If you want an intimate marriage celebration but don’t want to miss out on the excitement of choosing wedding decor, flowers, music and more, then you might want to plan a microwedding. You can still have your family and friends participate in every part of your special day, just on a smaller scale.
What is a microwedding?
It is NOT an elopement where usually it is just the couple tying the knot. A microwedding is a scaled-down version of a traditional wedding, except there will be less guests: usually under 50 and often much smaller. This type of ceremony gives you all the delight of planning and hosting a decorated wedding: with officiant, wedding arch, walking down the aisle, first dance and more. It is a custom styled, on trend wedding day on a smaller budget, and in a safer manner. If you choose a beach venue, you will be outdoors which is the best choice for weddings right now!
Plan Early
Destination weddings in the US continue to be very popular with outdoor ceremonies taking top place. Many beach wedding companies are booking into 2022 so securing your preferred wedding date is a top priority for engaged couples. According to the 2020 Wedding Report by Wedding Wire, the top wedding dates were:
- October 10
- June 20
- September 19
- October 17
- September 12
Now if you are planning a beach ceremony in Florida, you have your pick of dates most the year due to the warm weather. The average couple is engaged for 15 months but should start planning early. With a microwedding on the Gulf beaches of Florida, planning early is vital to getting the date and beach location you want.
The best part about a micro-wedding, or small wedding in Florida, is that you can get lots of help with planning. A reputable beach wedding company can assist you with picking out wedding decorations, vows, music and more. We know the tide times, sunset time, and the best beaches to meet your dream wedding needs. We can also make local recommendations for you to have a reception or intimate dinner with your guests. This saves you lots of time, headaches and cash!
Gulf Beach Locations
On the west coast of Florida you will find the white sandy beaches, emerald water and glorious sunsets, but beach wedding prices often vary by location. Many of our couples choose Siesta Key or Lido Key near Sarasota for their ceremony. It’s a very popular spot to fish, sun or experience shopping and dining in an upscale atmosphere. A permit is required for Siesta Key events, but it is worth it because the main beach area has hundreds of parking spots, and is easily accessible for all your guests. It’s definitely one of the best beach weddings in Florida.
Clearwater Beach and St. Petersburg Beach are equally as popular, being close to Tampa. Having a Gulf beach wedding ceremony on one of these beachfronts will give you memories to last a lifetime. The vibe is so relaxed and you can count on this charming area to provide you with daily activities such as dolphin watching, watersports, boating or just walking through the gentle tide. St. Pete is just one of the area beaches you can choose to get married on.
Further south, you can choose Fort Myers for a completely different Gulf of Mexico experience. Shells and sugary sand make this an ideal location to tie the knot. So relaxing! And taking a boat tour to Key West is a highlight you won’t want to miss.
Around the Florida panhandle, you will find Destin Beach which is a highly sought after wedding destination. You will need a permit to get married on any of the Destin area beaches but if you love stunning beaches this might be the choice for you! The sun dipping low over the Gulf of Mexico is breathtaking.
Wedding Ceremony Options
As mentioned above, a microwedding is still a fully decorated ceremony with all the bells and whistles. If a bride uses our Florida Beach Weddings company her best choice for beauty and customization is one of our Distinctive Design wedding packages which can satisfy all of your Florida wedding ideas. They have large bamboo or wooden wedding arches draped in material or with other accents such as starfish or flowers. Greenery aisleways and other details can be customized as well as color schemes and chair bands. With these wedding ceremony packages, the couple is announced with a large wooden “chalkboard” sign and a Unity Sand Ceremony is part of their vows. We coordinate your ceremony, officiate it and legally file your Florida marriage license. You can also use your own minister or officiant too, if you prefer.
Event livestreams
Zoom wedding ceremonies are also very popular right now and can be used at a beach microwedding. Guests who are unable to attend the live marriage celebration can still participate from a distance.
Your Wedding Dress
Like a traditional wedding, the bride can choose the dress she loves. A long wedding gown or short, beachy dress is perfect with your special beach wedding bouquet! Many brides choose lace and small straps or strapless styles are very popular. Surprisingly, our brides do often wear a veil, although this can be an issue with the ocean breeze. However, the choice is yours so you can feel beautiful on your special day.
Don’t Forget Professional Wedding Photography
When it is sunset time, you will be glad you picked a Gulf beach for your wedding day! Our professional photography can be added to your already inexpensive beach wedding package for a small fee. It gets you extra time down by the ocean with your beloved, extra poses as a bride and with your guests. We don’t recommend you leave wedding pictures up to a friend or relative who might miss a shot, or take blurry photos…plus you want them to enjoy the day too!
Outdoor Dining or Reception
Outdoor dining in Florida is one of the nicest things you can do. For a reception, if you are only having a few guest tables, a beautiful view and lovely decorations will delight your wedding party and guests (Siesta Key, Treasure Island and Venice Beach are some choices). This is one of the nicest things about a beach microwedding: it is intimate in a way you can’t always experience with a larger group.
Legal filing of your Florida marriage license is included in our wedding planning service when married by our officiant. It’s just one less thing to worry about. So why not consider a micro-wedding on a Florida Beach? Let us help you with dates, wedding packages, Gulf beach locations and more. Contact us today.