FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

At Weddings By The Gulf, we specialize in turning your dream beach wedding in Florida into a reality—while keeping it within your budget. Whether you're envisioning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, our FAQ section provides everything you need to know about our services and what to expect.

A wedding by the Gulf in Florida is more than a dream; it's a magical experience. Let us help you make it come true!

Trust us to deliver stunning and romantic Gulfside ceremonies, whether you're planning a wedding, vow renewal, proposal, or elopement.

Explore our wide range of Florida beach wedding packages and let us help you create unforgettable memories!

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Reservations and Deposits

To reserve your beach wedding, simply call us at 850-888-7898 to check availability. Bookings can be made online. We accept major credit cards, debit cards, Cash App or PayPal. Your wedding date and time will not be secured until we receive your $500 deposit. We do not ‘hold’ dates.
A deposit is required at the time of booking to confirm your reservation, and it will be applied toward the total package price. The remaining balance can be paid at any time but must be paid in full no later than 45 days before your ceremony date. For any reservation within 30 days of booking, the package must be paid in full.
Yes. We can customize your payments and dates due to fit your budget. We want brides to get the beach wedding of their dreams, so please feel free to ask!
Some beaches require a permit (State Parks and National Seashore) Each beach is different so please ask. Permits range from $150 to $800. They are not included in our package prices. We will file for the permit and add the permit fees to your final invoice. If you are budget conscience, please choose a public beach access in Panama City Beach (min fee), Navarre Beach (no fee), Pensacola Beach (no fee), St Joe Beach (no fee) or Cape San Blas State Park (min fee).
We encourage couples to book with their ideal guest count in mind (e.g., 20 guests = Everlasting Shores Package). However, if the guest count changes, we will manually adjust the reservation as needed. These updates are typically finalized during the 30-day pre-wedding call. Please note that additional costs and permitting fees apply based on total attendance. Infants under two years old, seated on an adult’s lap, are not included in the guest count and are free of charge.
We take pride in offering high-quality one of a kind beach wedding setups, and our pricing reflects the value, experience, and service we provide. We would love to help create your dream wedding—let’s find the best package to fit your needs!

Wedding Service on the Beach in Florida

While all beaches are public, we recommend checking with your hotel, condo, or beach house to confirm if hosting a wedding ceremony is allowed. Most properties are wedding-friendly, but some may charge a fee for use of their beach. This is especially important to note for budget-conscious couples.
We are a mobile wedding company, ready to bring your dream ceremony to your chosen location. Our Areas of Service are: Bay County, Escambia County, Gulf County, Okaloosa County, and Santa Rosa County.
Ask. Some beaches and state parks require specific licenses, liability insurance, and Special Event Permits for weddings. We hold all the necessary permits, business licenses, and insurance to ensure your ceremony complies fully with local regulations. We are known for our desire to accommodate some wishes for your day. We do our best to use any custom items you request. They would need to be in our care within 30 days of the ceremony. The handmade hibiscus featured in one of our creations was mailed to us, and we arranged the flowers in accordance with the required guidelines.
We offer over 30 unique floral selections, which we update regularly to ensure variety and uniqueness for each wedding. We have a dedicated Facebook page with all of our offerings listed with photos. We understand that some couples may have specific color schemes in mind that are not included in our offerings. While we will do our best to accommodate your preferences, we reserve the right to decline custom color palettes that may not be reusable in the future.
Yes, these are our actual wedding setups. However, over time, some items may become worn or broken and require replacement. Additionally, if inventory is limited due to use at another location, we may need to substitute with a different style. As a result, the chairs and arch (or other props) might differ slightly from the photos displayed online. While styles may vary, we ensure that the colors will always be brown or white. As for floral colors, we switch our arrangements out so every wedding does not look the same.
Yes! You are welcome to bring your own minister, provided they are ordained in our state. Do you have a close relative who you want to officiate? Have them ordained. Click here
Yes! We do provide a professional photographer but you are welcome to bring your own photographer. We understand this is a personal and important decision for every bride.
Yes. We offer music through a PA system. We kindly request that you provide your soundtrack list 2-3 weeks prior to the ceremony. If you want live music, you will need to choose the ADD-ON choice for a violinist or guitarist.
We provide the sand and the couple exchange vows while simultaneously pouring the sand into an acrylic cup. This represents their union and becomes a treasured keepsake to remember their special day. Note: Glass is not allowed on any beach so the sand from the acrylic cup will be poured into the glass decorative heart keepsake after the ceremony and away from the beach.

Receptions

Yes. We partner with local restaurants and venues. If you rent a beach house and want the wedding ceremony and reception at the home, you must get permission from the Owner in writing. We will set up the wedding ceremony site on the beach and the reception site behind the house. We include chairs, tables, linens, and LED candles for the reception. We do not include food but can help you find a caterer for the meal, utensils, and drinks.
We are an affiliate with Expedia and Viator. Please check our website BLOG for Viator links.
We feature a rental for every beach location. They are all 4 or 5 star rated.

Florida Marriage License Information

To apply for a marriage license in Florida, both individuals must provide the following:

A valid photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport)
Social Security numbers

The License fee is $93.50. If you take the marriage pre-course class, you can save money on this fee.

For additional details and a list of Florida Clerk of Court offices, click here.

Cancellations and Rescheduling

We understand that unexpected situations can arise, making it difficult to hold your beach wedding as planned. In qualifying cases, like weather, we offer the flexibility to reschedule your wedding within 6 months of your original date, applying any payments already made as credit toward your new ceremony date.

Cancellation Policy
The $500.00 deposit is non-refundable but will be applied to your overall balance. Payment plans are available, and any additional payments made through the plan are eligible for a 50% refund if the wedding is canceled 45 days or more before the scheduled date. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made 44 days or less before the wedding.
Please note that fees paid to the county, retainers for the officiant and photographer, and custom orders make it crucial to cancel before the 45-day deadline to qualify for a partial refund.
If full payment is not made before 40 days of the wedding date, the deposit and all pre-paid payments will be forfeited, and the wedding will be canceled.
Refunds are not provided due to weather. However, weather-related cancellations may be rescheduled within 6 months of the original date.
Professional Tip: We recommend purchasing a wedding insurance policy to protect against unforeseen cancellations.