West Michigan beaches are well known for its destination weddings. The beaches to the barns, the variety of locations offer brides and grooms beautiful spots to showcase their unique style.

The Grand Haven area is popular for outdoor weddings, along the Grand River, and in beautiful gardens. When planning an outdoor wedding, Michigan’s unpredictable weather can raise the stakes so here are five tips to make sure your outdoor wedding goes off without a hitch!

1. Transportation

Convenient transportation can be very helpful to you and your guests on the day of your Michigan beach or costal wedding. Consider how your elderly grandparents are going to walk out onto the beach, or how your guests are going to get to the secluded forest you spent months staking out. Your wedding is a celebration of your marriage with your family and friends – so make sure there are no obstacles for your guests.

2, Windy wedding day weather

Near the beach there’s wind and it’s not always a nice breeze you think of. Factoring in the wind will help you decide your hairstyle, dresses, and decorations. Make sure everything is secure, keeping you and your guests protected from the elements in an enjoyable atmosphere. Don’t forget to have your Maid of Honor keep a stash of bobby pins and hairspray to keep your fly aways tucked away, and your look fresh throughout the entire wedding day.

3. Keeping Guests Comfortable

Avoid guest complaints by addressing that it’s an outdoor wedding on your invites andsuggest casual dress, maybe no heels, and reminding them about sand, grassy knolls, or the forest floor. When they’re dressed appropriately, they’re a lot more comfortable, happy and sure to share their good memories from your wedding day.

4. Let the Scenery Shine

Don’t lose sight of why you choose your outdoor venue, and let the scenery shine! Sunsets, waterfront views, natural florals – these are all visual elements that factor into your décor and will save you time and money. Take advantage of the natural beauty of Michigan and the beach scenery provided by nature.

#5 Hydrate

Make sure you provide and have lots of drinking water. Outdoor weddings will have you running around, from ceremony to pictures, back to the reception where you’ve been waiting to break down your latest dance moves. We know staying hydrated is last on your list, but we like to see you enjoying the whole day without passing out. Same goes for your guests, even if you’re not doing a cocktail hour, offer water, lemonade and tea to keep them hydrated and happy.