How To Plan a Beach Wedding with Sunshine Wedding Company
Questions and Answers
 

We want to book our wedding with Sunshine Wedding Company, what should we do now?

Call us or email us as soon as you have chosen a date for your wedding.  We will check our calendar, be prepared to have a back up date just in case we are already booked for your preferred date, you want to be sure you have a reputable company like us to plan your beach wedding.  Once determining availability you will need to pay the appropriate non-refundable deposit for the package you have selected.  PLEASE NOTE:  your date is not reserved until we receive your deposit .  We do accept all major credit cards, money orders and personal checks.  Please keep in mind that Saturday wedding dates are the first to go. Once payment is received, a letter of confirmation, a contract, our Beach Wedding format and a packet of vows to choose from will be either emailed or mailed to you. 

What Beach Wedding areas do you service?

We service Destin Beach Weddings, Panama City Beach Weddings, Fort Walton Beach Weddings, Navarre Beach Weddings, Pensacola Beach Weddings, Santa Rosa Beach Weddings, Grayton Beach Weddings, Blue Mountain Beach Weddings, Seagrove Beach Weddings, Seacrest Beach Weddings,Inlet Beach Weddings, Okaloosa Island Weddings, Weddings at Henderson Beach State Park, Weddings at Grayton Beach State Park, Weddings at St. Andrew's State Park, Weddings at Beasley Park, Weddings at Navarre State Park, Weddings at James Lee County Park.  If you are unsure if we travel to your beach wedding location, please call or email us!!

Do you pick the location for the ceremony or do we?

We will work together with you to decide your best beach wedding location.  We go to County/ State Parks, public beach accesses,  hotels, condos and beach houses, once you have paid your deposit with us we will be happy to refer you to our favorite beach wedding locations. There is an additional travel fee for “out of the area”. The fee is based upon the services requested. Some of the locations do charge a fee for the use of the beach as well as a "Special Use Permit"...these fees are NOT included in any of the Sunshine Wedding Company Packages".  In Okaloosa County if you exceed 50 guests there is a permit fee of $200 that will need to be paid to the county.  We will help you with the application but it is the client's financial obligation.  Sunshine Wedding Company does reserve the right to choose the appropriate area on the beach at your location, once we are set up on the beach it is extremely difficult to relocate on the beach.  We assure you we will pick the best area on the beach when we arrive to set up.


What are your office hours? 

We are open 7 days a week for phone calls and/or emails (approx) 8a.m. to 7p.m.  Meetings are by appt. only.  Please note if you are coming in town for a planning weekend, we do not schedule consultations on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.  These days are reserved for current weddings,preperations and our children.  We will be happy to meet with you Monday-Thursday. 

We type of payment do you accept?  We accept all major credit cards via the telephone, checks can be made to Sunshine Wedding Company, 4592 Woodwind Drive, Destin, Florida 32541. 


Are you licensed and insured?  Yes we are a licensed company with a $1 million dollar general liability insurance policy, this is what is required on the local area beaches, and state park beaches.

Can we get married at the location we are staying at?

As long as you obtain permission from the hotel/ condo.
Be sure to ask if there is an additional fee for the use of the beach for the wedding.  If your location will not allow a beach wedding we will be happy to help you choose an alternate location.
The couple is responsible for any “fees” that may be charged.

Are rehearsals included?

No.  There is an additional fee of $300.00 for a beach wedding rehearsal and must be scheduled no later than 3 hours prior to sunset time.

What happens if it rains?

This is a question that is asked by all couples, you are planning an outdoor wedding so you do have to be prepared for the what-ifs..........It is the responsibility of the Couple to have a "back-up" location in case of inclement weather.  You may want to consider WEDDING INSURANCE.  We will give you options. We highly recommend using a facility that has an outdoor pavilion such as Henderson Beach State Park in Destin. This is a great back up plan.
**The majority of Hotels/ Condos generally do not have any type of outside shelter
** If you are having a reception- it can be moved to that location.
** If you have only a few guests- it can be “postponed” until the next day- **time based upon Sunshine Wedding Company's availability.  The couple makes the final decision. 

Will there be other people on the beach?

Yes.  All beaches in the State of Florida are public beaches.  We cannot “rope off” any part of the beach. There are certain times of the year when the beaches have more beachgoers than others.  Asking someone to move for a wedding is disrupting their right to be enjoying the beach.  Most people will be kind enough to move once they see we are setting up for a beach wedding. Even “in season” the Families are usually beginning to “pack up” and leave the beach around 4:00pm-5:00pm.  Then there are usually couples going for strolls along the beach.  Many of them “watch” from a distance.  There are some areas that are less populated than others.

Who performs the ceremony?

Sunshine Wedding Company offers an Officiate with your package.  Our Officiates are either Ordained Ministers or Florida Notary Publics.  Be sure to specify if you would prefer a male officiate as our company has both male and female officiates. 


Can we bring our own Officiate?

Certainly, as long as he/she is an Ordained Minister or a Notary for the State of FL.
We will deduct $150.00 from the Package you choose.
*
Can we write our own vows?

Yes, we encourage couples to be creative.. We also send a packet of different vows/ ring vows to choose from upon receiving the non-refundable deposit. 

Can we have a friend or family member read a poem or a bible verse?

Yes, you can have a Friend/ Family member read a poem, sing, or lead in prayer, please notify us prior to the day of your ceremony.

Who takes the photographs?

All of our packages include photos by our photographers, either Ray or Tamra (owners) will be your photographer, occasionally we bring in outside photographers but assure you they will do a great job.

We strive to provide our clients with quality photos... however weather conditions may affect the outcome, especially fog and seaspray.  If you are scheduled for a sunset wedding and arrive more than 15 minutes late- we may not be able to take the amount of photos in package... there will be NO adjustment on costs.

Our photographers shoot with NIKON D90, all photos in your package will be edited in a professional digital photo program. 

Can we provide our own photographer?

Yes you may provide your own photographer, however the package price will not change.

*** Here's a Camcorder Tip for Friends and Family-****

Sunshine Wedding Company offers videography to capture your wedding ceremony.  However, we encourage family memebers to video.  Be sure to take your Camcorder equipment out of the A/C at least an hour prior to the ceremony... when you go from A/C into the heat- the dew condensation will not allow most camcorders to work.   Also, tell them not to put it on "pause".. you can always edit it...

Can we bring our own decorations for the beach?

This is decided on a case by case basis....my professional opinion is no, my reason is because over the years the decorations that are provided by the couples do not always look the most professional and they are not stable or safe.  When you hire a beach wedding company you are paying us for our expertise, asking a family member to assemble a cheap arbor from a craft store on the beach is not an easy task and you can expect it to be crooked or possibly even blow over during your wedding, please call us to discuss the decorations you would like to provide.  Any person(s), companies or individuals, using Florida State Park Recreational facilities for weddings and/ or receptions must show proof of liability insurance.  This includes, and not limited to, wedding decoration, tent/ chair rental companies, musicians, caterers, etc.  For more information.. contact Fl State Park Recreational Services.  ** Our insurance DOES NOT cover any decoration/ services other than our own**


Do you provide music?

Yes, please refer to our ala carte menu for pricing.   We will play “mood music” as the guests arrive on the beach, the processional and recessional.  We also can provide a live musician for your wedding.  We also have dj services available for receptions.

Do you provide chairs?

Yes, we do have chairs available on the ala carte menu, maximum of 20, anything over needs to be reserved thru an outside chair rental company.  Keep in mind that most of the guests will have a camera/ camcorder in hand and do not “sit” in the chairs provided.  We do not recommend having a chair for each guest, chairs for immediate Family or for any elderly guests or guests with health problems is encouraged.

How do we obtain the Marriage license?

Both of you must apply in person, together at the Clerk of the Court. Both of must have a State issued photo ID (Drivers license)** make sure it is not expired- if you are not a FL resident there is NO waiting period, you will receive the marriage license the same day-  Fl residents have a 3 day wait.  The fee is $96.50  If either of you have been divorced within the past 6 months-  you must bring a copy of your divorce decree.  If it has been more than 6 months- you will be asked the County/ State and date the divorce was finalized.

What happens the  license after the ceremony?

Effective immediately, due to liability issues and clerk of court offices unfortunately losing licenses on occasion, we are encouraging our couples to return their signed license themselves, however, we would still be happy to file it for you if you are unable to return the license on a weekday. 

What happens if we have to “postpone”?

Any deposits/ payments will be applied to your new date within 1 year of cancellation of the original wedding day.  If date is rescheduled 2 or more times the deposit is then forfeited to Sunshine Wedding Company and a new deposit would be required. 

What happens if we have to cancel?

All deposits are non-refundable and non-contractual.....no exceptions. If you cancel within 30 days of your wedding date, no monies will be refunded.  If you paid in full at the time of booking and you are canceling outside of 30 days then you will be refunded the difference of the appropriate deposit along with any other costs incurred of the amount paid in full. 

Why do you keep our deposit if we cancel?

Though we are very nice people, smile......this is our business and our livelyhood.  We already have time in to your wedding and your date has been reserved for you.....and others have been turned away, there is no guarantee we will re-book the canceled date. 


Do you handle receptions?

We do offer to continue your photography (additional charges apply) and we also offer DJ services for your reception needs and will provide photography, prices are given on a case by case basis.  For restaurants or reception locations we will be happy to email you recommendations once you have booked with us. 

Have a question that was not listed on this page?  Please do not hesitate to contact us!!  E-mail us or call, 850-502-0393.

Sunshine Wedding Company, LLC.
4592 Woodwind Drive
Destin, Florida 32541
phone: 850-502-0393
fax: 850-267-8410
email: sunshineweddingco@yahoo.com