Ok, very long story short, I'm throwing a surprise destination wedding for my fiancee (oddly enough he has always been the one that wants to get married, we've been together for almost 11 years now....it's a long story on my end lol). Anyhow, I want something small and intimate. I have fallen in love with Dana Cove (my mom and I visited there about a month ago to check it out). There will likely be no more than 15 people (I'm guessing there will be 5 besides us in reality, so very small).
My first love for the officiant and ceremony was with Ever After Beach Weddings (everafterbeachweddings.com), though I can't find any reviews on them anywhere. They are the only ones I have found that only accept check, cash, or money order as payment. They require a deposit and the remaining balance to be paid one month prior to the wedding. Without finding any reviews though I'm hesitant on sending a check to someone I have never met and can not find back up on (the last thing I want is to pay $800 for a wedding, clue him in on this big surprise, get a license, get to the beach, and they have taken my money and run with it). They list a great photographer though as well.
I have looked at Southern Cal Weddings, but it seems all the bad reviews were with the more reasonable weddings (which is what I would fall under) which worries me that they just don't put as much effort into packages that don't give as much revenue.
I have found a florist I want to use there because they will do leis, I have a videographer that came recommended from a friend that I am hiring, I have a suite to get ready at, and a place to eat dinner at following the ceremony (also recommended by a friend and we ate there on our visit to make sure it was a good fit). I really just need a ceremony and officiant company that I can trust to do a nice small beach wedding at sunset. A flower aisle and heart garland, small decorations, with music and a photographer, sand ceremony, and filing of the license.
So has anyone heard of Ever After Beach Weddings good or bad? Or does anyone have a recommendation for a reputable company that can handle a similar ceremony.