Dreaming of saying "I do" with your toes in the sand and the sound of crashing waves as your soundtrack?
Well, then you came to the right place because we've got all the necessary deets on starting the planning process for the most beautiful beach elopement ever - whether you want it to just be the two of you and the natural beauty around you, or if you want some traditional elements thrown in!
FIRST THINGS FIRST, LET'S TALK ABOUT THOSE ESSENTIAL TO-DOS.
SO GRAB A PEN AND PAPER, BECAUSE WE'RE ABOUT TO LAY IT ALL OUT FOR YOU:
Dream Team Vendors
Keep an eye out for vendors you like that could potentially serve you in more ways than one! For example it isn't uncommon to find an elopement photographer (us included) that will happily take on the role as planner, location scout, and point of contact for permitting. Having all that service provided by one vendor can really help keep things stress free, not to mention elopement photographers more likely than not have an invaluable list of vendor recommendations for any other services that you might be wanting!
Permits
Before you start designing your beachy vision at a specific spot, be sure to check in with the local authorities about permits (your photographer may already have a good amount of information if they're local to the area) It's usually a straightforward process, although it can be time consuming to get everything settled/approved, but having that green light will put your mind at ease and maybe help you decide which beach is right for you based on any specific rules and regulations!
Florida Marriage License Information
Needed Documents - Social Security Numbers, Driver's License (or other photo I.D.)
Expiration - After 60 Days | Cost - $86
Out of state couples looking to elope in Florida - you're in luck!
There is no waiting period for non-residents so you can pick up your marriage license and
get hitched same day! WooHoo!
Florida residents - sorry, but you're not as lucky, there is a 3 day waiting period between receiving your license and it going into effect, that is unless you take a four-hour premarital preparation course, then there's no waiting period. One additional bonus is if you do the premarital course you are eligible for a discount on your marriage license.
Information Provided by Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers
Timing is Everything
Consider eloping during the offseason. Not only will you avoid the inevitable crowds (I'm talking about you Spring Break!🤪), but overall it can make your entire experience a lot less stressful, there's more availability for lodging if you're making a trip out of your elopement, easier time getting reservations at restaurants, and if you're lucky parking will be a breeze!
Florals
One of the perks of an intimate beach elopement is that it can be as light on the wallet as you'd like. We've seen everything from lavish floral arches, fresh cut bouquets from locally sourced blooms, dried florals (Etsy has some BEAUTIFUL options!), or skipping florals all together. There are so many routes you can take, the world is truly your oyster - or in this case bouquet!
Add Personal Touches
This is your day, and you can make it uniquely yours. Pack a picnic for a romantic seaside lunch, or have a sweet cake-cutting ceremony with the sunset as your witness. And how about getting ready at a cool Airbnb? Yes, please! Or you can even extend the celebration by making dinner reservations at a local spot nearby. Just because you aren't going the "traditional" route doesn't mean you can't make it an amazing and memorable experience all day long.
Guests
An elopement doesn't mean you can't share the moment with your closest friends and family, but the key is to keep the guest list small and bask in the love of your inner circle. So, if you think having a limited guest list might cause some unwanted drama you can always skip guests for the actual elopement, but have a videographer capture everything so you can share it with all your loved ones at a gathering later on so they all feel equally apart of your special day. And by no means does this gathering have to be an elaborate affair, host a BBQ, rent a room at your favorite restaurant, or wait for the next natural occurring family gathering, like a holiday!
ISABELA + DREW'S ELOPEMENT FILM
OUR ELOPEMENT FILMS ARE PERFECT FOR SHARING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
And there Ya Have It!
We hope you found the information in this guide helpful!
We also just have to say that no matter where you are in your elopement planning process, we already know with full confidence that your elopement is going to be the stuff of dreams!
So whether you're aiming for relaxed, intimate, classic, budget-friendly, or a little bit of everything, you've got this! Happy eloping!
