St. George Island Florida Beach Wedding

You're planning on having a wedding without the reception? That's very rude especially when you're making your guests travel!

No I'm definitely spending time with my guests after the wedding I'm just hesitant to call it a reception because all we are doing is eating a family dinner/low country broil swimming and playing corn hole. I'm only hesitant to call it a reception because I don't want to get in trouble for having extra people on the property or being asked to pay a 1000$ event fee like some of the rental properties ask. The guest list is mainly family and close friends and is only about 25 people. The chamber of commerce website says no permit needed but I didn't know if that included the beach in front of the rental home.

I understand where you're coming from. Contact your local government and ask in general questions, like, "I'm just starting planning. If I just have a few guests, how does that work? What numbers are looked at?"

I'm planning my Destin FL wedding from SC as well. You need to get a permit to get married on the beach. A permit costs $50 and you can find the form online, just figure out which county in FL your rental house is in. We are doing a beach house reception as well, but not making a huge deal out of it so that the rental company doesn't charge a fee. However, if we have to pay it, we have prepared for that (it's only $400).

I have emailed the chamber of commerce with information from their website so hopefully they can answer my questions. Thankfully no permit is needed at all so I'm not worried about that, mostly about WHERE exactly on the beach is appropriate. I'm not sure if it has to be right in front of public beach access or if it can be in front of the rental home. I'm just stressing because I would hate for the day of my wedding to come and the owners or neighbors come out yelling were not supposed to be doing that.

Brandi - you may get more responses if you change your avatar.

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/seriously-you-with-the-double-ring-avatar/38c68d2a41e7c66f.html?page=7

I can't figure out how to change it lol

Well, it's changed now, so you did it!

Turns out you can't do it on the app but I did it online. Thank you!

Hi Brandi!

I want to weigh in with some insights (we get these questions here on St. George Island quite often).

1. You don't currently need a permit for a beach wedding on the Island, you're correct. Franklin County (the county we're in) is considering requiring a permit, but hasn't yet. You'll want to check in periodically as your date approaches, just to make sure.

2. You should be okay having your wedding on the beach wherever you like. The beaches of St. George Island are public property even if they are not right in front of public beach access. That means that you can't walk through someone's yard to get to the beach, but once there you can go where you like (and of course there is the expectation and hope you'll be a good neighbor!).

Because you have your own boardwalk, you're set here. Now, the folks in that other house obviously aren't required to steer clear of the wedding, but hopefully everyone can be agreeable.

EXCEPTION: If you are renting in the Plantation, these rules don't apply. The beach in the Plantation is private, and you'll need to check with them directly about how that usage will work.

3. If you haven't yet (I don't want to make assumptions), check with whoever you rented your vacation home from about what their event fee is. There may be a security/damage deposit, but I would be surprised if the actual fee is that high--our event fee, for example, is only $250 (although there is a refundable damage deposit of $1000, so maybe that's what you mean).

4. I see you said you already told the owner your plans, so unless there's some miscommunication it sounds like you're okay. Especially if you are renting through the owner (who can make their own rules) instead of a management company. As long as no more than the 14 maximum occupancy for the house stay as overnight guests, you're probably okay. AGAIN, the Plantation has their own rules about gatherings/groups/parking, etc, so it might be worth checking with them directly.

5. As Mrs. LMac notes, parts of the beach can get pretty crowded on summer weekends. I'm guessing by your cornhole and low-country-boil you have a laid back attitude about the whole thing, and if so, great! Island weddings are amazing, but they're at their best if you have a little bit of flexibility and a sense of humor about it

I hope this is helpful. I too had trouble finding places to have a low-key, small gathering after my wedding in a relatively rural destination, and I sympathize with your efforts. And as a person who works here, in the vacation rental business, I thought you might like some insight.

Best of luck with the wedding--the Island is a beautiful place to do it. Congratulations!

@Mrs. LMac if that wedding was in front of the Blue Parrot I saw it, too! You're going to have a beautiful wedding, @Brandi, St. George is one of my favorite places ever!

I have told the owner the plans that three other families will be joining us for dinner and she said that was fine. I just didn't know if I needed to tell her point blank this is going to be a wedding reception just for 10 extra people. The boardwalk in front of our house should provide enough privacy. The house is on the east end and I plan on some of my family moving our cars so no one is in the street. The wedding will be around 5 or 5:30 so again HOPEFULLY it will not be crowded or too hot. I plan on making the neighbors little gift baskets or goodie bags that week and letting them know what will be happening. Thank you everyone so so much for your advice and insight!

I am getting married in St George in April. WE have 2 houses rented that are beachfront, one of which will be the ceremony location (on the beach in front of the house). I live in TX so it is a little stressful planning from here. Does anyone know what time of the day would be best to start the ceremony if you want after pictures to happen during sunset?

Is anyone still commenting on this? I'm having a beach wedding in St George as well, luckily I live in FL so it's a little easier. But I'm not able to spend a whole heck of a lot for a wedding. How much is the beach house you rented if you don't mind me asking?

I would love to hear how everything turned out. I'm facing the exact same issues. We would have about 10 extra people in our rental home for a low key reception. Planning to get married on the beach. I thought I had everything figured out, but am starting to panic 30 days out! Please let me know how it went and if you have any advice. Thank you!!

Hey ladies!! would any of you be willing to tell what the names or addresses of the houses where you had your wedding at? I am trying for the same thing- beach ceremony, reception at the house.

WITHOUT paying thousands of dollars for "event fees" for a laid back low key wedding, and NOT in the Plantation- they've already lost their chance with me and getting a penny from us.

thanks ladies!!!!

Our houses were Sunset Palace (we got married on the beach in front) and Cool Change

Sunset Beach is the name of the community. They have a pool where we had our reception. It is really nice and convenient and a great layout for a reception. I suggest hanging string lights across the pool from the top level if it is nighttime..