Common Questions and Answers
Commonly asked Questions and Answers on "How to" plan a beach wedding in Florida
I have decided to have a beach wedding. What now?
Call or e-mail for date and time availability..
The most popular times of the year for a wedding on the beach in this area is March- November; although we do offer our services year round. The most popular months being May, June, September and October.
Keep in mind that Friday & Saturday sunset ceremonies are the first to be booked .
We will be able to provide you the sunset time for the date upon your inquiry.
Where are you located?
We are located in Panama City, Florida.
We service St. George Island, Mexico Beach, Panama City and surrounding areas.
We do not refer to ourselves as "Wedding Coordinators".. we are a "Beach Wedding Service".
How soon should we reserve our date and time?
If you choose a Friday or Saturday sunset- we suggest putting a deposit down as soon as you have decided
(to hold the date) We will not take bookings any further than 1 year in advance.
How do we book our wedding?
Once you've decided the time and date and the availability is confirmed through our office-
We require the appropriate deposit/ payment for the services requested.
There is a Request Form available on this site that can be printed to be filled out to be mailed with proper deposit/ payment. We accept personal checks and Money Orders.
Once payment is received a letter of confirmation, a contract, our Beach Wedding format
and a packet of vows to choose from will be mailed to you.
You may call or e-mail as much as you'd like and ask as many ??'s as you'd like.. even if it's the same one.. smile;)
When you arrive in town for the wedding, we ask that you contact us to go over
your wedding to review of the ceremony, vows, etc.... and answer any last minute questions.
Do you pick the location for the ceremony or do we?
We have particular areas we have chosen, but the ultimate decision is up to you. The location is your choice. We go to County/ State Parks, hotels, condos and beach houses. There is an additional travel fee for certain areas. The fee is based upon the services requested. Some of the locations do charge a fee for the use of the beach as well as a "Special Use Permit"...these fees are NOT included in any of the Sunset Dream Wedding Packages"
Can we get married at the location we are staying at?
As long as you obtain permission from the hotel/ condo.
Be sure to ask if there is an additional fee for the use of the beach for the wedding.
The couple is responsible for any “fees” that may be charged.
Are rehearsals included?
No. There is an additional fee of $250.00. Must be scheduled no later than 2 hours prior to sunset time.
Cost includes a coordinator from our company.
Intimate Island Packages are officiate and photographer only.
If you need someone to direct the "day of" your wedding the fee is $150.00
What happens if it rains?
It is the responsibility of the Couple to have a "back-up" location in case of inclement weather. You may want to consider WEDDING INSURANCE
**The majority of Hotels/ Condos generally do not have any type of outside shelter
** If you are having a reception- it can be moved to that location.
** If you have only a few guests- it can be “postponed” until the next day- **time based upon our availability.
The couple makes the final decision.
Will there be other people on the beach?
Yes. All beaches in the State of Florida are public beaches. We cannot “rope off” any part of the beach.
There are obviously certain times of the year when the beaches have more beach goers than others.
Even “in season” the Families are usually beginning to “pack up” and leave the beach around 4:00. Then there are usually couples going for strolls along the beach. Many of them “watch” from a distance. There are some areas that are less populated than others. In all of the weddings that we have done we haven’t had any interference with beach goers.
Who performs the ceremony?
Florida Notary Public. We have male and female officiates, so if you do prefer a male you must inform us of that at the time of booking.
Can we bring our own Officiate?
Certainly, as long as he/she is an Ordained Minister or a Notary for the State of FL.
**** We will NOT release our ceremony which includes the verses for the heart of sand, shell leis and the Blessing stones…
Only Officiates directly affiliated with Sunset Dream Weddings are provided this information with whom a confidentiality agreement has been signed.****
You can choose to have your own officiate and have ours step in to do these special parts of our ceremony!
Can we write our own vows?
Yes, we encourage couples to be creative.. We also send a packet of different vows/ ring vows to choose from upon receiving deposit. When couples write their own vows- we suggest the “Message in the Bottle Vows” - as the vows are usually more “personal” and do not sound right being repeated after the Officiate.
Can we have a friend read a poem?
Yes, you can have a Friend/ Family member read a poem, sing, or lead in prayer.
Who takes the photographs?
All of our packages include photos by “our “ photographers. We have many couples ask if they are “professional”- NO, they are “free-lance” and shoot for Sunset Dream Weddings only.
Couples will receive 4X6 color prints. A photo CD is available for purchase.
We strive to provide our clients with quality photos... however weather conditions may affect the outcome. If you are scheduled for a sunset wedding and arrive more than 15 minutes late- we may not be able to take the amount of photos in package... there will be NO adjustment on costs.
During heavy seasons (May - August) pictures can take up to 3 weeks to get to you.
Can we provide our own photographer/ videographer?
Yes....Most Companies DO NOT allow "other" cameras.
We have found that most of the guests come with a camera/ camcorder in hand. We do ask you do not get any “rear” shots of us.. Ha!)
*** Here's a Camcorder Tip for Friends and Family-****
Be sure to take your Camcorder equipment out of the A/C at least an hour prior to the ceremony... when you go from A/C into the heat- the dew condensation will not allow most camcorders to work. Also, tell them not to put it on "pause".. you can always edit it...
If you hire a professional photographer and DO NOT want any pictures included in the package from us we will be happy to deduct that from the package amount.
Can we bring our own decorations for the beach?
** Effective Immediately ***
Any person(s), companies or individuals, using Florida State Park Recreational facilities for weddings and/ or receptions must show proof of liability insurance. This includes, and not limited to, wedding decoration, tent/ chair rental companies, musicians, caterers, etc. For more information.. contact Fl State Park Recreational Services. ** Our insurance DOES NOT cover any decoration/ services other than our own**
This means that unless you can show proof of liability insurance you cannot set up any of your own decorations in State operated areas.
If you are staying at a condo/hotel that has given you permission you can set up your own decorations.
This is also the same for beach front rental properties.
***WE DO NOT SET UP ANY DECORATIONS THAT ARE NOT PART OF OUR PACKAGES!!***
If you are in an area where you can bring your own, please make sure you know who you will have set them up/take them down because we are not responsible for these items!
Do you provide music?
Yes. Music is an a la carte item- the fee is $50.00. We will play “mood music” as the guests arrive on the beach, the processional, bridal march and the recessional, then put the mood music back on during the photos being taken. Some packages actually include the music option.
Do you provide chairs?
Yes, we do have chairs available on the ala carte list. However keep in mind that most of the guests will have a camera/ camcorder in hand and do not “sit” in the chairs provided. We do not recommend having a chair for each guest. If you’re having approx 40 guests, we recommend approx 10 chairs for immediate Family or for any elderly guests or guests with health problems.
For more than 20 chairs please contact a chair rental company.
How do we obtain the Marriage license?
Both of you must apply in person, together at the Clerk of the Court. Both of must have a State issued photo ID (Drivers license)** make sure it is not expired- if you are not a FL resident there is NO waiting period, you will receive the marriage license the same day- Fl residents have a 3 day wait. The fee is between $93 and $100- it may vary by the county you choose. If either of you have been divorced within the past 6 months- you must bring a copy of your divorce decree. If it has been more than 6 months- you will be asked the County/ State and date the divorce was finalized.
There is a new service for individuals who cannot get to a courthouse before the date they wish to be married. It is Florida Marriage License by Mail. We are in no way affiliated with this company and cannot be held liable for anything linked to this third party. This is also a service that is only recommended if you cannot make it to a court house. It is quite a bit more expensive than going to the court house (adding an extra $100 or more to the license fee) and the process is a bit lengthy (you having to submit paperwork, getting papers notarized where you are, and sending them in, and then waiting on the license to be sent to you). This process must be completed well in advance to your date and they do not provide refunds, so if you are considering this service please begin early!
(Again this is a new service we have been informed of and are only providing the information so you have all possible options!)
What happens to license after the ceremony?
The following business day of the marriage we will hand deliver the license to the local County Clerk of the court, provided this is where the couple obtained it from. The Clerk's office will then mail the couple the certified copy. If the license was obtained through another county in the State of Florida- it will be priority mailed to them the next business day.
They are not allowing couple's to return the license themselves anymore! If you need immediate copies please inquire at the Clerk's office in which you are applying for the license to see if there are any exceptions they can make or if there is a way they can get you copies faster!
What happens if we have to “postpone”?
Any deposits/ payments will be applied to your new date.
What happens if we have to cancel?
All deposits are non-refundable. If you paid in full at the time of booking you will be refunded the difference of the appropriate deposit along with any other costs incurred of the amount paid in full.
Do you handle the receptions?
No, we do not- however we are more than happy to refer you to area restaurants, caterers, etc.
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Happy Planning!
