Curious about our Beach Wedding Ceremonies Timeline?
We know the nerves might be kicking in, but we we are here to make the process stress-free.
60 Days Out: You can begin the marriage license process in Florida and finalise your guest count.
30 Days Out: We’ll proactively reach out to reconfirm the details, review the ceremony timeline, and answer any remaining questions you may have
Look through Our Streamlined Wedding Planning Process below
We are so excited to celebrate your special day with you!
Over the past 5+ years, we’ve refined and perfected this process to ensure your special day is as seamless and stress-free as possible!
*Flowers shown in the picture are fresh florals and provided by a local florist. Circle is provided by WBTG. Note: We routinely change our props due to damage, malfunction, color selections, etc so props used could be slightly different.
DAY-OF TIMELINE
Wedding Day Coordination and Timeline
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Below is a template to guide your day-of coordination, timelines, and recommended order of events. We can’t wait to see you on the beach!
*Note: The Sandy Toes and Everlasting Shores Packages may follow a condensed timeline due to a smaller guest count.
Ceremony Template
Below is a ceremony template to guide you. Please note that much of this is based on personal preference, and we offer recommendations based on the flow and our experience with similar beach ceremonies. Feel free to incorporate your own vows, verses, or other personalized elements as you wish.
The ceremony typically lasts 20–30 minutes, depending on factors such as the size of the bridal party, the ceremony wording, and any additional elements like poems or a Unity Sand ceremony.
We recommend scheduling picture time immediately afterward to capture group shots, various combinations, and more intimate photos of the couple and immediate family.
Sunset times vary for different seasons but is carefully planned to allow flexibility for overcast weather, or extra time to ensure the ideal lighting for perfect sunset photos.
Bridal Party/Bride Entrance
Introduction
Personal Vows
Traditional or Secular Vows
Union of Sand, Unity Braid, etc
Ring Exchange
Pronouncement
Exit
Photographer, Videographer, and Live Musician Timeframe
Most couples opt for a one-hour session with a photographer, videographer, live musician, or a combination of these services. Additional time can be reserved if needed. Here is a typical breakdown for a one-hour reservation:
Photographer and Videographer
30 minutes: Pre-ceremony photos/videos (candid shots and décor setup).
20 –25 minutes: Ceremony coverage.
20 –30 minutes: Post-ceremony photos/videos (group shots and combinations, with the last 10–15 minutes focused on intimate shots of the couple).
It is common that couples use their own phones/ videos for beach weddings.
(Note: While Photographers & Videographers often work alongside each other, they are separate vendors.)
Live Musician
Begins playing 20 minutes before the ceremony as guests arrive.
Provides music for the ceremony, including entrance and exit.
Plays an additional 15–20 minutes post-ceremony during the start of the photo session.
Typically wraps up as the couple transitions to the shoreline for their intimate photo/video session.
This timeline ensures all key moments are captured while allowing flexibility for your specific needs.
Dinner/Reception Timing & ‘drive time to’ Location
Reception Timeline Suggestions and Example
The reception timeline is flexible and can be tailored to your needs, but here are some helpful tips and an example to guide you:
Key Timeframes to Consider:
Ceremony Duration: Approximately 1 hour on the beach for the wedding ceremony and professional wedding photography.
Travel to Reception Venue: Allow for the travel time per Google Maps plus an additional 30 minutes for potential delays.
Reception Length: A typical reception lasts 3-4 hours. If dinner is included, 1.5 hours is usually sufficient for the meal.
Sample Timeline
This sample timeline includes a 30-minute travel time plus a 30-minute buffer to accommodate common delays. Traffic can be sluggish during the peak season. Adjust based on your specific logistics and preferences!
Additional Tips
Travel and transitions often take longer than expected. It’s a good idea to make a sample run to the venue at the same time of day (the day before) as reception to know the exact whereabouts of the location and travel time required. Other factors like freshening up and walking between locations can add time.
Consider adding a cocktail hour to create a buffer for unexpected delays and to give guests time to settle in.
If the reception venue is adjacent to the ceremony site, travel time becomes negligible, and dinner could start approximately 1.5 hours after the ceremony begins.