5 Reasons to Avoid a Holiday Weekend Wedding

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!

Aerial shot of Tampa International Airport Florida

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!

Say No to Do It Yourself Beach Weddings

We live in a culture full of D.I.Y. projects: YouTube tutorials, Pinterest boards, bloggers and design TV show hosts are pushing the “let me show you how to do it yourself” movement. Maybe that worked for that coffee table, paint project, car engine restoration (or maybe not). But we’re here to recommend that you don’t DIY for your wedding. Why? Stress is the biggest factor and we all know that a bride already has plenty of that. Therefore, here are three reasons why its good to leave the beach wedding planning to the pros (ahem- that’s us) and save the D.I.Y. for painting the bathroom at home.

Budget

One of the top reasons couples are attracted to the do-it-yourself wedding is to save money. And it seems like a great idea, but a la cart wedding items can add up fast. Most of the items you’re planning to use for your wedding may never be used again. With Florida Beach Weddings packages you can save money right from the start. Forget the stress of trying to do it all yourself…wouldn’t you rather just show up at the beach and have everything ready for you? Our affordable beach wedding packages are all-inclusive so you know exactly what you’ll be getting AND spending on your wedding. No surprises, no hidden fees, and it’s completely planned out beginning to end online with your beach wedding ideas. We even help with your Florida marriage license. Vow renewals, elopements, or larger Florida destination wedding. What could be easier?

Pass-A-Grille Beach couple at sunset under wedding canopy

Customization

Like every bride, you don’t want a cookie cutter wedding…you want to use your own wedding ideas. And a D.I.Y. wedding could allow for you to put your personal touch into your ceremony. However, choosing a wedding package doesn’t mean you can’t do any customization. Our Destiny package has over 20 different color choices for the bamboo wedding arch, many choices for your topper decorations, plus a variety of aisle-way choices such as shepherd’s hooks, tiki torches and lanterns. There are some things that are much harder such as location choices: having a Clearwater Beach wedding? Have you investigated the sunset time, beach permit regulations, or parking issues? What begins as an exciting adventure can quickly turn into a nightmare of hours on hold waiting for answers. Our Florida Beach Weddings company has put in the time, experience, and will do all the work for you. As Florida wedding planners, we’ve been doing it for over 13 years and know how to get these issued taken care of quickly. So you can still add your personality and your colors in our all-inclusive package with a lot less stress.

Couple at Clearwater Beach with a Destiny wedding package sitting

Convenience

While D.I.Y. weddings seem like they save money and allow you to be creative, they are way more involved than what first meets the eye. Even small beach wedding packages are easier than doing it yourself! Florida destination weddings are all about you fully enjoying your special day. That includes the beach wedding planning before AND the day of. Our all-inclusive packages really do include everything you need for your wedding day. Wedding officiant who also coordinates your ceremony, vows, consultations by phone and e-mail pre-wedding, unity sand ceremony, legal filing of your Florida Marriage License; all this is included with even our most basic package. You can also add our professional photography. So you have time to enjoy your destination wedding, spend more time on shopping for the perfect beach wedding dress, local entertainment, and truly enjoy your entire experience. From a Daytona Beach wedding to St. Pete Beach weddings, our beach wedding company does it all so you can relax!

Classic Florida Beach wedding packages

If you are ready to save money, personalize your wedding day, enjoy your wedding day celebration then CLICK HERE to start planning your beach wedding today with our Florida wedding planners.

Just Engaged? Plan a Beach Wedding Everyone will Envy

Congratulations! It’s so exciting to get engaged and celebrate! However, after the BIG question, there are even more questions to answer: when and where? These days, those questions can be tough to answer. Even with the new COVID-19 vaccine, it may be awhile before traditional weddings and receptions get back to normal. So, these days many couples who want to get married are still considering outdoor, non-traditional venues. Destination weddings and elopements are more popular than ever and, in Florida, destination weddings offer the the most unique, beautiful venue: the BEACH!

Even during a pandemic, one thing remains constant: all brides desire a wedding ceremony that fulfills their dreams. That dream could be romantic, fun or dramatic. It could include flowers, rustic wood, lanterns, a variety of colors or flowing, silky fabric. Can you get this on the beach in Florida? Yes, you can! Beach wedding packages include all the elements of a traditional ceremony including on-trend, elegant decor, a wedding officiant, and music. Some may even include a wedding photographer or you have the option to add it (for less than a traditional photographer). You can have 100 guests if that is your dream, although many couples choose smaller guest counts during this time. Our Florida Beach Weddings packages start at $699 and at the top end average $2,500.

This couple is happy to say "I Do" under one of our Classic Distinctive Design Wedding Packages in Florida.

Which Florida Beach is Best for a Wedding?

Although very affordable, the beach a couple chooses will be a factor in the cost. Gulf beaches like Clearwater/St. Pete and Siesta Key are very popular because of the sunsets. However, with the Daytona Beach area is often less crowded and provides a variety of beaches. They offer you the Atlantic ocean and beautiful waves. Permits are less, and many places don’t have parking fees. Brides also love St. Augustine which is a historic city and Cocoa Beach which is the closest beach to Orlando. A reputable beach wedding planner can help you pick the right beach location for your ceremony.

However, do you really need to use a wedding planner or beach wedding company? The answer is no…BUT if you want an outdoor wedding ceremony everyone will envy, you should say YES! Besides the fact that you will have a much easier wedding experience, and will likely save some money if you do. Choosing a complete beach wedding package will be stress-free and, once you browse the gorgeous package designs with customizable options, you will be even more excited about your special day. Some of our most popular wedding ceremony designs include:

Rustic Romance Beach Wedding Package

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Wedding couple kissing on white chairs in St. Augustine

Floral Distinctive Design Beach Wedding Package

Click here for more infoClearwater couple poses by chalkboard sign announcing marriage on beach

Natural Distinctive Design Beach Wedding Package

Click here for more infoNatural branches and flowers on wedding arch Daytona Beach with couple

Teal Distinctive Design Beach Wedding Package

Click here for more infoWe present the newly married couple at this beautiful Teal Distinctive Package at a Florida Wedding on the beach.

Tropical Geometric Distinctive Design Wedding Package

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Nautical Knot Beach Wedding Package

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Nautical Knot wedding package and couple Palm Coast

Florida Destiny Beach Wedding Package

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Daytona Beach Wedding Packages with black bamboo, aisle way, chairs and officiant.

Beach Wedding Planning

The help you receive from your Beach Wedding Specialist will make every detail a sea breeze! After you reserve your date with a deposit she will:

  • Provide guidance in choosing exact ceremony location, time (tides or sunset), as well as the beach permit if required
  • Recommend many package options to design your wedding online with your wedding ideas
  • Assist you with ceremony vows (you can also choose to write your own)
  • Provide consultations by phone and email
  • Help you choose ceremony decorations including sand colors for the Unity Sand Ceremony
  • Provide recorded music for ceremony played on our PA system and decide if you want to add on a first dance under the wedding arch
  • Legally file your Florida marriage license after the ceremony, per Florida laws for resident and non resident couples
  • Provide recommendations for florists, salons, suggestions for a reception or celebration dinner, outline the best parking areas and more.

As you can see you, your partner, your guests will be comfortable and relaxed on your wedding day. Your friends will breathe a sigh of envy when looking at your photographs and you will remember your Florida Beach Wedding ceremony for a lifetime. So are you ready to plan when and where to say, ‘I do?’, then CLICK HERE to book a Florida Beach Wedding or browse more packages. You can also call our Beach Wedding Specialists at 386-214-6361.

Beach Wedding Countdown: 1 Week Away

Wow, your beach wedding countdown is officially 1 week away! You’ve made phone calls, paid deposits, bought, altered, picked out and perfected every last wedding detail. And you’re only days away from the official “just married” title. Getting the planning out of the way can make it easier and more enjoyable for the happy couple on their special day. Use this checklist so you can rest assured that when you walk down the aisle, saying “I do” is the only thing you have left to-do on your list. 

Couple gazes together by St. Augustine ocean after beach wedding

Couple on St. Augustine Beach after ceremony

Beach Wedding Countdown Checklist

Make your Florida marriage legal

Have you applied for your marriage license? Whether you get married on the Gulf coast or an Atlantic beach, this is a critical detail. Contact your wedding coordinator if you aren’t sure what you need to do. Also, make sure you or someone very trustworthy is in charge of bringing the marriage license to the wedding site the day of your ceremony.  Check out some FAQs for obtaining a marriage license in Florida here.

Pamela Fuit Beach Wedding Officiant

Pamela Fuit Beach Wedding Officiant

Last minute wedding vendor details

During this last week before you tie the knot, call any vendors to confirm appointment times:

  • hair salon
  • nails
  • gift baskets
  • photographer
  • travel vendors
  • pickup of any accessories, etc.

Even if you have a cheap beach wedding package, extras can add up fast if you have to do things last minute! Now is also a good time to check your map to ensure the timing is going to work to and from hotels, appointments and your beach location. If your wedding day is on a weekend, consider that traffic will be busier than a weekday. Think of it as part of the fun to make your wedding day as stress-free as possible.

Daytona Beach Weddings at hotels.

Check out the beach

A day or two before the actual wedding ceremony, go and check out your beach location. Your wedding specialist will have sent you a detailed itinerary so you can also check out parking and meeting spots ahead of time. While you’re there, why not pack a beach chair and a towel and enjoy some sunshine! If anyone asks, it’s part of the beach wedding preparation. Oh, and don’t forget sunscreen to avoid a burn or unsightly tan lines. 

Turtle Beach

Turtle Beach

Your guests

Now is a good to figure out what your guests might do after your wedding: natural leisure activities such as beach-going, hiking or water sports. They might also enjoy getting a list of museums and restaurants nearby. Anything you prepare for them in advance will be appreciated and add to their vacation time enjoyment in Florida, after your special day. You might even want to join them!

Natural St. Augustine Beach Wedding Packages with all-inclusive options

Wedding dress details

Literally iron out any details: get the iron (or steamer) out and make sure your dress and your significant other’s wedding attire is ready to go. You don’t want to worry about this right before you head out to your ceremony. Hopefully you followed any packing and travel tips here.

African American wedding couple on the beach

Get married!

Having a schedule or list will help you make sure that everything goes as smoothly as you planned. Having a trusted friend or volunteer help when you are pulled in many directions on your wedding day is a very good idea (especially if children are involved). If you’ve chosen a beach wedding package you won’t have to worry about decorations, officiant, chairs or even wedding photography (optional). Whether you’re a frequent beach goer or you’ve traveled many miles for your destination wedding, keep the beach mentality. Take it easy, relax, enjoy this special time and congratulations! 

First kiss as mr.and mrs. at our Destin, Florida beach weddings.

Read our reviews on Wedding Wire. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about Florida Beach Weddings, your preferred date or Florida wedding packages.

Why Hire a Beach Wedding Planner?

So you said, “Yes!” and now it’s on to the next set of decisions: multiple lists of wedding plans and contacts, budgeting and to-dos. You’ve decided on a beach wedding, but now what? Is it worth hiring a beach wedding planner and what does a beach wedding planner even do? Let’s break down the top 5 reasons for hiring a beach wedding planner.

A bride and groom celebrate their Daytona Beach Weddings at the Shores resort and spa.

  1. Affordable: Most brides tend to think of D.I.Y. weddings as the most affordable option. However, with Florida Beach Weddings you pay one affordable price with no hidden fees. You won’t be left with much to do besides show up the day of your wedding. Save your money on beach decor and tedious hours planning. We’ve been planning dream beach weddings for over a decade (since 2007 in fact). Our efficient practices allow our beach wedding planning services to stay well within your budget.
  2. Destination Known: While the majority of beach weddings are destination weddings, many couples may be unfamiliar with beach locations. We perform weddings on the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast. Our beach wedding planners can tell you which beach are the best during tides, highly sought after photography locations, beaches with free parking and those with fees, permits, handicap accessibility, drive and no drive zones.
  3. One Stop Shop: Florida Beach Weddings prides itself on two things: affordability and stress free weddings. We can provide all the services you will need for the day of your wedding in one place for one price. Officiant, wedding photographer, set up and break down, ceremony decor: you choose the details, customize it and we make it happen. This means you won’t be worrying and wasting time contacting dozens of vendors throughout planning and the day of your ceremony. So easy!
  4. After Party: Whether you’re looking to throw a huge party or enjoy an intimate celebratory meal at a wedding reception venue, our Florida Beach Weddings specialists can guide and help you find the perfect spot. With many years of planning beach ceremonies, we have found the services and venues that our couples are looking for. We want your wedding day to be perfect from start to finish and have the experience to make your dreams come true.
  5. Relaxation: So hiring a beach wedding planner is affordable, reputable, and professional. This means you get to relax and enjoy the beach wedding vacation you deserve. Take the extra money you’ll save by hiring the Florida Beach Weddings company and splurge on a couples massage or buy the wedding party an extra round of frozen cocktails on the beach.

Small Florida beach wedding ceremonies

Design Your Clearwater Beach Wedding On A Budget

Do you love the idea of a destination beach wedding in Clearwater? Captivated by these emerald Gulf beaches with a gentle tide and white sand? Here’s how you can do it online with the help of our exclusive wedding portal and beautifully designed wedding packages. This Tampa Florida beach has become one of the most popular and romantic venues for beach weddings, and with good reason. The weather and water is warm all year round making it a paradise for engaged couples to tie the knot. Not to mention the spectacular sunsets the Gulf of Mexico has to offer!

The best part of a Florida Beach Weddings ceremony in Clearwater is that you can design everything online without leaving your house…or sofa for that matter. If you have a specific budget in mind then the best way to start is by choosing an affordable location, and in the Clearwater Beach we offer 8 different beachfront areas to choose from: Clearwater BeachSand Key ParkMadeira BeachIndian RocksRedington Beach, Treasure Island, Passe-A-Grille or St. Pete.

Our complete wedding packages are priced competitively so that you can STAY within your budget and still get a fully decorated, romantic wedding ceremony on a Florida Gulf beach. For example, the Destiny package in the photo below is $1550 at one of our Clearwater Beach locations. There may be extra options you wish to add on, such as our experienced outdoor photographer for $350 or a first dance as a married couple. Even with any permit or parking fees that may be required, this incredibly beautiful wedding package comes in way cheaper than a traditional wedding would cost you at home! Not only that, but you can choose from over 20 different color choices to make your wedding day dreams come true.

Couple at Clearwater Beach with a Destiny wedding package sitting

Clearwater Beach is very popular, of course. So it you are planning to get married there you will need to book your wedding date and hotel stay very soon. As a newly engaged couple there is no time to waste! Destination weddings are on the rise and you don’t want to compromise on any detail if you don’t have to. There are a variety of chain hotels to choose from that you may be able to negotiate a block of rooms discount with. Florida Beach Weddings can provide you with a list of vendors that we have received good feedback about.

Clearwater Beach and pier

Stress is the biggest problem with traditional weddings. As a future bride, you should be enjoying every moment of your engagement with your beloved. Instead, you may have to run around securing catering, halls, parks, decorations, gifts, and more in order to meet the standards of a wedding at home. Guess what? With a beach wedding in Florida you will not have to do ANY of that! Once you have booked your date, you can relax and play around with choosing your colors and decorations. Do you love lanterns? Shepherds hooks or rustic wood? Maybe driftwood or tropical flowers. What color bamboo would you like? All this while reclining with your laptop on your sofa at home in our secure and private online wedding portal. Even more important, you will know EXACTLY how your wedding decor will look because you saw it pictured online. Stress just isn’t a part of the Florida Beach Weddings company planning process…just look how happy the married couple below are as they celebrate their first kiss under the Natural Distinctive Design canopy.

Treasure Island Beach Elopements with a natural bamboo canopy.

Even the more modern bride can get what she wants with a Clearwater Beach wedding. This Tropical Geometric Design Package is pure pleasure on the beach and won’t be forgotten by your wedding guests. With white chairs and flowing fabric, any of our wedding ceremony packages will be a standout success by the blue Gulf waters! Don’t forget to take those pictures and use our professional beach photographer who will find the poses to remember forever.

Yellow wedding material on bamboo wedding arch on Clearwater Beach

When all the planning is done, and it is a week before your wedding, you will be glad you chose our Florida Beach Weddings company. We will provide you with a detailed agenda so that when you arrive you will know EXACTLY where to go in Clearwater Beach and at what time. You won’t have to worry about getting lost or any extra fees and you will be within your budget! Soon you will be saying your vows with your beloved by the sea and enjoying your honeymoon. We even take care of officially filing your Florida Marriage License. What more could you ask for? Give us a call today at: (727)249-2708 or email: Pam@FloridaBeachWeddings.com to find out more about Clearwater/St. Pete Beach. We are a Couples Choice® Winner.