As we are now approaching the tail end of summer, 2024 booking season is upon us in the wedding industry. Not only are couples planning for local beach weddings but also destination weddings. Destination weddings are on the rise with the industry poised to grow from $21.43 billion in 2022 to $64.01 billion in 2026. Southern California, in particular, has become a popular choice for modern couples who want to tie the knot where the weather is perfect – meaning that Golden West Coast sunlight.

But while this weather is a wedding photographer’s dream, creating the ideal lighting conditions, the same can’t be said for your skin. Sun protection is vital in all types of weather, but even more so if you want to pull off a SoCal outdoor or beach wedding.

Whether you and your spouse-to-be are looking to tie the knot at a modern hotel in Downtown San Diego, a charming courtyard in Santa Barbara, or in front of a panoramic ocean view in San Clemente, here are a few ways you can help keep your guests safe from skin-damaging UV rays:

For general sun protection: sunscreen

You’ve heard it before: SPF protects your skin from UVB rays, which are responsible for sunburns, and at worst, skin cancer. At the entrance to your wedding venue, you may want to provide your guests with some broad-spectrum sunscreen, which protects against UVB rays but also UVA rays (read: the ones responsible for skin damage that results in a tan). Because outdoor weddings kick up sun exposure, ensure your sunscreen is SPF 60 or higher. But remember, there’s a reason they call it “sunscreen” – “sunblock” is actually a misnomer, as no sun protection product can protect your skin 100% from UV rays.

For enhanced eye protection: sunglasses

You and your fiancé worked hard to bring your dream wedding to life, so ensuring your guests can see it is essential! You don’t want anyone’s view of your ceremony obstructed by harsh glare from the sun, so you might want to give out shades as wedding favors they can use. As such, polarized sunglasses are a must-have at your wedding. Eyebuydirect’s collection of polarized lenses shields your eyes from annoying glare while letting non-polarized light through – so the wedding will still be visible for everyone. Female guests will look ultra-chic in the clear-melon version of the Safari model, while male guests can rock the classic aviator shape of the Good Vibrations model in silver (it comes with blue lenses to match your wedding's ocean view). Sunglasses are also a great way to protect your guests' eyes from potential harmful effects like macular degeneration, cataracts, and even certain cancers.

For better coverage: beach-appropriate attire

Five minutes basking in sunlight gives you a nice warm feeling. Two hours under the sun for a wedding ceremony is a different story. In your wedding invitation, remind guests to wear something that adequately covers their skin without compromising breathability. The best fabrics for a beach wedding are cotton, chambray, and linen. A sundress can be paired with a light jacket or shawl for additional skin protection.

For all-around shade: umbrellas and parasols

Even with sunblock and sunscreen in the mix, overhead protection can help keep your guests comfortable. You can remind your guests to bring umbrellas to the ceremony, but it may be ideal to provide them at the venue because different-colored umbrellas could look clunky in pictures and disrupt your color scheme. While lace or paper parasols are cute, they’re not ideal for sun protection. You’ll want to choose UV parasols, which have specially treated fabric that protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays. When choosing umbrellas or parasols for your guest list, don’t forget to check the tags or labels for an indication that they can provide UV protection. The Lily Lark parasol has a pretty print that photographs wonderfully while arming its user with a UPF 50+ protection factor.

When it comes to wedding-day weather, many will choose sun over rain. With these protection tips, you can ensure that your guests leave your wedding with unforgettable memories – and no sunburns.

The Sun protection doesnt stop when the sun goes down // Shoutout to this bridal party for making the night

As wedding photographers in Southern California we love working with so many talented companies in the wedding industry. We look forward to connecting with so many more wedding coordinators, venues and retailers in the near future. Thanks for all the love and support. Cheers!