Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

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 is March - November; although we do offer our services year round. The most popular months being May, June, September and October. Although mid November 2004 we were still having weather in the mid 70’s.

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 North West Florida on the Gulf of Mexico.

We service Navarre Beach, Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island, Destin and surrounding areas.

Why should we choose your company?
Our Sister company is Barefoot Weddings Inc,2006 is their 7th year in business. Together we have Happily Married 3000+ couples.

We do not refer to ourselves as "Wedding Coordinators".. we are a "Beach Wedding Service".

Although in the past we have been able to say that our ceremonies are "unique" - many of the wedding companies in the area/ State/ Nation now offer extremely "similar" services. This is very flattering.. however, it does limit us to the information that we present on the web-site as well information via phone and mail until a deposit securing the date is received.

Feel free check references with any vendors in the area as well as our "Guest Book" to see what former Beach Brides have to say about their "Special Day".

We do have an actual location/ office, most of the wedding companies are home-based. The Beach Wedding business is our only "business", we enjoy what we do and are extremely humbled by the success.

Shop around, there are several wedding companies in the area, it can be confusing as to which one to choose. Many companies claim to be the #1 Beach Wedding Company.. this can be misleading... we realize we may not be for everyone !! Read the "fine print" is there a % added on for a service fee?

Make phone calls and send e-mails. Are your calls or emails promptly returned in a friendly manner?

Ask for references from former Brides and other businesses. Any Wedding Company should be more than understanding and provide you with this information.

Will you be able to meet the Officiate/ Wedding Director prior to the "day of " your wedding? We ask that ALL of our couples come by our Office to meet before the day of the wedding, to drop off Marriage license, meet the Officiate/ Wedding Director review the wedding format, vows, music, decorations, etc. There is NO fee for this. Some companies just "show up" 30 minutes before the wedding or will charge an additional fee to meet w/ couples prior to the wedding.

Is the Company licensed and insured? Any legal wedding company should be able to provide a copy of City/ County Occupational licenses, as well as liability certificate... proof of these documents are a requirement at County/ State Parks.

Beware of Companies that ask for CASH or checks made out to an Individual when booking over the Internet- Unless the Individual has an Occupational License is their name... otherwise payment should be made in business name.

All checks/ Money Orders are made to Tropical Beach Weddings Inc. as well as credit card payments. ( This section was added due to a Bride from Out of State calling us in a panic- that paid $2700.00 "over the Internet" and NO ONE showed up !!- don't let this happen to you !! Thankfully we were able to help out )

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 will not take bookings any further than 1 year in advance.

^ Back to Top

How do we book our wedding?
Once you've decided the time and date and the availability is confirmed 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 and Money Orders. We also accept Visa and Master Card American Express; (we ask that you call our office with credit card information.) Should you decide to "Pay in Full" at the time of booking we will provide a pair of white Doves to be released during the ceremony. Once payment is received a letter of confirmation, a contract, our Beach Wedding format and a packet of vows to choose from will be emailed 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 to ensure we have correct contact information and you can ask any other questions you may have

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. 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 Tropical Beach Weddings Packages"

Can we get married at the location we are staying at?
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. Must be scheduled no later than 2 hours prior to sunset time. Cost includes that Officiate and 1 other person from our company- who will also be there the day of your wedding.

Simple Tropical 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? Although we have been extremely “blessed” with the past 3000+ weddings in only having to move approx 12 due to weather- we do recommend “Positive Thinking” with a back up plan.

You may want to consider WEDDING INSURANCE - www.wedsafe.com.

It is the responsibility of the Couple to have a "back-up" location in case of inclimate weather. ** We have a “Chapel” available which is not on the beach that holds up to 80 guests comfortably. **

Generally we schedule the weddings at a County/ State Park to have access to a pavilion. 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 Tropical Beach Weddings availability, The couple makes the final decision.

^ Back to Top

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 beach goers.

Who performs the ceremony?
We provide the Officiate with all of our packages. There are both Male and Female officiates; if you prefer a Male please specify when booking.

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 $125.00 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 Tropical Beach Weddings Inc. are provided this information whereas 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.

^ Back to Top

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 “free-lance” and shoot for Tropical Beach Weddings Inc., only.

All of the photos on the site have been taken by our photographers. As of March 2005 we are phasing in Digital photos and phasing out the 35mm. Couples will receive 4X6 color prints as well as a photo CD with our digital photography.

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.

Can we provide our own photographer/ videographer?
Yes- However we need to talk to the Photographer you hire! Some Photographers like to control the flow of the wedding, we can not allow that, this is why you hired us. Also when you have a "Beach Wedding" on a public beach there will be other people on the beach and in the water, they are usually respectful of you and your wedding, some Photographers try to move these people out of the way, we do NOT do this, and we cannot allow this to happen! After all it is our reputation which is at stake. It is a public beach and they have as much right to be there as you do.

Please let us know at the time of booking if you intend to hire an outside Photographer. 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!)

*** 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... I have done 3 ceremonies twice- the "videographer" forgot to hit "record" after the Bride came down the aisle at all 3 weddings - ..... PS, No extra charge !! smile!)

^ Back to Top

Can we bring our own decorations for 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 too, 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 ala carte item- the fee is $50.00. 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. We can also recommend “live” music, harpist, violinist, cellist, guitarist, etc.

Do you provide chairs?
Yes, we do have chairs available on the ala 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 40 guests, we recommend approx 16 chairs for immediate Family or for any elderly guests or guests with health problems. Beasley Park on Okaloosa Island offers a beach wheelchair.

How do we obtain the Marriage license?
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. To apply by mail - click on the link on the bottom of our Wedding Packages page.

^ Back to Top

What happens to license after the ceremony?
The following business day of the marriage we will hand deliver the license to the Okaloosa County Clerk of the court, provided this is where the couple obtained it from. The Clerks’ office will then mail the couple the certified copy. Should the couple still be in town the next business day they can return the license in person and receive the certified copy right there on the spot. If the license was obtained through another county in the State of Florida- it will be priority mailed to them the next business day.

What happens if we have to “postpone”?
Any deposits/ payments will be applied to your new date.

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?
Although Hurricane Dennis destroyed our primary reception and catering facility, we do have other options. We will be glad to discuss these with you when you call!!!

Happy planning !!!

^ Back to Top