Need help picking a beach wedding destination on the East Coast!

orangjul

We were thinking of getting married in Key West in December, but I spoke with a wedding planner there and she said for 50 guests we weren't going to be able to do it for under $20K.  Does that seem right?  I was hoping to spend more like $10K-$12K.  I also read somewhere that the average price for a destination wedding for 100 people was only $17K!  I guess that's all different locations though.

Anyways, I need new ideas.  Now we're thinking August on a beach in the Carolinas or possibly Georgia.  Maybe we could rent a huge beach house and have the wedding there?  It needs to be relatively close to an airport (under 30 minutes).

jagore08

Don't forget about the Gulf coast of Florida.  Some of the businesses are still getting back on their feet from the oil spill and you may be able to find some good deals.

orangjul

Good idea, thanks.  Did you get married on the Gulf Coast?

devinjosh

I'm getting married in Panama City Beach. This just happened, and it won't be until NEXT summer! The ceremony is going to be ridiculously cheap, we are just renting a banquet room at a nice restaurant for reception, since there will only be about 30 guests. My fiancee proposed in Panama last summer, it such a beautiful beach! There is a state park that lets you host weddings there free called Saint Andrew's it is away from all of the condo's and buildings, and has a much more natural feel. This is the wedding company we are looking into for setting up the ceremony. http://www.prwedding.com/serenity-package

OBX2011

Have you considered the Outer Banks of North Carolina?  It's a stretch of Barrier Islands and I was recently married there.

In the recent issue of Islands magazines, it was actually named one of the Top 20 Islands to visit in the world...I was pretty psyched about that.

We had 96 guests and did everything for around $12K.  The only catch is that the closest airport is about 45 minutes away, but that's only b/c the OBX is an actual island.

There is a North Carolina--Outer Banks board if you are interested in more information.

teachermegs

I will second the Gulf Coast.

OP-YGPM

sonyaprice2

Panama city . St. Andrews state park 

bethann112

We were originally planning a beach wedding in NJ or NY but having such a hard time finding something in our budget as well as fully outside. So many places will do the ceremony on the beach but then bring you in for a more formal reception. Ideally, we would love to rent a giant house on the beach and have everything right there! Besides, alochol and permits needed, our other issue is the guestlist. We are expecting about 225 people. We are now looking in DE, MD, CT and happy to do something on the lake. We want water and outdoors! Any suggestions?!