Couples have beach weddings for different reasons: to get married in an exotic location, to save money on ceremony and reception costs, or simply to enjoy a more informal wedding with friends and family. Before you decide on an oceanfront destination, remember to check if you need a city permit or other document to hold the event at the beach. Once you've booked your beach wedding venue, you can start planning the food, décor, favors and wedding attire. Whatever your reason for choosing an oceanfront wedding, make it memorable with these 10 unique ideas:

1) Use fruit as beach wedding décor: a clear vase filled with lemons or pineapples as beach wedding centerpieces.

2) Have fun with the beach theme right from the beginning, by sending flip-flop shaped save the date cards, or choosing brightly colored beach wedding invitations.

3) Serve light foods that reflect the bounty and freshness of summer: cool tropical fruits, seafood, chilled salads and airy desserts.

4) Bring beach blankets for guests to sit on if they want to be near the water, and to wrap up in if the evening becomes chilly.

5) Tuck a tropical flower in your hair that matches your beach wedding colors.

6) Go natural when you give your guests wedding favors, by handing out seashells, silk hand fans they can use during the ceremony and take home, or even a single tropical flower.

7) Use a sand pail, tin or wood buckets to put wedding programs in at the front entrance way of the tent or space where you're getting married.

8) Go for vivid flowers, rather than all white or very dark colors. Fill your wedding tent or beach area with fresh flowers that fit with the sunshine and cheer of summer: calla lilies, peach roses, sunflowers, and violets.

9) Use twinkle lights or tiki tabletop torches for evening to create a cozy atmosphere for you and your guests.

10) Keep guests cool with mini portable fans in hot weather. Place packets of sunscreen in decorative baskets so guests can protect themselves from the morning or afternoon sun, and make sure you have insect repellent on hand.