The ideal gift can be difficult to find, but we have a solution!

It’s time to choose a gift for someone special. But your sibling/parent/best friend/cousin has all the material goods he or she needs. Another knickknack or small kitchen appliance may end up in a closet or cupboard, rarely used in spite of your good intentions.

A gift of experiences and memories, though, will be forever cherished. The honored recipient will immediately understand the special thought that went into choosing it, and you’ll be reminded often of how much it was appreciated.

That is why a gift certificate for accommodations from Meyer Vacation Rentals is the perfect fit. It allows you to present your loved one with something specific, yet offers them a great deal of flexibility. They can choose their preferred dates to stay in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan, Alabama, or Perdido Key, Florida. And with nearly 1300 condos and 300 houses located along the Gulf of Mexico, inland waters or golf courses—including virtual tours and photos of all properties—they will enjoy the online shopping experience almost as much as the actual getaway.

Make it a gift from just you, or arrange for your family or a group of friends to chip in together. Your gift certificate can be for any dollar amount you choose, and your recipient can get even greater value when they use it with one of our many specials or Hot Deals. With everything from a romantic 1-bedroom property in Gulf Shores to a 36-person house in Perdido Key perfect for family reunions and weddings, your gift offers a wealth of options.

Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? Meyer Vacation Rentals Gift Certificates are available year-round by calling 877-877-5066. Our terrific vacation representatives will be happy to help you and your recipient at any hour of the day or night, whenever it’s most convenient for you.

Historical exploration, water adventures, golf outings, outlet shopping, relaxation . . . No matter how their time is spent, you will feel wonderful knowing you gave someone a lasting gift that will always be treasured.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

A large beach house may just be the perfect answer to your group's next multiple-night business or social gathering.

When you are planning a family reunion, business retreat or church gathering that requires a few nights in one location, does your mind immediately jump to an impersonal hotel, or maybe a group of separate condos near each other?

Why not consider everyone staying together in one house at the beach? Below are six Gulf Shores houses in Meyer Real Estate’s vacation rental program that will accommodate 22 to 32 people. Follow the links to see virtual tours and photos, learn more about the amenities offered at each property, and check dates of availability.

Egret, 4 miles west of the north-south AL Hwy. 59 that ends at the beach in Gulf Shores, is a one-story house that is deceptively large. Its six bedrooms combine king, queen, double and twin beds; when the 3 sleeper sofas are included, 22 people can call this gulf-front location “home.”

Avocet also sleeps 22 in its two-level, 4200-square-foot house located gulf-front almost 14 miles down Fort Morgan Road in the Surfside Shores subdivision. The five bedrooms include king, queen, bunk and double futon configurations.

Aqua Vista is a new home on West Beach, just three miles from the main beach intersection. With eight bedrooms and baths divided among three levels, 23 people can share the gulf-front house and still enjoy a bit of privacy within its 4000 square feet. Bedding includes king, queen, bunk and triple bunks as well as a sleeper sofa.

Erica’s Sandpiper is another eight-bedroom/eight-bath home that can be shared by 24 relatives or friends. A combination of king, queen, double, twin and sleeper sofas are found within this 3800-square-foot, single-level gulf-front home. You’ll find it in a quiet area 4 miles down West Beach.

Halekai III boasts 8000 square feet near the end of West Beach. The 11 bedrooms and bathrooms can accommodate 29 people among the king, queen, sofa queen, bunk and day beds. Numerous extras, including a media room, two kitchens and three living rooms, make it possible for purely fun or all-business gatherings to be comfortable at this gulf-front location.

Ranch Beach House is owned by a non-profit agency, with proceeds benefiting a children’s charity. Its 2600 square feet are spread over two levels, including six bedrooms, six and a half baths and two living rooms. Bedding consists of king, double, twin and triple bunk configurations, making it ideal for family, corporate or church groups. This house that sleeps 32 is adjacent to the pass on West Beach, across the street from the gulf.

The time is right to plan for next week’s or next year’s cozy weekend for two, family getaway, corporate team-building week, or large-scale celebration. Choose from 1600 condos and 300 houses on or near the beach or golf course. We’re eager to delight you with our renowned STAR Treatment!

The end of summer doesn't mean the end of beach time!

It’s not too late! Cool off your wallet with a hot bargain while you soak up some sun and play time before fall sets in.

We can help you accomplish this with our Awesome August special. Need a beach house to accommodate your family or group of friends? Save 25% off the already-low early fall prices. Just you and a spouse, friend, or smaller family? Condos are a whopping 35% off!

Simply visit our website to find your ideal location. Choose from Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan or Orange Beach, Alabama, or Perdido Key, Florida. Decide on a house or condo. Discover the wide variety of settings gulf-front, near-gulf, golf course-oriented, or on backwaters. We know you’ll have fun shopping our 1900 properties!

Once you have your options narrowed down, choose your dates (final checkout for this deal is 10 a.m. on Sept 3), plug in the promo code 9EF-C (for condos) or 9EF-H (for houses), and click on “Get a Quote” to find out just how affordable it really is. When you have made your final choice, click the Book It button and follow the prompts. It’s that simple!

Can’t visit the beach by Sept. 3? No problem! Keep an eye on our variety of specials and specific-property hot deals. We’ll have great bargains available whenever you are ready to join us.

Your beach destination wedding will be incredibly beautiful, simply because it’s your wedding – and all weddings are beautiful. You really can’t go wrong! But it can be quite a task to coordinate all the aspects for a distant venue. The following suggestions will help you more easily choose and secure the location that perfectly matches your vision, and the vendors to bring it all together.

Parks make lovely settings, whether surrounded by trees, water or both. In the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast area, the Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores welcomes weddings and receptions on the beach (with permit) and also offers rentals of the covered pavilion near the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach city line.

Enjoy the beautiful, natural setting of a beach wedding. Photo courtesty Meggie Velasco Photography.

Finding a beach house that is suitable for both the wedding ceremony and the reception can be a little trickier. Locating rentals by owner often means searching through a number of resources and contacting each owner individually. Not all owners are willing to allow weddings at their property, since such an event will typically exceed the maximum allowed occupancy during the hours of celebration. Chances are that you’ll have more overnight guests than the house can accommodate, so you’ll need to contact more owners to arrange extra lodging space.

An easier option might be to enlist the services of a local vacation rental company. Describe what you are looking for and let them make suggestions of wedding-friendly properties based on knowledge of their inventory. Whether searching online on your own or calling the company, you can view photos and virtual tours plus details for each location, allowing you to more easily narrow your options. You may even choose to share links to your final choices and solicit input from your family and friends.

The best location and vendors make your special day even more wonderful. Photo courtesy Meggie Velasco Photography.

Housing your family and guests for a destination wedding does not need to be complicated. Whether folks wish to stay together in large beach houses that can accommodate up to 29 people, or individual families, couples and groups of friends prefer staying in a number of condos in the same building or complex, lodging becomes easier when calling upon the expertise of the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast’s largest vacation accommodation provider, Meyer Real Estate. You and your guests will be delighted to experience STAR Treatment when you partner with Meyer.

Now that you have chosen the Alabama Gulf Coast area for your destination wedding, and reserved your venue, it’s time to take care of the ceremony and reception. To simplify your search for wedding-related services, view this list of qualified vendors. You’ll find everything you need, from wedding planners to service and reception musicians to honeymoon havens. Let Meyer Real Estate be your one-stop source for the most beautiful destination wedding you can imagine.

(Learn more about choosing ceremony and reception providers for your beach destination wedding,)

The perfect white gown, worn with bare feet and a breezy veil or flowers in your hair. Or maybe a brightly colored swimsuit with a billowy wraparound skirt.

The perfect wedding is yours at the beach. Photo courtesy Meggie Velasco Photography.

Guys in white tuxes – or maybe a Hawaiian shirt and khakis, or even shorts.

An archway covered in greenery and ribbons.

A harp playing love songs as the guests are seated, accompanied by the sound of surf and shore birds.

The sun rising or setting in a gorgeous display of colors.

It couldn’t be more perfect. After all, it’s your special day and you are in a state of bliss. It’s a day for declaring to the world that you are in love and that this shared love is so special it will remain forever.

How does all of that come together with minimal effort, especially so far from home? As beautiful as a destination beach wedding is, particularly along the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast, you may feel a bit nervous about choosing vendors that are unfamiliar to you. But let us put your mind at ease. Following are some suggestions to make things a little simpler.

One tactic is to hire a wedding planner who will oversee all of the details. A good long-distance event coordinator will discuss everything with you, send photos or even samples, and continue to consult as necessary until the reception is over and you are on your way to a romantic honeymoon location. To find qualified wedding planners, ask for recommendations, peruse websites, conduct interviews, then choose the one you feel most comfortable with, one who understands your vision. Remember, your wedding is about you, about your wishes. If you interview someone who insists on running things according to their tastes, graciously thank them for the interview and move on.

Another option is to gather your own information by consulting online directories, chambers of commerce and visitor’s bureaus of the cities in the area of your destination. Look for those vendors who offer specialized services: caterers, florists, bakeries, professional musicians, officiates, photographers, formalwear providers, event rentals or limo rentals, and so on.

You may wish to make at least some of the arrangements through vendors where you live. Among the most portable items, the wardrobe may be best chosen and fitted locally. Perhaps you have friends or relatives who would be happy to act as photographer, officiate, reception DJ, florist or even caterer. (Note that someone catering the reception would likely need to arrive a couple of days early to shop and prepare the food in a local vacation condo or house.)

Any of this might be time-consuming and confusing, but when choosing the Alabama Gulf Coast area (Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fort Morgan, Bon Secour and more in Alabama, plus Perdido Key, Florida), we can simplify your search with our list of qualified vendors. You’ll find everything you need here, from wedding planners to service and reception musicians to honeymoon havens. Let Meyer Real Estate be your one-stop source for the most beautiful destination wedding you can imagine.

(Learn more about choosing the venue for your beach destination wedding.)