The Ultimate Guide to Beach Weddings in Nova Scotia
The Ultimate Guide To Beach Weddings in Nova Scotia
If you’re reading this you’re either contemplating or seeking the sand beneath your feet and a salty breeze as the backdrop for the big day. Planning a private sunset rendezvous, or even a lake-side to-do at the family cottage, a beach wedding takes the celebration outside, surrounds it with beautiful vistas and mists us with romance.
Here’s our guide for planning the perfect beach wedding on Canada’s East Coast.
Our 5 tips for Planning the Perfect Beach Wedding
Dress the Part Those beachside breezes sure can pick up quickly. Consider wearing wedding attire that’s lighter, more casual, and lets you navigate a little variation in the terrain. Up-dos will last longer and wont block your face from your photographer. Veils are a gamble because winds shift and who wants to chase a veil into the ocean? Flats are the name of the game on sandy or uneven ground — with this locale, you’ve even got the license to go barefoot and we recommend it.
Timing When it comes to pulling off a perfect beach wedding, timing is key. If luck is on your side, you’ll have a partially overcast to clear day — yes overcast! Photographer’s love that! Either way, if you’re blessed with sun timing becomes all the more important. Try to choose a cooler time of day for celebrations. Early to mid-morning weddings embrace new beginnings early in the day and get things going before the heat creeps up. Late afternoon weddings catch the sunset (without the sunstroke). If you must plan mid-day, consider creating areas of shade or offer parasols. Also - if you’re on the ocean check tide-times!
Windproof Your Decor Tie it down, weigh it down, hold it down. With so much natural beauty all around, there’s no need to go overboard on the decor you bring to mix. Ensure that anything you do bring is safely secured - including your marriage license (ask Kelsey Anne about that story!). Don’t worry too much about ditching the flowers —most bouquets or boutonnieres will hold up as long as you’re not dealing with gale-force winds.
Prep Your Guests Make sure your guests know the real deal about your location — is there a long walk-in? Are there facilities on site, nearby, or at the gas station down the road? Will the sparkling sun on the salty sea require shades? Are heels a good idea or a disaster in the making? Is bug spray recommended? Give them the details and cut down on your day-of-drama and barrage of questions. It’ll keep you focused on the fun stuff and your sweetheart.
Back-Up Plan This won’t happen — it definitely won’t — (but it actually might): What’s your plan for weather that gets out of hand? Is there a church hall nearby to book if rains move in? Will a tent suffice or blow away if things get gusty on a beach? How many umbrellasellasellas can you materialize in a hurry? How and when will you let your guests know that you’ve gone to Plan B? Getting together a backup plan takes the stress out of last-minute changes.
Best Beach for Weddings or Elopements in Nova Scotia
Summerville Beach Provincial Park
A favourite spot along the South Shore, and probably one our most frequented beaches. It’s huge, over 1 km and backed by dunes (home to piping plovers) and an open salt marsh. The Quarterdeck Resort is on-site and the perfect spot for a post-ceremony celebration or an onsite honeymoon!
Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park
This beautiful park features three white-sand beaches located only 40 minutes from Downtown Halifax. Scenic boardwalks lead to the first two beaches, and there are picnic areas and washroom facilities are onsite. You almost can’t believe you’re not in a tropical paradise while visiting Crystal Crescent.
Blomidon Beach Provincial Park
Located at world famous Cape Blomidon, Blomidon Beach is made of clay-like red sand and pebbles from the Minas Basin and is close to the Annapolis Valley (just in case you're pondering a wine tour or pub crawl after the vows are done). There is parking, picnic tables, washroom facilities, unserviced campsites, and hiking trails nearby. Bonus: check out Houston's Beach on your way out - often less crowded but also fewer amenities.
Burntcoat Head Park
If you’re looking for the world’s highest tides, red sandstone pillars, and some of Nova Scotia’s most unique landscapes as the scenic background for your vows, this park is calling your name. Start your married future with a front row seat to one of North America’s seven natural wonders.
Bayswater Beach Provincial Park
This white-sand beach features a picnic area, outdoor barbecue grills, change rooms and toilets. Located on the eastern end of the Aspotogan Peninsula, Bayswater Beach is only 1 hour from Halifax and has supervised swimming during July and August.
…looking for more options? Beach Parks in Nova Scotia (link to: https://parks.novascotia.ca/parks/all/beach) or hit us up. We’ve got some personal faves we like to keep in our pocket!
Private vs Public - What’s What & Who’s to Say?
Decisions, decisions. There are pros and cons to both. If you’re comfortable with onlookers and flexible with your exact location on the beach, a public setting will work for you — but if you’re hoping for privacy and a specific spot — one that doesn’t have you awkwardly camping out the night before to claim it — a private beach might be more your speed. We’re not here to debate nor advise what’s public and what’s private, it’s all clearly outlined in legislature.
Public beaches may require permits — you’ll have to check with the municipality you chosen beach is in — but they usually come with accessibility, parking, and maybe even nearby facilities. Nova Scotia Provincial Parks are pretty much guaranteed for the win: although you are required to fill out an event application at least four weeks in advance, there isn’t a fee, and they’re generally spacious enough to handle a crowd and ensure that you get that view you’re dreaming of.
Private beach options in the province are also aplenty. Whether it’s a cottage or an Airbnb situated seaside, nabbing your own bit of the horizon isn’t too hard in Canada’s Ocean Playground. A private beach setting also means you can set up well in advance. If managing the unbridled weather of the Atlantic Coast is already enough for your stress levels, a private beach option that comes with accommodations like a large airBNB can also put your weather worry woes to rest.
Beach Wedding FAQs
Can I bring chairs and decor?
Yes, but why bother with a chair for everyone? If your guests are comfortable standing for a short ceremony, make the most of a beach wedding and cut out the hassle, let them bury their toes in the sand. Ask guests to bring their own beach chair if they need one, or just have a few on hand for those who might need them.
Can I play music?
Yes! While the lapping of the waves and the ocean winds will do their part, there’s no reason why you can’t overlay that with your own playlist. Bring a portable device and test it out beforehand to ensure the speakers have the range you’re looking for and don’t forget to charge your batteries. Looking for something with a bit more oomph there are rentals. Our favourite is L&M, ask them for small all-in-one speaker set up.
Will there be parking?
We think all (but definitely most) of Nova Scotia's provincial parks offer parking lots. If you’re choosing a busy day, or busy time of day, you might not be able to ensure that there’s space enough for everyone you’ve invited - a point for team “keeping things small”. Consider this when planning your date and keep your guest informed — perhaps they might decide to carpool or plan for a little stroll en-route.
Looking for an epic beach elopement experience?
Check out our 2024 Beach Elopement Event at Summerville Beach!