Beach Weddings: Frequently Asked Questions

Commonly asked questions about planning your beach wedding in South Florida

Please click a question below to see the answers and feel free to call us at 954-283-7011 or email us at info@weddingbellsandseashells.com We would love to answer any questions you have about your upcoming wedding.

What areas do you serve?

We service the Southeast Florida coast from: The Florida Keys to all the way up to the Cape Canaveral area. Please check out our Locations Page for more information on some of our favorite locations.

How soon should we reserve our date and time?

We suggest that you put down a deposit with us as soon as you know that Wedding Bells and Seashells is the right company to help make your special day magical. The sooner you start planning and get the date and location secured, the sooner you can send out save the dates and guests can start making their plans.

Can we meet with you in person?

Video meetings and voice calls are probably the best option for most clients. We are also happy to invite you to come to one of our other clients’ weddings and you can meet us in person. This is also a great opportunity to see us in action and get an idea of what to expect on your wedding day. In-person meetings are an option, but please call for details

How do we book our wedding?

Once you’ve picked the date and time, you can book your event! We require the appropriate non-refundable deposit for the services requested. Just go to our Build Your Own Package page and click whether you would like to build your own package or choose a package that we have designed. Then you can customize your package before checkout and then put down your deposit. This starts the planning process on our end and secures your wedding date with us.

Please be aware that we cannot hold your date until your deposit is received, so we recommend putting the deposit on your credit or debit card immediately upon submitting your request form. Once payment is received, a Service Agreement and a wedding information sheet will be emailed to you. These documents contain important information regarding your wedding. You may call or email as much as you’d like and ask as many questions as you’d like. Please note that deposits are non-refundable.

Can we bring our own decorations?

Unfortunately, we cannot allow any decorations other than ours to be used due to liability insurance restrictions. This insurance is not valid on other decorations brought to the wedding. This does not apply to wedding bouquets, wedding supplies (such as ring bearer chests or flower girl baskets, or other items that may be used in the ceremony.) This solely applies to actual decorations that are to be used on the beach.

Also, we are often asked if we can set up “third-party” supplies that are brought to our weddings, such as chairs, tables, or tents. Wedding Bells and SeaShells cannot handle any decorations or supplies that are not our own. There are no exceptions. The “third party” or clients must provide for this.

**** Do not bring anything to the beach that is not biodegradable**** We are very eco-friendly and take pride in removing everything we bring to the beach to leave the beauty for someone else to enjoy. NO silk or fake rose petals!!

If we are contracted to do just the Officiating and/or photography (no package is selected) and you provide your own decorations, you must comply with the same rules and regulations for the beach or we cannot provide our services.

Do you pick the location for the ceremony or do we?

The location is your choice.  We go to County and State Beaches or Parks, any beach allowed by the governing municipality, as well as, 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 Wedding Bells and SeaShells’ 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 and we will mail it in with the permit application, or you will be sent a link with information to obtain a permit depending on the area.

We have a list of Florida Locations for some of the available areas, and information about permits and fees.

Can we get married at the location where we are staying?

Yes, as long as you obtain permission from the hotel or condo.  Be sure to ask if there is an additional fee for using the beach for the wedding.  The couple is responsible for any “fees” that may be charged.

Are rehearsals included?

No, there is an additional cost of $225.00 if you would like to add a rehearsal to your package. The Rehearsal time must be acceptable to the client and our coordinator. 

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 and minimal setup, it can be “postponed” until the next day. Time is based upon Wedding Bells and SeaShells availability, but the couple makes the final decision.

Some of our setups may not be able to be used in an indoor location, but we will do our best to decorate your chosen backup location.  We are not responsible for the weather.

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 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. Some areas 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, male and female officiants.

What will the Officiant wear? Can we request them to wear a certain outfit?

Our Officiants wear outfits that are appropriate for your wedding. They are normally dressed in Wedding Bells and SeaShells shirts and linen slacks. Please keep in mind that our officiants must wear comfortable clothes for the heat.  For this reason, we cannot take requests for our Officiants to be in suits or other outfits that would be too hot.

Can we bring our own Officiant?

Certainly, as long as he/she is Ordained or a Notary for the State of Florida.  We will deduct $85.00 from the package you choose.

Can we write our own vows?

Yes, we encourage couples to be creative. We also include in this package a selection of different wedding/ring vows to choose from. When couples write their own vows, we suggest using “Message in a Bottle Vows.” When you write your own vows to one another, they are very personal and do not sound right being repeated after an Officiant. When you add on “Message in a Bottle Vows”, we place your vows on parchment or tropical paper and place them in bottles by your feet. When it is time to say your vows, we have you take them from the bottle. “Message in a Bottle Vows” are an additional $45.00, and you get to keep the bottles along with a keepsake copy of your vows.  If you do not add “Message in a Bottle Vows”, then your vows will be repeated after the Officiant.  Beach-side/Oceanside vows are read to each other and not repeated after the Officiant. We prefer to receive your vows via email.

Can we have a friend read a poem?

Yes, you can have a friend or 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 “freelance” and shoot for Wedding Bells and SeaShells. All of the photographs on our website have been taken by our photographers. They use “professional grade” digital cameras.

Although we take several other shots, we will pick the best photographs from the collection. As with professional photographers, we do not guarantee that you will receive every picture that we take.  If there are specific poses that you will want, please let us know prior to the development of your photos.  Knowing ahead of time what photos are important to you will help us make sure that you receive the ones you want.

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 included with your package… there will be no price adjustment. Photos are generally mailed within three to four weeks after your ceremony, a week or so longer if you include reception photography.

Do you provide chairs?

Yes, we do have chairs available on the À la carte list. Chairs are also included in some of our packages. A lot of our clients have questions about chairs, we can discuss all your options including chair type, layout, and sashes.

Can we provide our own photographer/videographer?

Yes. You can hire a professional photographer.

If you hire an outside photographer:
We will deduct the cost from the ceremony price. (In order for this cost to be removed, we must know at least 30 days prior to your wedding that you are having your own photographer.

If you hire both us and a professional photographer:
Your hired photographer will be running the show! We will act as a secondary photographer and take shots around your hired photographer so as not to interfere with their work. Also, remember all Florida beaches are public and there will be other people on the beach and in the water. Most people are very respectful of you and your wedding. Some photographers try to move these people out of the way, this is not allowed.

Do you provide music?

Unless included with one of our packages, all music is À la carte. The cost of recorded music is $150. We will play mood music prior to the ceremony, the processional and recessional, and music while the photographs are being taken. We can also provide “live” music from a harpist, violinist, bagpiper, guitarist, and steel drummer.

Can we bring our own music?

We strongly discourage you from bringing your own music system. When you add music as an À la carte item, we provide the amplifier, music, and a staff member who is working with our coordinator to play the music. Our staff members know what songs to play and exactly when to play them per your instructions that you will detail on this wedding information sheet. It flows more smoothly this way.

How do I get a marriage license?

Florida residents have a waiting period of three days. For couples that live outside of Florida, the state has simplified the process by eliminating the waiting period. Out-of-state residents can obtain a license the same day – they just have to make sure they arrive in time to visit the courthouse during regular working hours, which are Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Couples can obtain a license from any county in the State of Florida.  Both the bride and groom must apply in person, together, at the Clerk of the Court. Both must be 18, or have a parent with them to sign consent, and both must have a valid (not expired) State-issued photo ID (driver’s license). If either person has been divorced within the past six months, they must bring a copy of their divorce decree.  If it has been more than six months, the clerk will want to know the County/ State and the date the divorce was finalized. The State of Florida does charge a fee for the marriage license ($86-$106), but no blood tests! Phew!

Here is a link to a complete list of the Florida Clerk of Court Offices –

Florida Clerk of Courts Offices

Just in case we missed anything –

State of Florida Marriage License Info

Marriage License by Mail – Avoid the hassle and time of going to the courthouse to get your marriage license, let our specialist procure your marriage license for you. Email, weddings.done.easy.fl@gmail.com, for more information and pricing.

Why can’t you get my marriage license for us?

Florida law requires that the couple appear together in person to get the marriage license from the courthouse. For this reason, we are unable to handle this for you. But, we can order it through the mail for you. Contact, weddings.done.easy.fl@gmail.com, for more information and pricing.

What happens to the license after the ceremony?

The license is then brought to the ceremony and the Officiant for Wedding Bells and SeaShells takes it with him/her, signs it, and mails the marriage license back to the court for you. The Clerk’s office will then mail you a certified copy. This can take anywhere from one (1) to four (4) weeks. If you have questions about this, you will need to call the Marriage License Department where you applied.

Can we turn the marriage license back in?

We recommend that you allow us to mail the marriage license back to the court. Marriage licenses are only valid for ten (10) days after your ceremony and they need to be handled immediately. We find that couples generally have so much on their minds when they first get married that it is best for us to handle this.

What happens if we have to postpone?

Any deposits/payments will be applied to your new date. Deposits/payments are applicable for up to one (1) year from the originally scheduled ceremony.  After that, a new deposit and service agreement are needed. If you need to reschedule, please call us for date and time availability.

What happens if we have to cancel?

ALL DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.  If you paid in full at the time of booking, and (30) days before your scheduled wedding date, you will be refunded the difference minus the appropriate deposit minus any other costs incurred.

Do you handle the reception?

Yes, we would love to assist you with your reception and overall wedding planning.  Please call us for more details.

Do you offer a cake cutting or champagne toast on the beach?

Yes, we can offer these services. Please call for more details.

Can we bring our own cake?

Yes. You will also need to bring all of your own supplies, such as a cake table, cake riser, cake cutter, napkins, silverware, etc. You will be responsible for the setup, cutting, and distribution of the cake. You will also be in charge of clean up of all cake-related items.

Can we bring our own champagne and toasting glasses?

Some Florida beaches have rules against this.  Please call us to discuss.

 

We are sure that you may have more questions than the ones provided on this page.  Please call us at 954-283-7011 or email us at info@weddingbellsandseashells.com