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On the day his son, Levi, was born, Matthew McConaughey ripped off his shirt and proposed to Camila Alves, the mother of his newborn son. Okay, so maybe he didn't rip off his shirt -- that's just the way we like to picture it happening -- but he did propose just hours after Levi was born, and Camila happily accepted.

According to the Enquirer, Matthew wants Camila to design her own engagement ring, though he's been hunting for the diamond himself. They plan to have a beach wedding at sunset, and while they haven't set a date just yet, Matthew apparently hopes to tie the knot by Christmas.



We're all for the marriage (even if it does take Matthew off the market officially), but we're slightly concerned that it was a spur of the moment decision. Holding your baby for the first time certainly brings with it a wealth of emotions, and we hope that Matthew's proposal was something he'd been thinking about for a while and simply decided the time was right. What do you think?

The state of Hawaii is cracking down on beach weddings and, beginning August 1, will require all commercial weddings (meaning somebody is making a profit) to have proper permits. That means wedding planners, officiants, musicians, and others will need to have a permit in order to work your wedding.

People within the Hawaiian beach wedding industry are appalled, and concerned that the need for permits might take smaller companies and individuals right out of business. Beach weddings have been on the decline for the last year or two, and they fear this could be the nail in the coffin. There is a universally acknowledged need to work toward preserving the islands and the beaches, but the permits can be cost prohibitive because they aren't issued without proof of liability insurance plus the minimum $20 fee.

The government has stated that it will not halt any weddings as they are in progress, but it would still be a smart idea for anyone planning a Hawaiian wedding to double check with their vendors to make sure all bases are covered.

If lantern-lit cobblestone streets and quaint German village-style buildings is the perfect setting for your romantic wedding, consider the Old World village church in Huntington Beach, CA. About 5 miles from the coast, this beautiful Christian church welcomes up to 120 guests for your small wedding. Silk flower and altar decorations as well as a unity candle are provided. The Old World restaurant can provide the inside venue for a casual reception, or you can opt for the lovely outdoor gardens. The restaurant can also provide everything edible from hors d'oeuvres, to buffet or sit down meals, to the cake.

Even more than fruity drinks with paper umbrellas or sun-kissed skin, images of summer flip-flops are conjured in my head when I think of the beach. And what's a better accessory to pack in your suitcase than the perfect pair of flip-flops when you're traveling to a fun, beach wedding. Wherever the nuptials are being held -- from Fiji to Mexico to Cape Cod -- there will hopefully be sand to bury your toes in and a full weekend with which to enjoy the warmer weather and the flip-flops you brought along with you.

There are plenty of perfect flip-flops to match the sunny beach wedding at retail stores such as J. Crew and Ann Taylor and online shoe mega-stores like Zappos.com. Choose your favorite style, your favorite color and throw them in your carry-on to slip on as soon as you set foot in the beach town you're heading to.

The great thing about flip-flops is you can slip them off as soon as the sand is too tempting and throw them into any beach bag or purse. They are compact and perfect for carrying on your arm or donning on your feet. The choice is yours but with the fun styles in the gallery, it'll be impossible to resist the lure of summer's greatest footwear completely.

Many of us dream of a beach wedding but sometimes, for various reasons (finances, logistics), the more land-locked among us can't actually make it to the beach to say our vows. Here's a bride at weddingchannel.com with important family members who are unable to travel to the coast. Her solution? Bring that beachy look and feel to her wedding right at home. With your dress, decorations, favors, cake design, even music and other sound effects, you can create a relaxing coastal climate just about anywhere, and you won't even need to put on sunscreen. One post even suggested building a sandbox for the bride, groom, and officiant to stand in during the ceremony.

Beach weddings are, by their very nature, less formal than a traditional wedding.

Your dress should also be less stylised. Heavily beaded, satin or taffeta creations will look out of place on a beach.

The last thing you want is to be uncomfortable. Sand, salty air, sea water and hot sunshine can ruin your day (and your dress) so rather avoid a puffed up fairytale gown. A full length, traditional dress simply isn't practical and a sweaty, satin-encased bride isn't a great look either.

There designers who specialise in beach wedding dresses but if you see a dress you like from a traditional wedding dress designer, enquire if it can be adapted to suit a beach setting. Or look for a designer who will create something special, just for you.

For more tips on choosing your ideal beach wedding dress, continue reading after the jump.

These super-smooth stone coasters remind you of pebbles picked up on a beach. Each of them water-smooth and glossy, these coasters are made from black stone. There are matching black place mats, or, if you prefer the look of bridal white, you can get either in white, as well!

These would add a flare to any outdoor venue -- but be forewarned. They are strictly decorative. The vendors clearly not that "coasters are not suitable to protecting furniture from beverage condensation or dripping wax." Hm. Coasters that don't protect furniture from condensation? Best make sure your furnishings are fairly ring-resistant, or casual enough that spills don't matter!

If the possibility of damp rings is really not an issue for your venue, these striking pebble coaster and matching place mats can be purchased here.

You've had your lovely wedding, you're on your lovely honeymoon, and you're just so proud! You've done it! The ceremony was wonderful, and you're so pleased to have this lovely shiny new husband. You want everyone to know!

So you buy yourself one of these, just to declare your newlywed status to the world. (Or maybe you even wore the white bikini under a sarong for your destination beach wedding!) You can hardly wait to walk along the beach, attired in your bridal bikini, hand in hand with your beloved.

It's very sweet, and if you're interested in either of these bikinis, you can find purchasing information here, but really? We think it's pretty likely that, if you're that eager that people know, everyone in about 500 yards of the two of you would pick you out as newlyweds, even without the labels. Because you'll just be so gosh-darn cute!

When you have your wedding on the beach, you can dress and accessorize however you like. Many couples opt to wear the same formal attire that they'd wear in a church wedding, and others go a lot more casual. You can wear anything from a skimpy bikini to a traditional big white dress -- you have tons of options.

The same is true for your flowers. Lots of beach brides and grooms opt against traditional boutonnieres and corsages in favor of something a lot more beachy -- the lei. Leis can be the perfect accessory for the bridal party, and they also make great favors for your beach wedding.

Leis come in all different types of floral and leafy designs, so no matter what your beach style is, there's sure to be a lei that will complement it nicely. We found gorgeous selections here, here, and here. Browse the gallery for some of our favorites.

Wouldn't this be just perfect for a beach wedding?? Can't you just see it, paired with a light and breezy white bridal sarong, with the tropical sun shining over your shoulders? Wouldn't that be just so tacky romantic???

Okay. We're not seriously suggesting you wear this to your wedding. (Unless, of course, you really, really want to!!) But this is a fun accessory to a silly event. Maybe your bridesmaids will insist you wear this as part of your bachelorette party.

(If you're a bridesmaid looking to humiliate lovingly tease the bride-to-be, one of your dearest friends, you can find more information on the shell bra here.) Maybe it could be a joke gift at your bridal shower. But however you come across this fairly tacky little item, we're sure it will make someone grin -- even if it's only your groom-to-be!

The founder of The Real Princess Company, Benedicte Lassartesse-Jones, calls herself the Fairy Godmother of brides-to-be. With good reason. This London-based company has a range of exquisite handmade tiaras and jewellery that have the fairytale factor.

We love the stunning Wild Orchid and Pearl tiara, pictured above. Made of mother-of-pearl and pearls, it's perfect for a beach bride. You can see a real bride wearing it here. The entire beach bride range is beautiful, with prices ranging from £150 to £380.

Although this is a UK-based company, international deliveries can be made so if you see something you must have, then simply send an email to The Real Princess Company - their email address is on the About page.

Your beach wedding cake can be as traditional or funky as you want but, frankly, having a beach wedding is a great excuse to have a whimsical, fun cake that reflects the breezy informality of the day.

Frosted sugar sand, white chocolate seashells, sugary, edible driftwood, sea grass, palm trees and, even, painted tropical fish. Designs range from elaborate sandcastles to fabulous underwater scenes. The only limit is your imagination.

The best icing for a beach wedding cake is fondant, as it will keep its shape in warm temperatures. Buttercream may be tastier but could soften a lot, and even melt. Whatever icing you choose, keep the cake in a shady spot and if there isn't any shade then create some with a pretty umbrella or canopy.

Also keep in mind that a cake displayed outdoors might attract insects and, if its breezy, could become covered in sand. If you're concerned about that happening then perhaps keep the cake covered in clear cellophane until its time to cut it. (Make sure to discuss the options with your baker.)

We've picked out a selection of fabulous sandcastle and seashell wedding cakes to inspire you. Click on the images below to view.

At AisleDash this week we're talking all about beach weddings -- sand, surf and palm trees! Once you have all the details nailed down for your beach-y wedding day, it's time to let your guests know. The invitations are usually an extension of your wedding theme -- thank goodness! -- and for a beach wedding, the clear-blue sky really is the limit. There are so many beach invites to peruse, you'll have no problem finding the perfect one for your wedding. Should you pick out a fun and flirty one? Or a simple, stunning one? Something different? Or something colorful? The choice is yours but you can't go wrong. Check out the gallery for more than 20 additional invitation styles for your wedding. Send them out and then sit back, relax and dream about digging your feet in the sand while saying, "I do!"

These luscious plates give a gracious feel to any table. Use them at your reception to hold portions of nuts, candies,or other small treat. After the festivities, you can bring them home for future entertaining. Every time you pull them out, you'll be awash in wedding memories.

These freshwater shells are organic. They are an iridescent pink on the inside; each shell is supported by smaller shell "feet". They're sold in sets of four, so if you buy two or three sets, you could give one or two to each of your attendants. If you're going to give the entire set to someone, you can leave them in the original packaging, as they come enclosed in a pretty organza pouch.

For more information on these shell plates, follow this link.

A nice way to thank your guests and bring back memories of your beach wedding at the same time: sea-shell gifts. Not the quaint, and perhaps dated, seashells fairies, but gifts that even your trendy young cousin might like. Remember, though, that "dated" is in the eye of the beholder. What is passé to you might bring back fond memories to an elderly uncle.

With a little imagination (and some quality glue!), you can create one-of-a-kind gifts to suit a wide range of personal styles. There are sweetly country door-signs, there are clean and urbane ornaments. There's even something for the tomboy princess on your list! Check out the gallery to get a sampling of the possibilities, and then take a stroll on the beach, or through the "shell aisle" of your local craft store.