For years tradition has dictated what was 'acceptable' when planning a wedding. The long white gown, the programmed church ceremony, the rented reception hall with the arranged seating and the sky high wedding budget were all considered to be proper wedding etiquette.

Well it is the year 2006 and those traditions are fast falling by the wayside! Today your wedding can be anything you want it to be. Pastel wedding gowns are definitely "in". Your wedding ring does not have to be a diamond. Your reception doesn't have to be a stodgy sit-down affair and you guests don't need to be afraid to cough during the deafening quiet as you exchange vows.

Today, beach weddings are becoming very popular as more and more savvy couples opt for less traditional, more relaxed settings for their big day. Beach weddings can be much cheaper, less stressful, and just all around plain fun. They allow you to involve everyone in the activities. Guests are not restricted to sitting quietly in their seats. They can actually be a part of the celebration!

A beach wedding allows you total creative freedom and there are so many ways to go.

• You may choose and elegant sunset ceremony with a formal reception under a grand white tent illuminated by candle light and tiki torches. You may choose to just 'cut loose' with an afternoon 'fun-in-the-sun' beach party by exchanging your vows at the water's edge, spreading the beach towels and having a barbeque reception.

• Your gown may be a beautiful Hawaiian "holoku", a beach wrap, sarong or a simple sundress.

• Your wedding cake might be a tiered cake, a sheet cake, a sculpted cake, individual mini cakes, cupcakes or even cookies!

• Your favors may be elegant chocolate shells or sand dollars tied in pretty tulle bags or just plain fun items such as sunglasses, mini beach pails and sunscreen.

• Your music may be as simple as bringing a great sound system and playing your own favorites or you may choose to "limbo" to the sounds of an authentic steel drum band playing Calypso and Reggae music.

• Your theme may have a Caribbean or Hawaiian flavor, or you may choose to incorporate your own favorites such as dolphins, mermaids, lighthouses or sea creatures. You could have a western beach wedding and leave on horseback. Have a nautical wedding and sail away into the sunset. Oh, there are just so many possibilities!

If you are lucky enough to live on or near a beach already, you are halfway there. If you don't, not to worry, there are endless locations that offer beautiful wedding packages to fit your budget.

By the way...don't rule out your beach wedding ideas because you don't live near an ocean or can't afford to go to one. The definition of a beach is - "the shore of a body of water, especially if sandy or pebbly". That includes lakes and rivers. For that matter, you may have a "beach" by your swimming pool. There are no rules. Be creative!

As with everything in life, there are pros and cons to having a beach wedding. They are nothing to worry about, just be aware of them and plan for them. Your wedding day will be a wonderful and joyous event!

Just remember...it is your beach wedding! It can be anything you want it to be - wherever you want it to be! Most of all...have fun!