A couple of things to keep in mind though...

* Since your reception may be on beach, consider sun! If you are having a dawn or dusk ceremony, heat from sun will probably not be a major factor. However, if you are having your wedding midday, consider an "ornamental" cake. By that I mean, not edible with exception of perhaps bottom layer if you and groom plan to cut it. You don't want your creation to melt!

* Consider draping your cake in a decorative manner with tulle to keep bugs and sand out of it. It would be beautiful yet practical.

* Purchase decorative, individual cake boxes. Fill them and perhaps tie your wedding program or thank you to them with ribbon. Keep them in a cooler until time to pass them out to your guests. They will serve as your wedding favor, killing two birds with one stone!

* Make your own beach theme wedding cake! Look inside next "DuncanHines" cake mix you buy. The instruction for making baking tiered cakesare in there! You can do it. If you can't, I'll bet you know a friend who could! In EVERY town there is a friend or a "friend of a friend" who makes beautiful wedding cakes. It's a hobby for them. They love doing it! Of course they still want to be paid, but not ridiculous prices that a professional will charge you.

So...go... find that friend!

Formal afternoon weddings will of course lead to usual "sit down" planned menus. Caterers will be necessary. The advantage being that whole affair will be tended to without you lifting a finger... for a price. In order to cut costs here, you will have to limit menu and guests.

So, if you have a large guest list and a limited budget, avoid marrying late in afternoon. Guests will be hungry and expect dinner reception. Instead, stick with a breakfast, brunch or cocktail reception.

The wedding industry dictates that a reception should be from three to five hours in length. Rubbish! A reception should be as long as it takes for you and your guests to enjoy each others company and have fun. It can last a couple of hours or all day if you like.

Don't feel obligated to stretch event out. Often, your older guests tire easily and would like to leave before designated departure time anyway. If you are having a beach side bash, consider a "come and go" atmosphere. Let people know what time your departure will be so they can be there to send you off.

As far as beach wedding reception ideas go, rule of thumb is - there is no rule of thumb! Break mold. Do something different, something fun, something memorable.

Whatever you and your guests will enjoy most, IS perfect beach wedding reception!