Tropical Style Wedding Ideas

Tropical Style Wedding Ideas

#1 Choose a seaside or jungle location.

From Fiji to Belize, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, and the Seychelle Islands, there are thousands of beachfront venues and jungle locations to choose from. Just be sure yours shows off the best of the tropics with a stunning beach or rainforest view. Here are a few of our favorites:

The Four Seasons -  Bali

Viceroy Riviera Maya - Cancun

Haiku Mill - Maui

Constance Ephelia - Seychelles

Rosewood Baha Mar - Bahamas

couple-portrait-on-tropical-patio-photo-by-lyndah-wells-photography
Photographed by Lyndah Wells Photography - Bahamas wedding photographers

#2 Add a gorgeous honeymoon getaway.

If you’re traveling to the tropics, you’ll want to stay as long as possible. So book your honeymoon suite at or near your ceremony site. Set yourself up in a thatched roof room directly over the water and snorkel outside your door, or get dreamy accommodations high in the treetops.

bali-pier-worlds-best-wedding-photos-callaway-gable-los-angeles-wedding-photographers
Photographed by Callaway Gable - Los Angeles, California wedding photographers

#3 Send tropical invitations.

Set the tone for your guests with bright, sunny invitations in tropical colors.

tropical-invitation-suite-with-colorful-flowers-worlds-best-wedding-photos-callaway-gable-los-angeles-wedding-photographers
Photographed by Callaway Gable - Los Angeles, California wedding photographers

#4 Wear linen and lace.

To keep yourself cool, forego heavy fabrics and wear linen, light-weight lace, silk, or clothes made of bamboo. 

couple-pose-against-tropical-waters-photo-by-m-e-photo-films
Photographed by M.E. Photo and Films - Cancun, Mexico wedding photographers

#5 Or wear shorts for a more casual look.

While shorts are less dressy than traditional suits, they are totally appropriate in the tropics. 

portrait-of-two-fashionable-grooms-in-the-tropics-photo-by-carolina-guzik-photography
Photographed by Carolina Guzik Photography - Miami, Florida wedding photographers

#6 Add a floral headpiece and carry a tropical bouquet.

A bright floral crown and beautiful bouquet will look right at home in the tropics. 

couple-kicking-it-up-on-the-beach-manuel-antonio-costa-rica-kevin-heslin-photography
Photographed by Kevin Heslin Photography - Costa Rica wedding photographers

#7 Decorate your tables and arbor with tropical florals and greenery.

Birds of paradise, protea, palm fronds, orchids, and lilies are just some of the flowers you can incorporate into your bouquets and decor to bring together your tropical look.

scene-set-with-floral-decor-for-beach-ceremony-photo-by-m-e-photo-films
Photographed by M.E. Photo and Films - Cancun, Mexico wedding photographers

#8 Decorate your cake with tropical fruits.

Choose a coconut cake or dress yours up with a pineapple.

tiered-cake-with-tropical-floral-and-topped-with-pineapple-decoration-photo-by-f10-studio
Photographed by F10 Studio - Toronto, Canada wedding photographers

#9 Light up the pool.

Float candles in the pool to create a romantic atmosphere. 

green-pool-with-lights-photo-by-citlalli-rico-photography
Photographed by Citlalli Rico Photography - Riviera Maya, Mexico wedding photographers

#10 Hang lights to create a canopy. 

String lights from the trees and create your own sparkling roof.

nighttime-outdoor-first-dance-under-tent-of-sparkling-white-lights-photo-by-kevin-heslin-photography
Photographed by Kevin Heslin Photography - Costa Rica wedding photographers

#11 Let your flowers hang down for a jungle feel.

Flowers and vines that cascade down from above your tables will instantly create a tropical vibe. 

beautiful-ceremony-decor-photo-by-melia-lucida
Photographed by Melia Lucida - Maui, Hawaii wedding photographers

#12 Have a bonfire on the beach.

Set up a circle of pillows and low cocktail tables, then gather round to sip cocktails and watch the stars come out.

couple-at-beach-area-with-cushions-and-fire-pit-at-viceroy-riviera-maya-photo-by-citlalli-rico-photography
Photographed by Citlalli Rico Photography - Riviera Maya, Mexico wedding photographers

#13 Go for a catamaran ride.

Book a ride on a catamaran or better yet, arrive at your ceremony in a traditional boat.

couple-with-floral-crowns-riding-in-catamaran-callaway-gable
Photographed by Callaway Gable - Los Angeles, California wedding photographers

#14 Hang out in a hammock.

Tropical weddings are all about rest and relaxation, so pack a hammock or rent one out and get ready to snuggle.

epic-portrait-of-couple-in-hammock-over-tropical-sea-photo-by-citlalli-rico-photography
Photographed by Citlalli Rico Photography - Riviera Maya, Mexico wedding photographers

#15 Leave your impression in the sand.

From writing love notes to leaving footprints, make an impression by creating your own message in the sand.

his-and-her-rings-on-handprints-in-the-sand-manuel-antonio-costa-rica-kevin-heslin-photography
Photographed by Kevin Heslin Photography - Costa Rica wedding photographers

#16 Get your photo taken in a cenote.

The tropics are filled with caves, especially along the Caribbean Coast. There the water is aquamarine and the light is other worldly, making them ideal places for gorgeous photography.

bride-in-ruffled-gown-standing-in-cenote-worlds-best-wedding-photos-daniel-aguilar-houston-wedding-photographers
Photographed by Daniel Aguilar - Houston, Texas wedding photographers

#17 Buy yourself a cute new bikini.

Don’t wear your regular bathing suit. Get yourself one that says wedding all over it!

sexy-funny-portrait-of-bride-with-pineapples-in-front-of-breast-tropical-worlds-best-wedding-photos-greg-finck-france-wedding-photographers
Photographed by Greg Finck Photography - France wedding photographers

#18 Go get wet!

Sultry photos at sunset and “trash the dress” shoots the day after your wedding make for a great collection of wedding photographs. Book your photographer for a couple of extra hours to get these fun and memorable shots. 

silhouette-on-couple-in-water-kissing-golden-sunset-worlds-best-wedding-photos-two-mann-canada-wedding-photographers
Photographed by Two Mann Studios - Calgary, Canada wedding photographers

 

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