, guests are dependent on you once they reach the destination. Make sure you have adequate signage on the beach to direct guests to the ceremony spot and that the beach itself is navigable. If the beach has limited parking, consider providing a shuttle service from a central location.

Take a trip

If you've decided to tackle planning on your own, be sure to scout out beaches after you've finalised your guest count. You'll need to know if there's a limit to how many people you can bring on the beach and how certain spots might affect your set-up.

You'll also want to decide whether you want to have your reception directly on the beach, so you'll need to make catering arrangements and find a rental company that can provide you with all the necessary equipment.

Vendor checkups

To be sure your vendors have sufficient experience with beach weddings, ask for a portfolio of pictures and at least three references. Be sure the references are people who've covered an event similar to yours - a recommendation from a couple that had 10 guests doesn't help if you're inviting 100. Also ask for the names of other vendors who worked those events and use them as further references regarding the company in question.

Be gracious

A good way to make nice with the local vendors is to send handwritten thank-you notes when you book their services. Remember that they can literally make or break your wedding, and a little goes a long way toward getting them on your side.

During the event itself, it's wise to have plenty of small bills on hand for palm-greasing, especially for the delivery people who will be setting up your site to turn it into a wedding wonderland.

Forewarn your friends and family

Clue guests in to your wedding's sandy locale when you send your save-the-dates so they know to dress appropriately (no stilettos!).

Get a grip

Don't be upset if some of your closest friends or relatives don't attend. Some, like your great Uncle Fred, may not be able to traverse a rocky beach or sit in the sun for an extended amount of time. And while your wedding is, in a sense, a mini-vacation for you, it may not be the one they want to take.

Mind Mother Nature

Don't forget to consider the climate when choosing your dress. You'll be swimming in sweat if you pair your fairytale satin ball gown with the beach's intense rays. Go for lighter fabrics and silhouettes, and be sure to slather on the sunscreen or you'll risk some serious sunburn.

Be a Zen Bride

Don't keep a constant eye on the time. Remember that you can't control the environment (really, you can't) and you may need to wait for the tides to recede or for the beach to empty a bit before you can start the ceremony. Keep an open mind and remember that minor mishaps can sometimes make for the best memories (really, they can).

Pack right

Whatever you want to have with you for the ceremony (such as vases and candles), you have to lug along to the destination (or ship it there ahead of time). Once there, make sure you can actually cart everything onto the beach with ease.

Call on a courier

Don't forget to plan for potential wedding presents. If you've got a ton of wedding gifts to take home, bring an extra duffle bag to pack them in. Ask someone you trust to keep a close eye on them throughout the day and keep track of how many you have. Figure this out before the wedding so you'll have a plan of action.

Welcome your guests

Be sure to place an amenities basket at the entrance to your spot on the beach that is full of essentials for the day outdoors (such as suntan lotion and insect repellent) and goodies that will remind them of the setting - embroidered beach blankets with your names and wedding date, shawls for the ladies, or pretty parasols in your wedding colours , for example.