Getting Married in the Tropics at Christmas

For some couples having a wedding on any day that has another special meaning, like Christmas, is out of the question.  They want to keep their day special all on it's own.

Other couples see combining their wedding with a holiday as a double-the-fun type of event.  If you are planning a Christmas wedding in a tropical location, we have some great stationery for you.

It's one thing to have a wedding, which in itself is a big event, but to be brave enough to include another big event like Christmas, makes you unique.

Celebrating the Christmas holiday in a tropical location means doing things a bit differently.  Not many people sip hot cocoa beside the fireplace.  More than likely the windows will be open with a warm breeze blowing.  Add a wedding to this scene and it will require a unique way of decorating to gather all the elements of this theme.

Seashells are beautiful all on their own, and starfish are a popular decoration for a tropical wedding.  Combine any of these with something Christmassy, such as holly and / or poinsettias shouldn't be difficult.

Brightly colored Christmas tree ornaments would also work, and use colors to match your wedding theme. 

Unlike many couples who have holiday weddings in cold, snowy places you may have more choices available when it comes to venues.  I say this because beaches in certain locations may not be as crowded in December as they would be on warmer days.

On the other hand, people who choose to vacation in the tropics at the holidays, may fill the venues you'd like to book.

As with any wedding, be sure to start looking for that special venue early. 

I can speak from experience about the state of Florida and tell you that in December the central and northern Gulf Coast areas can be quite cool at that time of year.  The water temperature has also dropped by then. That means that the beaches themselves will be much less populated, if you want to stand on a beach and exchange vows.  However, when I lived in central Florida I thought that December was one of the best months to be outdoors.

Florida even has a place called Honeymoon Island, which accommodates weddings.

If you want hot, balmy weather which includes warm water swimming, better head farther south to the Florida Keys area, islands of the Caribbean, or take a cruise.

In a warm climate there are many options to choose from for your ceremony and reception venue, from extremely intimate and casual, to big and elegant.

From fairly cheap, to mucho dinero, here are a few ordinary and outrageous venues where you might consider getting married.

• One of Florida's many beautiful state parks
• Take an ocean cruise or a river / lake cruise
• A hotel on the beach
• Disney World
• Rent a large home on the beach or anywhere you choose
• Rent an island!  Yes, you can do this, all it takes is money!  View some Islands for Rent.

Wherever you plan to hold the wedding reception you will need to direct guests to their seats.

There are many ways to do this, and modern brides have come up with some very unique ideas to do so.

Many times escort cards will be placed near the entrance to the reception hall for guests to find. The table number will be printed on the card and they will find their table that way.

Sometimes seating charts will tell guests where to sit, but no matter how you do it, the tables will have to be marked with either numbers, or themed names.

Table number cards (like the one shown) have templates on both sides. The number will be changed as many times as you need, for the amount of tables at the reception. Add each card, one at a time to your shopping cart.

Round photo stickers with holiday decorations can be used as envelope seals for wedding invitations, or thank you cards, or use them in other ways.  Decorate them with a photo, and personalize with text.

Choose either the small 1.5 inch size or 3 inch size and add to favor tins or other gifts for guests to be presented at the reception.

These stickers have templates for uploading a photo of the couple and also a place for the wedding date.  They could be cut apart and inserted with the wedding invitation to be used as "save the date" stickers. 

Beach Wedding Table Names
In place of table numbers, couples sometimes name tables with themes related to their wedding location. This page has examples to be used for a Florida based, or tropical wedding.

Reception Menu Cards
Easily customize these tropical themed wedding menu cards.

Message in a Bottle
Here is a unique idea for any beach or tropical wedding. Have guests write a congratulations message and add it to a little glass bottle.

Ideas to Creatively Display Escort Cards
Beach wedding escort cards and ideas for displaying them for seating guests.

Use the flora and fauna to your advantage when decorating.  Here are some ideas for creating a memorable wedding and reception theme.

• String Christmas lights and use seashell ornaments to decorate palm trees, or any foliage near the venue.
• Scatter starfish and little holiday ornaments around the sand - in out of the way spots and
• Put them in glass containers of sand with a candle as the centerpiece.
• Burn Tiki torches at nighttime events.
• Use pretty Christmas ribbon to tie bows on vases full of tropical Plumeria or Hibiscus flowers.