beach wedding help!!

kate mccue

Hi!! we are looking to have a beach wedding with an outside reception anywhere in central to south florida. any ideas or advice on planning a beach wedding/reception would be great! we are trying to stay around 10000.00 and are open to restaurants, house rentals...just about anything as long as its on the ocean!!! Thanks!

Summer2011Bride

Didn't you post this on another board where people said to post on your local board? I'm confused. I think posting on your local FL board would be best since you're looking for specific venues in south FL.

kate mccue

Just trying to get the most info. I didn't know it would be bothersome to people. My apologies!

Avion22

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_beach-wedding-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:813302c3-9555-4c12-a4db-fb10ddd83036Post:0a558318-942a-405c-a8e7-d2df2a35e2a4">Re: beach wedding help!!</a>:
[QUOTE]Just trying to get the most info. I didn't know it would be bothersome to people. My apologies!
Posted by kate mccue[/QUOTE]

<div>I live in the UK. I don't have a CLUE about places in Florida.  This is why the local boards exist.   </div>

DeVollF

I'm here on the North West Florida Gulf Coast -the utterly exquisite Emerald Coast between Pensacola and Panama City and, of course, we have a huge number of beach weddings, family reunions, etc. and an army of vendors catering specially to those destination events. I would recommend that you identify a couple or three general locals where you want to have the wedding based on travel times, amenities, other recreational opportunities, etc. and then call or contact some of the local event planners, tourist info centers, or Chamber Of Commerce and Beach Rental agencies to get some Ideas on availability, pricing etc. (try Local.com).
 
You may not realize it now but a local event planner can often save you a great deal of money by being able to help you locate local sources and vendors and they often have discount agreements with these folks. And you have one person with a vested interest in correcting the problem if something goes wrong instead of being left to handle everything on your own.

Pricing can very extremely between early or middle of the week and weekends and holidays and peak periods can be 1000's of dollars more that at other times so be sure and ask about such discounts as you plan a budget. Another thing to consider is some areas require a permit to use a public beach or state park and others don't and always consider traffic, parking, and transportation (and bathroom) issues in a busy resort/vacation area. I spent more than four hours just traveling 8 miles last weekend to a wedding in Destin and the bride took more than 30 min. in a limo going less than 2 blocks from her hotel to the wedding site while all her guests and bridal party stood in unsheltered 100 degree heat due to holiday traffic. One road to one of only three brideges to the beaches from the Northern end of the county was backed up with stalled traffic for more than 40 miles. This is where a resort venue or beach rental ( Check local classifies on-line for some really great deals) with everything on the premises or literally in walking distance can really make sense and actually save you money in the long run. I would also suggest maybe simplifying the actual wedding and reception plan for a great gettaway weekend for family and a few friends as that is so much more manageable than trying to do a four star event in the sand with no electrical supply. Or maybe do a "runaway bride beach elopement" with a great videographer and then have the reception at home with all your family and friends with the video on a large screen with perhaps a short reenactment  of the actual ceremony. A Unity Sand Ceremony, Blessed Stone Ceremony, Live Dove Release, or Rose Ceremony would be a perfect way to have everyone participate in your "wedding after the wedding" during the reception. This is also a way to have a perfect beach wedding where you just exchange vows and rings  and then get back to an air conditioned venue as quick as possible for the other aspects of the ceremony.   If you do plan an "elopement" and then a reception with all the trimmings -stay incognito until you are introduced at the reception for added drama and excitement. Plan your entrance with a big fanfare - maybe even with bridesmaids and groomsmen and have the FOB walk you in or the groom carrying you over the treshold.)   

One more thing: ITS THE BEACH! Forgo the ball gowns, high heels, bridesmaid's dresses, hot suits and ties. Have a tropical theme with Hawaiian leis, go barefoot in simple light frocks or sundresses- glitter and bling, heavy, constrictive, or nonbreathing fabrics, don't go well at the beach so just keep everything light and breezy and make Casual Comfort the only dress code! Guys in shorts and short sleeves (go casual with kacky pants and pastel colored shirts in the bride's colors, or black shorts and tuxedo shirts left open at the neck and rolled up sleeves for that shabby chic formal look or rolled up pants and Hawaiian shirts work well too. Better yet, put everyone in a sarong (even the guys) or caftan beach cover-ups. Instead of shoes or even sandals and flip-flop try making your own foot jewelry. A simple elastic band that goes around the ankle and loops around the second toe can be embellished in anyway you want to make a definite fashion statement and is ideal for walking across soft sand. (This is a great bridesmaid party activity.)

The wind is often a big factor at the beach so be sure your PA system can handle it and remember if no one can hear you say your vows or the officiant's words - its all just a pantomime play and really boring, so check out that PA system! Keep flowers and decor simple, the music light and cheerful -think steel drums or guitar as opposed to violins and harps. A long veil and train is really inappropriate on the beach as the wind plays hell with these and it ends up looking like you have a tangled wad of tulle hanging down your back or its in your face for all the photos. Please keep your processional and recessional short and sweet. Those long traditional heel and toe walks down the aisle are a hot mess in the sand. What's wrong with just having everyone in a group joyfully gather in a circle provide chairs for those who may need it and gather in a  loving celebratory crowd for the exchange of vows. the bride can still be escorted "down the isle but the other wedding party members can just skip or walk in twos and threes offering live leis to the guests as they pass or perhaps handing out sea-shells or sand dollars for a Shell/ Sandollar Ceremony at the end of the wedding.

 Above all KEEP YOUR COOL. Anytime you have to deal with nature, you lose all control so go with the flow and don't get caught up in a typhoon of frustration and stress so that you sink in a whirlpool of hysterics when everything doesn't go exactly as planned. The whole idea of a beach wedding is supposed to be laid back, a little impromptu, and casual so keep that in mind and focus on just having a great time!!!

DeVollF

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_beach-wedding-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:10Discussion:813302c3-9555-4c12-a4db-fb10ddd83036Post:97844bf0-5876-44f4-a736-b4f413d3a877">Re: beach wedding help!!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: beach wedding help!! : I live in the UK. I don't have a CLUE about places in Florida.  This is why the local boards exist.   
Posted by Avion22[/QUOTE]
Hello my friend from across the pond. Why not check us out here on the gorgeous Florida Panhandle for the most beautiful beaches and fabulous resorts and vactions in the world.

janellaj

I just went through this. Is 10k your entire budget or just for the venue/ food? I think the Newport Beach Hotel has pretty good deals in Sunny Isle. Also look into having the ceromony in South Point Park and the reception at Smith and Wollensky (miami beach). The Barnacle also (coconut grove), not technically on the beach, but on the bay- very pretty and budget friendly. 

kaos16

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_beach-wedding-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:10Discussion:813302c3-9555-4c12-a4db-fb10ddd83036Post:0a558318-942a-405c-a8e7-d2df2a35e2a4">Re: beach wedding help!!</a>:
[QUOTE]Just trying to get the most info. I didn't know it would be bothersome to people. My apologies!
Posted by kate mccue[/QUOTE]

you can always put an XP when you post on multiple boards so others know they may have already seen it and replied to it.