Martha's Vineyard
Getting married in Massachusetts is a little more complicated than other states. Not only do you need a marriage license (there is a three-day waiting period), but you also need a blood test and a medical certificate from a physician licensed to practice in Massachusetts. Fortunately, you do not need a witness, so your wedding can be as intimate as you would like.
The towns govern the beaches around Martha's Vineyard and while some beaches are open to the public, others are reserved for residents and summer visitors. Be sure to check with the town to see if you need any parking or beach permits.
John S. Alley, a justice of the peace for more than 22 years, has married hundreds of couples all over Martha's Vineyard. Alley says popular beach locations vary, depending on the couple or time of day or month, but include the Lighthouse Beach, Fuller Street Beach and the Menemsha Public Beach.
"The (Lighthouse) beach overlooks Chappaquiddick and is very picturesque and is not windy", says Alley.
September and October are popular months to get married, because of the exodus of the Vineyard's summertime residents.
"It's kind of the off-season and not as crowded, plus if you are bringing 30 to 40 guests, it's easier to find accommodations," says Alley.
Many weddings also take place during sunset, and for those, Alley recommends the Menemsha Public Beach in Chilmark from June to late August and Land Bank Beach in Aquinnah from late August to September.
Hilton Head Island
Along with having plenty of beaches on which to get married, Hilton Head Island, S.C., is a perfect place to honeymoon. Getting married in South Carolina requires no blood test and only a 24-hour waiting period after obtaining a license (the closest office to Hilton Head is in Beaufort).
The four public beaches on Hilton Head Island are South Forest Beach, North Forest Beach, Burkes Beach and Folly Field.
Gail Felton, owner of Weddings By the Sea and a notary public, says Folly Beach is the most popular beach for weddings because it's wide even at high tide. Felton is busy performing ceremonies from April to October, and Saturday is a popular day to get married. From her experience, the beach is much quieter during the winter months and therefore ideal for an intimate ceremony.
For weddings involving large groups and a reception, Lisa Manning of Southern Weddings with Style, recommends renting a beachside hotel and favors the Hilton and the Crown Plaza for groups of 80 or more. For outdoor weddings, the Crowne Plaza Resort has an outdoor deck that overlooks the water along with a grassy area that's close to the beach without being in the sand.
Another possible resort close to the beach is the Sea Pines Resort. It gives you a choice of several wedding locations, including the Sea Pines Beach Club. The Sea Pines has a wedding planning staff on hand to help plan out the details.
After the ceremony is over, newlyweds do not have far to travel for the honeymoon.
"Hilton Head is a great honeymoon destination," says Felton. "There's such a wide variety of things to do, like golf, tennis, shopping and dining. They can honeymoon in the same place as their wedding."
Marriage in Florida
No blood test is required to get married in Florida; however, there is a three-day waiting period after obtaining a marriage license. Luckily for out-of-towners, the law only applies to Florida residents. To avoid the waiting period all together (and to save some money), Florida offers a premarital preparation course. Be sure to ask about the course while applying for your marriage license.
St. Petersburg/Clearwater and Tampa Bay
The St. Petersburg/Clearwater area has 35 miles of powder-white barrier island beaches on Florida's Gulf of Mexico. Beaches range from undeveloped, remote islands to wide, city beaches with every amenity imaginable.
John Veleno, of A Special Moment Wedding in St. Petersburg, Fla., has been performing wedding ceremonies for 10 years. Along with performing the ceremony, Veleno can provide such props as an arch, a portable music system and a P.A. system if desired. Veleno says popular beach locations include Sunset Beach on the southern end of Treasure Island and Pass-A-Grille Beach. Another location for which most couples opt is simply the beach located outside their hotel.
For those looking for a fairy-tale wedding in luxurious surroundings, the happy couple might want to book the Don CeSar Beach Resort & Spa. Built in 1928, the Mediterranean-style resort features 277 guest rooms, including 50 suites, and is located on 7-1/2 miles of sugary St. Petersburg Beach. A Don CeSar coordinator for small weddings can perform the ceremony and help with wedding details. Once the beachside vows are exchanged, the Tampa Bay area offers you a variety of attractions and activities, from the outdoors to the arts. Downtown Tampa has a lively arts scene. Take your pick from foreign films at the historic Tampa Theatre to shows and concerts at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Maybe thrill rides and water slides are more what you had in mind -- then you should check out Busch Gardens and Adventure Island water park.
Daytona Beach
Bikes and the beach seem to go hand in hand in Daytona, even for weddings, according to Donan Miller, of Heart to Heart Weddings. Miller just finished performing a flood of biker weddings for Bike Week, an annual event in March that attracts motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the United States.
Aside from bikers, many couples travel to Daytona to get married on the beach.
Miller says getting married in Dayton is a less expensive option for those wanting the warm tropical atmosphere but not the Caribbean vacation price tag. The Ponce Inlet in Dayton Beach is a popular wedding spot because of its unobstructed view of the ocean and scenic lighthouse.
In addition to officiating, Miller helps in the planning and can arrange accommodations and such extras as a bouquet for the bride, cake and champagne.
After the ceremony, grab a surfboard and try surfing. The best waves are south of Daytona Beach at Ponce Inlet. Spend time strolling the old-fashioned boardwalk, which is filled with such modern amusements as the "Skycoaster," a 100-foot-tall pendulum that swoops you through the air at 60 mph.
If You Say 'I Do'
Keep in mind, a beach ceremony is not for everyone. It works best with only a couple or a small group. It's also best to use the simple natural surroundings and to keep extras (such as chairs, torches, arches and other wedding paraphernalia) to a minimum. Many public beaches prohibit large gatherings and such objects as tents and chairs, so be sure to check with the town or city that runs the beach to see what you can and cannot bring to the beach. Also, public beaches are open to everyone, so if you do not want onlookers or unknown participants involved in your wedding, it's best to seek out more private surroundings.
