Dreaming of a beach wedding in the Florida panhandle? Love the idea of an intimate fireside reception? Well grab your Florida marriage license, a s’mores kit, and a pair of flip flops. Then get ready to say “I do” on the sandy shoreline of the Gulf coast beaches. And who says your first toast has to be with a champagne glass? Why not a marshmallow? Learn more about a Ft. Walton Beach Wedding and Bonfire Reception here!
How to Plan a Ft. Walton Beach Wedding and Bonfire Reception
We’ve broken down the Destin beach wedding planning process into 6 uncomplicated steps. Check it out:
Make a deposit by check, or credit card, to reserve your Ft. Walton beach wedding date.
Receive your confirmation packet and User ID/Password for the selections pages. From here you’ll choose all of your ceremony decor, ceremony/vows, and music that comes with Destin Florida wedding packages. A general timeline will be included in your confirmation packet (including dates and important details).
Return your completed selections online to our beach wedding planner. You will then receive a detailed ceremony agenda for your beach ceremony.
And, on the day of your ceremony, we will see you on Fort Walton beach for your wedding ceremony!
Sound easy enough? It really is! And you can visit our FAQ page or contact us if you have more questions.
Ft. Walton Beach Bonfire:
A beach bonfire- a perfect, intimate way to celebrate the start your marriage and the end of the day!
So 30A Bonfires is an awesome company sharing a similar philosophy with the Florida Beach Wedding Company. Put plainly, it’s a one stop shop with great customer service and satisfaction. There are multiple package choices and locations for beach bonfires and choosing one is easy with their clear cut descriptions on 30Ablaze.com. Now, you can also obtain your own beach bonfire permit, but you won’t be provided chairs, tables, fire pits, S’mores kit and a set up and take down. Seems well worth a little extra to have that all taken care of.
Here’s an idea of what you’ll get with a 30A beach bonfire:
Beach Bonfires start between 6:00-8:00PM and are available year round.
Vendor will contact you to set up a time for the date you have requested. It is best to book these at least one week in advance due to limited supply.
Duration: 2-3 Hrs.
Available Packages
2 Hour Bonfire Package: Fire bowl, wood, 5 chairs, S’mores, bonfire permit and attendant to set up and tend fire
2 Hour Deluxe Bonfire Package: Fire bowl, wood, 10 chairs, 1 table, S’mores, Bluetooth speaker, tiki torches, bonfire permit and attendant to set up and tend fire
3 Hour Bonfire Package: Fire bowl, wood, 20 chairs, 2 tables, S’mores, Bluetooth speaker, tiki torches, bonfire permit and attendant to set up and tend fire.
For more details, additions, questions, you can visit 30Ablaze.com. Ready to book your Destin or Fort Walton Beach Wedding? Click HERE!
So many wonderful things go into planning a beach wedding. But sometimes brides easily lose sight of the forest for the trees (or the beach for the sand) when it comes to wedding planning. At the end of the wedding day, the bride and groom (or same sex couple) will be joined as husband and wife. Therefore, it should be a day filled with joy and celebration, not stress! Here are some tips to avoid having any beach wedding regrets and five ways to avoid common mistakes.
Daytona Beach Wedding bride and groom
Stress
“I was worried for nothing,” “In hind sight, that was no big deal,” and “I was too stressed to enjoy my wedding day.” DO NOT let those thoughts be yours. Do not lose site of the goal here. Your wedding day should be centered around your marriage. Florida Beach Weddings company will take care of everything to ensure your wedding site is nothing but the best! We set-up and break down/remove all your wedding ceremony decorations (like the Coral Distinctive Design wedding package below) and file your Florida marriage license with the government for you. Any bride/groom should mentally prepare for a hiccup or two. Whether it’s a wardrobe malfunction, drizzly weather, or late wedding guest, keep your eyes on the prize- your soon to be spouse! We will ensure your ceremony location is ready to rock and roll, whether you are having a small beach wedding, micro-wedding or larger wedding. Your main priorities are: your marriage license and the presence of the bride and groom. Everything else is secondary as far as your concerns go. With this mindset, you can look back on your wedding day with no regrets!
Coral Distinctive Design Package on Daytona Beach
Time Management
Be on time. That’s the best wedding time management advice. So calculate how long any hair/make up/nail appointments will take and plan your wedding day accordingly. Use your phone/Google Maps to determine drive times ahead of time, not 10 minutes before walking out the door. We recommend our wedding couples arrive to their destination wedding city a day or two ahead of the ceremony and explore your chosen beachfront site. Allow some wiggle room for traffic, make up fixes, large bridal parties, etc. You can’t be responsible for your guests and bridal party arriving on time, but it is YOUR responsibility to communicate with them timelines and expectations. Be clear about meeting places and allow for extra time for off beach parking/walking. Your Beach Wedding Specialist will help you with all of this, including providing a detailed agenda for your special day.
Budget
Wise choices and an affordable destination wedding. That’s the name of the budget game. KNOW YOUR BUDGET before ANY planning begins. You are much more likely to make wise choices and appropriate compromises when you have a clear, established budget. And from there, our Beach Wedding Packages Page is a great place to start. We pride ourselves on our affordable prices and one stop shopping experience. So what you see is what you get when you choose your wedding package decor. Prioritize your “must haves” and “can do withouts” and stick to it. Check out other ways to save money on your beach wedding with adding our professional photography or a first dance to your ceremony. Our Beach Wedding Specialists can help you make the right decisions that won’t break the bank: they can recommend affordable amenities on both the Gulf beach side of Florida and the Atlantic coast.
Professional Photographer
Forever in Love Photos professional wedding photography is now part of the Florida Beach Weddings team! So you can rest assured that your beach wedding day will have the highest quality, most memorable photos possible. We often have to deal with the bright lighting on the beach: the sun, the glare, the sparkling water and most importantly, the sunsets. Not an easy task when you only have a few precious moments to get a shot. We also know how to deal with the sea breeze blowing around your wedding dress and hair, or if there is precipitation coming and the light is low. It really is to your benefit to use the services of a professional beach wedding photographer, and it costs less than you think. Just ensure to book the photographer with your wedding package so that you don’t miss out!
Bride before wedding in Siesta Key Beach
Hair/Dress
Don’t regret choosing your beach wedding attire without considering a few basic tips. Dress appropriate for the hot, Florida weather and keep in mind the sand, wind, and sun! Our Beach Wedding Specialist will not schedule your wedding at the hottest time of day, however some things to keep in mind:
Dress– Depending on the season, you may have more or less options here. It’s safe to say if you are booking a beach wedding between the months of May-September your most practical advice is to keep it cool. Don’t choose thick fabrics or a three piece suit for the groom. You will be sweating and you will not be happy if you don’t follow that advice. We have a few other helpful posts on beach groom style and beach wedding dresses.
Accessories/Shoes– Less is more so consider a barefoot wedding. Bare feet or open sandals are a great idea for brides. Going barefoot or simple flip flops are ideal for grooms. Nobody wants to miss out on the “toes in the sand” experience! Jewelry is pretty flexible and can be worn according to your personal style (read more here). Veils can be tricky due to the sea breeze, however a good beach photographer can help you manage it for wonderful photos. Even a slight breeze can have your veil wrapped around and tangled…not very romantic! By the way, sunglasses are not wedding accessories (although your guests will definitely need them). Ensure all cell phones are turned off.
St. Augustine Beach wedding couple kisses after tying the knot
We hope these tips will help you feel cool, comfortable and calm for your Florida destination wedding. So if you’re ready for a stress and regret free beach ceremony, click HERE!
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.
A stunning white sand beach awaits you to say your vows with views of the Gulf of Mexico as far as the eye can see. Yes…it’s Destin beach, Florida, our fourth installment in the Virtual Getaway series with a review of the Emerald Coast city of Destin and its heavenly beach.
Destin Beach weddings are elegant, classy, and everything you have been dreaming of. Destin is situated northwest in the Florida panhandle and known for its breathtaking white sand Gulf beaches, countless golf courses, and world class resorts and rentals. It’s the perfect place to have one of the best destination weddings in the USA especially if you want those sundown photos during the perfect Florida weather.
We use a couple of different wedding venues for your beach wedding ceremony. if any beach wedding permits are required for your wedding, Florida Beach Weddings will obtain them for you, and add the cost of the permit to your package.
Destin Beaches for Your Ceremony
Fort Walton Beach
When couples decide to have a relaxing destination beach wedding experience, they choose Fort Walton Beach as one of their top wedding venues. With the white, fluffy sand Gulf beaches, and beautiful emerald sea, you will have the perfect back-drop for your beach wedding photos. Fort Walton Beach is a laid back eclectic community that has plenty of unique experiences for every brideal party to enjoy. Learn more about Florida Beach Weddings at Fort Walton Beach!!
Pensacola Beach
When choosing Pensacola for your destination wedding location, you will have a premiere Gulf beach location for your beach wedding ceremony. With many different adventures waiting for you in Pensacola, your guests will be happy you chose this area with so many activities that they can incorporate into their wedding guest vacation with plenty of fun for children. Learn more about Florida Beach Weddings at Pensacola Beach!
Beachfront Hotel & Reception Venues
The Hilton may be a spot you choose for your beach wedding reception. Located on Pensacola Beach on Florida’s Santa Rosa Island, this modern hotel is 16.7 miles’ drive from the National Naval Aviation Museum and 17 miles’ drive from the 19th-century Pensacola Lighthouse. Amenities include 5 restaurants (including a relaxed grill and a sushi bar), 3 bars (including a poolside bar), a fitness center and 2 outdoor pools.
A very popular beach wedding reception venue is the Palafox Wharf. Their website says, “Historic, elegant, award winning Pensacola’s Palafox Wharf Waterfront was built in 1880 as a shipping company. You and your guests will treasure every moment of your destination or local Wedding Reception or Event in the beautifully renovated interior venue space, large deck, pier, and spacious green overlooking sparkling water and the harbor’s marina.”
With a ton of things to do if you choose this Gulf beach wedding location, you and your guests will not be bored! Aside from the largest protected beach area in the nation, The Gulf Island National Seashore, museums, zoos, zip lining and the Historic Fort Pickens area await!
Destin is very beautiful and one of the best places to get married in Florida. Reserving your Gulf beach wedding date is easy: just contact Floridabeachweddings.com. We make it easy to plan your once-in-a-lifetime special day by offering complete wedding packages that take care of all the important details of your elopement, small beach wedding or large wedding ceremony.
So you’ve chosen a destination beach wedding. And now the question is do you want to show up to your wedding looking like a bronzed, sun-kissed Florida beach local or keep your own skin tone? The choice is yours whether or not to “pre-tan.” If you are having a summer wedding you may wish to get a spray tan. If your wedding is during the winter or spring, you might wish to be natural. The best advice is to choose whatever will have you feeling like singing, “I feel pretty, oh so pretty!” So let’s assume for the sake of this post, that you decide to get your tan on. Here’s a list of the do’s and don’ts for your beach wedding spray tan preparations.
Do’s and Don’t’s for a Beach Wedding Spray Tan:
DO :Try out your spray tan BEFORE your wedding day.
This allows you to make sure you like the idea AND make sure your make up matches your spray tan skin. If this is not an option for you, consider nixing the idea. Mystic Tan is a spray tanning company with services across the country. The product is consistent from salon to salon. This means you can have a trial spray tan in your home town. Loving your beach-y glow? Most people look great with a spray tan, but give it try before your big day AND go for the trial at least 3 weeks before your wedding. The spray tan can last up to 14 days and you won’t want a double spray tan.
DON’T: Let the day(s) before your wedding be the first time you ever try a spray tan.
Bad idea. Like we just said, most people look great with a spray tan. But don’t take a chance on “most.” You may decide to go with your natural skin instead and that is just as beautiful for a beach bride. With a highly designed complete wedding package, you will be gorgeous no matter what!
DO : Tan 2-3 days BEFORE your wedding day.
The first day of spray tan leaves a distinct scent (along the same lines as hair salon after color treatment or nail salons and strong chemicals). Days 2 and 3 are ideal tan days. The tan is still fresh but after a shower or two is most natural looking. So keep this in mind as your beach wedding day approaches.
DON’T: Get a spray tan the day of your wedding.
The spray tan may wear off on your beautiful white dress within the first few hours/day of tanning. So be very careful after you have the application done. And the first day is just a little smelly and unnatural. A shower will take care of that though!
DO: Plan your tan ahead of time. Tips for the day of your tan:
The best time to tan is night time (read on and you’ll see why)
You will want to take a shower, exfoliate, and be sure to NOT wear any lotions, deodorant, perfumes, cremes, make up.. you get the point. Bare skin is best.
Stay dry- You MUST NOT get any part of your body wet within approximately 8 hours of tanning. This includes rain, little splashes from the hand washing sink, spilled drinks… again, you get the point. The water stops the tanning process. So unless you want to look like a polka dot princess, be sure to check the weather for rain and stay dry (easiest to do close to bed time and sleep for the “dry” time).
Getting a manicure or pedicure? Do so BEFORE tanning. The scrubs and exfoliants used for your mani/pedi may wear away your foot/leg tan.
Prepare what you’ll wear. You can wear a bikini, just panties, or sans clothing during the spray tan. Just consider your wedding dress lines and straps.
DON’T: “Wing it.”
A spray tan isn’t really complicated, but to get the results you want, you need to follow the directions. All this talk of tanning have you ready to get to the beach? Book your Beach Wedding today!
