Tips for Clearwater Beach Wedding Planning

You’re big day is approaching on Clearwater Beach. And you’ve got the wedding planning ideas rolling like the waves! But before you end up drowning in the ocean of wedding planning, be sure to avoid these common mistakes. It’s easy to get caught up in your dream of getting married on the Gulf beach in the sun and white sand, but we have some professional advice to make your day a complete success.

beach wedding planning

Wedding Planning Mistakes To Avoid

1. Poor Budgeting

Kissing bride and groom on Siesta Key beach

From underestimating to overspending, don’t fall into the dreaded wedding money pit. Before you really get into any planning, know your budget. What’s your top dollar and what does your wedding week look like? If it is a destination wedding in Clearwater Beach, then you here are some budget items to consider:

  • wedding set up or planner
  • bride and groom attire, your wedding dress, flowers
  • hair and make up professionals
  • hotel accommodations for you and planning for any wedding guests
  • travel expenses (airfare, baggage, airport commute or car/gas)
  • food before and after the wedding including a reception if desired
  • extra activities while on your honeymoon or pre-wedding
  • Florida marriage license

2. Over-planning

Type “A” brides listen especially closely: there is such a thing as over-planning. Trying to plan out every minute is going to drive you to the “crazy bride ward.” That’s why choosing one of our Clearwater beach wedding packages really makes sense. Let Florida Beach Weddings do all the wedding planning for you so you have more time to focus on fun things. Things like which beachfront restaurant in Clearwater you’ll hit up after your Gulf beach wedding. Or what color is perfect for your bridesmaids’ dresses? And over-planning beach weddings only leads to our next mistake…

3. Stressing Out

There is certainly a healthy level of anxiety that comes with committing yourself to another human for the rest of your life. But cold feet and a stone cold stressed out bride are two different wedding animals: avoid falling into either category. At the end of the day, you’ll want to look back with fond memories of planning and your actual wedding ceremony. With over a decade in the beach wedding planning business, all inclusive weddings are the way to go. It helps you trust that you will have a beautiful wedding ceremony. Trust that you won’t be stuck with hidden fees with our up front affordable beach wedding package options.

4. Social Media

Couple gazes at sunset after beach wedding

Yes, we said it. And since there’s no elephants roaming the beach, let’s address the blue whale in the room. Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram. It’s okay to get inspired but it’s not ok to get obsessed. Whether it’s the perfect wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, make up tutorial, hair D.I.Y., wedding photo pose, or beach wedding dream experience (you know the kind with magical sunset rays, the perfect amount of sea breeze, high heels in the sand), keep it in check. So get your beach wedding ideas, be inspired, but keep reality in check and focus on enjoying your day more than absolute perfection. Remember you will be having a wedding ceremony experience that many brides desire: outside on beautiful Clearwater Beach!

5. The D.I.Y. Wedding

Clearwater Couple just married at beach wedding poses on sand by hotel

Although it seems like a good idea, there can be some trouble with D.I.Y. weddings.  But the bottom line is the budget, time planning, and details involved in planning and executing your own wedding is often misunderstood until you’re too far into the process. So why not let our all inclusive wedding packages in Clearwater Florida come to the rescue! Or if it’s just the two of you, steer clear of any stress with our Clearwater elopement packages where even wedding photography is included. Our complete beach wedding company gives you a stress free beach wedding experience and keep your budget. A win-win!

Couple kissing by Gulf water in Clearwater Beach after wedding

Well we’ve covered the Top 5 Beach Wedding Planning Mistakes, now for the #1 thing you SHOULD have on your Clearwater beach wedding planning list: contact Florida Beach Weddings! 

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.

Bride Guide to Beach Bridesmaid Invitations

Bride Guide to Beach Bridesmaid Invitations​

Overview

Some wedding plans are more fun than others, and this makes the very fun list! Newly engaged and preparing the perfect invitation for your bridal party? Look no further than these absolutely wonderful beach wedding inspired bridesmaid invitations for your soon to be beach wedding bridesmaid! Of course there’s the traditional call your friend or ask her while on a lunch date, but we just can’t resist some of these beachy fun invites. And it fits right in under the affordable beach wedding theme! :) So read on, maybe even just get inspired, and create your own special invite for your Florida Beach Wedding bridal party.

Tropical Card by Zazzle

For a destination wedding on a sunny beachfront, this is obviously a top choice! It doesn’t matter if you choose the Atlantic coast or Gulf beaches for your special day, palm trees line the coasts of Florida. From white sand to cocoa, to cinnamon beaches this card shows the upbeat, tropical vibe every Florida beach bride loves. Click here to explore.

For a destination wedding on a sunny beachfront, this is obviously a top choice! It doesn’t matter if you choose the Atlantic coast or Gulf beaches for your special day, palm trees line the coasts of Florida. From white sand to cocoa, to cinnamon beaches this card shows the upbeat, tropical vibe every Florida beach bride loves. Click here to explore.

Bridesmaid Flip Flops by Zazzle

Could anything say, “beach wedding” more than flip flops? Presenting these to your bridesmaids will have them so excited to arrive at your destination and stand up with you and your beloved. They come in many colors so you can coordinate them with your beach wedding package.

Bridesmaid Puzzle

Etsy gives us even more choice with this charming puzzle for your creative friends. How much fun is it to receive this box and assemble the puzzle to pop the question…the bridesmaid question that is!

How adorable and fun are these bridesmaid invitations using personalized caricatures found on Etsy? Your beach bridesmaids will start your wedding journey together with smiles and laughter. What a wonderful idea.

Mospensstudio.com has some lovely cards that will make the perfect statement for your bridesmaids. A beautiful keepsake for years to come.

Wrap Up

Now that you’ve taken care of your bridal party, let’s get to planning your dream beach wedding together!

Whether you’re dreaming of a quiet elopement on the Gulf Coast with that famous turquoise water in the background, or a full ceremony on the Atlantic side with all your favorite people there to celebrate — we’ve got a package that fits.

And honestly? It’s more affordable than most people expect. We believe you shouldn’t have to spend a fortune to have a wedding that feels special. Beautiful doesn’t have to mean expensive.

So if you’re ready to start planning, we’d love to hear from you. Call us at 386-214-6361 or visit floridabeachweddings.com to explore packages and check availability. Your perfect beach wedding is closer than you think. 🌊

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

Click here for more info
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.

Clearwater Beach: Planning For a Florida Destination Wedding

Clearwater Beach couple married on the white sand

Does the thought of white, sandy beaches and palm trees rustling while you say your I-do’s sound perfect? Right now, maybe you know more about shoveling snow than shoveling sand. And maybe the thought of planning an entire wedding from hundreds or even thousands of miles away sounds pretty intimidating. Well put your fears to rest. Take a look at some common destination wedding planning concerns and see how a Florida Destination Wedding is easier and more affordable than you think.

Pamela Fuit Beach Wedding Officiant with couple on St. Augustine Beach, FL

Pamela Fuit Beach Wedding Officiant

Top Florida Destination Wedding Planning Concerns:

  1.  Destination-Unknown: Whether Clearwater Beach is on your frequent flyer destination list or you’re a first time visitor, this beautiful Gulf beach is  what wedding dreams are made of. Don’t believe it? Well, Trip Advisor also agrees that Clearwater Beach is a pretty sweet spot, for couples and families alike.
  2. Coordinating plans: Don’t try to coordinate multiple vendors and hours of stressful emails and phone calls… so much stress. Our Florida Beach Weddings company takes care of everything for the perfect wedding:
    • Officiant (performs ceremony and provides assistance directing you on how to obtain a Florida marriage license)
    • Photographer
    • Wedding decor which can be customized
    • Set Up of your complete wedding package
    • Break Down and clean-up
    • Organized itinerary for the couple
    • Ideal beach location of your choice 
  3. Affordable: All inclusive means less out of pocket expenses. Florida Beach Weddings offers affordable beach wedding packages with no hidden fees or costs. In addition, multiple airports are within an hour or two (Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville) which allows for cheap airfare for the couple and their guests.
  4. Affordable Part 2: Honeymoon/Vacation: Finally, your honeymoon and your guests’ vacations are a built in bonus when choosing a Florida destination wedding. Hence, no additional travel expenses. For example, the list of things to do in Clearwater Beach is extensive, beautiful and affordable hotels abound, and consequently a perfectly intimate beach wedding experience allows you to escape to a tropical paradise! If you’re looking for a relaxing, stress free, and beautiful atmosphere, a Florida wedding on the beach is right for you! Book here!

Florida Beach Wedding floral design on the beach
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