A Guide to Planning a Beach Wedding in Florida
The time has finally arrived. You’ve found your perfect partner and are now ready to plan the wedding of your dreams. The phenomenal beauty of a Florida beach wedding makes it everyone’s dream. Whether you’re dreaming of an elopement on the sparkling sand, a grand event with all your family and friends, or something in the middle, Florida beaches fulfill your fondest wishes. All you have to do is start planning!
How to Plan a Beach Wedding in Florida
Planning a Florida beach wedding can be intimidating but it is much easier than it seems. Wedding packages make everything a lot easier. They come with everything you need to make your special day extraordinary. Pick and choose the options that are most important to you and pay a standard rate instead of searching out everything you need for all aspects of your wedding individually. You save time, money, and frustration.
Simply follow these guidelines to create a day full of memories and meaning to sustain you the rest of your life.
Location
This may sound like a no-brainer but there is a lot to consider when it comes to the location of your wedding. It must be somewhere both you and your spouse feel called to be. Beautiful beach weddings aren’t only on exotic islands. Florida has beaches that are both remote and urban.
You’ll also want to consider your guests. Make sure they are having a great trip all the time, not just at the wedding. Host your wedding at a beach in close proximity to a great hotel, museums, trendy restaurants, and local attractions.
Weather
Florida weather can be a fickle thing. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding on a beach, it can be a constant stressor. There are a few things you can do to ease your wedding weather worries.
First, research the weather in your preferred location during the month of your wedding. If it’s prone to storms, you may want to choose another month or location. Secondly, make sure your chosen location has an inclement weather plan so if bad weather does hit you and your guests will be safe. Lastly, always have a Plan B in case something goes wrong.
Time of Year
The time of year you get married matter much more than you think. Violent storms and massive spring break crowds can have a negative impact on a beach wedding. There is much to consider when deciding what time of year to have a beach wedding.
Hurricane season runs from June all the way through November in Florida. That doesn’t knock those months out completely, however. April and November have the least amount of rain throughout the year. The highest rainfall occurs from June through September. April and May are beautiful calm weather months to get married in Florida, if a bit more crowded.
Travel Costs
It doesn’t matter if you live in Florida or across the country, travel costs should still be factored into your Florida beach wedding plans. Your guests will need to be aware of travel costs such as airfare in time to prepare to purchase the ticket.
The airport you use has a lot to do with the price of the airfare. A destination wedding in a very popular or highly populated are will be more expensive than a more remote area beach wedding.
Hotel stays are another travel cost to consider. You may be able to get a hefty discount by reserving a block of rooms for your guests. If you go with an all-inclusive wedding package, your guests rooms will be included.
Scope Out the Place
It is immensely helpful if you are able to visit your wedding destination before the big day. Most venues have fantastic websites showcasing all their amenities but it’s always better to see things for yourself. Checking out the city for yourself gives you the opportunity to see every little shop, event venue, hotel and attraction that may not be available online.
You want to have a good time every day of the trip, not just during the ceremony. You want your guests to feel the same excited joy that you do. Thoroughly check out your destination city to make sure it can offer you and your guests everything you need.
Wedding Invitations
Wedding invitations can be a big expense or a small one. It all depends on the wedding couple’s preferences. Some people feel their invitation is an extension of the actual ceremony and should be just as lavish. Others see them only as a minor necessity and choose a basic, economical invitation.
Send your invitations far in advance of the wedding. Alternatively, you can send a “save the date” card up to a year before the wedding day and send the actual invitation a few months before.
Create a Wedding Website
A wedding website is the perfect way to keep everyone in the know about your wedding details. You can update it with new news and information on travel costs, hotels, and attractions in the area. Post a timeline of wedding events so your guests know what to expect. Post your engagement photos and pictures of big days during the planning process. A wedding website keeps everyone as excited about the approaching day as you are.
You don’t have to be a tech genius to have a wedding website. There are many simple templates to use or you can hire a web designer to come up with something you really love.
These are just a few of the top factors to plan for during your Florida beach wedding adventure. The more planning you do, the more things you will find to plan for. Each wedding is different. This list will set you on the path to planning a perfect wedding day.
If all the planning feels like too much, there are many Florida beach wedding packages available. These packages contain everything you need for your special day for one basic price. A wedding specialist will help you put together a package that will delight your guests and make your wedding a day you will cherish forever.
Ready to start planning your Florida beach wedding?
