Now that you’re engaged it’s time to start the wedding planning (you might already have given it a lot of thought). After looking at all the online articles and advice, you may be feeling overwhelmed. It’s not hard to feel like that with Pinterest, The Knot, Wedding Wire and more. However, there is an easier way to begin your journey to wedded bliss…especially if you’ve decided on a destination wedding in Florida.
So you want to plan a wedding by the ocean, but perhaps you don’t know where to start. How do you get all your beach wedding ideas to work? One of the toughest things to choose is your Florida weddings destination: Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Destin? Or is your heart beating faster at the though of a Miami wedding? There are many great locations and details, but planning a destination wedding is actually not as difficult as you may think – if you have the right help!
According to Travelmarket Report, 88.6 percent of destination wedding respondents said yes, they enjoyed their wedding day, compared with 82.6 percent of those who held non-destination weddings. So it seems that couples who choose to get married away from their hometown have a happier day. Why?Less stress. When these brides choose a competent beach wedding planner, all the little details are being taken care of for them…and the planning can be done without leaving your sofa! When they choose all inclusive beach wedding packages in Florida…there is truly nothing left to do but show up on the beach and say your vows. Some packages even include wedding photos.
We’re here to take you through a few simple steps of how to plan a Florida beach wedding, so there’s no need to spend hours on the internet making yourself crazy.
Step 1: Determine your budget
The first step in setting your wedding budget is to sit down together with your fiancé and decide what amount you feel is right, and then figure out how far that budget will take you. There might also be other family members who want to contribute, so include them in the discussion also. Work on your guest count since that will be part of the costs i.e. chairs, reception food, gifts, any liquor you might have. List your non-negotiables as a couple. Remember, with destination weddings, the couple does not have to pay guest travel arrangements or hotel stay. You might, however, want to see if you can get a discount on a block of hotel rooms so everyone can benefit.
Other factors that impact a destination wedding budget include the luxury level of your beach wedding package decorations, time of year and day of week of your celebration, package add-ons, wedding dress and more. Whatever choices you decide upon, you can be sure you will be paying much less than a traditional wedding at home!
Step 2: Decide if want to work with a Destination Wedding Specialist
It’s always smart to have an expert assist in coordinating the details of a wedding ceremony: even a small beach wedding. The benefits of using a beach wedding planner are too many to list, but the most important is that they know the locations like the back of their hand. They can help you choose the right beach venue, the right time of day for sunsets, the tides, take care of permits and more. They set-up and break-down the decorations, wedding arch and chairs. Plus, they can officiate and send off your Florida marriage license at the end of the day. As an established leader in weddings on the beach for over 13 years, the Florida Beach Weddings company is the easiest, smartest and most affordable choice you can make.
On top of an expert Beach Wedding Specialist by your side, you’ll have an onsite wedding coordinator who also officiates your ceremony. Won’t it be nice to have this coordinator handling all the day-of details? You will know when to walk down the aisle, perform your Unity sand ceremony, say your vows and more. You can be sure you have a stress-free planning process from start to finish and enjoy more time with your family and friends. Same-sex wedding or elopement? No problem! Florida is the perfect place for same-sex marriage ceremonies. All the same details
Step 3: Choose a location
With so many amazing destination wedding locations to choose from in Florida, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is right for you and your beloved. Think about the type of sand or sea you want when saying “I do.” Ocean waves or calm Gulf water? Dunes or walkways? Sunsets or brilliant blue skies? Will you be driving or taking advantage of direct flights? Again, speaking with our Beach Wedding Specialist will help you make your choices. So, what are you waiting for? Contact us today and get started from the comfort of your own home.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
What do you think of when you hear the word beach: fun, relaxing, beautiful? Well, just add the word “wedding” after beach and you can still keep those same descriptions. And guess what? Beach wedding planning can be fun and relaxing with a beautiful outcome on your special day. You just have to know THE SECRETS to getting it all done. Don’t believe it? Then let’s break down some beach wedding planning responsibilities and you’ll see just what we’re talking about it.
Beach Wedding Planning Secrets
The first question is: do you need to use a wedding planner or beach wedding company? The answer is no, but you will have an easier wedding experience, and likely save some money if you do! Here’s the FIRST SECRET: purchase a complete beach wedding package for one price that includes everything you need.
Now we can’t speak for all wedding planners, but here’s what you’ll get with our Florida Beach Weddings company. **Spoiler alert**, you may be shocked to see just how little work you actually have to do. Our M.O. is “one stop shop” at affordable prices. So here goes, your Florida Beach Wedding Planner will:
Obtain any required beach permits and help you choose the right beach side wedding venue
Provide guidance in choosing exact ceremony location, time (which can depend on the tide or sunset), and package options to design your wedding online
Provide an experienced wedding officiant, who will perform, and coordinate, your beach wedding ceremony
Provide ceremony decorations– this varies with package selection: choose bamboo, driftwood, flowers, lanterns, chair sashes and more
Provide recorded music for ceremony played on our PA system
Provide a Unity Sand Ceremony, including: decorated sand ceremony table, keepsake vase, sand color choices
Provide Photographer at ceremony site for wedding photos (an extra fee may apply for some packages, very affordable)
Legal filing of your Florida marriage license after the ceremony, per Florida laws for resident and non resident couples
As you can see there is not much you have to do for the ceremony. But what about any guests that are coming? Hotels? Restaurants or a venue for a wedding reception? Here’s the SECOND SECRET: Our Florida Beach Weddings company has a list of recommended vendors we share only with our wedding couples. We know where you can obtain flowers, get your hair and nails done, suggestions for a reception, the best parking areas and more. You can relax as we have many helpful suggestions to smooth the path before your special day.
Still, there’s footwork to be done before you arrive at your Florida wedding on the beach. Luckily, with over 12 years of beach wedding experience, we have written extensive blog articles for you about many of the decisions needed to prepare for tying the knot. Finally, here’s the THIRD SECRET: Florida beaches are a unique environment and it’s NOT the same as getting married in your hometown. These must-read blog topics cover the special circumstances of a beach wedding and how you will need to make adjustments for heat, sun and sea. We wrote them JUST FOR YOU with the goal of providing all the information you need to make decisions. You, your partner, your guests and bridal party want to be comfortable and relaxed. Not to mention guidance on how to obtain a Florida Marriage License. It’s worth your time to learn a bit about Florida beaches and how to make your ceremony memorable for a lifetime.
Bride & Groom
So with the help of a reputableBeach Wedding Company, there isn’t much you’ll need to worry day of your wedding. There are just a few things you’ll need to get in order before the big day.
Bride & Groom Attire– Find out what we have to say about choosing the perfect beach wedding dress or groom attire!
Choose Decor: Our pre-determind packages are perfectly designed with beach couples in mind. Just choose your style and colors and we’ll put it all together for a stunning wedding ceremony.
Transportation– Planes, trains, automobiles. Ya know, find out how you’re getting to and from your destination beach wedding location.
Hotel Accommodations– It’s customary for the bride and groom to not only find suitable lodging accommodations for themselves, but also for traveling guests.
Invitations– Send them out in plenty of time, especially important for destination weddings.
Favors/Gifts– Traditionally, couples gift wedding party members with something memorable/significant. And if you want to go above and beyond, destination wedding favors are a great way to make guests feel extra special and welcome.
Hair/Make Up– So if you’re hiring professional help in the hair and make up department, be sure to book ahead of time. While if you’re fine D.I.Y., we have some very helpful beach wedding make up tips.
Marriage License– Though we handle the legal filing after your marriage ceremony, you must apply for/obtain a Florida marriage license.
So hopefully that clears things up in the beach wedding planning responsibilities realm. In addition, if you’re only planning concern is when do I say, ‘I do?’, then CLICK HERE to book a Florida Beach Wedding. You can also call our Beach Wedding Specialists at 386-214-6361.
Did you know the average engagement period is 14.5 months (thanks to theknot.com for that stat)? And when it comes to traditional wedding planning, you need almost every day of that time to plan. However, when it comes to a Florida Beach Wedding, you can cut that planning down substantially. In fact our expert beach wedding planners have actually arranged small beach weddings within just a week! But whether you want to get married later this year or next year, you CAN have the beautiful ocean-themed wedding of your dreams: just look at our Florida Destiny package featuring shades of the ocean below!
This design includes all the great features of our Destiny Package available at no additional cost. Seat up to 24 guests in deluxe white chairs and your choice of spandex sash color. They will be in awe of the white shepherds hooks and teal lanterns. Take your pick of up two colors for your bamboo material, and blue and white starfish topper. Combine this with the emerald sea, white sand and sunshine, and you have a clean, fresh, gorgeous ocean-themed wedding starting at $1450 (depending on location). Can you smell the ocean? We can!
This is the Aloha option of the Destiny Package: completely tropical for the couple that loves color and texture. What a feast for the senses. There is the option to add more guest chairs if you need to.
Now some of our couples have chosen other color combinations which are equally delightful: why not choose soft pink to compliment the shells on the beachfront? This beach bride and groom have a coordinated wedding party with smiles all around – such a beautiful day to remember!
That’s the beauty of the Destiny Package: it offers you the most choices for customized wedding decor. With over 20 different color choices for the bamboo canopy, multiple choices for your canopy topper, a variety of aisle-way styles and an extensive list of ceremony music, you can leave Pinterest behind and design your own wedding online from the comfort of your couch – such fun!
Feeling exotic? Love purple? Wow, look at the decor options for this couple in Daytona Beach below. What a wonderful choice to compliment the setting sun and clouds floating in the background.
Florida Beach Weddings Company does ALL the wedding planning and coordination for you. Our beach planning services allow you time to get excited: not stressed out, broke, and overwhelmed about your wedding ideas. Our all inclusive packages include a minimum of the following (keep in mind this is our most BASIC package, more options and packages are available):
Officiant: who will legally perform, and coordinate, your beach wedding ceremony
Traditional ceremony and wedding vows provided by “Florida Beach Weddings”
Our select Florida US beach wedding locations on either the east coast or Gulf beaches
Consultations by phone and email with our dedicated wedding specialists
Ceremony set up and break down (bamboo canopy or posts)
Our wedding planners are available to help and guide you in creating the ultimate dream beach wedding, all within the privacy of your online wedding portal. It contains your package, chosen customizations, contract, a way to track expenses, agendas and more. Oh, and add to the list of things NOT to get stressed about: BUDGET! Contact us today to get started.
