Weaving florals into your wedding day

Flowers are a classic staple of any wedding day but why stop at the traditional bouquet and boutonniere? Here we look at some creative ways to feature your florals. Fresh flowers are most affordable when they are in season and featuring them more could help lock in a ‘bulk’ deal, however, fresh flowers, especially the exotic blooms, can soon add up. Silk flowers are a good alternative or even a mix. Consider fresh florals for the bouquets and the arch, then silk flowers for the chairs or aisle.

She wore flowers in her hair …

The options here range from subtle to bold. An example of a subtle style would be simple, elegant orchids. These images also show the contrast between a bright color palette and softer tones. The flowers are a great way to extend the color theme of the wedding into your bridal fashion.

For a bolder style, flower crowns give an ethereal, utterly romantic wedding day aura.

Decorating the cake

The flowers needn’t be edible, having them purely for decoration before slicing the cake is a great way to get a show-stopper impression. Flowers can also be positioned around the cake as well as on it.

Of course, you can always evoke the romance of flowers with the skill of a great wedding cake designer, who can craft the flowers as part of the design.

A centerpiece with a twist

Flowers are often used as centerpieces, in fact, the bouquet(s) can be ‘recycled’ after the ceremony to do double duty. We like the effect of submerging flowers (real or silk work equally well) as a centerpiece. Teamed with floating candles or alone, the beauty and delicacy of the petals and stem seem to be magnified.

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A backdrop for the rings

A great album shot, use the flowers as a ‘stage’ to showcase your wedding bands.

An accent for the chairs

Flowers can be peek-a-boo style in the sash, or can be attached to chairs as accents. Some couples opt for all chairs, others opt for those only along the aisle.

Aisle markers

The most popular options for aisle markers are conch shells, starfish, and grasses, but flowers can also lead the way towards the arch.

 

Flower girls

It’s exciting to be a part of a beach wedding – especially such an important role. To make it extra special, let your flower girl sprinkle petals of a different color if you already have a petal-strewn aisle – she can see what a great job she has done!

 

If you have a unique way you would like to weave flowers into your wedding day, we’ll help may the dream come true. Maybe you ‘make’ your bouquet as you walk along the aisle by gathering a stem from each person in your wedding party, maybe you want a backdrop of suspended flowers behind the arch. When December rolls around, how about mistletoe on the arch to await that first kiss 🙂 If you’re ready to start planning, give us a call at 727-443-0039 or visit us online at http://www.suncoastweddings.com

 

 

Beach Wedding Photography Tips

Trust your photographer

There is nothing more frustrating than looking at a beautifully composed shot of a wedding party where some people are looking in another direction! This happens easily when well-intentioned family or friends are also trying to capture ‘the perfect shot’. When you have a professional wedding photographer, trust them and let them direct your wedding photography session. This will lead to less frustration and better shots with everyone looking the right way 🙂

To encourage people to put down their electronic devices and truly enjoy the ceremony with you, consider an ‘unplugged ceremony’. The sign says it all.

Sunset Portraits

If you want a chance to get portraits as the sun sets, work backward from the scheduled sunset time to plan for the ceremony and group shots before the happy couple poses for romantic sunset shots.

 

Silhouettes

Sunset is also the perfect time to get creative with stunning silhouettes, particularly dramatic with a ballgown style wedding dress or a veil. Make sure the couple aren’t too close as their silhouettes will merge into one.

 

Use the beach for inspiration

You chose a beach wedding because you love the beach so what better way to be creative with photographs. Sand, starfish, shells and the surf itself all make for great photo opportunities.

Keep Equipment Clean

Sand can be an enemy of cameras and spare equipment. Use clear plastic bags to protect and seal and change lenses carefully.

 

Have a wishlist? Speak up!

If there are certain photos you know you want in your album (like a particular grouping of people for instance) then make sure your photographer knows asap.

Keep the horizon straight

A crooked horizon will instantly draw the eye and can ruin a picture. Set the horizon straight and remember the rule of thirds – a picture will often look better if the horizon is at the 1/3 or 2/3 level than at halfway.

How not to do it:

How to do it:

 

Look for reflections

If the tide is going out you may be lucky enough to get some great portraits and awesome reflections. If the tide is coming in, this isn’t likely to be an option.

Beach Wedding Photography is unique

Taking great beach wedding photos is not as easy as it looks. Being able to take great photographs elsewhere doesn’t directly translate to the lighting challenges and changing weather conditions on the shore. The safest way to plan on a beautiful beach wedding album is to hire a professional beach wedding photographer. The Suncoast Weddings team of photographers specialize in beach wedding photography.

Play with Color

Sometimes looking at an image in black and white can change the mood of the photo. Alternatively, selective pops of color can be used to great effect.

Listen to your photographer

Part of being a good photographer is composing shots. Listen to your photographer during the shoot so they can coordinate the wedding party. A good example is the blessing stones, the best shots have everyone throwing the stones at the same time.

Turn off any sounds on your camera and have backup plans by bringing spare memory cards and batteries.

If you’re ready to start planning your destination wedding, give us a call and we can start planning! 727-443-0039

Email: inquiries@suncoastweddings.com

 

 

Beach Wedding Tips

We’re sharing some tips to de-stress your big day. Are you ready to say “I Do?”

 

Beach Wedding Locations – How to choose?

There are many factors which should be considered when choosing the perfect beach wedding location for you and your wedding party. Here we explore a few of the obvious and not so obvious points you should take into consideration.

 

Nostalgia

If you’ve vacationed to the same beach area throughout the years and already have a firm favorite, that’s going to be a hard beach to beat. It could be the beach you proposed on, the beach you shared your first kiss or your dream beach that you’ve pictured in your mind forever. If you already have that venue in mind that is calling your name, look no further!

 

Parking

If you have lots of guests driving to the ceremony then you may want to choose a beach where parking is straight forward and plentiful. There are many beaches which fit the bill and some of them require parking meter fees – not a problem as long as you know in advance what to expect!

 

Proximity to your accommodation

Believe it or not, there are hotels and inns nearby where you can literally step out of your room, onto the beach and down the aisle. If that appeals, we know the best local places to stay and take transport off your wedding day ‘to do’ list.

 

Close to your reception

Maybe you are looking at a ceremony not even ‘close to’ your reception, but at the same place! There are beautiful venues nearby where we can set up your ceremony and then you and your guests can step straight into cocktail hour or your reception. This doesn’t have to be a sunset only option. Brunches and lunches also work and could be a more cost effective alternative. In this scenario you can stop worrying about transporting your wedding party from one place to another mid-celebration.

 

Wheelchair Access

There are some local beaches (particularly those in local parks) which have done a fantastic job of making their beach access accessible. Once the pathways and boardwalk have been crossed, a location with a relatively ‘narrow’ beach at the time of the ceremony (beaches always change with the tides so a picture might not be the best indicator) can make the logistics easy.

 

Location, location, location

Some beaches cannot be replicated no matter how soft the sand or how perfect the sky. For a location like our ‘Mangroves By The Sea’ venue, a spectacular beach of natural outstanding beauty, the location is unique.

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Likewise, if your dream backdrop is a pier or rocks on the beach, we have local beaches that would be perfect for you.

 

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Permit Fees

Most beaches now require permits before you say “I Do” however the price varies in different areas and may also change if your wedding party rises above a certain number of guests. Some permits require filing a minimum number of days in advance. This can be complicated and the fee structure has changed frequently so give us a call to find out the latest information.

Access to Gardens, Private Property or Parks

If you’re lucky enough to own property locally (or know someone who does!), that may become your wedding location. It needn’t be a beach – we have performed beautiful ceremonies in gardens. The looks you see on the beaches can be recreated in gardens or parks.

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Shower-proof Cover

If inclement weather is likely to be an issue then consider a venue with a back up option. Sunset Beach has a pavilion which can be rented – it also acts as a picturesque backdrop for portraits.

 

A long aisle walk

If you are worried about walking a long way in the heat or you simply want the drama of walking down a short aisle before you’re seen, consider a beach where you can access the aisle directly from a boardwalk or a beach that is relatively ‘narrow’. Some of the locations have wide expanses of sands and even dunes which you may walk across before approaching the arch.

Ready to get planning? We are! Give us a call at 727-443-0039 or visit us online at Suncoast Weddings

Help! My Beach Wedding Dream doesn’t fit any Package

There is no doubt about it – planning your wedding can be stressful. Maybe you’ve dreamed about this moment for as long as you can remember – maybe the dream has changed or maybe you never thought it would happen until you met  the one.

At Suncoast Weddings, we’ve got you covered. We’re all about taking the stress away – we don’t claim to be experts in everything, but we live and breathe weddings every day. We pride ourselves on personalizing every ceremony and we bring the expertise to plan an intimate service for two people, an elaborate celebration for family and friends from around the world and everything in between.

We offer Beach Wedding Packages to ‘bundle’ certain features, basically offering a selection at a reduced price compared to all the components added together. Sometimes that fits perfectly – for others their dream service might be a bit of mix and match – the Island Oasis without the palms for instance. That’s fine with us! In fact it’s really just a starting point to kick off the discussion. Nor do you have to be an expert in all our packages to get the best deal from Suncoast Weddings, if you let us know what you want, we’ll find the best savings for you and put together a clear proposal with all the costs itemized. No surprises, no last minute clean up fees and maybe extra savings you didn’t even know you were eligible for (we are proud to offer a 10% discount to military personnel and all first responders).

If you look around the galleries on our website, instagram and on pinterest it’s clear that every ceremony is unique. In fact it’s quite a challenge to characterize each package with a set of images because they look so eclectic!

 

Some of our couples choose to further personalize their day in some way with premium aisle  décor or fresh flowers so taking any package as a starting point makes even more sense.

So if you’re reading this and have been stressed because you don’t want to compromise to fit into one of the predefined packages, just give us a call (727-443-0039) or drop us a line (inquiries@suncoastweddings.com) because we don’t want you to compromise either!

Maybe your uncle is a minister and you want him to perform the service, or you have no idea how many guests you will have yet, you’re not sure which beach you prefer or even which date fits best. That’s OK! Planning your wedding is a process (a fun one at that!) and once you get started, we’ll help put the details in place until you’ve arrived at your dream vision. Then you can relax and focus on enjoying the build up, the countdown and the big day itself.

Still unsure? Give us a call and ask for Sue or Michelle – we know we can make your dream come true.

 

 

Florida Beach Weddings and ‘bad’ weather

If there is one worry we hear the most from couples on their countdown to a perfect Florida beach wedding it sounds most like

“But what if it rains?”

We’ve seen enough weddings to know that the day isn’t about how warm it was or how brightly the sun shone. The memories are made when you look into your soulmate’s eyes and say your vows, they are made when you embrace family and friends and when you dance the night away with happiness. The photos taken will catch the joy and the laughter and they aren’t dependent on the weather. Besides, Florida beach weddings are popular precisely because the weather is usually in your favor, only rarely does it misbehave and then hopefully it is short-lived.

In fact, after rain showers you may be lucky enough to get a rainbow to frame your portraits.

Rain

We have seen couples literally delight in the rain and their laughter lights up their photographs. If it rains, don’t let it dampen your spirits.

It is no exaggeration to say that portraits under ‘moody skies’ are among our all time favorites. The dramatic backdrop adds such emotion to the scene.

 

We do have some suggestions though if it looks as though rain may be a factor on your day.

• Consider a venue with a shelter nearby. There are several options where you could be under cover and still on the beach – like the pavilion on Sunset Beach (which can be booked if you want to reserve the space)

• Use parasols as umbrellas!

• Ask for some landscape shots to capture the beauty of the setting

 

• Consider a morning wedding

Often in Florida if a shower develops, it is in the afternoon.

• Think seasonally

Ask us about the monthly trends and chances for showers as some times of the year are more favorable than other.

 

Generally, light showers are not a problem. If the showers look as though they will end imminently then it may be possible to adjust your ceremony time.

 

A strong breeze

If it is windy for your beach wedding you’re in for a treat – the surf will look spectacular and the crashing waves add a soundtrack which will be hard to imagine on a calm day. In addition a breeze could blow away ‘bad’ weather in record time.

If you have long hair, think about an up-do instead and if you are planning to wear a veil, consider weights for the veil so that it is more predicable in a breeze.

Get ready for some awesome shots as your wedding dress billows in the breeze 🙂

Storms

We’re lucky to have a great climate most of the time in Florida and inclement weather only affects very few ceremonies, however if a storm is forecast then it may be necessary to make alternate plans for the sake of safety. Nobody should be outside on the beach in a thunderstorm as it is dangerous.

Sometimes we have been able to move weddings indoors and although the overall ‘look’ is not ‘the beach’ we do our best to recreate inside, your color scheme and the ‘look’ of your décor. If the forecast a few days before your ceremony looks troublesome,  don’t  stress as Florida weather can change constantly.  But give us a call and we’ll  discuss possible options.

Life would be boring if it was totally predicable and Florida can look even more picturesque without permanent blue skies.

We had one bride who was stationed on Guantanamo Bay.   No surprise that she was unable to find a wedding dress on Guantanamo so  had to wait til she was able to fly to Florida, just four days before her wedding to start looking for a dress.

The day before her flight back she developed stomach pains and put it down to pre-wedding nerves.  The pains got more intense during the flight and she was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery to have her gall bladder removed.  It poured on her wedding day and with all that had gone before, she could have been very stressed – but it was the opposite.  It’s no exaggeration to say that she is a perfect example of a bride who was not going to let one or two setbacks spoil her day and she smiled throughout.  And guess what?  We were able to find a break in the weather – her  pictures were beautiful and the event was memorable to say the least!

The number one thing to remember is not to sweat the small stuff – a rain shower pales into insignificance next to the journey you are beginning together. Welcome the day with every promise it holds because

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about dancing in the rain!

 

If you’re excited to start planning, give us a call at Suncoast Weddings – the future looks occasionally cloudy with a chance of extreme happiness! 727-443-0039

 

 

Florida Beach Wedding Sweeping Aisle

When we first coined the term ‘sweeping aisle’, we had in mind an elegant entrance similar to the curve of a grand sweeping staircase. Translate that to the sandy shores and you get our famous (and very popular) ‘sweeping aisle’.

We are giving you an inside look at several sweeping aisles to see if it fits your vision for the day – the best part of all? There is no extra cost! When we plan your ceremony this will be one of the choices – do you want a straight aisle or a sweeping aisle?

First – let’s look at what it isn’t.

This is a traditional straight aisle where you enter directly opposite the arch and can walk down towards your partner.

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There are also ceremonies and packages that don’t include an aisle, so obviously our sweeping aisle does not feature there… (like our ‘Toes in the Sand‘ Package and the ‘Gulf Beach Ceremony‘ with a heart in the sand of fresh rose petals.

So on to the ‘sweeping aisle’ ….

The drama

This aisle demonstrates the sweeping curve which we craft for your walk down the sandy aisle. It looks very dramatic especially when they are no chairs.

The way it mimics a wave

This aisle sweeps around to an avenue of pomanders on the way to the arch, reminding us of the waves lapping up onto the shore.

Reinforcing your color scheme

 

The colors on the aisle décor can be paired with your ceremony theme

Adding height and interest

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Grasses add height to the aisle borders and grant extra definition to the lines of the sweeping aisle

Your partner can’t see you easily!

Keep your outfit a secret longer – as you have to round a curve, they won’t be able to see you at first!

 

It’s less intimidating for children

Starting out down a straight aisle can seem a little daunting for younger members of the wedding party. A sweeping aisle leads them to the arch along a less direct path.

It fits any beach wedding package with an arch

This sweeping aisle leads to our Island Oasis.

 

We like to think our sweeping aisle gives you an extra chance to customize your wedding day. You have the opportunity to be unique and with Suncoast Weddings, we don’t determine your color scheme or décor – everything is tailored so that it fits the two of you  perfectly. We have even had a wedding with two sweeping aisles – one from the left and one from the right, curving together towards the arch so that both partners reached the arch at the same time. We work with you to form the blueprint for the day so that you can relax and enjoy every second – we’ll take care of the rest.

With a sweeping aisle or without, with Suncoast Weddings arranging your wedding or vow renewal, you’ll be sure to relax and enjoy every second. Give us a call today to start planning. 727-443-0039