Sea oats and native Florida vegetation greet you as you walk over wooden bridges onto white, sugary sand and azure water. The two public beach accesses in Indian Rocks are located at 4th Avenue and 17th Avenue. Indian Rocks, has 27 access points along Gulf Boulevard is popular with both locals and visitors seeking paradise…including couples wanting to get married on the beach!
Full of character, there is always something to do in this thriving beach town with many activities for everyone, young and old. Explore the Indian Rocks Beach nature preserve and other parks, or plan to take the kids to Splash Harbour Waterpark for water slides. Of course, Tampa is close by with airport access and many more activities including Busch Gardens.
The main attraction for beach wedding couples is of course, the stunning Gulf of Mexico, white sand and incredible sunsets! The main beach includes a pay station for you and your guests to park as well as a nice boardwalk for the bride to walk down the aisle. While this Gulf beach can get busy during the day, it tends to clear out towards the evening hours which is perfect for a sunset wedding. If you guest list is under 50 people, no permit is required for this Florida beach wedding venue.
Top Indian Rocks Beach Restaurants for a Wedding Reception
What is the the best beach wedding reception venue that includes great food in Indian Rocks Beach? Read on for a delicious list of Indian Rocks Beach Restaurants. So whether you’re eloping and looking for an intimate dining spot or hosting a full on post wedding party, we’ve found the place for you. Just make sure to check ahead regarding any current dining guidelines.
Caddy’s
Caddy’s has it all. Waterfront.Great food. Laid back atmosphere. Indoor or outdoor seating. And live music. Now if that doesn’t say perfect post wedding reception dinner then I don’t know what does. What we love about Caddy’s is the delicious seafood selection (there is other non-seafood cuisine), refreshing drinks/cocktails, and views of the river with boats cruising by! Oh, and the service matches the rest of the awesome atmosphere.
JD’s Restaurant and Lounge
JD’s Restaurant and Lounge is an all American good time kind of place. Piano bar, dance floor, fresh burgers and local seafood all come together in one place for a roarin’ good time. And they even accommodate large wedding parties. So if you’re ready to bring your newly wedded sandy feet to the dance floor, this is the reception venue for you, your wedding party and guests. They also have a great happy hour if you need a little liquid courage to get on the dance floor.
Guppy’s on the Beach
Looking for something a little more upscale? Guppy’s on the Beach is on the map for fine dining without the stuffy fine dining atmosphere. This place offers both indoor and outdoor seating and has a wonderful ambiance. This place can fill up quickly so be sure to get on the call ahead/reservation list.
Salt Rock Grill
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the best steak house in town, Salt Rock Grill (well the best in our opinion, but you can ask Trip Advisor if you don’t want to take our word for it). On the pricey side, but worth every penny. The menu here is full of classic American steakhouse classics with a creatively delicious touch. Wood Grilled Alaskan King Crab Legs, Caribbean Fire Roasted Lobster Tail, Filet Oscar. Cue the drool.
Jimmy’s Fish House & Iguana Bar
The view, the sunset, it’s paradise in a restaurant at Jimmy’s Fish House. Enjoy a fish sandwich and a beverage of choice while overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The food is affordable, atmosphere is casual, and locals & vacationers alike are returning for the breathtaking sunsets and pina coladas.
CLICK HERE to book your Indian Rocks Beach Wedding and cheers to a happy marriage!
The Best Months for Florida Weddings in Clearwater Beach
One of the most common questions we get is some version of “When should we do this?” And honestly, it’s a great question — because the answer isn’t as simple as you’d think.
Florida has beautiful weather pretty much year-round. That’s part of why so many couples choose it. But “beautiful” means something a little different depending on the month. And if you’re planning an outdoor beach ceremony, the timing really does matter.
So let’s talk through the whole year — what to expect, what to watch out for, and when you might have the best experience on the white sand shores of Clearwater Beach.
Spring: March through May
As we write this blog in June, hurricane season is beginning and we know that this can be a possible threat to your wedding plans during the summer. It is sometimes hard to advise our couples on the best time of year to plan an outdoor beach ceremony, since Florida has great weather all year round. We do know the most active part of the Atlantic hurricane season is September through the end of October. Therefore, one of the best times of year to plan for a Clearwater Beach wedding is March through May. November through December also provides perfect weather for a ceremony outside on the sand.
There will be less rain at these times of year. In fact, during the spring months it is considered dry season in Florida so your chances of rain during your wedding are low. If it does rain it typically is a short event in the later afternoon. However, the Gulf water temperature may be a bit lower than in summer, but you can still go swimming. Furthermore, you won’t be scorching in the sun and your ceremony time may be more pleasant, with your choice of time of day more flexible.
Clearwater Beach hotels may also be cheaper in the spring. As the snowbird visitors depart for home up north, it may be easier on your budget when booking a block of rooms for your guests on the Gulf side, and availability should be better.
That’s a pretty nice combination — great weather, lower prices, and less competition for beach access. If flexibility matters to you, spring is hard to beat.
Summer: June through August
Many brides love a June wedding and of course summer is a popular time of year for tying the knot. Now, a Florida wedding in the summer is perfect if you are a beach and sea lover and many couples choose the summer months. Just be aware your ceremony will likely not happen in the afternoon due to high temperatures and higher chances of rain. It is common to have rain every afternoon in the summer. However, you will not be disappointed in Gulf water temperatures in the 80’s! Every day can be spent swimming, boating, snorkeling and having tropical drinks by the sea. However, getting married at this time of year means you will need to be prepared for the heat with fans, sunscreen, hats and a shady area right after your ceremony. A beach pavilion will be your best friend and thankfully Florida Gulf beaches have plenty of them.
July and August on the Gulf coast can be uncomfortably humid. That being said, a morning wedding may be the answer for you to get married on the beach before things really heat up. There may be less people on the beach as well, especially if you choose a weekday. Even if it is busier, most people do not crowd around a wedding taking place on the beach and are respectful of the ceremony and their guests.
The key with summer is to plan around the heat, not against it. Early morning ceremonies — think 8 or 9 AM — can actually be stunning. The light is soft, the beach is quieter, and you’re done before the humidity really kicks in. Then you have the whole rest of the day to enjoy that warm Gulf water with your people.
A favorite activity for some of our brides to do during their photography session after the ceremony is “trash the dress”! Trash the dress is a great idea when you get in the water after having a Florida wedding and don’t mind getting saltwater on your dress. Besides, it feels great in that warm water, it’s fun and makes for the most romantic photographs! Just go in there with your new spouse — our wedding photographer will make sure you have photos that are unforgettable. If you love your dress and want to save it, as many brides do, then we can take other stunning pictures; under a pier, by the rocks, and nothing is more spectacular than a Clearwater Beach sunset!
Fall: September and October
This is honestly the season to be most cautious about. Hurricane season peaks between September and the end of October, and the Gulf coast is not immune. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get married in the fall — plenty of couples do — but you’ll want to have a backup plan, and you’ll want to book with a company that’s upfront about their weather policy.
The good news? If you can make it work, early September and late October can still have some genuinely beautiful days. The tourist crowds thin out, the sunsets are incredible, and the Gulf is still warm from summer. It just comes with more uncertainty than other months.
Our honest advice: if you’re set on fall, lean toward late October when the risk starts dropping. And go in with realistic expectations about weather.
November through December
November through December, as previously mentioned, is also a wonderful time to get married on the beach! The water is cooling down and walking on the beach is heavenly. Still no need for a sweater as many really warm days still come your way in Florida. The sun sparkling on the Gulf water in Clearwater will be the perfect backdrop for your ceremony. Hurricane season will be coming to a close and the rain chances will go down.
There’s something a little magical about a late fall or early winter wedding on the Gulf. The light is golden and low. The beach is peaceful. And honestly, your guests who fly in from cold-weather states will absolutely love you for it. Imagine showing up from Ohio in November and stepping onto the warm sand at Clearwater Beach. That alone makes it worth the trip.
December weddings, in particular, can have this beautiful contrast — the warmth of Florida, the softness of the winter light, and a wedding that feels nothing like a typical December back home. It’s a great option if you want something a little different.
So — what’s the “best” month?
If we had to pick? March through May is probably the most reliable window. Dry season, comfortable temps, flexible ceremony times, and better hotel rates. It checks a lot of boxes.
But the truth is, every season has something going for it. Summer is vibrant and warm. Fall can be dramatic and beautiful. And winter on the Gulf is something special.
The best month is really the one that works for your life — your schedule, your guests, your vision of what the day should feel like.
Contact us today to discuss the perfect date for you to tie the knot with a wedding in Florida. We’ve helped couples get married on these beaches in every season, and we’d love to help you figure out what’s right for you.
Are you thinking of getting married in the USA on a beautiful Florida beach? On the fence as to whether or not a destination wedding is right for you? Thinking it may be out of your budget? Well put aside whatever you’ve been told before or doubts you may have about destination weddings in Florida. Many couples travel from England, Scotland, Ireland and other countries to have a wedding ceremony in Florida. We’re going to give you the facts and bust some popular US destination wedding myths!
Myth # 1:
Destination Weddings are too complicated to plan.
Fact:
If you can book a flight to the USA and pack a suitcase, you can plan a Florida destination beach wedding. With our Florida Beach Wedding Company, we do EVERYTHING for you to ensure a seamless and beautiful beach wedding. Our US beach wedding packages are all inclusive. We’re talking about helping you choose a Florida beach location, set up/break down of your wedding decorations, a wedding officiant, professional wedding photographer, and assistance with your Florida marriage license. Our beach wedding specialists can advise you regarding what to do the week before the wedding, how to choose the perfect wedding dress for Florida beach weather, beach wedding make up….we’ve got you covered with all the best tips and tricks to make your US destination wedding perfect.
Myth # 2:
Destination Weddings are too expensive for UK citizens
Fact:
The average cost of a traditional (non destination) wedding in America is $26,000. Wait, what? That figure should have you running for the hills, but wait, how about running for the beach? Our Florida Beach Wedding packages are coming in somewhere between $1,000-$2,500 USD with almost everything included. Now translate that into your own currency and start clapping with excitement! Add in flight and hotel, dress, hair and make up to the budget and you will still have room for the honeymoon. Really, you could have roughly 5 beach weddings for the price of 1 “average, traditional” wedding. Once you have booked your date with us, we can provide even more ways to save money with a destination beach wedding with our recommended vendors list for every Florida beach location.
Myth # 3:
Florida Destination Weddings won’t be legally recognized in the UK
Fact:
In order for your Florida marriage to be recognized as legal in the UK, the following conditions must be met (per raydensolicitors.co.uk):
The marriage must be recognized as a legal marriage in the USA and the parties to the marriage must have complied with the procedures required in the country of marriage: USA. This generally includes giving the relevant notice and having the required witnesses.
Each party to the marriage must have capacity to marry under the laws of the country that they are domiciled at the time of the marriage. The country in which you are domiciled will be the country of your main permanent home in which you live, or to which you intend to return. Capacity covers issues such as age, consent and mental capacity. Any previous marriage must be properly terminated as per the requirements of English law and you must have the date for your Florida marriage license application. It is also important to have evidence of the marriage, which will generally be the original marriage certificate.
The Notary or Minister of your wedding is responsible for posting the marriage license back to the courthouse to have it validated (Florida Beach Weddings takes care of this for you). You won’t receive your marriage certificate straight away. The courthouse will post it to your home address, which usually takes 4-6 weeks, although some people have said they received theirs earlier.
Following Florida’s legal marriage process will ensure that your marriage is legal in the UK. You can obtain it by mail. There is no residency or citizenship requirement to apply for a Florida marriage license but you will need your photo passport. Contact us to plan your dream destination wedding or with any other questions. As you can see, getting married in Florida is easy for UK couples! Email pam@floridabeachweddings.com.
Dreaming of a barefoot wedding in the silver sand? The golden hour with oranges, pinks, reds, purples, pinks, across the horizon? A barefoot wedding can be a sign of trust, commitment, humility, and let’s face it…it just feels wonderful. Is a relaxing wedding get away, a barefoot beach wedding for you? Let’s take a look at some of the best Florida Beach Wedding locations for a white sand, barefoot ceremony.
Barefoot Beach Wedding Locations
Although you can really experience the soft sand and sunset skies from just about any spot along the Florida Coastline, we will highlight some of the beaches that make going barefoot the perfect delight for you and your guests. A destination wedding on the beach will make your special day one where you all can relax and be themselves. Whether it is a larger beach wedding or just the two of you, a barefoot wedding ceremony can feel even more intimate. Even your wedding party can go without shoes!
Clearwater Beach
The 2.5 miles of white sandy beach line and gorgeous water are what keep Clearwater Beach ranked as Trip Advisor’s best vacation destination year after year. So don’t just take it from us, hear what the thousands of visitors have to say about the dream destination beach wedding location. The variety of hotel accommodations keep prices fair, helping to keep the this an affordable beach wedding option. There are sunset festivals and drum circles taking place for a unique experience. The Florida Beach Weddings team has the inside scoop on some of the most convenient beach parking solutions and can fit your wedding to your personality. So whether it is quiet, calm and serene or fun filled, people watching, music loving, Clearwater Beach has a barefoot beach wedding venue waiting for you!
Destin Beach
Everything we just said about Clearwater beach’s natural landscape, repeat for Destin Beach. Pristine white sandy beach perfect for bare feet, calm emerald water, relaxed atmosphere. This Florida beach wedding location is a hot spot! In case ours and Trip Advisor’s reviews aren’t noteworthy enough, even Oprah has been known to shout out to Destin for it’s awesome beach! So you know it’s got to be good! This is the spot for beautiful beaches with sand as white as snow, abounding golf courses, famous “The Henderson” resort, and still affordable! This beach is an easy road trip destination beach wedding for all the neighboring Florida states. So whether it’s party of 2 or 200, a Destin Beach wedding is a perfect 10 on the barefoot beach wedding list.
Siesta Key Beach
Well add it to our list of white sandy beach, lovely gulf water views and stunning sunsets! Siesta Key beach is a great location for a barefoot beach wedding. Both family and budget friendly, this beach location will have you kicking off your shoes the moment you arrive. There are a variety of affordable hotel accommodations within a short walk to the beach, fun and lively restaurants, and nothing beats the romantic Siesta Key Beach sunsets!
So elopement, small wedding, or full on party wedding, we can help you plan your dream sunset beach wedding! Contact us to find out everything you need to know about planning a beach wedding. From marriage licenses to beach permits, color design choices to photography packages. We surely have a beach marriage package to cover all of your sunset beach wedding needs!
New Smyrna Beach
Dreaming of dunes? Sand dunes rolling as far as the eyes can see like snowdrifts abound in New Smyrna beach! New Smyrna Beach Wedding couples will enjoy a 17 mile stretch of white sand beach, the blue Atlantic ocean with white wave caps, and a typically less crowded location than your traditional beach wedding in the Daytona area. It truly is a paradise beach wedding perfect for barefoot vows! Contact us today to get started planning your barefoot beach wedding.
3 Palms Retreat is an ideal rental property in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida
With all the stress we are experiencing during this period of “social distancing”, many of us dream of getting away…so Florida Beach Weddings wants to offer you an escape. We will be publishing a series of Virtual Tours of our most popular destination wedding locations, starting with Clearwater Beach, Florida.
Look at that white sand, Gulf water and blue sky against this Beach Bliss wedding decor
Clearwater Beach is one of the best places to get married on the beach. Why? Primarily because of the sunsets and the ability to have stunning wedding pictures taken as the sun dips down into the Gulf of Mexico. This great Tampa, Florida beach is rated one of the top beaches in the world and our couples love gulf beach weddings combined with a wonderful vacation. Why leave the US when you can have a beautiful beach wedding that costs less than a traditional wedding at home?
Indian Rocks Beach – 20 minutes south of Clearwater
Known originally as “Tampa’s Playground”, Indian Rocks Beach proper is a barrier island just under three miles long. This gorgeous Gulf beach wedding location has sunsets, peaceful beaches, calm sea waters, is family-friendly with less crowds than the other nearby tourist-centered beaches.
Couple after wedding in Indian Rocks Beach by the Gulf waters
Madeira Beach – perfect for fishing
Madeira Beach is known as the Grouper Capital of the world. Enjoy a deep sea fishing excursion or be entertained at John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk, a large outdoor shopping. Madeira Beach is still a mostly residential area, making the beaches less populated for a beach wedding ceremony.
Couple strolls on beach after marriage ceremony in Madeira Beach, FL
Redington Beach – small town charm
With a population of just over 1,000, Redington Beach is the perfect chance to get off the beaten path and enjoy a low-key Gulf beach wedding ceremony.
Married couple has their first dance after their sunset wedding
Treasure Island – fluffy white sand and perfect sunsets
Treasure Island is most famous for its three miles of white sandy Gulf beaches. Treasure Island has many hotels, restaurants and attractions to keep you and your wedding guests entertained while you visit.
A taste of paradise on Treasure Island for this Gulf beach wedding couple
Pass-A-Grille Beach – dolphins and seashells
Very relaxed with local boutiques, what stands out to us the most about having a Pass-A-Grille Beach Wedding? The dolphins! You are sure to catch amazing views of the dolphins swimming while you are watching the sunset. Fun is the name of the game here as you and your beloved spend time together in the fluffy sand.
Couple kisses in the sand after beach wedding in Pass-A-Grille.
Sunset Beach – less crowds on Treasure Island
Sunset Beach on Treasure Island is located in a more residential community, allowing you to escape the major crowds of Clearwater Beach. Sunset Beach is known for its views of the jetty, the presence of sea oats, its availability to rent the Sunset Beach Pavilion, and being open to LBTG marriage.
Sunset Beach wedding with flower petals and Tiki torches
Fort De Soto Park Beach – Gulf beach wedding paradise
Emerging from the wealth of bird life, sea life, wild life and plant life is the majestic tapestry called Fort De Soto Beach. Have your Gulf beach wedding on white sand that sparkles like snow, with a gentle sea breeze to accompany your vows.
Bride and groom as the sun sets over the Gulf beach
St. Pete Beach – upbeat and lively
St. Pete beach is within 30 miles of the Tampa International Airport and the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. Keep busy on the days leading up to your wedding with many water activities, such as parasailing, paddle boarding, and windsurfing, followed by your favorite drink at a hotel Tiki bar.
Couple just married in St. Pete Beach, Florida
Planning a beach wedding can be done completely from the comfort of your home and it is easy to browse beautiful photos of real couples posing after their ceremony for ideas. You can find the wedding decorations you like best and customize them for your own special day. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to get married in Florida, our Florida wedding professionals can help you plan every detail just right, including getting your Florida marriage license.
Is a Beach Wedding in Clearwater Right for You?
Florida is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States. No need for a passport. Florida Beach Weddings all inclusive packages can provide you with the beautiful, tropical backdrop you want for your wedding ceremony without breaking the bank for everyone. Worrying about how you will pay for a destination wedding can add undue anxiety to an already stressful situation.
Tropical Distinctive Design complete wedding package on Sand Key Beach, FL
According to several surveys, getting people to a destination wedding can be difficult enough with only 50% of guests showing up. A Florida Beach Wedding can be the choice that brings your wedding together effortlessly, since it is less costly not only in terms of travel, but also provides your guests with a great vacation!
Are you trying to decide between Clearwater vs Siesta Key? Stay tuned for our next Virtual Tour in the series…
