But it’s a three day weekend, right? Extra time off work without using up vacation days. Yes, you and the rest of America are all thinking the same thing. But guess where nearly everyone wants to go on Memorial Day? The beach. And for all the right reasons: that fickle, warm then cool again, leftover spring weather is gone. The water is warming up and refreshing. The grill is hot and ready. So the message isn’t to avoid the beach for the holiday. But unless you want to pay double the hotel rates and airfare, and share the beach with every other stress-free-seeking Florida beach goer, avoid a Memorial Day or July 4 Weekend Wedding. So go ahead and hit the waves, but save the wedding vows for a better weekend. Read on to see why.
Hotel Rates
While the “price gouging” line is fuzzy and grey, hotel rates seem to increase up to $50/night during Memorial Day Weekend, on both the west coast and east coast of Florida. You do the math: that’s over $150 more for the weekend. Airbnb is a price flexible alternative, if you can actually get a property on the Gulf of Mexico, but book soon because the affordable, desirable places will get scooped up quick! So it might seem like a good idea to tie the knot on a Florida beach on the popular holiday weekends, in reality it could end up busting you and your guests’ budget. Furthermore, can you even find a beach wedding provider who will perform a ceremony on holiday weekends? Many will not do so simply because of the crowds. Think of those wedding pictures with hundreds of people in the background…not great.
Airfare
Prices for Memorial Day and July 4 travelers is approximately $30-$40 more per ticket compared to prices on non-holiday weekends. And traveling during popular months like May, can often increase prices $100 or more per ticket in comparison to less popular travel month like September and October. And don’t even mention Thanksgiving! Yes, prices have been much lower in 2020 but that is about to change…and the volume of travelers is about to increase as more people take to the skies after being at home for so long. Florida, especially, has already seen a record number of air travel into its airports. Be wise and look at alternate dates for your Florida beach wedding ceremony. An all-inclusive Florida destination wedding can be beautiful any time of year and any day of the week. You have options!
Crowds
Airports, beaches, restaurants, roads. All these Holiday weekend spots will be experiencing a heavy increase in traffic. So if you love a big beach party, bring on the Memorial Day or Independence Day Wedding Weekend. But consider this your warning: Heavy Traffic Ahead! And when we say heavy traffic, we mean it can take hours to get to your beach wedding location. Locations like Clearwater Beach and Siesta Key Beach are beyond popular and for good reason – it’s beautiful. However, unless you are staying at a hotel on the beachfront, you may wish to schedule your beach wedding or Florida elopement another day of the week.
Rustic Romance
Guests
So not only are you paying more for your hotel and airfare, but your guests will be as well. And often people have vacation traditions or book getaways planned around a year ahead of time knowing they have an extra day off work. So what seems like a convenient perk of the added day off, the added travel expenses may not be worth it. It’s worth looking at all your best Florida beach wedding options in advance.
Wedding Planning Savings
If you are actually looking to save money instead of spend more, avoid the holiday weekends which are NEVER sale weekends in the wedding business. You can actually save money on other select dates. Although beach wedding package prices may be the same most of the time, you can definitely find savings during the weekdays and Fall in Florida. Our Florida wedding planners can help you find the best wedding ceremony times for you. Click HERE to book your Beach Wedding today!