Frequently Asked Questions
Booking Your Wedding
¿Habla español?
Sí. Para obtener ayuda con sus planes de boda en español, por favor llame a Danielle al 727-209-7373. Desiree es una Coordinadora de Bodas y habla español. Puedeen viarle un email a Danielle@simpleweddingsflorida.com. Tenemos paquetes que incluyen todo lo que necesitas para una boda en las playas de la Florida: Fotografía, Oficiador de ceremonias , arcos y toldos de bambú, sillas, música, sonido y más. Desde Tampa Bay hasta Clearwater y Anna Maria Island. Por favor nota: no servimos el área de Miami.
How soon should I book?
The sooner the better. We are great at putting together amazing events at the last minute. However, booking early will give you more choices of venues, photographers, officiants, and other services. We recommend 3-9 months for smaller weddings and 9-18 months for larger events.
Do you require a down payment to reserve my date?
Yes, a nonrefundable down payment of 25% is required to reserve your wedding date and book our services. Another 25% is due halfway through the planning process. The balance is due with your final headcount 30 days prior to your wedding.
Do you offer any discounts? (military, weekday, etc)
Yes, we have discounted packages available for weekday (M-Th) and off-season (July-Sept and Nov-Feb) weddings. We also offer a discount for brides or grooms currently serving in the military.
Marriage License
How do we obtain a Florida marriage license?
Obtaining a Florida marriage license is a fairly simple process and can be done in person or by mail. Click
Here to download our simple guide “Obtaining Your Florida Marriage License.”
Can we obtain a marriage license in another state, but get legally married in Florida?
No, in order to be legally married in Florida, you must obtain a Florida marriage license
Beach Weddings
Is the beach public? Will there be other people in my pictures?
Nearly all of the beaches in our area are public beaches. It is likely that other people will be in the area. If privacy is a concern, we recommend holding your ceremony in the more residential areas and avoiding the areas with large hotels and a high amount of tourist traffic. Keep in mind that the time of day, time of year, and day of the week will all effect the amount of people on the beach. We will work with you to choose a ceremony time and location that is as free of congestion as possible. In addition, upon arrival at the beach to set up for your ceremony, we always look for a spot that is as vacant as possible. Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee privacy on the public beaches.
Is a permit required to get married on the beach?
It depends on the beach. Most of the beaches do require a permit. The cost can range from $65-$350 depending upon the beach and the number of guests. If a permit is required, we will file the paperwork and obtain the permit for you. The cost will be added to your invoice.
Do you charge a travel fee?
It depends on the location. Our local service area is the St Petersburg / Clearwater area (Central and Southern Pinellas County). This includes the stretch of beaches from Clearwater to St Pete Beach and the parks and venues throughout the St Pete/Clearwater area. We will travel outside this area to locations north of Clearwater, the Tampa Area and parts of Manatee County (including Anna Maria Island) for an additional travel fee.
Is alcohol allowed on the beach?
Most of the beaches in our area do not allow alcohol on the beach. It is permitted on the beaches in Treasure Island and Madeira Beach with some exceptions. Glass is not permitted on any of the area beaches.
Are pets allowed in my wedding on the beach?
The only beach in our area that allows pets on the beach is in Fort Desoto.
What if the weather is bad on my wedding day?
We know how disappointing bad weather can be on your wedding day, especially if you’ve dreamed of a wedding on the beach. Rain can prevent us from providing sound, photography, and other services on the beach. Severe weather can also endanger our crew and your guests. Your planner will discuss backup options in advance of your wedding. Inclement weather often passes quickly in Florida. It may be possible to delay your ceremony for a short time to allow the weather to clear. Depending on location, there may be a pavilion nearby where the wedding could be moved. However, we recommend booking a backup location in advance. There are a number of art centers, banquet rooms, and rec centers that will allow you to reserve space for a fee. If you are having your reception at an area restaurant or hotel, it may be possible to use that space as well. If we have to use the backup space, your coordinator will adjust the decor to make the space as beautiful as possible. Our goal is to help minimize your stress. At the end of the day, you’ll still be celebrating your special day together with friends and family.
Can I have my reception on the beach?
Most of the beaches in this area prohibit receptions on the beach, but there are a few that will allow it. However, most find this option to be cost prohibitive as special permitting, tents, tables, chairs, portable toilets, etc must all be delivered to and set up on the beach. Glass and open-flames are also prohibited on the beaches, which can make it challenging to serve dinner. However, there are a number of indoor and outdoor reception venues in our area that offer amazing Gulf and Bay views. Your wedding planner can help you find the perfect reception venue to fit your style and budget.
Can turtle season affect our wedding plans/decor?
Yes, in some cases. Sea turtle nesting season is generally recognized as being from May 1 through Oct. 31. Because hatchlings find their way to the water following natural light reflected onto the Gulf, those near the beach must shut off or dim lights at night. This can reduce the amount of artificial light and help the newly hatched turtles safely reach the water. Several cities along the beach have ordinances in place to reduce artificial light during turtle season. This might limit our use of lighting, torches, lanterns, sparklers, etc. and/or require the use of a tent for outdoor receptions held after dark.
Travel and Accommodations
Which are the closest airports?
Tampa International Airport (TPA) and St Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) are both less than 30 minutes from our office in Treasure Island. International travelers and bargain seekers may also want to check out Orlando International Airport (MCO) which is 135 miles from Treasure Island.
Can you help us with hotel and restaurant recommendations?
No problem. Just ask your wedding planner.
How far are you from Disney World? Busch Gardens?
Disney world is about 95 miles from Treasure Island. Busch Gardens is about 40 miles.
Photography
When will our photo slideshow be ready?
We know how excited you are to get your photos and we do our best to process your order as quickly as possible. Your images will normally be uploaded to our website within 14 business days following your wedding.
Can I use my own photographer?
Yes. If you choose to use your own photographer, we will deduct our cost for photography from your wedding package (excluding the Breeze Package). But, please be careful. Make sure that your photographer is an experienced wedding photographer and that he/she has experience with beach photography. Even seasoned wedding photographers have been challenged by the conditions and lighting at the beach. Don’t risk using anyone that isn’t very experienced with beach photography.
General Questions
Is a wedding rehearsal included in my package?
No. In most cases a rehearsal really isn’t necessary. At Simple Weddings we have over 8 years experience in coordinating ceremonies. Our team has worked together on MANY weddings. Our planning process uses checklist and timelines to organize your wedding day in advance. This simplifies the process so that you, your wedding party, and guests simply need to show up at the appointed times. We’ll take it from there. However, if you have an especially large wedding party, are planning a truly out-of-the-ordinary ceremony, or just want the added peace of mind, we will be happy to help you coordinate and conduct a rehearsal for an additional fee.
Can we rent Simple Wedding’s bamboo arches, canopies, chairs or decor without purchasing a wedding package?
Unfortunately, no. Simple Weddings is a wedding planning service and our decor items are restricted for use to clients who purchase packages. There are several equipment rental companies in the St. Pete/Clearwater area you may contact.
Can we schedule food/cake tastings?
Yes, if you plan to be in the area several weeks or more in advance or live locally. We’ll be happy to coordinate that for you. If you are only traveling to the area for the wedding, there will not be enough time. However, you can be confident that the select cake and catering vendors we recommend are highly rated by prior clients.
I want a sunset wedding. What time is sunset?
Sunset times vary based on location and time of year. They may be as early as 5:30 in winter and as late as 8:30 in summer. Your wedding planner will help you determine the exact sunset time for your date and location and use that information to suggest the best time to start your ceremony. You can also enter your date and location at http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/sunrise.html to determine sunset.
Are flowers included in your wedding packages?
We believe that flowers are a reflection of your personal style. Therefore, flowers are not included in our packages. However, we do have a wonderful floral designer on staff who will work with you and your planner to design the perfect flowers to fit your style and budget. Of course, prices and availability vary depending by season. Introductory estimates are included on our pricelist.
