We understand the nerves are setting in…we are here to help take the stress out. 60-Days out you can begin the Marriage License by Mail Program, start to prepare your Wedding Music, and start to finalize the Guest Count!
We will proactively reach out via phone 30-days prior to reconfirm the details, go over a timeline of the ceremony and answer any additional questions you may have. We can’t wait!
Wedding Planning Process by Gulf Beach Weddings
Below is our World Renowned and Proprietary ‘Wedding Planning Process’ by Gulf Beach Weddings. This has been dialed in and perfected over the past 10+ years and over 8,000 Weddings to make your Special Day as Stress Free as possible!
*Flowers provided in the above picture are custom and provided by a local florist. Arch & Fabric provided by Gulf Beach Weddings.
Day-Of Timeline
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Below is a template to work from as it relates to day of coordination, timelines and recommended order of ceremonies. We have also provided a Sample Program and Wedding Music Template to assist! You may also add this information to your Wedding Website as it applies. We will see you on the Beach!
Ceremony & Vow Template
Below is the ceremony template to work from – please note much of this is personal preference, we simply make recommendations as to flow and our experience conducting similar Beach Ceremonies! You may use your Own Vows, Readings, Verses, etc. as you see fit. Here is a very helpful link: Ceremony & Vows
The ceremony itself will last approximately 20-30 minutes depending on the size of the bridal party, wording of the ceremony and any additional readings/poems/Unity Sand, etc. We prefer to have picture time immediately following to get group shots, combinations and more intimate shots of just the couple/immediate family. This is how we back into our Sunset Times which account for 15 minutes of late guests, overcast weather, and simply extra time to wait for the perfect sunset photos. It it typical for the Bride, Bridal Party, and perhaps parents to enter formally with the Officiant, Groom, and Groomsmen waiting up by the Arch.
Photographer – Videographer – Live Musician Timeframe
Most couples elect for a one hour session of Photography, Videography, or Live Musician or some combination thereof. All can be reserved for additional time however, the typical 1-hour reservation for each breaks down as follows. *Please note the Photographer & Videographer will shoot alongside one another (however, they are different vendors altogether):
*The only difference for the Live Musician is they will start playing as the guests arrive 15-20 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony, Entrance & Exit music, + 15-20 minutes following the ceremony during the start of picture time. Typically, they will break down as the couple moves towards the shoreline for the remaining time (Intimate Photo/Video).
Dinner/Reception Timing & ‘To’ Location
The Reception Timeline is very subjective however, here are some helpful tips and an example for you!
Ceremony Time: About 1 Hour spent on the actual beach for Wedding
Travel to Reception Venue: Google Map Drive/Walk + 30 mins
*Typical time frame for a full reception is 3-4 hours on-site at the reception venue. If dinner, 1.5 hours is typical.
Here is a typical Example:
6pm: Ceremony Start
6:45pm: Guests Start to make their way to the Reception Venue/Dinner
7pm: Couple/Immediate Family Start to make their way to the Reception Venue/Dinner (Pictures on Beach Finish)
Travel + 30 minutes: Travel to Reception Venue/Dinner (potential traffic, bathroom breaks, change of clothes, stop by room at hotel, etc.)
Cocktail Hour (Optional): 8-9pm
Reception/Dinner: 9-11pm (9:30pm for Dinner minus Cocktail Hour)
*It always takes longer than couples anticipate for traffic, finding the reception location, travel, freshening up, walking to/from the car, etc. Plan for the unexpected or build in a ‘Cocktail Hour’ so there is a bit of a buffer for guests. In the example above, we used a 30 minute Travel + 30 minute buffer. If the restaurant is right next to the ceremony site, there would be zero travel. Dinner would begin approx. 1.5 hours after ceremony start!
