You will, of course, plan your Hawaii beach wedding carefully, hopefully with some professional help. But regardless of how carefully you prepare, some innocent phenomena can sneak up and bite you.

When the trade winds blow (and they usually do), the weather is lovely, but the wind can get pretty strong, especially on the beach. Chiffons and China silks are not ideal choices for the bride’s gown or your bridesmaids’ dresses. Members of the wedding party, as well as guests, should prepare their hair accordingly, with pomade or gel.

Not just the wind, but also the breaking waves can seriously affect the outdoor acoustics. Consider a sound system with clipped-on mikes for the bride, groom and officiant. (If you have a band or a DJ, you probably can do that through them.)

Your natural setting might need grass mowed and raked, the beach raked and policed, and the flower situation investigated. (If the beach is lined with flowing plants, that’s great; but you might need to bring along some flowers of your own.)

You may want to add a trellis or an arch, torches or lanterns, or even strings of lights.

If you hire a local catering company, its people will be prepared; but be sure to avoid mayonnaise-heavy salads or items that require low temperatures to be palatable. It gets hot on the beach!

Alcohol is prohibited on beaches in Hawaii. If your guests have imbibed before the ceremony, remember that alcohol dehydrates, so it’s a good idea to have plenty of soda or punch, ice and water on hand.

Flies and mosquitoes are rarely a problem on Hawaii’s beaches, but it couldn’t hurt to have some citronella candles at the ready, just in case.

And don’t forget the sun! Everybody who visits the islands is warned to use sunblock outdoors and especially on the beaches (Even the dark-skinned locals do so). You should heed the warnings and warn your guests, as well. It’s also a good idea to stage the ceremony so that your guests’ backs are to the sun – especially during early-morning or late-afternoon hours.

Hawaii’s professional wedding planners are aware of all the foregoing, but you should add the cautions to your planning list.

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