Planning that sun, sand and surf wedding on the beach? Listen up--literally!
My niece got married last weekend on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. Two people perfect for each other had actually met and fallen in love, and everyone there was ecstatic for this amazing couple. We couldn't have ordered better weather--cool, low humidity--it was paradise. The wedding was held on the beach at sunset, and the chairs were placed maybe 20 feet past the tide. My dear Cari and her prince had the entire Atlantic Ocean before them, and she looked absolutely gorgeous. They had no attendants. It was just Cari, Brian and the Justice of the Peace standing close to the 50 seated people behind them. I had scoped out a second-row, aisle seat, because I didnt want to miss a thing! Waves gently lapping the shore. Seagulls singing as they fly overhead. The wind keeping us cool. The ceremony began. Now remember--I'm on the second row, maybe six feet from the JP. It became instantly apparent that I had picked the right seat. It was tough, but I could actually hear what was being said. Well, partially. I think the fact that I could read the JP's lips helped me understand what he was saying. So maybe there were eight of us in the audience who could hear the proceedings--all by virtue of the fact that we were sitting in that small magic circle close to the the couple. As far as I'm concerned, the only people who needed to hear what the JP was saying were Cari and Brian--but it would have been nice if everyone could have heard it. I'm telling you all this because, if you're planning a beach wedding--and you want all your guests to enjoy the ceremony--consider having a battery-operated sound system and amplifier on hand in the sand. Or have them turn down volume on the ocean and the wind...