8 reasons to Say “I Do” on Florida’s West Coast with Suncoast Weddings

1. Location, Location, Location

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. We are surrounded by beautiful beaches, bordered by sea oats, palm trees, dunes, and boardwalks. Most of our couples choose a beach setting for their ceremony, with the Gulf of Mexico providing a stunning backdrop to the ceremony. The ceremony space is relaxed and welcoming, and the beach provides an ideal location for group photos and portraits of the happy couple. We have a dedicated page on our website to show you more detail about our preferred Florida beach wedding locations.

2. Sunsets

The West Coast of Florida in particular is famous for golden sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. Although each day can be slightly different and the weather varies, sunset is the most popular time of day for our couples to say “I Do”, hoping for that perfect golden hour. Take a look at our Sunset beach wedding gallery for more inspiration.

3. Easy to reach

Tampa International Airport is less than an hour’s drive away and is a hub for guests traveling from inside the US or from further afield.

4. Lots of places to stay

The area around St. Pete Beach, Madeira Beach, Clearwater, and Treasure Island is a popular destination for tourists, so there are many accommodation choices ranging from hotels, to beach houses, to quaint cottages and resorts. Suncoast Weddings couples may be eligible for a discount, so if you’re interested in staying in local accommodation as a couple or as an entire wedding party, ask us for more information.

5. Beach Weddings on a Budget

Planning a wedding, or a wedding and reception can be a daunting task. With Suncoast Weddings, we offer a range of Florida beach wedding packages that are designed to help couples ‘bundle and save’ on their big day. To keep all of the costs in one place and make logistics easier, many choose to plan a wedding and reception together with Suncoast Weddings. We have a list of preferred local vendors that we have worked with for years, so even if you’re out of state or out of the country, we are your local experts.

6. Romantic Setting

With a soundtrack of the waves, and soft sand as the aisle, the beach is seen by many as their ‘happy place’. Where better then to exchange vows and say “I do” or “We still do” in the case of a vow renewal? If the beach wasn’t already the perfect setting, then it is amped up at sunset with ‘golden hour’. Romantic portraits of the couple at the shoreline as the sun sets over the horizon are dreamt of by many. When there are so many choices to be made over where and when, one look at these pictures shows how a magical setting can be both stress-free and romantic.

7. Simple Legal Process

Getting a marriage license in the state of Florida is a well documented and simple process, and the turnaround time is in the order of a few days usually.

8. A local wedding planner you trust – enter Suncoast Weddings!

Having a trusted local partner to help plan your Florida Beach wedding is a game-changer. Everybody has that job or that skill that they perfect and they become the experts. Well, Florida beach weddings and receptions are our speciailty. We have the knowledge and the experience to take a vision and see it through to the big day. The fact that we also love doing this every day is a bonus :-). So number 8 on our list is finding a local wedding planner you can trust, and now you know us, give us a call, explore our website, or drop us an email. We look forward to meeting you and being a part of your exciting upcoming journey. We have many testimonials on our website from happy couples.

In summary

Whatever vision you have for your dream beach wedding or romantic vow renewal, we can help make it a reality 🙂

If you’re ready to start planning your beach wedding or vow renewal, give us a call to start planning. 727-443-0039 or visit us online at http://www.suncoastweddings.com

5 ways to incorporate pearls at your beach wedding

In the bouquet

Pearls can be a supporting accent in the bouquet, or the main star! Here are some creative ideas for a stylish beach wedding bouquet featuring pearls.

And the fun extends to pearl inspiration for the beach wedding groom or members of the wedding party.

 Pearl Jewelry

A classic choice for any wedding, pearls pair perfectly with any outfit.

Bridal fashion

There are many choices on how to integrate pearls into the outfit. Some wedding dresses incorporate pearls as part of the style.

The cake and cake topper

Centerpieces

Perfect for a beach wedding, pearls feature in our ‘under the sea’ centerpieces and add a decadent touch to any tablescape.

In summary

There are many ways to incorporate pearls into a Florida beach wedding. They are a perfect representation of a traditional wedding element brought to the shore. Here are a couple of bonus ideas for added inspiration:

As decoration for table seating plans

Maybe not traditional wedding jewelry – but a beach wedding offers the perfect pearl accessory in foot jewelry

As a hair accessory

Whatever vision you have for your dream beach wedding or romantic vow renewal, we can help make it a reality 🙂

If you’re ready to start planning your beach wedding or vow renewal, give us a call to start planning. 727-443-0039 or visit us online at http://www.suncoastweddings.com

5 Fun ideas for your beach Vow Renewal

Cake topper show-stopper

Have a bit of fun with customized cake toppers which echo the vow renewal theme. The cake topper on the top image also includes the number of years being celebrated 🙂

 Say it with a stylish parasol

Parasols are the perfect accessory for the beach, and look great in portraits. Having a bit of fun in pictures for a beach vow renewal, this parasol sums up the key words of the day “We Still Do”

Beach Wedding Signs

Beach wedding signs greet friends and family and act as props for memorable vow renewal portraits. Personalized signs become a great keepsake for the future to remember the big day.

Pose with a picture from your wedding day

Have fun with fashion

From a twist on the traditional to a tea-length dress, to something totally different, a vow renewal is the perfect day to have fun with fashion.

In summary

When it comes to vow renewals, there are no rights or wrongs; choose a milestone anniversary year like 25 years or 30, or choose a date just because it feels right, the premise behind a beach vow renewal is to relax, relish the stress-free backdrop, and focus on celebrating a love which has stood the test of time. Choose from our beach wedding packages for your vow renewal, or let us create something totally unique just for you.

Whatever vision you have for your dream beach wedding or romantic vow renewal, we can help make it a reality 🙂

If you’re ready to start planning your beach wedding or vow renewal, give us a call to start planning. 727-443-0039 or visit us online at http://www.suncoastweddings.com

Beach Wedding Trends for 2022

As we approach the end of 2021, we’re sharing some of the recent highlights in our beach wedding ceremonies and we’re pulling together a list that we think will play a prominent role in the next year for beach weddings and vow renewals.

Outdoors is best

An alfresco setting, being able to stay socially distanced, and just simply enjoying the Great Outdoors, the beach is a popular setting for weddings and vow renewals, now more than ever. Ceremonies can be planned from out of town easily and the long lead times which are often a headache with traditional weddings are a thing of the past. Instantly familiar and welcoming, the beach is temporarily transformed into a wedding venue, with Suncoast Weddings offering packages like “toes in the sand” for a small and intimate celebration, our Suncoast two-post arch, tropical 4-post arch, dreamy Island Oasis, Ultimate romance, or an a la carte wedding. All weddings and vow renewals with Suncoast Weddings can be tailored – because it’s all about you! 

Vow Renewals with zero stress and lots of fun

We’re seeing a return to vow renewals celebrating landmark years following a marriage from 15 years (crystal), 25 years (silver), 30 years (pearl), to 40 years (ruby), and beyond, although now we’re also seeing more celebrations of earlier anniversaries – like 5 years (wooden) or 7 years (copper). It was a special occasion for us in November 2021 when Margarita and David chose to celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary on the same beach with a similar beach ceremony to their Suncoast Weddings 2016 wedding. Curt was the minister on both occasions, and the wedding decor was expertly handled by Scott and Michelle. 2 picture-perfect ceremonies, 5 years apart.

November 2016 wedding day

November 2021 – 5th year anniversary with the original Suncoast Weddings team of Curt, Scott, and Michelle

Fashion forward

A beach wedding or vow renewal is a special occasion. We have so many stunning couples, it’s hard to select a few to share. Here are some of our recent fashion highlights from the Suncoast Weddings albums. They range from formal to beach casual and the only rule when choosing a dress code is to make sure everyone on the guest list knows it 🙂

Including a reception as part of the package

There are so many choices when it comes to planning a reception, ranging from a small reception with a cake on the beach to a buffet-style dinner in a beach-side pavilion to a more traditional venue with a dance floor and a DJ, to a dinner cruise reception at sunset. Adding the reception onto the wedding package with Suncoast Weddings helps keep all the costs easy to track and allows a single point of contact for the planning, making logistics simpler. Beach wedding and reception packages have become more and more popular during 2021, and we see this as a trend which will continue into 2022, for good reason.

Subtle Shades

There is no right or wrong when it comes to colors. At Suncoast Weddings, we are firm believers that no matter what the pundits say, the colors that you choose are the perfect ones for your wedding or vow renewal. Looking at potential trends for 2022, we can see subtle shades accenting predominantly ivory or white arches will be popular. Here are a few of our favorite subtle shades for some inspiration.

Teal and periwinkle

Dusty sage

Blush

Turquoise and Teal

Blush and grey

Baby’s Breath – beautiful and affordable

Gypsophila – or Baby’s breath, is romantic and whimsical, and easy to arrange across the wedding decor. It’s an affordable choice and readily available. It can play a supporting role to roses or other flowers, or stand alone as the main floral arrangements.

Fun photos to capture the mood of the day

Come with some ideas, or trust your Suncoast Weddings photographer to be creative! Formal photographs have their place and yet we find some of the best “pictures of the day” are the unexpected ones – the candid portraits which catch a hearty laugh instead of a smile, or a tear being shed during the vows.

Whatever vision you have for your dream beach wedding or romantic vow renewal, we can help make it a reality 🙂

If you’re ready to start planning your beach wedding or vow renewal, give us a call to start planning. 727-443-0039 or visit us online at http://www.suncoastweddings.com

Halloween Florida Beach Weddings

Halloween may feel a long time away in February, but now is the perfect time to start planning! If you want a themed wedding around Halloween, we have ideas to inspire at every step of the way, and the day!. Call us to explore the options on 727-443-0039

Looking for some personalized inspiration for weddings vows? Take your favorite Halloween -inspired song and look to use some of the lyrics, maybe changed just a little so they are still equally recognizable, but perfect for the moment.

The Color Scheme

We have inspiration in black or a mix of orange and black although any color scheme can be integrated into a themed wedding.

Arch Style

A four-post arch is the most dramatic on the beach, with bold colors and perfect for a date around October 31st.

If you want to take the decor to the next level, you could add spiders to the arch as a special Halloween delight!

Alternatively, black panels of fabric conjure a more subtle aesthetic.

The sandy aisle

When it comes to the aisle, what could be better than carved pumpkins with your wedding date featured? Orange and black sash accents on the chairs and tikis look great.

The Bouquet

The easiest way to get the look is with silk flowers either scattered throughout a traditional bouquet or on their own. Feathers and crystals also add to the drama.

The dress code

Let everyone on the day contribute in their own way! Great fun, and great photos to follow.

Reception centerpiece ideas

Time to have fun!

• witches’ hats with numbers on them
• black bottles with silk flowers prayed black
• black bottles with orange silk flowers
• black linens
• glasses inverted over silk flowers in orange and black
• photographs of an engagement shoot with themed props
• mini pumpkins with table numbers attached
• floating candles on top of silk flowers in a tall submerged vase
• Use “canned” cobwebs to create the centerpieces (well away from any candles!)
• scatter candy corn on the table instead of confetti

Other Reception Ideas

• The toast to the happy couple could be of blood orange soda and sparkling wine or orange juice and champagne
• Rename the menu items with quirky titles – Mummy’s Spaghetti, Dracula’s Chicken Delight
• Make sure the playlist for the dancefloor includes favorites like Monster Mash, Ghostbusters, and Thriller (which would be a great choreographed first dance surprise for family and friends). The Time Warp would get everyone on the dance floor in a second!
• Tempt guests with a candy station with treats like candy corn and gummy worms
• Set up a photo booth with lots of fun props for memorable photos and plenty of fun
• Decorate with colored fabric panels or accent with orange lights
• Add some themed balloons to the space
• Mix and match the pictures from the day with a traditional wedding followed by a themed reception

The Cake

Another idea would be to have a small top tier to cut and then themed mini portions for everyone else like cupcakes with a cobweb design in the frosting or donuts sprinkled with orange and black sprinkles.

 

Whatever vision you have for your dream beach wedding or romantic vow renewal, we can help make it a reality 🙂

If you’re ready to start planning your beach wedding or vow renewal, give us a call to start the journey. 727-443-0039 or visit us online at http://www.suncoastweddings.com

 

5 Revisions

Beach Wedding Trends for 2021

As we approach the end of 2020, it’s difficult to predict the trends for 2021 although looking through our upcoming ceremonies and the inquiries we are seeing, we have been able to pull together a list that we think will play a prominent role in the next year for beach weddings and vow renewals.

Outdoors is best

An outdoor wedding provides a scenic backdrop

Being encouraged to spend time outdoors has reminded us how much we appreciate the space, the freedom, the relaxed ambiance, and the simple pleasures in life like the sound of waves lapping against the shore and a golden sunset. At the center of a wedding day or vow renewal is love … the formality and tradition that once seemed necessary slips away and we return to the essence of the day. The seashore is a scenic, spacious, and romantic place to gather and say the all-important vows.

Vow Renewals without a landmark year

We Still Do

It’s been a pattern to see vow renewals to celebrate landmark years following a marriage from 15 years (crystal), 25 years (silver), 30 years (pearl), to 40 years (ruby), and beyond. Now, more than ever, we are all recognizing that every year is a celebration, and why not celebrate 7 years (wool), 8 years (bronze), or 12 years (silk) – and to be even more spontaneous, why not set a new anniversary date and make a new tradition on a date which does not match the original wedding day. That may be a good solution when planning a specific destination vow renewal with select family and friends.

Flowers in her hair

From subtle to a statement, wearing flowers is both whimsical and romantic, a departure from every day that reinforces just how special this day is. They can blend into a theme or stand-alone, either way, they are sure to add a touch of joy to the day.

The flowers can then be pressed and saved, maybe even added into a photo album of the magical day.

Blush Accents

There is no right or wrong when it comes to colors. At Suncoast Weddings we are firm believers that no matter what the pundits say, the colors that you choose are the perfect ones for your wedding or vow renewal. Looking at potential trends for 2021, we can see blush being a popular choice in the planning of ceremonies so it seems that is going to be evident in the 2021 albums. From blush-colored roses on the arch to blush chiffon drapes, there are so many ways to incorporate this shade of pink that it is truly versatile.

Fun photos to capture the mood of the day

It used to be that when you scanned through a wedding photo album, you could almost predict every pose, every grouping, and every expression – that needn’t be the case. Having some fun with the photos not only adds an element of excitement to the day, but you are also left with candid memories capturing a special moment in time.

The photos can also include members of the wedding party so everyone gets in on the fun.

One of the reasons to celebrate your love on the beach is to throw the rulebook away so embrace the setting, embrace the experience, and enjoy every second!

Come with some ideas, or trust your Suncoast Weddings photographer to be creative!

Whatever vision you have for your dream beach wedding or romantic vow renewal, we can help make it a reality 🙂

If you’re ready to start planning your beach wedding or vow renewal, give us a call to start planning. 727-443-0039 or visit us online at http://www.suncoastweddings.com

5 ways to customize your beach wedding arch

Whether you opt for a two-post arch or a four-post arch, there are many ways to customize the look, tailoring it for your special wedding day or vow renewal.

Statement florals

Fresh flowers (or silk flowers) accent the arch perfectly. They can be subtle and delicate or bold, vibrant, and richly scented. Silk flowers are the most affordable option. Perhaps the most popular customization we see is the addition of a central swag across the top of the arch.

A central swag of silk flowers adds color and texture

Bold sprays of fresh flowers transform this arch

Subtle floral accents add sophisticated flair

A crystal drape

The Florida sunshine and later the Florida golden sunsets pick up the crystals so the backdrop ‘shimmers’. This elegant add-on delivers a high-impact wow factor.

This arch has extra crystal charm with a dramatic chandelier

The golden sunset shimmers on the crystal drape

Color

At Suncoast Weddings, we have a variety of colors to choose from. From subtle sash accents against an arch in ivory and white to bold colors and even textured chiffon, the looks which can be created allow you to let your personality and mood for the day shine through.

Subtle shades of purple and lavender

Bold orange and fuchsia chiffon

Pretty in pink

Royal blue and turquoise

Classic and subtle ivory

Themed weddings

From ‘the little mermaid’ to a fancy dress Halloween wedding, fun in the sun at a beach wedding offers the chance to embrace a theme and make unique memories.

This arch was themed for a Halloween wedding

This patriotic color scheme featured red, white, and blue. A flag can also be placed next to the arch

Boho asymmetrical charm

Embrace the unexpected and bohemian element of asymmetrical draping and placement of flowers. Experiment with colors and seasonal blooms to catch the essence of the natural setting and soft breeze.

Tropical flowers and a soft blush chiffon on our Suncoast arch

Dusky pink on our four-post bamboo arch

Statement flowers and subtle shades

Whatever vision you have for your dream beach wedding or romantic vow renewal, we can help make it a reality 🙂

If you’re ready to start planning your beach wedding or vow renewal, give us a call to start planning. 727-443-0039 or visit us online at http://www.suncoastweddings.com

Florida Beach Weddings – 6 ways to beat the summer heat

Florida is called the sunshine state for a reason – when you’re planning ahead for your beach wedding there are ways to make sure you beat the summer heat – your guests will appreciate the attention to detail and the photos will be filled with smiles no matter how hot the beach is 🙂

Parasols

Instant shade and instant style. These look great in the wedding portraits, too!

Water

Make sure there are water bottles on hand for yourselves and your guests. Although you may not be out on the beach for very long, if someone wants a chilled drink, it’s easy to have a cooler or water station nearby.

Dress Code

Although some weddings are formal attire, most of our happy couples and their guests opt for lighter fabrics and a semi-formal or tropical dress code. This translates into summer dresses, shorts, sandals, flip flops, or sandy toes 🙂

A morning ceremony

Temperatures tend to be cooler in the morning hours and the skies are often the brightest blue. A morning ceremony can be followed by a celebration brunch and there is the rest of the day to celebrate!

Fans

Providing a fan on each chair will help with the heat – they can be found in a number of styles and shades – also a great prop for the photos. A popular twist on the ‘fan’ theme is to print a card program and attach it to a holder so it doubles as a memento.

The waves

When you’re steps from the shoreline, it’s hard to resist! Make time for some cooling fun in the sun with a dip in the Gulf of Mexico

If you’re ready to start planning your beach wedding or vow renewal, give us a call to start planning. 727-443-0039 or visit us online at http://www.suncoastweddings.com

Erick and Erica’s Beach House Wedding

Amidst a confusing and unprecedented time for the US and the entire world, weddings, travel, and the very way we all interact has been altered more than we could have imagined. As the coronavirus swept around the world, plans inevitably changed and shifted as families quarantined and everyone had to seek a new way of navigating these difficult and often traumatic times. At Suncoast Weddings we see it as our role to support our couples as we focus on wedding planning. We would like to share a story of love which saw Erick and Erica say “I Do” at the Sunset Beach House last week. All of the social distancing rules were followed and the wedding was a smaller, more intimate ceremony than had been planned.

Erick and Erica

It was three and a half years ago that Erick and Erica fell in love. This is their story.

If ever there was a poster child for a positive that could come from the effects that COVID 19 has had on the wedding plans of thousands of couples, then Erica would be it.

Like many couples, Erica and her fiancée  Erick were devasted when the realization dawned that the big, beautiful beach-front wedding and reception they had planned was in jeopardy as the whole country began to lock-down.  

But one thing they were 100% certain of was that their wedding was going to happen on the day they had planned.

“It didn’t enter our heads to cancel the wedding, not at all.  I am a firm believer that tomorrow isn’t promised so no matter what happened, even if it was just the two of us he wanted that day and I wanted that day.

“True, we had to make a lot of changes and as time went on there was the gradual acceptance that our wedding day was not at all going to be as planned.  But we wouldn’t let it get us down.  After all, weddings should be a positive – Erick and I were not going to let it turn into a negative because of what was going on.

“The  last few weeks would normally be that perfect time to enjoy all the last minute planning and  all the fun stuff that you usually do just before a wedding.  But we had to cope with a lot, including people we knew who passed away.  It was a prayerful time.

“When the day came, it was to us both,  the true meaning of what marrying the love of your life is all about and just what really is important on your wedding day.

“Because our ceremony had become so small we were able to really involve our kids in the day, we had so much more time for them on the day too – it was the true meaning of family.  

“Our vows to each other were very deep and so emotional and intimate, a true exchange of love and I think all the more so because of what we’d been through to make the wedding happen.

“I’m not an overly religious person, but I believe that not only did God bring Erick and I together,  I truly believe that He was present on the day.  It was just all so very special. 

“So yes, our wedding day was entirely different from what we had planned, but I wouldn’t go back and change a thing.  There’s a reason why things happen in your life”

Photo credits: GMP Photography (thank you for allowing us to share them, Erica)

If you have a story that we could share with our Suncoast Weddings family, drop us an email to sue@suncoastweddings.com

 

Bouquet inspiration for your Florida beach wedding

Bouquets are so varied and unique, it’s fair to say they all look great as the bride walks down the aisle. Seeing so many Florida beach weddings over the years, we want to share some of our all-time favorites – many are inspired by the beach and the ocean. It’s an opportunity to stamp your personality on a key accessory for the day.

 

Shell bouquets

Whether all shell or with shell accents, these bouquets are sure to be perfect on the seashore

For the bridesmaids, shells can also make a dramatic statement

 

Starfish

Did you know you can buy starfish in a variety of colors and sizes? Here we also feature crystal starfish pins adorning beautiful bouquets

 

Pearls

A great theme for a beach wedding, pearls are a traditional element woven into a modern setting

 

Exotic flowers

This is an opportunity to wow your family and friends with exotic blooms and amazing bouquets

 

Brooches and crystals

It’s time to bring the bling! Brooches and crystals pick up the sunlight and shine brightly. The outdoor setting of a beach wedding illuminates the jewels, elevating their shimmer.

 

It’s always worth looking for seasonal flowers and thinking ahead to the time of year you are planning to say “I Do”. Seasonal flowers are often more affordable and certainly in their prime. Traditional favorites like roses and lilies can be transformed with a few shells or starfish and we hope you’ve found some new ideas here today 🙂

 

If you’re ready to start planning your own Florida beach wedding or vow renewal, give us a call at Suncoast Weddings, we’re always ready to make the magic happen.

727-443-0039