The majority of our couples do not live in Florida and often wonder how to get married on the beach. We make it simple: pick a beach location, a wedding date, a package, and we take care of the rest. We have also compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers on this page to give you a better idea of how it all works.
Do you have reception packages?
NO. We do not have reception packages, however, we can assist with your reception plans in two different ways. For the DIY couple, we will give you referrals to reception venues, reception restaurants, and other reception vendors once you book one of our packages. For the couple who needs a little more personal assistance, our full-service wedding planning services are perfect to plan, coordinate and execute your perfect beach wedding reception.
Can you give me a list of vendors in the area?
After your retainer is received, you will have access to a list of “suggested” vendors listed by area including restaurants, receptions, hotels, etc.
I only need one or two services only from your package. Can you help?
We do not sell services A La Carte. If you need assistance planning a ceremony different from what we offer, you may you hire our wedding coordinator via our Wedding Planning Services to help with your custom needs.
Can I create my own package?
No. Packages are sold as listed. You may only add chairs, live music, video, extended photography, and our marriage license by mail service to any package. Those are all the only services offer as add-on’s.
Can I just rent your canopy and chairs?
We are NOT a rental company and you cannot “rent” our canopy and chairs. As ceremony vendors, our goal is to provide a complete wedding ceremony experience, therefore, you cannot “take away” services or items from our packages.
I only need someone to guide me or help me find a location. Can you help?
Yes, you may hire our wedding coordinator via our Wedding Planning Services to help with your custom needs.
Do you have any discounts?
We provide the same awesome experience and great value to ALL couples regardless of their wedding date, age, or chosen profession.
I have less guests than the package’s maximum number of chairs. Do I get a discount from the package price?
No, packages are discounted and we do not charge you for the full cost of all the chairs with the packages.
I have 51 guests, do I need to upgrade to the Standard Beach Ceremony Package or can I just add chairs to the Intimate Ceremony Package?
Yes, you would need to upgrade your package. You cannot have more than 50 guests with the Intimate packages. The standard ceremony packages includes not only the additional seating arrangements, but it also includes the additional time your vendors will need to manage and setup a larger event. In addition, if you book a package with a decorated aisle way, the aisle way needs to be twice as long for a larger ceremony, therefore, the cost of the additional flowers and petals must be included into the package.
Can I invite more people than allowed or more people than my number of chairs and just have them stand?
Between guest arrival, ceremony, and after-ceremony bridal party photos, your guests will spend an average of one to two hours at the beach. It is not only good manners to provide appropriate accommodations to your guests, but it is always expected by your attendees. Be nice to your guests; they took personal time off at their own expense to witness your celebration! The least you can do for them is make sure they are well taken care of
.
Do children and infants count towards the guest limit?
Infants and toddlers under two years old usually sit on their parents’ lap or a stroller, therefore, they don’t always need chairs. Before you make this decision, we strongly suggest to talk the child’s parent first and ask them if their child would be OK seating on their lap. Kids are different and some little ones will refuse to do so! Also, often parents get angry at the coordinator when they are asked to sit their children on their laps to accommodate an adult or older guest. You can avoid an embarrassing situation for both your guests and our team if you notify them ahead of time.
What happens if it rains? Do you have an indoor backup?
We don’t have a backup location. Tents cost close to $1,000 to setup on the beach and is not an affordable alternative. Instead, we suggest you reserve a private function/meeting room at your hotel or talk to your reception venue if is possible to use their space in case of bad weather. The day before your wedding, if there is a forecast of 40% chance of rain or more, we will give you the opportunity to move the ceremony to your backup location or even change the start time or date, based on our availability, to avoid the rain. However, if it rains during the ceremony, there is nothing we can do but wait for the weather to clear out and continue with the services as far as we can. With proper planning and flexibility, rain should not be a problem.. We’ve performed over 100 weddings every year for the past eight years and we’ve never had a wedding canceled due to weather conditions. In addition, we usually work with one wedding per day. Our competitors “line up” their weddings like hot cakes, but our business model is completely the opposite. We want to be as flexible as possible to make your beach wedding happen exactly as you planned it!
Where are your wedding locations?
We are a ceremony team; we do not own wedding locations. Our weddings are held at a public beach or at the couple’s prearranged location. If the couple doesn’t have a beach location arranged, you will receive suggestions for an exact spot when you reserve a package. The majority of our weddings are held at our preferred public beach spots and they turn out beautiful! Check out our Real Wedding galleries!
Which beaches you go to?
Our service area includes:
- Cocoa Beach – The closest beach to Orlando – about 1 ½ hours away. Ceremonies are held at Lori Wilson Park’s North Beach.
- Ponce Inlet (near Daytona) – Atlantic Ocean Beach. Ceremonies are held at Lighthouse Point Park.
- Clearwater Beach – Ceremonies are held at Sand Key Park’s Beach. A $214 beach permit fees applies for intimate weddings, and $264 for standard weddings.
- St. Pete Beach – Ceremonies are usually held in the Pass-a-grille beach area.
- Sarasota/Siesta Key – Ceremonies are usually held at Siesta Key’s public beach. An additional $240 permit fee applies. We do NOT recommend this area for weekend and during peak season.
Is there a place to change?
Again, we do NOT have beach locations. The locations listed above are public beaches and you must arrive ready to start.
Which beach is the best or the prettiest?
All beach towns are different and beauty is on the eye of the beholder! We cannot tell you which one is prettier, but we can provide you with a general description of the beaches by area:
About Atlantic Ocean beach locations (Cocoa Beach & Ponce Inlet):
- They are the closest ones to Orlando. This is convenient if you are planning on staying in Orlando and drive to the beach just for the wedding. You would fly into Orlando International Airport.
- Photos feature beautiful bright blue skies and a combination of greenery, sand and blue oceans
- The sun hides opposite to the water (behind the sand dunes)
- The sand is a dark golden color with the exception of the Ponce Inlet area where is white
About Gulf of Mexico beaches (Clearwater, St. Pete, and Sarasota):
- Tampa Bay is the closest major city/airport to these locations.
- Water is emerald green, you will see a-lot of whites and light tones in your photos (as opposed to the bright colors on the East Coast)
- The sun hides behind the water. If you are looking for that big bright orange ball hiding behind the water, this is THE place!
- The sand is white color
I have guests with special needs who cannot walk long distances or in a wheelchair. Will I find accommodations for them on the beach?
Although all beach locations have handicap parking and ramps to get from the parking lot to the boardwalks that take you to the sand, all guests will have to walk at least 200 feet on sand to get to where ceremonies are held. If you have important guests with special needs we strongly suggest you rethink the idea of a beach wedding. Walking over sand is challenging even for people without special needs.
Is there a rehearsal before the wedding?
A rehearsal is NOT included with the exception of the All Inclusive Beach Ceremony Package. A rehearsal is not really necessary. A team member will be available to direct the entire process from start to finish. If you would like to schedule a weekday rehearsal, the fee is between $250 – $350 depending on the location.
If I get married on the beach, will there be other people on the beach?
Yes, they will be other people on the beach. Even with a permit, we cannot ask people to move away. However, the fact that you don’t have the beach for yourself should not keep you from booking a beach wedding. Chances are that beach-goers and other events will be at a safe distance from yours and you won’t even notice. In addition, our photographers are experts avoiding people in the background in your pictures. They are professionals. Professional photographers do not rely on Photoshop or software to do that. They setup their cameras manually so that any background distractions are NOT noticeable. Finally, we only arrange beach weddings late in the evening when most people are leaving the beach and we do not arrange weddings on Holiday weekends to avoid a mess of people in your photos.
How do I go about getting a beach permit?
If your selected location requires a permit, we will guide you into the right direction to secure your permit. Please be advised that beach permit fees are not included with your package and must be paid directly to the County.
How long does the ceremony last?
Between arrival, guest seating, ceremony, and after-ceremony photos, you can expect to spend close to two hours on the beach.
My package includes decorations and/or chairs. Are the setup and the take down included?
Yes, they are included. We take care of everything. All you need to do is show up and get married!
How is the weather like in the Central Florida area?
Average temperatures and precipitation tables: click here for Cocoa Beach/East Coast areas and click here for Clearwater Beach/West Coast areas.
When is the best time to get married in Central Florida?
When it works best for you! Our peak rain season is between July-September, but rain usually doesn’t last too long and is never a major issue when everything is planned correctly. Winter beach weddings are the best; usually it’s nice and comfortable outside, the beaches are practically empty, and the skies and sunsets are usually spectacular during our cooler days! Please, be advised that we do NOT arrange morning beach weddings. Also, we do not arrange or early PM beach weddings during our HOT summer and fall months. All weddings are held about one to two hours before sunset, depending on the package and location.
What time is sunset/sun down?
It depends on the month and location! Click here to view sundown times in Cocoa Beach and click here to view sunset times in the Clearwater/St Pete Beach areas. Don’t forget to select appropriate dates because the time varies depending on the date.
Who will get me married?
We work with various Officiants and any could be assigned to your ceremony based on their availability. We cannot guarantee a specific Officiant, gender or religious denomination. However, you are welcome to request a secular service if you prefer a nonreligious ceremony.
Can I bring my own Officiant?
If you plan to bring your own Pastor or a family member that will make your ceremony special and memorable, yes, by all means. However, you must let us know at the time of the booking. In addition, we already have a time-line of events to make sure we are able to complete all services within an hour. Therefore, your Officiant’s ceremony service must be under 15 minutes long, unless you would like to extend our vendor’s time for an additional fee.
Can I write and read/recite my own vows?
Of course you can! You should be free to express how you feel about each other on your own way!
Do you perform vows renewals or commitment ceremonies?
Yes we do.
Do you perform same sex commitment ceremonies?
Yes we do.
How does the marriage license by mail work?
We are authorized coordinators with the Lake County Clerk of the Courts Office to obtain marriage licenses on behalf of our customers. You will fill out a special application we will give you, and we will use it to get the license on your behalf. Then all you need to do is Notarize your signatures and other documents back home and send them to us. Your license will be ready when you arrive to Florida! This service is available for a $200 fee, requires at least three week’s notice and is NOT available for Florida Residents. Also, you are renewing your vows, you do NOT need a license. Click here to read more details about this convenient service.
Who does the photography?
Hector and Mya, owners of Beach Weddings in Florida, are also experienced photographers and studio owners (Negroni Photographers) and either one will be your photographer.
What’s included with the photography?
The photographer starts taking photos when the processional starts. He/she takes photos throughout the ceremony. If time and weather permits, he or she will take group immediate family photos (intimidate family means parents, grandparents, siblings and the couple’s children if applicable – not extended family) and bridal party photos if applicable The last 20 minutes or so are spent with the couple only. Packages include a maximum of one (1) hour of his time for the entire event as described.
Are the photos included or do I have to purchase those separately?
They are included! You will receive all the edited digital photos from your event by email. There will be no need to pay additional just to get your wedding photos.
How many photos does my package includes?
Our photographers are professional photographers. They are focused on quality, not quantity. On average, you can expect to receive a minimum of 100 unique professional edited photos.
How will I receive my digital photos? Do I get a disk?
They will be send electronically via email as soon as they are ready.
How long before my photos are ready?
The average wait time is about six weeks depending on the photographer’s work load and season. However, it make take up to two months during our peak season. If you are planning to use them for a reception, we strongly suggest you do not schedule your reception any earlier than two months after your wedding.
Can I extend the photographer’s time to include bridal preparations and reception/dinner afterward?
Absolutely! Check out our Wedding and Photography and Videography page for details and pricing.
Can my family take photos?
As long as they are not professionals themselves, absolutely! Contact us for details.
Can I bring or add my own decorations or chairs?
NO. Safety is very important to us. To arrange decorations on the beach takes knowledge, experience and practice. There are many “wedding” items that are not suitable for beach weddings, which can cause accidents and damages to our equipment. For all those reasons, we do not allow customers to bring, add, include or arrange decorations, floral arrangements (except for bridal bouquets), tables and chairs to the beach while we are under contract. Also, our liability insurance prohibits this practice.
Can I bring favors, programs, fans or bubbles and place them on the chairs?
For your convenience, we do offer a setup, distribution, and clean up service for an additional $100 fee. Just ship your items to us and we’ll take care of the rest.
Can I bring my own bouquet?
Yes, you can.
Can I bring and toss petals on the sand?
As long as they are fresh or natural, yes you can! NO silk or artificial petals please.
Can I include a sand ceremony or wishing shells ritual?
You are welcome to purchase your own materials and include those rituals into the ceremony with advanced notice. You need to let your Officiant and the coordinator know ahead of time please.
Do you arrange cake or champagne on the beach?
No, we don’t. Alcohol and glass containers are NOT allowed on the beach.
Can I choose the canopy colors?
Absolutely! Once you’ve paid you retainer, you will have access to a list of colors available. You may select from prearranged color combinations or create your own with what we have on inventory at that time. Please be advised that we cannot match exact shades and all selections are available online only.
Do you only do bright colors on the canopy?
No, we don’t! We could do all white or ivory, however, 99% of our couples choose our tropical color combinations.
Can I bring food/cake/beverages/champagne to the beach?
You cannot bring any beverages or food to the beach while we are under contract due to liability issues.
What should I wear for an outdoor ceremony in Florida?
For Grooms:
- Please do NOT wear tuxes or heavy/polyester jackets unless you are getting married in January or February! A cotton short sleeve shirt works best. During the spring months, you may wear a linen jacket, but we strongly discourage long sleeves and jackets 10 months out of the year!
- Do NOT wear shorts if your bride is wearing a long dress. You could wear long khaki pants and still be comfortable while matching the bride’s style.
- Wear 100 SPF sunscreen while in Florida; even if you are in the shade. Photography accentuates the redness on your skin and those “raccoon” eyes will not look good in your pictures.
For Brides:
- We strongly discourage that you wear a veil. It’s often windy on the beach, and you’ll be pulling the veil away from your face most of the time. A hair band, hair piece (flowers and feathers look BEAUTIFUL!) look best. .
- Do not leave your hair down. The wind will push your hair in all directions and you will look like you never brushed your hair on your pictures.
- Do not leave bangs or long stings of hair around your face. When it gets breezy, they will be flying across your eyes and will look bad on pictures.
- Wear a light-weight dress which you are able to sit down, run, bend, etc. An outdoor photo shoot is NOT a studio photo shoot – you must be able to do different movements to make it work. Make sure your dress is not too tight and is comfortable.
- Avoid lace trains. Although lace is beautiful, it will trap all the debris on the beach (seaweed, etc.)
- Avoid oil-based makeup. The sun WILL shine on your face more than usual – please wear translucent powder instead.
- If you are getting married on the beach, please leave your heels back home (even the wedges-style ones!). Flat shoes work best. Don’t count on going barefoot; if the sand is hot it will not work. Make sure you get some pretty and inexpensive flip flops instead.
- Please, do NOT use fake suntan lotions. When you apply these, the color might look “even” to the naked eye, but in reality, tinted lotions are never completely absorbed on the skin and all the “empty” or “white” spots will show in your photos. Furthermore, we strongly suggest you stay away from a tanning salon too. A tan from a salon has adds unnatural orange tones to the skin and they also look fake and bad on pictures. A soft natural-toned skin will look best in your photos.
What is your cancellation policy?
Retainers are with the sole purpose of “retaining” our team’s services for YOU and turn away everyone else. Therefore, retainers are NOT refundable and are NOT transferable under ANY circumstances – no exceptions – if you cancel your reservation you do not get your retainer back.
What happens if I need to postpone my ceremony?
You may postpone your event once with at least 65 days advanced notification for a future date no more than 6 months away from the original date. All payments (except marriage license fee and non refundable venue fees if applicable) will be applied towards your future date and some restrictions apply. Also, if the marriage license was issued and it expires before your new date, you are responsible for obtaining a new valid license before the ceremony.
How far in advanced can I reserve your services or a package?
NEW – Currently we are accepting reservations until the end of 2013
Is the marriage license included with your packages?
NO. The couple is responsible for obtaining a marriage license in person. We can assist couples from out of State to obtain their license ahead of time via mail for a $200 fee, which includes the State’s $93.50 license fee. Contact us for details about this service.
Is the filing of the marriage license after the ceremony included with your packages?
Of course it is! I’m not sure WHY other companies list the filing of the marriage license as “included” with their services because the Officiant has to do it as required by Law. This practice is confusing for couples. What is NOT included with any package is obtaining the actual license.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A FLORIDA MARRIAGE LICENSE
- To get married in Florida you must have a Florida marriage license. You cannot use a license from another state – it must be from Florida. Remember – your license must be from the State you are getting married at. The marriage will be valid everywhere, but the license must be from the place you are getting married at.
- The Marriage License fee is around $100 as of today.
- You may obtain a Florida Marriage license from any Florida Clerk of the Courts Office during normal business hours. Their offices are NOT open on weekends or major US Holidays.
- A Marriage license is not required or given for vows renewals and commitment ceremonies. Commitment ceremonies are only symbolic ceremonies (not legal) and if you are already legally married, you cannot get married again and a license is only to get married.
- Florida Residents must apply in person
- Non Florida residents may apply by mail through an approved coordinator. We are an approved coordinator and can help you obtain your license by mail for a fee. Read below for more details.
- US Citizens: All you need is a valid State-issued Photo ID (Driver’s License or State ID)
- Non US Citizens: All you need is a valid passport.
- Both parties must be 18 years of age or older
- NO blood test is required
- NO physical exam is required
- NO residency is required
- NO Birth Certificate is required
- NO Divorce decree is required if you divorced more than 3 months ago. All you will need to know is the date the prior marriage(s) ended.
- US Citizens only: A social security number is required to obtain a marriage license; you don’t need the card, just the number
- Florida residents only have a 3-day waiting period, unless a premarital course is taken. This means when you visit the Clerk’s Office, you will be given the License right way, but won’t be able to get married for at least 3 more days. Florida Residents only.
- If you are NOT a Florida Resident, there is NO waiting period for you! You can get married the same day you obtain your marriage license if you wish.
- Couples are required by law to read a handbook supplied by the Clerk and sign a statement acknowledging that they have read the handbook before applying for the license.
- Witnesses are not required to get married in Florida
- Marriage license is valid 60 days from the date issued
- The day of your wedding, you will give the license to the Officiant before the ceremony. After the ceremony, the Officiant will “file” the license by mail. You will receive your certificate by mail, directly from the Clerk of the Courts office in about 2-4 weeks.
- Please, contact any Florida Clerk of the Courts office directly with your license or legal questions. Click here to find the office closest to you.
Do we meet before the wedding?
We do not meet until a few minutes before the ceremony starts, except for couples who book the All Inclusive package, which includes a rehearsal. We will discuss all details over the phone and email before the ceremony.
Our Couples – Who are They?
Unlike our competitors, we are NOT a “wedding business machine” that wants to sell, sell, sell. We are a small ceremony team, with one goal - provide an awesome experiences to our couples and have FUN while doing it. The only way we can achieve our goal is to make sure that we work with couples who match our personalities and services.
Our couples are fun, laid-back, non-traditional, flexible, couples with only one goal in mind: getting married to the one they love and have FUN doing it. Their focus is not on the wedding colors, but on the entire experience. Our couples appreciate professional photography and they LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our photography. The don’t want “snapshots”, they want awesome memories. Our brides rarely wear a veil, many of our couples choose to walk down the aisle together, they love our bright color combinations, they don’t mind getting their outfits wet, and their favorite beach wedding photos are the ones with the couple running and splashing water. Before you decide on booking any of our packages, please give us a call to discuss your vision, get to know us a little bit, and find out if we are a good match for you.
I am ready to reserve a package; what’s my next step?
Once you are ready to sign your agreement and pay the retainer, go to our “Book Your Date” page to submit your formal request for a contract. Contracts are valid for only three days, therefore, do not request a contract unless you are ready to review it and pay your retainer within that time frame.
