Beach reception is only a dream

If you only have $5000 I’d look at other options. By the time you get permits, rent tents, tables, chairs, and hire a caterer, that $5k is likely to be all gone.

Also, Florida at the end of May isn’t really the best time for an outdoor reception. We were in Florida last year at the end of April and it was brutal.

The best option would be ceremony on the beach then dinner with a limited menu at a restaurant in a private room. The limited menu will help with budget.

Ceremony on a beach sounds lovely! A reception on the beach is a lot trickier. Rentals and permit costs have already been mentioned. Also, don't forget sun will set around 8:30 so you'd need to figure out lighting if it's an evening reception, the uneven surface of sand can be difficult for some people (elderly, very young, or disabled) to be able to walk on without assistance, and the average temperature in May is around 90, so it'll be HOT spending hours outside. I agree with PP - to do it right in your budget is almost impossible considering everything you'd need to set up. A reception at a restaurant would be a great alternative.

Were are getting married on the beach in 8 weeks and Yes most of you Can say or think were crazy but were cooking ourself and doing our cake and cupcakes its going to be great we live in Georgia

My friend is a professional chef and is doing the catering for us. It’ll be more expensive at a restaurant since most of the time it’s more around $35/plate. Any other options for a traditional reception?

Have you looked Knights of Columbus halls or vfw. They’re usually the cheapest you’ll find.

View Quoted Comment Is this in Destin?

Hi, I was looking at destination weddings in the same area. What I have found to be the cheapest idea is to rent a home near the beach not on the beach for a small reception. Although most homes I have found want you to rent for several days and you have to do a small wedding part fee. But as long as your off season like may or Sept prices are lower and you can do a elope package for the ceremony and cook at the house or pot luck the reception.

Here are some of the elopement packages i was looking at http://www.barefootweddings.net/packages.html
http://www.beachelope.com/
http://m.sunshineweddingcompany.com/?

url=http://www%2Esunshineweddingcompany%2Ecom%2Fpackages%2Ehtml#3246
And I was looking at ocean reef vacation rentals for the house rentals for the house rental. But you can also try air b and b and vrbo.

First, breath, everything will be ok.

Second and quite honestly, a reception on the beach is one of those things that sounds awesome and looks beautiful on Pinterest but in reality, isn't so practical. May in Florida is hot and the sand can become so hot in the afternoon/early evening that you can't even walk on it without burning yourself. Best case scenario, you need a tent to shield your guests from the burning sun to provide some relief. The tables will be set up on sand which obviously leads to uneven/unstable tables. The wind blows and you potentially have sand in your dinner plate. It's just one of those things that always sounds great in theory until you truly think about the logistics. What's the back up plan for the ceremony and reception if there is poor weather? Where will the caterer house the food, dirty dishes from previous courses, etc.?

I'm not pointing out all of these things to let you down, but, to bring reality to the situation as I too originally went down this path. A lot of what you see on Pinterest where there are receptions on the beach are actually styled shoots where no true reception is taking place. At the very least, if you are determined to go down this path, I'd highly suggest a DOC/wedding planner which unfortunately may not be in your budget.

View Quoted Comment Unfortunately my mother in law already reserved a beach house on the beach beach front for $4000 for the immediate family.

View Quoted Comment It’s before sunset at 6:30 pm so no worry of sun and the lows are around 68 at night. We tried a wedding planner but they charged 2-3x for things I could rent from rental places for far cheaper. My mother in law has reserved a $4000 beach front beach house for the immediate family so we could always have the eating inside and party outside with just a dj covered in a small tent and some lights strung up.

View Quoted Comment A lot of rental houses can’t be used for events, so double check this before doing it.

View Quoted Comment This sounds like the cheapest option. Sort of what we were thinking of doing. With a tent and dj in the back yard area. Most of the homes on the beach are lovely. Unfortunately I think we will have to wait till next year. Some of my family is kind of giving my fiance a hard time about going out of state. Best of luck, I am positive it will be a beautiful wedding. The beaches are gorgeous in that area.

View Quoted Comment They already ok’d it.

I will say that I know this isn't a beach, but check out Capernaum Lakeside Lodge in Lake Wales. They are on a lake, and they are very affordable! These are pictures of the Lodge.

It's about 2 hours away from Miramar. I'm doing a reception, ceremony and catering for 100 for about 3500 (my full budget is $5000). Since you have less guests it would be cheaper. We already went for our tasting; the chef is super nice and his wife is lovely! It's a ministry, which is why it's cheaper. I'd definitely say check it out!

Sorry if my answer isn't much help, I wish you the best of luck with your wedding! No matter what it will be lovely!

View Quoted Comment Wow! Impressive pics however it has to be in Destin due to people driving from far away as St Louis Mo and we’re all staying in Destin.

View Quoted Comment I completely understand! I wish you the best of luck with your wedding!