Anyone ever have a beach reception?

It's ok to have a budget, it's only not OK when you're expecting your guests to pick up the slack when you can't afford what you want. Not speaking about you, just generally. You won't be slammed for wanting to host well, ever.

How much would a permit be for a public beach? What size reception are you doing? Is it a nesting beach, protected for turtles?

I've been to a beach wedding, well it was in a house on the beach. It was gorgeous.

Beach wedding? Fine. Beach reception, especially if it's in the evening? No bueno.

Have you ever heard of sand fleas? They're terrible, and itchy, and they come out in droves at dusk.

No. Just no.

There are so many permits you have to get to hold just a ceremony on the beach let one a reception . I'm from so California and you are not permitted to have alcohol, glass, dancefloors, arches etc . I would opt for a beachhouse or hall near the beach for the reception.

Could you try a restaurant on the beach that has a patio you can maybe rent out? I say this because I wouldn't want to have to walk around in sand for the whole reception, the 30 min ceremony is usually enough for me.

My sister rented a beach house for a week and had the ceremony on the beach, the reception in the house. She had a later start time (ceremony at 6 p.m.). It was windy but still a beautiful ceremony, and the reception was very low-key but still lots of fun. Her only regret was inviting the bridal party and family members to stay in the house for the whole week...she and her new husband didn't have any alone time until a week later!!

We do all-inclusive beach weddings on surprisingly low budgets. Where do you want your wedding?

You guys, these are amazing points, thank you! Didn't even think about sand fleas! Im now looking at renting a beach house and calling caterers.

We have a budget of $5k total. I know some folks on WW get inflammatory when they read things like that, and want to call me cheap, but let me say that military life requires that for us, so please don't judge us! And if you ANY more ideas about making the reception affordable, we sooooo appreciate it!

PS- @Petals - we are in northwestern florida, pensacola-ish! Would love to know your rates and location

Liiiisten.... before I even got engaged I was 100% committed to a beach wedding and beautiful sunset reception on the beach with long banquet tables and lights. After we got engaged, I started to research and it just doesn't work. Sand is so hard to walk in, you're going to have to rent tents, tables, chairs, bathrooms, dance floors, get a permit, and so much more that doing a reception even on a hotel patio overlooking the beach will be much cheaper. Nevermind the bugs (if we're talking florida), random lookie-loos and wind. Budget wise-it was SO much more than I ever thought it would be, and the cons just added up. So we're doing indoors in the AC right over the water. So much happier.

There are plenty of lower budgets on here and nothing wrong with that. The only time I see people get "inflammatory" is when someone's budget doesn't match their guest list and guest comfort is the first thing to go. You can have a nice (small) wedding at the beach for your budget. But not a 500-guest extravaganza with top-shelf everything.

I think the beach house is a good idea. There's just way too much to rent to have a reception on the beach.

No one judges a 5K budget. It's when you have a 5K budget and you invite too many guests to host properly. As long as you have a seat for every butt at the ceremony and reception, reasonable temperatures, and host appropriate food and alcohol that is not self catered, you are solid.

Heads up with renting a house- some do and some do not allow things like weddings. You will also need liability insurance and definitely a pro bartender to protect your financial future.

Why do you have your hackles up before anyone even comments? That's the worst. No one here ever judges a small budget. They judge people who try to use their budgets to do more than they can afford and end up skimping on hosting.

What beach?

We are having ours in Frisco at the outer banks. We wanted to get married on the sand but found the area we stay you may not bring anything down on the beach. There is a beach club there on the water that was just beautiful to have the wedding at but to big for our group of 30. We are having 3 people come and cook at the home we are renting and having the ceremony there. Be sure the house you rent is an event house and permits crowds at the house. Also before booking a place make sure that your caterer will deliver that far.

I'd still look at venues that do beach weddings!

My SIL had a beach wedding in Wilmington, NC and her venue was perfect! The ceremony was on the beach and they had chairs and an arch they provide. The venue then had a tented reception area across the street with a dance floor and set up all the tables and chairs there. I'd still look for venues that can help you do this at a low cost!

This sounds so expensive to rent everything. Insects can be a real problem on beaches at night and there's a 99.99% chance that everyone will be eating sand. There are also issues of power, hygiene and toilets; you'll need to rent porta-potties too.

We're having our ceremony on the beach and then moving indoors to a restaurant for the reception. It's so much easier and more affordable.

Check with the hotels on the beach. You'd be surprised how affordable they are and include lots of things. We are getting married at the Hilton on cocoa beach. Very affordable yes we are doing it on a week day but we get 2 complimentary nights hotel room too!!! Comes with officiant flowers and photographer.

Some of my beach ceremonies have beach receptions afterward. Some have a tent, caterer, etc. Others are at waterfront resorts or restaurants -- which is easier.

I don't know about the Panhandle, but here on the Suncoast turtle nesting & hatching season runs 5/1-10/31 and means no lights on the beach after dusk.

I think someone else has suggested it, so I second renting a beach house! Either look at a certain community or airbnb (just make sure you're allowed to host an event). You could have a small beach ceremony, then a nice catered dinner with cake/music /dancing back at the house.

My cousin did this and it was lovely.

Hi Frances! She actually got married a little south of Wilmington on Ocean Isle at the Winds Resort!

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