There are so many options when it comes to deciding on the date, time and location of a wedding it can seem mind-boggling to a couple. The trend is for couples to get married outdoors, but there are barn weddings, park weddings, winery weddings and more to choose from. While many of these traditional wedding venues are delightful, there is one wedding ceremony that is set above all the rest…the sunset beach wedding on the Gulf coast of Florida!
Clearwater Beach wedding couple in Gulf water
There is no doubt that a destination wedding on the beach as the sun goes down can be the most romantic and beautiful ceremony with unforgettable photographs. However, to make that happen you need to time things just right at the best beach destination, with the best photographer. An experienced beach wedding company is the first step to take to make this dream come true. Here are 3 tips from Florida Beach Weddings to help you get the best experience for your sunset wedding on the beach.
In addition to saying your vows at sunset, you will also have the luxury of walking down an aisle way of soft white sand, beautiful wedding decor customized for you, choice of vows, and even the experience of dipping into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico after your ceremony. Gulf beach weddings also truly deliver the inexpensive beach wedding packages you desire…and they include just about everything you need to tie the knot in style.
St. Pete Beach sunset near Clearwater
2. Timing of the Wedding Ceremony
Getting married as the night approaches is truly an unforgettable experience. The weather will be cooler if you get married during sunset, but keep in mind that a wedding on the beach in Florida is still likely to be very warm or hot (depending on the time of year: check our temperature guide here). Florida Beach Weddings recommends you have your ceremony 1 hour before sunset. Afterwards, you have the option of a late-evening wedding reception or small party at one of the beach wedding pavilions or restaurants nearby. Florida Beach Weddings has experienced wedding planners that will provide you with recommendations.
Clearwater Beach wedding at sunset
3. Use an Experienced Beach Wedding Photographer
Beautiful wedding photos can be taken as the sun sets and at twilight that compare to nothing else. Low light photography brings out colors that we don’t see during the day and is magical. A photographer experienced in beach photos, especially at sunset, will capture your Florida beachside wedding like no one else can. You only have one chance to get it right, so ensure your chosen photographer can show you previous beach wedding photos he or she has taken so that you will be delighted with the results. Look at their body of work to see how they have captured wedding couples in various types of light, angles and shadows. Choose the right wedding photographer, like those provided with our beach wedding on a budget packages, and you will have a breathtaking backdrop for your beach wedding photos to enjoy forever.
Eloping couple kisses at sunset in Clearwater
A sunset beach wedding or Gulf beach elopement could be just the thing for you if you want a memorable wedding ceremony to treasure for years to come. Why not book one of the best beach weddings in Florida today. Call or contact us to find out more.
Whimsical white sand and splendid sunsets are what make Clearwater Beach weddings so special. For Jenitria and Jose, the touch of flowers, white fabric and greenery that adorned their wedding gazebo in March made it even more special! Even though Clearwater Beach is an extremely popular location for brides and grooms, our beach wedding team knew just the right spot and time of day to marry this couple. After all, we’ve been performing weddings on the beach for over 13 years and we know the sunset times, tides and best location for your unique ceremony.
The couple chose our Floral Distinctive Design which could accommodate their 50 guests with no problem. Included, at no extra charge, was a beautiful chalkboard sign and chilled water station. Our Florida wedding coordinator was waiting for them on the beach. These are the touches that our Florida Beach Weddings company loves to provide for beach weddings in Clearwater.
The groomsmen, bridesmaids matched the Unity sand ceremony colors chosen by the couple. What a smart looking wedding party on this Tampa beach!
The bride’s wedding dress and short veil was stunning against the beach and sand dunes. Champagne sequin bands on white chairs gave this Clearwater beach wedding package an upscale touch. We want every bride to be able to choose the colors and theme she wants for her wedding day.
Jenitria and Jose seal their vows with a first kiss under their bamboo wedding arch. Even though it can be busy during a Clearwater Beach wedding, it is still a destination wedding dream come true.
The couple chose our professional wedding photographer as an option for their wedding day. He knew just how to position the couple and deal with the bright sunlight during their ceremony.
The song choice for the first kiss was “Marry You” by Bruno Mars instrumental only. What could be more perfect? Then the couple walked down to the Gulf of Mexico to have sunset wedding pictures taken. Another stunning wedding day ended on Clearwater Beach!
Indian Rocks Beach, just south of Clearwater, offers quaint waterfront areas that give this ceremony location a romantic feel. Indian Rocks Beach, with access points along Gulf Boulevard is popular for beach weddings. With sea oats and greenery to greet couples as they walk over little bridges, who wouldn’t want to get married on this silky sand by the emerald sea?
5 Simple Steps To Plan an Indian Rocks Beach Wedding
Choose Your Wedding Date
Elopements are often associated with short engagement periods, but not always. So maybe you just decided to get hitched and want to make an immediate wedding getaway. Great and you can choose an all inclusive small wedding package! Or maybe you’ve been planning an elaborate wedding for months but feel overwhelmed and ready to get back to the basics. You can still have a fully decorated ceremony even on a beach but it’s so much easier. Whatever your story, let’s get this show on the road so you can learn how to have a beach wedding in Florida!
Make Your Deposit
Once you’ve decided on your date, your deposit will reserve your selected beach wedding date. And this deposit goes towards your package price. Upon your deposit payment, you will receive the User ID and Password to our selections pages. Here you can make all of your important beach wedding ceremony selections including your vows. A confirmation packet will be sent to you where you can make all selections electronically. Our professional design experience allows for easy decisions regarding your beach wedding cost and you can keep it as neutral or colorful as you like!
Choose Exact Time and Ceremony Decor
Are you looking for a late morning wedding with a quiet, intimate ceremony before the Florida heat sets in? Or will your wedding bells be ringing in the afternoon/evening hours to take advantage of a Gulf coast sunset? Anyone who knows photography and Florida beachside weddings knows how important the light is. The “golden hour” (the hour or so after sunrise and before sunset) is the best part of the day to take wedding photos. It’s also highly recommended that you use a professional outdoor photographer so every moment is captured with the right lighting and poses.
Choosing an inexpensive beach wedding package is so easy even from the comfort of your living room. We show you, on our website and options pages, EXACTLY what you can expect with our decorations, chairs and accessories.
Wedding Dress
Choosing a wedding dress is such a timeless right of passage for brides. And just because you may be eloping or having a small beach wedding, doesn’t mean you can’t pick out an elaborate wedding dress. Or, maybe you love the idea of a casual wedding dress. Whatever your style, whatever your budget, choose a dress/groom attire that suits you and matches your personality.
Staying in Indian Rocks Beach
Staying in Indian Rocks Beach is a pleasure and we’ve even already taken care of hotel research. The Holiday Inn Harbourside and Pelicans Cove are highly rated. Public transportation system is available: Provided by PSTA, the Suncoast Beach Trolley & Freebeachrides.com. There are some really great restaurants in the area too, such as Crabby Bill’s which is recommended by many travelers to the area as having some of the best seafood around.
That’s it – five simple steps to paradise and a stunning beachside ceremony. Seriously. Ready to run away and tie the knot? Click HERE to book your Indian Rocks Clearwater Beach wedding today!
In love with the idea of a Florida destination beach wedding? Well did you know 2/3 of Florida is along the coast? We’re talking 1,300 miles of beach! So that puts Florida on the map for largest coast in the contiguous United States. So just which beach should you choose for your beach wedding location? While all these cities are vying for the #1 beach wedding location, every beach is unquestionably going to be an amazing experience. So take a look and see which beach matches your dream wedding scene. Read on to find out all about the Gulf Coast Beaches of Florida. And don’t forget to check out Best Beach Wedding Locations in Florida – East Coast Edition too!
Best Gulf Beach Wedding Locations in Florida
The best Florida beach wedding locations are unique cities that offer both famous landmarks and hidden gems. However, some things are just part of the Florida Beach Wedding experience no matter your GPS coordinates. Some common points of ALL Florida Beach Wedding Locations:
Relaxed atmosphere
Affordability
All Inclusive/Stress-Free Planning
Sand, Water, Fresh Ocean Air (ok, you already knew that)
Water Activities (kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing charters)
Siesta Key Beach
Couples agree that this beach is the place to be. In recent years, Siesta Key was voted #1 Beach in America by Travelers’ Choice Awards. And that’s not the first best beach in America award this amazing coastal town has received. Siesta Key Beach maintains a tremendous average ranking of 4.5/5 on Trip Advisor’s site. The white quartz crystal sand, amazing sunset viewing spots, lush landscape, and hospitable residents all make this an unforgettable location. And you can easily search the best accommodations in Siesta Key. There are Hotels, B&B, Boutique Hotel, RV Resort, Vacation Rentals, Condos. So no matter your style or wedding party size, you can find the perfect place to stay in Siesta Key Beach. With quaint bed and breakfasts, gorgeous shade trees and miles of white sandy beach, you will never want to leave this charming beach town.
Top Things to do in Siesta Key:
CB’s Saltwater Outfitter’s – The largest on-the-water Bait & Tackle Shop in Sarasota. This spot offers Siesta Key Boat Rentals, Fishing Charters, Fishing Tackle, Jet Ski Rentals, and clothing for everyone. A must stop for outdoor adventures and apparel.
Siesta Trolley – Have a great time exploring the streets of Siesta via a trolley ride! A perfect way to transport wedding party and guests to and from your beach wedding location or great for a rehearsal dinner!
Ophelia’s on the Bay – For fine dining, waterfront experience, check out Ophelia’s. You can enjoy a 3 course meal for $39! They claim here you can “eat like the locals.”
SKOB – Siesta Ket Oyster Bar, or as the locals call it, “SKOB.” A laidback hangout- this place has all you need for the island experience. Fresh seafood, live music, laid back atmosphere and over 21 beers on tap! Walk a few steps down and have a “daiquiri dessert” at the Daiquiri Deck!
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach made the top 10 beaches in the world list according to Trip Advisor. Oh, and top 10 beaches in America list by USA Today. So just what is it that puts this city at the top of the charts? Clearwater boasts “sugar white sand, tranquil Gulf breezes, and crystal clear waters” and “endless supply of sun, warm weather, and great dining, along with extensive outdoor activities both on land and at sea.” And Tampa International Airport is a favorite among travelers for it’s convenience and ease of travel, just 19 miles from the beach.
Top Things to do in Clearwater Beach:
Events Sunset cinemas, Jazz Festivals,Concerts.. This city has that “just big enough” feel. There’s plenty to do and experience without the hustle bustle of a major city. ,
Water Sports Sailing, Jet Ski Rentals, Pirate Cruises, Dive Tours. There is no shortage of fun to be had on the water!
Attractions There is certainly plenty to out on your Clearwater Beach bucket list. Trolley Ride, Moped Rental, Indoor Surfing, Sea Life Safari, the list goes on.
Accommodations Check out the city of Clearwater’s accommodations page. Clear checklist of amenities and links.
St. Pete Beach
Appropriately nicknamed, The “Sunshine City.” St. Pete holds a Guinness World Record for logging the most consecutive days of sunshine – a stretch lasting 768 days that began in 1967. One of the bigger, busier, gulf coast cities means you will not be bored here! Well, unless of course you want to just pull up a beach chair and lounge on the beach all day which sounds like a pretty good idea! You’ll find the signature gulf coast white sand and typically calm blue gulf water. So if it’s a mix of beautiful beach, culturally rich, and variety of activity, St. Petersburg is your spot.
Parks There’s the 245-acre Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, the botanical attraction Sunken Gardens, Treasure Island Beach on the Gulf of Mexico, and the historic Weedon Island Preserve. Avid hiker? The Pinellas Trail, a 37-mile hiking/biking trail is the longest urban linear trail in the Eastern U.S.
While there will be two less “fish in the sea” after your wedding day, there is no shortage of actual fishing game in Destin. Named the “world’s luckiest fishing village,” Destin Beach is a great spot for catching fish in the gulf. And if fishing isn’t your thing, there are miles of white sandy beach and emerald water for fisherman and land lubbers alike. So if it’s nature, outdoors, water activities are your love language, you’ll find Destin a nice break from the busy, entertaining, neighboring cities.
Snorkle Spot sting rays, dolphin, nurse sharks (don’t worry, you aren’t on their menu ;) ), sea turtles and more underwater wildlife.
Henderson State Park Hike, swim, picnic, geo tour, or bird watch. And you’ll marvel over the 30 feet tall white sand dunes!
Gulfarium Love the idea of getting face to face with wild animals but within the proximity of trained animal experts? You can get close up and personal with dolphins, sting rays, seals, turtles, sea lions and gators!
Panama City Beach
Panama City seems to have the best of both worlds if you’re looking for a balance of entertainment and natural landscape. Beach preservation and appreciation is a clear value of Panama City residents. You can grab a bite on the water or explore concession-free Shell Island for an exclusive island experience. And with 27 miles of beach and over 100 beach access points, there is plenty of beach to enjoy! And This “Vacation Vibe” quiz is on point. Answer 10 questions and you’ll be provided with local Panama City activities that match your vacation style. And to get a idea of what to expect at Panama City Beach, you can check out the dozens of webcams Panama Beach has available streaming live!
Entertainment There is so much to do in Panama City. Live music, golf, spas, water parks, eco tours, dance club. So wherever you fit on the scale from nature hippy to disco dancin’ machine, Panama City has something for you.
Water Activities Fishing, boating, diving, paddle boarding, jet skiing just name a few of the many water activities in Panama City Beach.
Romance Check out this collection of activities and places to visit chosen especially for couples. Whether it’s the spa, a private sailing excursion, or romantic dinner, there are plenty of ways to connect and create lasting memories with your spouse!
Ready to exchange your vows and enjoy the amazing Gulf beaches of Florida? Contact us to book your Florida Beach Wedding! Or browse our site to check out more photos from real Florida Beach Weddings and find out more about the Best Beach Wedding Locations in Florida!
All aboard Longboat Key Beach Weddings couples! LIke Lido Beach Weddings, this paradise wedding venue may be perfect for you and your beloved. Let’s take a trip to our next Dream Beach Wedding spot to see if this could be your beach wedding destination. Longboat Key offers a quiet island vibe with a unique downtown, gorgeous white sandy beaches, and fantastic beach resorts. Not to mention, it’s just a few miles away from a bigger city, Sarasota, and one of the best beaches near Tampa. There’s plenty of opportunities for both relaxation and fun!
Places to Stay:
Zota Beach Resort: The pictures speak louder than words for this resort. Modern, clean, simply beach minded, this place is a dream come true. Trendy restaurants and wine bar with open-air lounge featuring hand-crafted cocktails, wine wall, and fireplace. Oh and you can order your drinks and lunch poolside without ever leaving your lounge chair which is perfect for newlyweds. Yes please!
The Resort at Longboat Key This resort made Travel and Leisure’s “Top 10 Resort Hotels in Florida (Outside of Miami Beach)” list. This resort is a vacation in itself and perfect for a honeymoon. Golf course, marina, tennis courts, spa, multiple on site restaurants, marina. The only downside to staying here is you may not get to everything they have to offer unless you plan on extending your stay! And check out these awesome room options.
Beach Wedding Packages:
Whether you’re looking to have a small beach elopement, large wedding event, or anything in between, we have the beach wedding package for you. Still narrowing down your exact beach location? You can learn more about Longboat Key Beach Weddings and the surrounding gulf coast area beach packages.
Elopements
Just the two of you or up to six guests can enjoy the stress free beach wedding atmosphere with an elopement. Check out our beach elopement options.
Larger Beach Wedding Packages
If you’re looking for a larger than six guest list, check out these beach wedding package options for Longboat Key Beach Weddings. And remember, these beach wedding packages are all inclusive. No hidden fees and just about everything you need for the day of your wedding ceremony. Oh and did we mention the affordability? Yeah, that’s covered too!
Things To Do:
Catherine’s Florida Charters : Private charter sailing charter company. Professional and experienced staff offering affordable sailing adventure packages. Sunset sail, snorkel, and enjoy the gorgeous gulf! A great adventure for a group or enjoy a romantic intimate sailing experience as newlyweds!
Joan M. Durante Park -The 32 acre site near the north end of Longboat Key, this park offers trails with spectacular look out spots. Get a hands on adventure with Florida’s native plants, sand dunes, and bring the kids along for the playground!
Coquina Beach – Don’t save the beach for just your wedding. Enjoy it every day! This popular beach is great for shelling and relaxing waterside walks. Rent chairs and umbrella and call it a day! The traffic to and from this spot can sometimes be busy during peak season and time of day, but worth every minute!
Longboat Key Beach Weddings sound like it’s calling your name? Our Beach Wedding Specialists are here to help you plan every step of the way. Contact us today to set your date!
