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Cora
Just Said Yes September 2022

Are weddings on public beaches allowed?

Cora, on April 30, 2019 at 7:19 PM Posted in Wedding Ceremony 0 12
I had the idea to have a ‘spontaneous’ wedding on a public beach at sunrise. It’s special to my SO and I bc we visit the beach at sunrise a lot. The beach is clean and typically void of people at sunrise. Since it’s a small wedding (25-30 guests) we wanted to find a venue to match. Most venues are out of our price range. But when I thought of having a sunrise ceremony on a special beach, I was excited and immediately it felt right. It’s close to where he lives now and my family wouldn’t mind the trip or the time. Someone would go ahead of us to set up a few rented chairs and maybe a wooden frame to serve as a backdrop. We’d be careful not to litter with any decorations or trash. Then at or before sunrise the wedding party would arrive followed by the guests. Maybe a short 20-30 minute ceremony. Then we’d tear down and head to a nice breakfast.
Of course I’d have a back up plan in case of weather. But this whole idea came together in about an hour and seemed perfect and I’m still so excited about the thought.
My question is concerning the legality of the situation. It’s public property. And even if it’s not strictly allowed, could I get away with having a short, 1 hour tops event in the wee hours of the morning? Any thoughts?

12 Comments

Latest activity by Cristy, on May 1, 2019 at 4:34 PM
  • Kelly
    Champion October 2018
    Kelly ·
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    Every state and beach is different. Where I live in California beach weddings are allowed but require a permit. Some beaches allow chairs and decorations and some don’t.
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  • Dana
    Dedicated September 2018
    Dana ·
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    You may need a permit. Check if there’s a website and it should have info for you about obtaining any needed permits. You may have to pay a small fee.
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  • Val
    Dedicated September 2019
    Val ·
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    I would double check with the beach you’re thinking of because some places do need a permit. Don’t wanna get fined or kicked out the day of lol
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  • C
    Master January 2019
    Cassidy ·
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    As others have said, I’d check the rules of the particular beach you are looking at.
    I think with setting up chars and a backdrop you wouldbe pushing your luck. More so than if people showed up and you just so happened to get married.
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  • Becca
    Devoted October 2019
    Becca ·
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    As preciously mentioned it depends on where you are going. Florida just passed a law about private/public beaches. Because of this the spots for public beach weddings has become limited and vendors need a permit. Also my hometown (Fort Walton Beach) is trying to limit public beach weddings, however I’m not sure exactly what the outcome was for the public hearing. Just check with the area you want to get married at and see what they say.
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  • Devin
    Super October 2019
    Devin ·
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    We had a friend get married on the beach in Florida a few years ago.
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  • Bre
    Dedicated September 2019
    Bre ·
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    That is the exact wedding we are having in Hawaii, we had to get a permit it was free took about 3 weeks written the mailing back and forth but with it to not be fined. Check with the city you're considering. Happy planning.
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  • Victorian Bride
    Master April 2023
    Victorian Bride ·
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    I used to live in Savannah, GA. You can have beautiful beach weddings on Tybee Island, but a permit is required. Good luck! You'd get gorgeous photos!!
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  • Hermione
    Expert February 2020
    Hermione ·
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    In my area I think you would need a permit. It be like using a public park for a birthday party level of permit or getting married at a national park level. Not terrible... But definitely government bureaucracy. This is state and local law depending.
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  • D
    Beginner September 2019
    Dawn ·
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    It depends on your location. My city only does one permit rental a day for the public spaces because they don’t want to deal with timing multiple events, and the good spots book out at least a year in advance. So if someone has the permit for later in the afternoon you might be out of luck. But definitely do not just cross your fingers and hope for the best without finding the rules and getting a permit if it’s needed. My city fines for unpermitted events/gatherings of a certain number of people. That said, as a guest, I don’t know how I’d feel about having to get up, get ready for a wedding, and then get to the ceremony site all before the crack of dawn. And you might be challenged finding a chair rental place that would come out that early.
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  • Nafisah
    Super May 2019
    Nafisah ·
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    I agree with everyone. My bestfriend had her wedding on a public beach, and I believe a permit was all she had. However, it didn't exclude people from being able to go to the beach so there were some unexpected guests who watched from the sidelines lol
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  • Cristy
    Master May 2021
    Cristy ·
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    If you're in CA, you'll need a permit. Check with the city/county/parks dept. about that. It is usually allowed, just have to pay the fee. Good luck!!

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