About Us

Welcome to Gulf Beach Weddings, the industry leading Destination Beach Wedding company which focuses on simple & affordable, yet elegant ceremonies in the Tampa Bay & Panhandle Markets.  Since 2011, we have had the pleasure to officiate, coordinate, photograph, and organize over 9,000+ Weddings from Siesta Key, FL to Pensacola Beach, FL.  Our niche is the 2-100 guest beach wedding ceremony or vow-renewal with pre-designed Wedding Packages, customized to fit every need!  Our Vision:  Spreading Joy through Beach Weddings

Gulf Beach Weddings currently services 6 out of TripAdvisors ‘Best of the Best’ (Link) Top 13 nationally recognized beaches in 2020, including 4 out of the top 5! In comparison, Florida currently holds 8 of the Top 25 spots – that’s nearly a third of the entire poll for the United States! Our exclusive beach locations have been hand-selected over the years to provide the most beautiful and convenient wedding site’s for a destination wedding!

Inc. Top 1,000 Recipient 2017, Top 1,500 Recipient 2018!

MEET OUR TEAM

Bianca Lafif
St Petersburg, FL
Reading & Baking
Poetry Book: The Sun & Her Flowers
*Rupi Kaur

Jeff Roe
Clearwater, FL
Guitar & Technology
‘You are never too old to set another goal,
or to dream a new dream’ *C.S. Lewis

Tracy Coon
Clearwater, FL
Camping, Adventures, Anything outdoors!
‘The only time you should ever look back,
is to see how far you’ve come’
*Kim SeokJin

Taylor McFee
St Cloud, FL
Sports, Photography, Family
‘If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail’
*Benjamin Franklin

Austin Weaver
Leesburg, VA
Sports & Real Estate
‘Tough times don’t last, tough people do’
*Robert Schuller

Damien Richardson
Bronx, NY
Sports
Acts 2:38

Thomas Reeves
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Weightlifting & Competitive Ballroom Dance
Matthew 20:26-28

Brandon Wheeler
Palmetto, FL
Aviation & Golf
James 1:2-4

WHO WE SUPPORT

Life Connections 2022

Privacy, ease of access, ample parking, lively boardwalks, areas for picturesque photos, palm trees and white sand, limited or no permit fees, and locations close to amenities (but far enough away from the busy beach-goers) are just some of the perks.  Each location is geared toward the sunset ceremony; we have personally serviced 50+ weddings at each of these locations, so you can be sure that they are proven and tested. Keep in mind we are not limited to those locations listed. Over the years, we have created beautiful destination weddings at condominiums, hotels, resorts, and private beach houses.

We can setup just about anywhere with permission and access! However, we have found that the locations listed below are the most inviting and convenient in Florida for a destination beach wedding!

We are a family business and partner with local hotels, restaurants, florists, venues, photographers, caterers and Wedding Vendors to offer a unique one-stop-shop for all of your destination wedding needs.  Our primary focus is and has always been to create the most memorable wedding experience ever…perfection on your wedding day!

Picture this: the sun slowly setting behind the lapping ocean waves, a soft salty-breeze, and the pristine white sand in between your toes – with all of your closest friends and family gathered for a Champagne Toast to salute the new couple!

Walk-For-Life-Logo-2022-Wide

A WALK THROUGH TIME

2001

Local Notary Services Offered.

2002

Launch of Tampa Bay Wedding Officiates Website.

2003

Continued Growth as ‘Officiate Services’ & Notary work in the Tampa Bay Market, particularly Hillsborough County.

2004

Partnerships with local venues: The Event Factory, Vinoy, Kapok Tree, Rusty Pelican, and the Intercontinental Hotel.

2005

In 2005, we spin off our Officiate Services Division into an independent company, Tampa Bay Wedding Officiates.

2006

Partnership is formed for Small Beach Weddings in Hillsborough & Pinellas County.

2007

Launch of ‘Gulf Beach Weddings’ as a website and Brand Marketing push. To create ‘Affordable, yet Elegant’ Beach Wedding Packages on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

2008

In 2008, we become a registered provider for the Marriage License by Mail program. Allowing us to obtain the Marriage License on behalf of the couple, prior to their arrival in Florida.

2009

We began accepting online payments in 2009 through the website. Via PayPal we could now process Credit Cards and Debit Cards in an easy online fashion (this wasn’t as popular at the time!)

2010

Transformation of Company and focus on Beach Wedding Packages in the Tampa Bay Area.

2011

In 2011, Founder turns down CBRE offer to pursue Gulf Beach Weddings full-time. Expansion into Manatee & Sarasota Market (particularly Anna Maria Island, Lido Beach, and Siesta Key).

2012

Focus on Key Vendors & Training: Florists, Catering, Cakes, Photography, Videography and Live Musicians. Social Media blitz!

2013

Acquisition in 2013 of the Affordable Banquet Reception Hall located on St Pete Beach - Creating ‘Florida Beach Weddings + Receptions.’

2014

Launch of New Gulf Beach Weddings Website. Further Branding, Refreshed Logo, Signage, and Focus in the Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota Markets. Member of Local Chambers to Promote Beach Tourism in the Area.

2015

Best and Brightest Year to Date. New Create Your Dream Wedding tool on the Website is launched - interactively choose your location and custom package options! Grow to 30+ Employees & Vendors.

2016

Fleet of Wrapped Vans, Company 401K Announcement, and Quarterly Bonuses.  Support 'Walk for Life'

2017

Purchase of Property in Destin, FL off Main Street.  Let the permitting begin...as we tip toe into the Panhandle area to serve more clients and beaches!

2018

Named to 'Inc. 5000' and 'Seminole 100 List' for the first time...successfully service 7 of the Nations top 25 beaches!

2019

Completion of Destin Office/Warehouse Property - Spring 2019.  Named to 'Inc. 5000' and 'Seminole 100' for 2nd time - successful multi-market Tampa-Destin beach locations to clients.

2020

First Full Year in business using the New Warehouse/Office in Destin, FL. COVID-19 shuts down the US economy, Travel, beaches and company. We are in it for the long haul!

2021

Busiest year on file for Gulf Beach Weddings. Nearly 1/4 of weddings moved from 2020 into 2021 as Covid restrictions were consistent across the nation. 980 Weddings performed this season!

2023

Gulf Beach Weddings is a Published Author. 'Florida Beach Wedding Guide ©' launched in three different formats: Softcover on Amazon, kindle, and Audiobook. NEW 'Pre Designed Styles': Beachside Boho, Rustic Romance, Southern Charm, Timeless Elegance, Coastal Seaside, Shorely Nautical, Tropical Paradise.

Mission Statement: ‘We create a once in a Lifetime experience, through the Magic of a Beach Wedding’

We strive every day to become a better and more attentive company to the needs of the current bride and provide more value and options in the future.  New Wedding Packages are always in the works, prompting the questions:

  • Leave the Beach & Immediate Area in a Better Condition than we found it!
  • How can we improve upon what we already do well? 
  • We are an advocate for the ‘Budget Minded’ couple who want exceptional service at an affordable price.  Cultivating relationships with Wedding Vendors that do the same.
  • How can we create more value for our brides? 
  • What can we do to make their day perfect?  Is there a little something extra we can personally do?
  • How can we become Stewards of not only this Couple’s Special Day however, the communities in which we service and particularly the Beaches & Property in which Weddings are conducted.

This lead to adding many options and services that we no longer charge for and now include with current wedding packages (Free Chair Cover & Sash, Unity Sand & Blessing Stones, for example).

In 2013, Affordable Banquet was created by the purchase of a Banquet Reception Facility on St. Pete Beach.  Now, we are able to offer the wedding + reception location to our repertoire.  Host your own private event at our facility for up to 75 guests!

In 2015, we purchased a 9,500 SF Warehouse property located in Downtown St Petersburg which represents our ‘Back Office’ workshop, storage facility, and parking for our Fleet of Wedding Vehicles!  This property will serve couples for many years to come!  2017 also marked the purchase of our future Reception Hall Property off ‘Main St’ in Destin.  Construction is now complete on the new Warehouse/Office in the rear of the property – we are looking forward to serving the ‘South’ in a more professional manner!

Over the years, our biggest accolade is the vendors we work with day-in and day-out.  I know we have Google+, Facebook, and WeddingWire reviews – but these are the unsung heroes and, in my opinion, the best in the business.  We owe them dearly for the success over the years as many of the pictures, testimonials, reviews, relationships and positive public relations are a result of all of their hard work.

Tampa Christmas Party – Photo Courtesy of PL Carrillo Photography

Destin Christmas Party – Photo Courtesy of EAM Photography

Professionalism:  To provide the highest level of organization, customer service, and value on your Wedding Day!  We strive to be better tomorrow than we are today by offering more value to our couples year after year.  Combining the latest in Wedding Package trends with our beautiful beach destinations conducive for weddings.  Simple yet Elegant in décor, with a laid back atmosphere – we are your go-to Destination Wedding Specialists!

Please Contact Us for any questions and media related inquiries.  We look forward to working with you!

Reception Hall:  6655 Gulf Blvd, St Pete Beach, FL 33706

Office & Showroom:  211 14th St N, St Petersburg, FL 33705

Office & Showroom:  209A Main Street, Destin, FL 32541

COMING (Spring 2026)!  Destin Reception Hall:  209 Main St, Destin, FL 32541

Phone:  (727) 475-2272 and (850) 898-0600

www.gulfbeachweddings.com – www.affordablebanquet.com

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