Tips on arranging your wedding and reception at the beach – even if you don’t live there. Ideas and resources for brides & event planners. Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fort Morgan, AL; Perdido Key, FL.
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.)
