| A cheap beach wedding is becoming more and | | | | the order of the day. Relatives and friends |
| more popular due to the slow recovery of the | | | | normally take care of this. Compare this to the |
| economy and the more realistic approach to | | | | average cost of a caterer who includes food and |
| money management by brides today. They | | | | food service, drinks and drink service, and cake |
| understand that $10,000 - $15,000 would be much | | | | and cake cutting...and the fee is $12,790. You DO |
| better spent on adding to the down payment for | | | | NOT need bartenders or an open bar. (With the |
| a home, than burned on a 20-minute ceremony | | | | average cost of bartender service going for |
| and indoor reception. | | | | $2,800...it is time to re-think that.) Many beach |
| You can get married cheaply on the beach if you | | | | weddings serve cold water in bottles, with small |
| start early and pay attention to planning details. | | | | pastel bows tied around the neck. Municipalities |
| There is NO NEED to hire a wedding-planning | | | | have ordinances regarding alcohol consumption on |
| company(who normally charge about $5,000 for | | | | their properties. Find out what they are. |
| full-service) if you have patience, a willingness to | | | | Wedding Decorations: There is no need for |
| put in some effort running down information, and | | | | expensive floral arrangements or centerpieces at |
| the ability to deal with a variety of personalities. | | | | the reception area. The wind and humidity on the |
| Getting married on a quiet beach with a soft | | | | beach do not play well with delicate petals. A shell |
| breeze, the hint of sea salt in the air, and sugary | | | | shop in the town where you will be married can |
| white sand beneath your bare feet can be far | | | | provide you with great natural decorations at a |
| more memorable and romantic than an expensive | | | | fraction of the cost. Plus, all of your guests can |
| church wedding. | | | | take a small, but beautiful and colorful shell as a |
| Wedding planning companies try to sell you on | | | | keepsake from your ceremony. Here on |
| their value of dealing with the frustrations of | | | | Treasure Island, the Florida Shell Shop even |
| everything from phone calls not being returned to | | | | provides a 10% discount to brides. |
| finding the perfect caterer and florist. Trust me, | | | | Wedding Music: Here on the Gulf Coast beaches, |
| you can do all of this. It will just take some | | | | many brides opt for a guitar soloist whose main |
| time...but will save you $1000s of dollars. | | | | selections focus on softer romantic or island |
| Where will you save the most money? | | | | theme songs. Since many of the outdoor facilities |
| Wedding Dress: According to The Bridal | | | | do not have electrical outlets, the musician uses |
| Association of America, the average cost of a | | | | an acoustical guitar with a richer sound. There is |
| wedding dress is $1,505. There is no need to | | | | no comparison when matched up against a |
| spend money on an expensive, long flowing gown | | | | 4-member band charging $1,100...and reaching |
| if you are planning a cheap beach wedding. Getting | | | | excessive decibel levels. Softer and understated is |
| married on the beach is personified by casualness | | | | much more classy and romantic. A soloist usually |
| with class. You can find a cute, short wedding | | | | charges about $200 for a two-hour performance. |
| dress for under $200. Plus, it will not be damaged | | | | The best times to get married on the the are |
| by touching the sand or being accidentally dragged | | | | just after sunrise or just before sunset. There is |
| in the surf. You cannot get salt water out of a | | | | less wind and humidity...and the lighting is better |
| wedding gown. Why risk it? Consider tea-length or | | | | for romantic pictures. Instead of birdseed or |
| ballet-length. | | | | flower petals, the guests toss tiny, micro-sized, |
| Reception Area: Most beach municipalities have a | | | | colorful shells. |
| large covered pavilion on the beach that you can | | | | Just because you have an inexpensive wedding, |
| rent cheaply. Here on Treasure Island, FL the | | | | does not mean it cannot be classy or memorable. |
| Sunset Beach Pavilion is extremely popular. You | | | | A bride with soft windblown hair, little if any |
| can rent the entire structure for for 6 hours...for | | | | make-up, a soft white satin beach wedding dress, |
| only $300. Black Skimmer Parking Lot only runs | | | | and a mini-shell anklet can look breathtaking. You |
| $25 for three hours. Contact the city where you | | | | do not have to use an expensive wedding service |
| plan to be married and ask about their rates. This | | | | that spends your money without regard...and |
| should be the first reservation you look into. | | | | charges you a fee for doing so. You do not have |
| According to The Bridal Association of America, | | | | to put yourself or your family in debt. Save |
| the cost of renting a reception area is $1,244. | | | | $1000s of dollars by planning early, simply, and |
| Food and Drink: There is no need for | | | | inexpensively on your own. You can have a cheap |
| extravagance at a beach wedding on the | | | | beach wedding that will enjoyable to talk about |
| seashore. Fresh fruit, cut vegetables, and deli | | | | for all the years you are together. |
| meat skewers/mini-sandwiches are pretty much | | | | |