Servicing St. Augustine and Jacksonville area beaches in FLorida
and Jekyll Islnd in Georgia
a licensed company of Barefoot Weddings
Commonly asked Questions and Answers on "How to" plan a beach wedding in Florida and Georgia
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 are March- November; although we do offer our services year round. The most popular months being April, 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 St. Augustine, Florida.
We service St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Amelia Island, Jekyll Island
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 generally do not take bookings any further than 1 year in advance.
How do we book our wedding?
Once you've decided the time and date, confirm the availability 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, money orders and credit cards (by phone).
Once payment is received a Service Agreement, our Beach Wedding format , FAQ's,
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 .
Do you pick the location for the ceremony or do we?
The location is your choice. We go to County/ State Parks, hotels, condos and beach houses.
There is an additional travel fee for “out of the area”. The fee is based upon the services requested and the distance needed to travel.
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 Sun and Sea Beach Wedding Packages". If you choose one of these locations for your wedding, you must send in the permit fee at the time of booking with a separate check . We will mail it in with the permit application. We will handle all the details of acquiring the permit.
Can we get married at the location where we are staying?
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. Rehearsals must be scheduled no later than 2 hours prior to sunset. Also, rehearsals and Wedding Day Directors must be scheduled and paid for at the time of booking for scheduling purposes.
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 Sun and Sea Beach Weddings 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 beachgoers 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 beachgoers.
Who performs the ceremony?
Florida Notary Public or Ordained Reverend
Can we bring our own Officiate?
Certainly, as long as he/she is Ordained or a Notary for the State of FL.
We will deduct $100.00 from the Package you choose.
**** We will not release our ceremony which includes the verses for the heart of sand and the Blessing stones…
only Officiates directly affiliated with Sun and Sea Beach Weddings are provided this information with whom a confidentiality agreement has been signed.
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 which are “free-lance” and shoot for Sun and Sea beach Weddings, only.
Couples will receive 4X6 color prints. Extra photos will be available for viewing and purchase from our web site.
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. Photos are mailed generally within two weeks after your ceremony.
Can we provide our own photographer/ videographer?
Yes- we will deduct our fee from the cost of the “package”..Some 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!). Also, if you do provide your own photographer, make sure they know that we have the right to take pictures also.
*** 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...
Can we bring our own decorations for the beach?
The only package we provide that will allow for you to bring your decorations is our Intimate Island package which is our Officiate and Photographer ONLY. You will be responsible for any setup and/or cleanup and you MUST comply with all rules/regulations of 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**
Do you provide music?
Yes. Music is an a la carte item- the fee is $75.00. We will play “mood music” as the guests arrive on the beach, the processional and recessional, then put the mood music back on during the photos being taken.
Do you provide chairs?
Yes, we do have chairs available on the a la 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 50 guests, we recommend approx 10 chairs for immediate Family or for any elderly guests or guests with health problems.
How do we obtain the Marriage license?
For Florida
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 $93.50 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.
What happens to the license after the ceremony?
The following business day, we mail the license to the appropriate County Clerk of the Court. The Clerk's office will then mail the couple the certified copy.
What happens if we have to “postpone”?
Any deposits/ payments will be applied to your new date as long as its within one year of booking with us.
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.
We also have a receptions link from the home page titled Helpful Resources.
Planning a beach wedding in Florida? Sun and Sea Beach Weddings specializes in unique beach weddings along Florida's East Coast beaches. St. Augustine Beach Weddings, Ponte Vedra Beach Weddings, Jacksonville weddings on the beach. Traditional, Spiritual, oceanside/ beachside or create your own wedding vows.Sand ceremony-Unity Heart of Glass keepsake- Blessing stones involve all of your beach wedding guests. Florida Barefoot Beach Wedding packages. Dreaming of a romantic, FUN, stress- free, afforable wedding on the beach ? Call Sun and Sea Beach Weddings today !! Now offering beach wedding in Georgia!! Amelia Island, Jekyll Island.
Happy Planning!
The Staff of Sun and Sea Beach Weddings
Copyright 2006- 2007 Sun and Sea Beach Weddings
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