Florida’s West Coast is the Best Coast
This book should have plenty of useful insights for anyone planning a beach wedding, but we are going to focus on the West Coast of Florida, where our company, Gulf Beach WeddingsÒ operates.
Obviously, I know Florida’s left side, stretching from the Panhandle in the north to Sarasota in the south, because that is where we operate. But the real reason we are located on the Gulf Coast of Florida has to do with the award-winning beaches in every direction.
Florida’s West Coast is quite possibly the best place on planet Earth to hold a beach wedding.
Bold statement? Not really, once you consider a few factors that make Florida’s West Coast so unique. No hard feeling East Coasters, you are great too, but…
Sunsets:
If you want to see the sunset over the water without going to California or Hawaii, come to Florida’s West Coast. Many couples schedule the ceremony within the sunset time frame affording beautiful wedding day photographs. Even if you have a mid-day ceremony, the perfect way to wrap up your special day is with a cocktail overlooking the water and the setting sun.
Sand:
Here’s some geology trivia for you: Quartz rocks in the Appalachian Mountains have eroded over the millennia, tumbling into streams and rivers. Where does that quartz end up, as it gets transported south?
The Gulf Coast, where it has been transformed into some of the world’s best sand. Many of the beaches where we conduct ceremonies have this fine, pure, white sand.
This white, fluffy sand is legendary, especially around the Tampa Bay region.
It doesn’t get nearly as hot as darker sand, and photographers love the striking contrast that it provides for your ceremony. It is often referred to as ‘sugar sand.’
Beaches on the East Coast of the state typically have tan or brown sand that is coarser underfoot.
Water:
The water in the Gulf Coast of Florida is known for its turquoise, Caribbean-like hue. Gulf Coast shores typically have shallow waters with sandbars. This allows the sunlight to reflect off the afore-mentioned white quartz sand, illuminating the surrounding waters. Further, up in the Panhandle, this is often referred to as the ‘Emerald Coast’ of Florida…yes, it’s in the name!
The Atlantic Ocean has more of a brownish hue due to the deeper water just a short distance from shore (thus having a much darker color). Enough said.
Waves (or lack thereof):
The Gulf Coast is mostly wave-free. This may be a disappointment for your surfer best man, but it makes for an ideal wedding spot.
You don’t have to worry about guests being able to hear over the sound of waves crashing ashore, and your ceremony is not likely to be interrupted by boogie boarders or surfers.
The small waves lapping in the background are just enough to cover the footsteps where you walked. Unless it is a once-in-a-decade event, you are not likely to see any eight-foot swells crashing on the beach and upending the Bamboo Arch.
The People:
No offense to our friends on the Atlantic side of the state, but Florida’s West Coast has a decidedly laid-back vibe. People flock to our beaches to escape the hustle and bustle of the East Coast, and they are rewarded with a far more relaxing atmosphere than you might experience in Miami or Fort Lauderdale.
There is some truth to the stereotype that Florida’s West Coast is filled with friendly Midwesterners, who got here via I-75. The florists, caterers, venue managers and photographers that we work with also have that Midwestern sensibility.
Pricing:
The costs are generally less expensive on the Gulf Coast.
From Pensacola Beach to Siesta Key you’ll find deals on housing, restaurants and vendors that are tough to match on the other side of the peninsula.
Why?
As Florida’s population exploded over the past century, much of the growth and wealth was concentrated on the East Coast, stretching from Miami to Jacksonville. That doesn’t mean the West Coast of Florida is some backwater no-man’s land, but the cost of living is lower, and you can hold a beach wedding here for less.
This is expected to change as the population increases. The COVID-19 pandemic hastened the big migration south to Florida and the West Coast in particular because of the relatively lower positive cases compared to the eastern portion of the state.
But even as more and more people come to our Gulf Shores to say, “I do,” our prices remain below what you will see on the other side of the state.
Convinced that the west side is the best side yet? If so…buckle up. Let’s get started by talking about one of the most important issues that can also be one of the most stressful for couples who try to ignore it…the cost of saying “I do.”
Don’t hold back those emotions. The goal of the photographer is to get emotion-filled candids of your special day. Concentrate on the person that you are marrying and let everything else fall away. A good photographer will be on the lookout for those little candid moments that will take your breath away for years to come. The more outgoing or emotional you are, the better the photos will be. If you are reserved and don’t show emotions, it will reflect in your photos.
Brides and grooms from across the country are flocking to our beaches to say their vows.
