Outdoor & Beach Wedding Ceremonies in Devon
Say “I do” with your toes in the sand
If your idea of the perfect wedding involves sunshine, sea air, bare feet and a beautiful view rather than four walls and a wedding breakfast, I’m with you.
Wedding Celebrant of the Year – Devon
LuxLife Global Wedding Awards 2023, 2024 and 2026
Outdoor weddings can be incredibly special.
Perhaps you want to get married on the beach, in a woodland, in a field, in a garden or somewhere that has a particular meaning to you.
As a celebrant, I can create a ceremony that makes the most of the setting – wherever your wedding takes place.
Beach weddings
There’s something rather magical about getting married beside the sea.
The sound of the waves. The wind in your hair. The people you love gathered around you.
And hopefully, the sun shining.
I’ve conducted many ceremonies by the sea, from Arches Beach in Combe Martin to Connaught Gardens above Sidmouth seafront, and would love to help you create something equally memorable.
A beach ceremony could be an intimate elopement, a small family wedding or part of a much bigger celebration.
You could exchange your vows with your feet in the sand, walk along the beach together, include a handfasting or another symbolic ritual, or simply let the location do much of the work.
Let’s have a chat about your wedding.
You don’t need to have everything worked out before you get in touch.
Can we have a wedding ceremony on a public beach?
Often, yes – but it’s worth checking first.
A celebrant ceremony isn’t the same thing as booking an approved wedding venue.
If you’re thinking about using a public beach, you’ll need to check who manages that particular beach and whether you need permission for what you’re planning.
For a small, informal ceremony, the requirements may be very different from a larger organised event involving things such as structures, amplified music, alcohol, catering or exclusive use of part of the beach.
Local authorities can have their own rules and booking arrangements, so I would always recommend checking with the relevant council or landowner before making firm plans.
I’ll happily help you think through the practicalities, but you will need to obtain any permissions that are required for your particular location and plans.
The good news is that a beach doesn’t necessarily have to become a complicated wedding venue.
Sometimes all you need is the people you love, a beautiful stretch of coastline and a celebrant.
What about the legal marriage?
There is a separate issue around the legal marriage ceremony.
If you’re having a celebrant-led wedding in England and Wales, your legal marriage needs to be dealt with separately unless you’re using an appropriately approved venue and registrar.
For many couples, the simplest option is to have the legal formalities at a register office with two witnesses and then have the personalised celebration on the beach.
That means your legal ceremony can be small and straightforward, while your wedding celebration can take place somewhere beautiful and meaningful.
You can find more information about the legal side of celebrant weddings on my The Legal Bit page.
What about other outdoor locations?
It doesn’t have to be the beach.
You might choose:
- A private garden
- A field or farm
- A woodland
- A clifftop
- A country estate
- A vineyard
- A beautiful countryside location
- Somewhere with a special connection to your relationship
If you’re using private land, you’ll need the owner’s permission.
If you’re using public land, you’ll need to check whether the relevant council, landowner or other authority has any requirements for organised gatherings or events.
Let’s have a chat about your wedding.
You don’t need to have everything worked out before you get in touch.
What can we include?
Pretty much anything that matters to you.
Your outdoor or beach ceremony could include:
- Personal vows
- Exchange of rings
- Your love story
- Readings and poems
- Your favourite music
- Children and family
- Friends and special guests
- Other symbolic rituals
- Cultural or spiritual traditions
- Memories of people who can’t be there
- A surprise for your partner
- Something completely unique to you
And if you have an idea that sounds slightly bonkers, tell me anyway.
What about the weather?
Ah yes.
The small matter of British weather.
An outdoor wedding needs a Plan B.
I’m very happy to work with you to make sure we have a sensible alternative if the heavens open.
Because while “romantic wedding in the rain” sounds lovely in photographs, it’s less appealing when your vows are blowing across the beach.
We’ll make sure you can enjoy your ceremony whatever the weather decides to do.
Outdoor and beach ceremonies in Exeter & Devon
Whether you’re planning a barefoot beach elopement, a relaxed family wedding in a garden or something completely unexpected, I’ll work with you to create a ceremony that makes the most of the setting.
Thinking about an outdoor wedding?
Tell me what you’ve got in mind.
You don’t need to know exactly how the ceremony will work – that’s something we can work out together.
I reply within 24 hours
Prefer to talk? Call 07990 592021
