Quick private wedding on the beach

You will have to get your license within a state you are getting married and possibly within that county. For example, we live in Maryland but we got married in Pennsylvania. We had to travel to a court house in Pennsylvania to get our license. We didn't however have to get it within the county we were getting married, but some counties do require you to get within the county so you will need to check with the county to see what their rules are. I will also add that both of us had to be present to get our marriage license.

As for an officiant, you will have to see who is the state can officiate. For example, Pennsylvania has a list of those allowed. Pennsylvania doesn't allow someone ordained online to officiant. My recommendation when you call about a marriage license is to ask about an officiant.

Same advice as Veronica about calling the license office/registrar/county clerk (they go by different names) where you want to get married to check their rules. It's so regional-specific, that general advice won't get you very far. But also don't forget to check with that beach to see if you need a wedding permit.