An NC or SC beach is an amazing place for your special day…wilderness with amazing power, grace and beauty. It is a living example of the flow of life itself…reflected in the ebb of tides, stormy or pristine days, and the rolling rhythm of the waves. Beaches are also a transitional location for the pivotal times in life: childhood memories, learning to swim, epic romance, special nights under the stars…and your wedding and your vows renewal. Here are some steps to take!
So just how do you throw a beach wedding? What do you do first? Do you need a permit? What about weather? What about chairs, arbor, music, minister, catering or photography? What about guests travelling? And the cost? No worries–the cost and the to-do list for a beach wedding is the same as any other type, and even LESS! (95% of these beaches are FREE-saves you thousands on a venue!)
- Minimum needed in North Carolina is just 6 things–a marriage license and 5 willing people (the couple, two witnesses and legal Officiant). Click here for getting your NC license.
- The minimum needed in South Carolina is just 4 things–a marriage license and 3 willing people (the couple and legal Officiant). However its harder to get an SC license sometimes, click here.
Easiest Way for 30+ guests: A coastal wedding planner or coordinator can create any size wedding event with all the needed service people (called “vendors”) and troubleshoot any “emergencies.” Some planners offer multiple levels of service, depending on how much, or little, assistance you want.
Easiest Way for Elopers or groups under 20 heads: Elope with your marriage license and 2 rings, hire a minister, book a beach hotel or condo, and wed barefoot in the sand, casual or dressy! Hire a photographer or videographer to share your private wedding during a reception party back home. Want flowers or music? We got real florist flowers (ordered to your specs) AND David is a flutist, click here! We also rent our powerful, portable PA to play any songs off your cellphone or ipod.
Want it fancier? Book a beach house or hotel, bring wedding rings, book a restaurant or caterer, book a band, rent or bring decorations and rent chairs, invite Attendants to stand with you, and/or wear formal clothes.
FIRST STEPS, MAKE DECISIONS:
1. Set your budget. You can do a minimal, quick, casual beach wedding/elopement with photos, about $650. Or get just a minister (with sand ceremony and other perks!) for just $300 (or $250 if your are active military/police/fire/EMS or doing a renewal)
2. Set your guest list, if any, and their needs. Such as beds, car parking, transportation to ceremony or reception, pet needs, dining, and the challenges of hot sun and soft sand for elderly or limited mobility. To be honest, the fewer the guests, the better… less stress, less expense, AND have a second celebration/reception back home too! Consider the “politics” and social dynamics among your guests—do they distress or improve the quality of your happiness? You can photo slideshow or video record it for them later.
3. Choose 1-3 favorite beach locations. If you are flexible on location, you may save money.
4. Choose 1-3 dates and times. If you can be flexible, you may save money.
6. Decide formal or casual dress code for self and/or for guests.
8. Decide if you want rented chairs, arbor, and beach decorations (elderly and disabled need seats).
9. Decide if ordering food and cake… choose family cooks, or professional catering, or book a restaurant or a combination.
10. Decide on: traditional or creative, religious or non-religious or spiritual.
SECOND STEPS, TAKE ACTION:
1. Book your accommodations as soon as you set your date and location. These fill up very fast at the beach so do NOT delay on this step.
2. Book an officiant (fyi–judges are prohibited from leaving the courthouse to perform weddings). If you want a non-religious ceremony, say so… some ministers are fine with that. Good ones book up quickly so lock in your Officiant early.
3. Next, book photographers, videographers, musicians and caterers/restaurants. Ask questions and communicate clearly with them.
4. Contact food services, rental businesses, beauty salons, florists and transportation
5. Meanwhile, send out invitations, get your wedding clothes, rings, supplies, accessories
6. (renewals: skip #6 & 7, no license needed) Within 60 days of your wedding date, get your marriage license at the courthouse. Call that office beforehand to confirm what IDs they need!
7. Bring the license to the ceremony and hand it over to Officiant before it begins!
OTHER IMPORTANT INFO:
- Most NC & SC beaches are public property so you may marry almost anywhere on these shores.
- Weather over this geographical area is remarkably stable and predictable, Sunny 85% of the time and infrequent rain showers pass over within 5-15 minutes. Hurricanes are scarce, normally short-lived, and can be predicted.
- Permits: Wrightsville Beach requires one (min. $125, call their town hall) but the 74+ others we serve do not. Fort Fisher State Park and Myrtle Beach State Park require permits too.
- City of Myrtle Beach restricts most beach weddings, please click this link for that info
- Most ceremonies last 7 – 15 minutes and the whole event may take about 1 hour, depending on guests, location, stragglers, wardrobe hiccups, weather, etc.
- Guests would travel to your hometown for a home wedding, so they can just as easily travel to the shore and this doubles as a vacation!For best results follow the instructions your hired vendors give you. Ask questions, ask for advice! Communicating clearly and openly helps. If you need help, ask. Now go have fun!