Things to Consider When Planning Your Florida Destination Beach Wedding

From now until Valentine’s Day, it’s all about engagement season as couples across the world are saying “Yes” to a lifetime together. Our wedding planners are already busy talking to couples across the country and starting to plan their Florida beach destination weddings. Most are about a year or year and half away from their wedding dates but so much as to be booked far in advance, especially for destination weddings.

We asked our wedding planners about the top advice they could give newly engaged couples about planning destination weddings. There are so many moving parts and most of the planning is done from afar so there is so much to think about. Here are the top five things to consider about planning a beach destination wedding in Destin Florida.

1. Choose An Accessible and Affordable Destination

The place you choose for your destination beach wedding is going to make all the difference in the world. Destination weddings come at a cost for you and your guests and not all your guests will be able to afford to come. However the more accessible and affordable your destination is, the more likely that your guests will be able to attend.

That’s what makes Destin Florida such a popular destination beach wedding location. You get a Caribbean-like experience without the major distance, travel or expenses. The Destin area is one of the top drive-to destinations in Florida, making it easily accessible and affordable from most Southeast states. There are a multitude of options for any budget for beach wedding venues, accommodations and entertainment. Plus you can’t beat the sugar white sands and emerald green waters of our local beaches. Destin Florida gives you and your guests an unforgettable, affordable beach vacation type experience for your destination wedding – plus a bonus beach honeymoon spot!

2. A Local, Experienced Wedding Planner is a Must

Most destination weddings are planned from afar. So couples need an expert pair of local eyes that they can trust to help them with all the wedding details. Unexpected things are going to happen and you need someone you can count on to keep you sane and on budget. Choosing a local, experienced wedding planner is the best wedding gift you can give each other.

An experienced wedding planner can help you maximize your budget with little known local wedding tips, keep you organized and stress-free. Most of our destination wedding planning can be done over the phone or via email. Our wedding planners stay in constant touch with our couples before, during and after the wedding to make sure everything is executed to your vision.

From the pre-planning of the theme, colors and decor to using our in-house florist and design team to customize your wedding to the pre-wedding beach bonfire and send-off details, our wedding planners and entire team is with you from start to finish to make sure your wedding day is perfect and stress free. We are also prepared and experienced in dealing with all sorts of unexpected details including back up venues in case of rain or outside vendor changes. Their expertise and help is invaluable to your wedding experience.

3. Be Flexible with Ever-Changing Wedding Details

Be prepared for ever-changing details with destination weddings. Because of the expenses and time commitment, not all of your guests and/or bridal party will be able to attend. Destination weddings tend to be more of an intimate gathering of guests due to budget and time constraints. It’s also important to book everything as soon as you can to get the best price and availability especially your wedding venue, flowers, decor and accommodations.

Couples who are planning from afar also have to be prepared that they might not meet their wedding vendors or see things in person until right before the wedding. That’s why it is so important to hire a local wedding planner that you can trust with recommendations and to plan a wedding itinerary for your guests based on their budget and preferences.

4. Set a Budget

Coastal themed centerpieces by our wedding planners.

Destination weddings can quickly get out of control if you don’t have someone locally who can help you stay on track and on budget. A local, experienced wedding planner can help you manage and maximize your budget for you and your guests.

With over 15 years of experience planning local weddings, our wedding planners know all the ins and outs of Destin beach weddings and what “budget busters” to avoid. They have connections with local accommodations and vendors to help you find the right wedding packages. Our in-house florists and design team can help you select affordable seasonal flowers and give you creative ideas that won’t break the bank. Also, our chefs can create a custom wedding menu of seasonal coastal cuisines that will give your guests an authentic taste of the Gulf Coast that is within your budget.

5. All-Inclusive Wedding Company = Stress-Free

Another way to alleviate the stress of planning a destination wedding is to find an all-inclusive wedding company that offers an entire team of professionals and many services. Instead of trying to coordinate with a variety of companies from afar, find one wedding company that can handle all the details from start to finish.

That’s what sets SunQuest Beach Weddings apart from other Destin wedding companies. We offer all-inclusive wedding packages that are not only stress free but make the entire planning process cohesive. We can take your theme and vision and implement it across all aspects of your wedding, from the wedding planning and coordination to wedding design, officiant, beach weddings, reception, wedding flowers, catering, photography, beach wedding rentals and more. You get an entire team of professionals from one company who you can trust to make your wedding day unforgettable and stress free.

2019 was a banner year for SunQuest Beach Weddings! Our client testimonials about their destination beach wedding experience has earned us the Knot’s Best of Weddings Award for 2020. We can’t wait to continue making wedding dreams come true next year. If you’re dreaming of a destination wedding and not sure where to start, contact our wedding planners today to figure out where to start. We hope to talk to you soon!