Traditional weddings have always been the preferred choice of couples, in which the image of a Victorian church with a bell tower, a red carpeted entrance and a blushing white bride. Today, however, many more young newlyweds are exploring new environments to exchange vows. Many new contemporary settings to celebrate the special day include beaches and gardens. While both offer the benefit of fresh air and large crowd capacity, there are several reasons why the beach is definitely the best option for most weddings.

While garden weddings are aesthetically pleasing and offer a heavenly setting with many perks and luxuries, there are a number of reasons why a garden wedding can have some downsides. The cost of food and venue arrangements are just a few things to consider when comparing beach and garden weddings.

Newlyweds can expect to pay a small fortune just for the essentials of a garden wedding. A small fee will be required to use a garden located on public and private property. Expect to pay hundreds of dollars for just a few hours of use if you choose a garden wedding theme.

Another important ingredient to consider is the cost of food and alcohol. Catering costs can range into the thousands of dollars when brunch and dinner receptions are included, not to mention the potential costs of serving alcohol or bar services. In general, newlyweds can expect to pay around a quarter of total catering costs for a garden wedding.

Wedding venue arrangements are another critical factor in planning a garden wedding. Most wedding receptions need to be in close proximity to the wedding venue. Couples should ensure that the reception venue is conveniently located for a garden wedding and that all guests are adequately prepared for changes in the weather, such as rain.

While garden weddings have several drawbacks, beach weddings offer many advantages. The best part about having a beach themed wedding is that it’s free! There are no fees to host a beach wedding as long as guests are responsible with their trash and pick it up themselves.

Barbecues are a great alternative to food catering services at a beach wedding. If feeding a large crowd, steaks, burgers, or baked potatoes can be served on paper plates at picnic tables that overlook the ocean. The bride and groom can cut their food bill in half using such a simple approach.

Beach themed weddings give guests much more freedom and independence to roam, mingle, or just enjoy the beautiful scenery. The only problem the bride and groom will have is exhausting themselves sending out all those beach wedding invitations!

While both wedding styles are a nice departure from a traditional church wedding, a beach-themed wedding allows newlyweds to step out of their comfort zone while cutting venue and other costs in half. The next time you’re planning a wedding, consider a beach theme for comfort and stunning scenery.