Simple Weddings | Florida Beach Weddings | Official Blog

Kacy & Brandon's Sand Key Beach Wedding (Video)

2011-11-03T22:24:00.003-04:00

Kacy and Brandon were married under our Signature Bamboo Canopy on the beautiful white sands of Clearwater's Sand Key Park.

They enjoyed a beautiful Gulf Coast sunset with about a dozen of their closest friends and family, and had a blast taking pictures with Claire on the rocky jetty and bright red life guard stand!

Click play below to she a short musical montage video put together by Jamie:

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Megan & Matt's Pass-a-Grille Beach Wedding (Video)

2011-09-25T21:05:00.007-04:00

Under our bamboo
canopy on Pass-a-Grille

Megan and Matt were married on Pass-a-Grille beach near the Inn on the Beach - one of our favorite spots for a Florida beach wedding. They opted for our Signature Bamboo Canopy, white chairs, and about twenty of their closest friends. Their beach wedding ceremony was officiated by Margo.

They enjoyed a beautiful evening and a stunning sunset on our beautiful white sand beach, and their Florida wedding was absolutely perfect! Their tropical beach music was provided by our steel drummer, Vincent, and this musical montage was put together by our videographer, Jamie. We couldn't resist showing it off!

Please feel free to leave a comment below and let us know what you think!

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Sunset Beach House Wedding and Reception Packages!

2011-07-26T18:23:00.014-04:00

View from the deck of the Sunset Beach House

This all inclusive beach house wedding and reception package is perfect for destination weddings. Have your Florida beach wedding and reception at your home away from home on our white sand beach and avoid the hassle and delays associated with you and your guests driving between venues!

Availability Update as of 1/9/12:

The Sunset Beach House just had a cancellation and is now available from May 7th - 22nd, 2012! It is unheard of to get such great dates in the middle of wedding season on such short notice, and this opening won't last long! Contact us today for more info!

This package is only $13,999 and includes:
• Exclusive use of the Sunset Beach House, a private home directly on the beach for bridal party preparations and accommodations
• Three night’s lodging in the Sunset Beach House for up to 20 guests*
• Use of the home's exclusive private beach for your wedding ceremony
• Use of the home's outdoor courtyard on the beach for your wedding reception for up to 30 guests*
• Catered outdoor dining for you and your guests with choice of menu options
• Wedding cake
• Bridal bouquet and groom's boutonniere
• Linens, tables, and dinnerware
• Centerpieces
• White wood garden chairs for your wedding
• Covered chairs with color coordinated sashes for your reception
• Wedding planning and day-of wedding coordination
• Marriage ceremony/officiant and wireless microphone for your ceremony
• Sand unity ceremony and champagne toast
• Aisle décor
• Our Signature Bamboo Canopy for your wedding ceremony
• Recorded music for both your wedding and reception
• One of our professional photographers for up to four hours with unlimited number of images captured
• Online image slideshow of your wedding gallery with hosting and proofing of all images
• $400 digital image/print/album credit

Additional options such as a dance floor, live musician, and custom lighting are available for an additional cost.

*The Sunset Beach House can sleep up to 20 guests, and this package includes dining for 30 guests. However, the property can accommodate up to 150 guests for a wedding reception. Contact us for wedding and reception packages and prices for larger groups.

View of the Sunset Beach House from the beach

Contact us today by calling 727-537-9331 or email us to start planning your Florida beach wedding and reception!

The slideshow below shows some pictures of beach weddings and receptions held at the Sunset Beach House, and the video below that showcases the amenities of the property itself.

Please note, this package is subject to availability. The Sunset Beach House is in high demand and these packages often book up a year or more in advance. Deposits are required for both the wedding/reception package and the Sunset Beach House. All deposits and charges for the Sunset Beach House are payable directly to the property manager, but please contact us to check availability for your wedding date. Rental prices are subject to sales and lodging taxes. The Sunset Beach House is located in Treasure Island, Florida. Similar packages are available both locally and in our other service areas, but details may vary. Contact us for details.

For smaller groups, we can do the same package at a very similar property called the Daydreamin' Beach House. This five bedroom property can sleep up to 15 guests and accommodate a wedding reception for up to 25:

Daydreamin' Beach House on Treasure Island

Email jeff@simpleweddingsflorida.com for details!

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The Cowhead Show Wedding

2011-06-13T00:23:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to Galvin & Jenny

Fans of The Cowhead Show, the number one afternoon radio show in Tampa Bay, are well aware that Galvin, the show's co-host, got married this past weekend. We are big fans of the show, and were lucky enough to be a part of Galvin and Jennie's wedding at Ruth Eckerd Hall on Saturday.

We worked with Galvin and Jennie for several months to plan their big day, and they were married on the deck outside the Margarete Heye Great Room at Ruth Eckerd Hall under our bamboo arch. Jennie looked absolutely gorgeous and glamorous in her wedding dress sporting the Audrey Hepburn look!

Their wedding ceremony was officiated by Jeff, and Claire decorated the ceremony site and coordinated the event. Jennie and Greg had their friend John as the lead photographer for their wedding, but Claire couldn't resist squeezing in some wedding photography of her own, especially since she had Jennie and the bridesmaids to herself before the wedding!

The floral arrangements were provided by our florist, Marsha Marie, and we also provided the music and sound for the ceremony. After the ceremony, we all retired to the Margarete Heye Great Room for amazing food from Cafe Cibo, an open bar, and live music by the Swingin Mooks. It was an exceptionally fun event!

The Margarete Heye Great Room at Ruth Eckerd Hall

All the members of The Cowhead Show were there to include Cowhead, Galvin, Dinah, John Brennan, and Spanish. Even X-Pac and Ralphie May made appearances. But the star of the show (aside from Jennie in her stunning ivory dress and navy blue gloves) was Jennie's Uncle Phil, who gave a deadpan speech as he presented the newlyweds with a Bavarian wedding chalice and recounted the story of Kunigunde and the goldsmith.

After the speeches, we all enjoyed delicious cupcakes from Patty Cakes Gourmet Cupcakes in St Petersburg, and danced the night away to the Swingin Mooks.

We were very excited to be a part of this incredible event, and we wish Galvin and Jennie all the best in the years to come. We also wanted to share some of our favorite pictures in the slideshow below. Enjoy, and please feel free to offer Galvin and Jenny your congratulations by leaving a comment!

Click here to hear Galvin's testimonial about Simple Weddings,

and contact us today to plan your own amazing event!

Simple Weddings

4336 4th Street North

St Petersburg, Florida, 33703

(727) 537-9331

www.simpleweddingsflorida.com

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Ashley and Brian's St Pete Beach Wedding & Reception

2011-04-20T22:47:00.002-04:00

Many of our clients ask us for a place where they can hold both their wedding and reception on the beach, and we think the Tradewinds Island Grand Resort on St Pete Beach is the perfect spot!

Ashley and Brian are from Illinois, and we worked with them for several months to plan their Florida beach wedding and reception. They opted for the beautiful South Lawn of the Tradewinds for their reception, which is adjacent to the beautiful white sands of St Pete Beach and was just steps away from their beach wedding ceremony.

Our wedding coordinator, Desiree, provided Ashley and Brian's wedding coordination and put their minds at ease with an organized, step-by-step timeline for their wedding day. She also assisted with setup of their reception decor as well as our signature bamboo canopy and aisle decor for the ceremony. Desiree is new to Simple Weddings, but brings a wealth of experience as a wedding planner and florist coordinating chic and upscale events in the Miami area.

The flowers and centerpieces were by our preferred vendor, Seaside Florals, and Jeff officiated their beach wedding ceremony. The Tradewinds provided everything else - including the tables, linens, and delicious food and drink for their reception on the beach.

It was the perfect partnership, and a perfect Florida beach wedding and reception! Below are a few of our favorite pictures of the set-up:

Are you looking for the perfect Florida wedding experience? Let us put together a stress-free complete wedding and reception package designed especially for you! We have the local knowledge and contacts to help you find a ceremony and reception venue that suits your needs, and our own staff can provide your wedding and reception decor, photography, wedding coordination, ceremony officiant, music and sound...and anything else you may need!

Simple Weddings | Simple...Elegant...Perfect!
(727) 537-9331
www.simpleweddingsflorida.com

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Special Delivery to Siesta Key!

2011-02-27T11:51:00.005-05:00

When we say "Complete Wedding Packages", we mean it - even if it means providing a groom!

Jennifer and Bruce are from Illinois and had planned for a sunset beach wedding on Siesta Key. But when we called them to check in at about 11:00am on their wedding day, Jennifer was sobbing. She explained that Bruce had been scheduled to fly down from Chicago early that morning, but had been in a car accident on the way to the airport!

Bruce was okay, but totaling their car, spending a half hour stuck in a cold, snowy ditch, and a trip to the hospital had thrown quite a wrench in his travel plans and he had missed his flight.

After several tearful phone calls, Jennifer was able to get him on a later flight out of Milwaukee, but the flight was to Tampa, rather than Sarasota as originally planned, which meant he would get into Tampa about an hour and a half before his wedding, with an hour and a half to drive from Tampa to Siesta Key and no one to pick him up at the airport!

To make things worse, Bruce's cell phone battery died while all of this was taking place, so no one knew if he had actually boarded the later flight.

It just so happens that Tampa International Airport is not too far out of our way, so we offered to wait at the airport, pick him up, and deliver him to his own wedding. We were already providing the ceremony, photographer, and videographer, so we figured why not throw in a groom as well!

Bruce did make his flight, we did manage to find him at the airport and put him on the phone with his worried and tearful bride. Most importantly, we got him to his wedding just in the nick of time!

Upon seeing her groom after such a stressful day, Jennifer couldn't wait - she literally ran down the beach, leapt into Bruce's arms, and started the ceremony with a much deserved kiss!

Jennifer and Bruce were married on Siesta Key's award winning Siesta Beach just as the sun was setting. Their beach wedding ceremony was officiated by Jeff, while Claire provided their wedding photography and Jamie provided their videography. Bruce and Jennifer recited their own wedding vows to each other (Jennifer went all "high tech" and used her iPhone to read her vows!), and it was all very intimate and romantic.

It was a delightful and romantic end to a very stressful day, and we are so glad we were able to help make it a success.

Jennifer and Bruce: Thank you so much for making us a part of your Florida beach wedding plans! We wish you all the best in the years to come. Below are a few of our favorite pictures from your Siesta Key beach wedding:

Wedding Photography by Claire Copeland

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Simple Weddings Earns "Best of 2010" in Three Categories!

2011-01-31T21:18:00.000-05:00

We are thrilled to announce that we were just named "Best of 2010" in three categories by OneWed.com! This is the second year in a row we've earned this honor. The "Best of" awards are based solely on validated reviews written by our actual clients, so it really means a lot to us to have earned this honor two years in a row!

Thank you so much to all of our brides and grooms who took the time to write a review of our services, and if you're shopping around for a Florida wedding package, please take a moment to read our glowing reviews from past customers in the following categories:

Please give us a call at 727-537-9331 if you're ready to start planning the perfect Florida beach wedding!

Liz & Rich's Elegant Wedding on Sand Key

2010-11-18T00:01:00.010-05:00

Liz and Rich are from the Orlando area and are one of those couples we worked with for several months. By the time their wedding rolled around, they felt like old friends!

They were married on Sand Key, near Clearwater Beach. They opted for our Signature Bamboo Canopy and our live guitarist/vocalist, Jeff McNabb (who was a big hit with their guests!). Their Florida beach wedding was attended by about 80 of their friends and relatives and officiated by Jeff Copeland. Liz's brother walked her down the aisle, and Liz's son participated in their sand unity ceremony.

Liz opted for extra photography time, with Claire covering the bride and bridesmaids getting ready, as well as the first hour of the reception, which was held on the stunning outdoor deck of the Island Way Grill.

It was a perfect evening for a romantic Clearwater beach wedding, and we felt honored to be a part of it!

Photography by Claire Copeland

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Vendor Spotlight: Barefoot Beach Resort

2010-11-17T22:51:00.003-05:00

At Simple Weddings, we're all about teamwork. Our strong relationships with our team members and preferred vendors is one of the things that makes our weddings run so smoothly. This post is the first in a series of "Vendor Spotlights" that will introduce you to some of our amazing preferred vendors.

Today's featured vendor is the Barefoot Beach Resort on Indian Shores. Situated on five acres overlooking the intracoastal waterway, the Barefoot Beach Resort is just steps away (directly across the street) from the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico via their own beach access.

The resort features one and two bedroom private condominiums with full kitchens and dining areas that give it a very private, "at home" feel - perfect for families or large groups that want close, but separate, accommodations.

The resort also has a small banquet room that is suitable for a small wedding reception or cocktail hour, and is located right next door to the Salt Rock Grill, a perfect dining and reception venue. Check out the promotional video below for a first hand look at the Barefoot Beach Resort's beautiful amenities:

Barefoot Beach Resort

19417 Gulf Blvd

Indian Shores, Florida

(800) 996-5303

www.BarefootBeachResort.com

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Kristin and Shadd's Wedding for Two on Sand Key

2010-11-17T22:49:00.007-05:00

Kristin and Shadd are from Illinois, and opted for our Simple Elopement Package. It was just the two of them, and they enjoyed a beautiful evening and stunning sunset beach wedding on Clearwater's Sand Key. Jeff officiated their ceremony, Claire provided their wedding photography, and Jamie shot their wedding video. You can check out both below!

It was simple, elegant, and perfect!

Wedding Photography by Claire Copeland

Wedding Video by James Fitzpatrick, Simple Weddings/True Life Films

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Check out our Florida Wedding Photography Packages listing on Thumbtack.com!

5 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer

2010-10-29T16:20:00.003-04:00

Special guest post by Chris Sherburne. Photos by Claire Copeland.

Make sure your photographer has the skills, equipment, and personality to get the shots you want.

Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you will make when planning your wedding. Years from now, your pictures should be a timeless reminder of your wedding day. You want your pictures to be great, of course. But you also want the experience to be fun and memorable.

With that in mind, here’s a list of five great questions to elicit honest (unrehearsed) answers from your wedding photographer:

1. Do you work well with other vendors? This is a great question to start with because it’s probably unexpected and you’ll get an off-the-cuff response. Your wedding day is exactly that - your wedding day - and the last thing you need is an egocentric personality hogging the spot light or being difficult with the other vendors. You want to make sure that your wedding photographer is very skilled at engagement and wedding photography and has an easy-going personality that helps you relax and enjoy your wedding day. What you’re looking for is skill and personality.

[Jeff's note: I couldn't agree more! Having a photographer that works well with your videographer, wedding planner, officiant, musicians, and staff at your wedding/reception venue is crucial, and people skills can be just as important as technical skills when it comes to getting great wedding pictures. In fact, our entire business model at Simple Weddings revolves around having a team of wedding vendors who know and trust each other and work together frequently, so we know things will run smoothly!]

2. Do you have samples of complete weddings for me to review? Many times engagement and wedding photographers will have a display book or a website that only includes their “top picks." That’s good for them but it’s bad for you. Instead, ask them to see pictures for complete weddings. Even a blind squirrel gets a nut occasionally, and when you shoot 1,000+ pictures at a wedding you should have more than just a few good ones. You want to make sure that the other 997 images are good, too.

[Jeff's note: This is another excellent point! Check out our slideshows page to see complete events shot by each of our photographers at Simple Weddings.]

3. Do you have references that I can contact to discuss how satisfied they are with your performance before, during and after the wedding? It’s always good to talk to previous customers to see what their experience was with your future engagement and wedding photographer. There are three distinct phases to customer relations for an engagement and wedding photographer and you should ask how they performed during each phase.

Before the wedding: Was the photographer easy to get in touch with and readily available to answer any questions or assist you in making decisions?
During the wedding: Was the photographer on time and know what to do, or run around like a chicken with its head cut off? Did the photographer get along well with the other vendors or cause unnecessary stress for the bride and groom?
After the wedding: How long did it take to complete your wedding pictures and wedding album? Did the photographer disappear after taking your money or stay in close touch with you to make sure you were completely satisfied? Would you use this photographer again or recommend them to a family member?

[Jeff's note: Check out our award winning customer reviews to see feedback from dozens of our past clients!]

Taking charge and organizing your wedding
party for group pictures is one of your wedding
photographer's most important jobs!

4. Do you know how to pose people or do you only use a photojournalistic style? With the invention of digital point and shoot cameras, many novices picked up their camera and went “PRO." However, there’s a lot more to photography than pointing a camera and pushing a button. For example, does the photographer know how to pose people? Or does the photographer claim to be a “photojournalist” and only document the pictures that present themselves? Do they have any formal training or education? How long have they been a photographer? What made them want to be a photographer?

Most brides and grooms have never been professionally photographed and they’re not professional models. As such, they’re not really familiar with posing for pictures and they might end up with poor images. It’s not the client's fault; it’s the photographer’s fault. While everyone loves to “capture the moment," a professional wedding photographer must be able to “create the moment” when needed or the client may end up with poor results. If the bride and groom aren’t thrilled with their images, then everyone loses and it’s just bad business.

As a bride and groom you should expect your wedding photographer to be fully qualified to do whatever is necessary to make sure your wedding images are the best they can be. Don’t settle for less; it’s your wedding day!

5. What is your “Plan B” if you get sick or your equipment breaks on your wedding day? The problem with many of today’s “week-end warriors” is that they don’t have a “Plan B." They grab their point and shoot and pray that nothing bad happens, but that’s not very reassuring to the bride and groom who only get one shot at their dream wedding. By asking about the wedding photographer’s “Plan B” you can rest assured that they have a system in place to handle any problems that may pop up on your special day and that the problem won’t undermine your wedding. You need to ask the photographer if he or she has a spare camera and spare equipment. Does your wedding photographer have a plan in case they get sick and need someone to fill in for them on your wedding day?

[Jeff's note: Yet another crucial question to ask. In fact, I would go so far as to ensure this is covered in your contract with your wedding photographer. We require all of our photographers to carry professional grade backup equipment, and because we have a team of great wedding photographers, we always have someone to cover events in case of an emergency.]

This list is a great starting point for you to begin asking questions to your potential wedding photographer and the answers will give you a nice insight into their business model. Just remember that you only get one chance to get great wedding pictures and hiring an expensive wedding photographer doesn’t always mean they’ll give you great images. Cost does not always equal quality! Picking a wedding photographer doesn’t have to be a roll of the dice if you remember to do your homework.

In the end, it’s up to you to know what you want from the photographer and figure out the type of images you like. You only get one chance to get it right and getting to know your your wedding photographer is definitely worth your time. Take your time, do it right, and enjoy your dream wedding!

Chris lives in Orlando with his wife and two “babies,” and is the owner of Dream Weddings by Chris. His wedding and engagement photography takes him all over Central Florida. Chris’ ultimate goal is to create engagement and wedding pictures that exceed clients’ expectations. Working alongside the discerning bride and her groom-to-be, Chris listens to the vision of their dream wedding, and with his camera, turns their dreams into a reality.

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Lindsey and Adam's Sand Key Beach Wedding

2010-09-14T22:02:00.009-04:00

Which one is the groom?

Lindsey and Adam recently moved to Florida, and could think of no better place to tie the knot than on the sugar-white sands of Clearwater Beach's Sand Key Park. In order to ensure they had the park and the beach mostly to themselves, they chose to have their wedding at 9:00am on a Tuesday morning. Their choice paid off; the weather was mild and the beach was all but deserted.

Their wedding was attended by about 80 of their friends and relatives, and Lindsey's brothers added a very personal touch by singing and playing guitar for the ceremony. Lindsey and Adam opted for our bamboo canopy and pastel green and purple accent colors.

The bridesmaids in purple and the groomsmen in green made for a great contrast to Lindsey and Adam in white, and the perfect finishing touch was Lindsey's purple shoes!

Afterwards, they headed across the street to the Clearwater Sailing Center for a lunchtime reception. Their wedding was anything but traditional, but it really suited their personalities and it was a lot of fun!

Below are some of our favorite pictures from their Sand Key Beach Wedding:

Wedding Photography by Claire Copeland

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Schmeka & Richard's Pass-a-Grille Beach Wedding

2010-08-31T08:43:00.011-04:00

Schmeka and Richard are from Texas and opted to get away from it all and have a small destination wedding on on St Pete's Pass-a-Grille Beach under our signature bamboo canopy.

Their wedding was attended by about 25 of their closest friends and family. For many of the guests, this was their first time in the Tampa Bay area, and their guests were amazed by our stunning sugar-white sand!

Schmeka, Richard, and several of their guests stayed right on Pass-a-Grille beach with our friends at the Inn on the Beach. Their wedding was officiated by Jeff, and their wedding photography was provided by Claire. Below are a few of our favorite pictures from their Pass-a-Grille beach wedding, as well as a preview of their wedding video provided by our staff videographer, Jamie Fitzpatrick of True Life Films in St Petersburg, FL:

Wedding Photography by Claire Copeland

Wedding Video Preview Courtesy of Jamie Fitzpatrick, True Life Films.

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Liza and Mohammed's Sandpearl Beach Wedding

2010-08-26T23:01:00.008-04:00

Liza and Mohammed with
Danny the Bagpiper

Liza and Mohammed are from Scotland and contacted us in the Spring. They were planning a stay at the Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater Beach this summer, and wanted us to plan their Florida beach wedding.

The Sandpearl Resort
on Clearwater Beach

Of course we happily obliged! The Sandpearl Resort, which was recently named one of the fifty best resorts in the U.S. and Canada, is a beautiful venue for a beach wedding and reception.

Liza and Mohammed opted for our Signature Bamboo Canopy with ivory fabric and pink accents, and to add a special "Scottish" touch, we also provided a bagpiper for their beach wedding ceremony.

Mohammed's parents are from India and Bangladesh, so he wore traditional male Indian wedding attire (called a sherwani), while his groomsmen and several male guests were in kilts. They were quite a sight, and a big hit around the hotel! Of course, Liza looked stunning as well, and below are a few of our favorite pictures from their beach wedding at the Sand Pearl Resort!

Wedding Photography by Claire Copeland

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Introducing the Simple Weddings Store!

2010-08-26T08:33:00.002-04:00

Our clients often ask us where they can find beach wedding favors, wedding invitations, thank you cards and other stationary, flower-girl baskets, ring-bearer pillows, and gifts for their bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Well now you can find all this and more on our website! Check out our new Simple Weddings Store for all of the bits and pieces you'll need to plan the perfect Florida beach wedding!

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Safiyyah and Jeremiah's Sunset Beach Wedding

2010-08-25T19:08:00.007-04:00

Safiyyah contacted us last November. She and her fiance' are from Tenessee, and she was interested in having a small wedding on the beach in Florida, and she wanted to make sure the sand was white. We happily explained that the beaches on the west coast of Florida have some of the whitest sand in the world!

That did the trick and we worked with Safiyyah throughout the Spring to plan her wedding on the sugar-white sand of Treasure Island's Sunset Beach.

Safiyyah and Jeremiah's wedding was attended by about 50 of their closest friends and relatives, and they opted for our Signature Bamboo Canopy with white swag and yellow accents (which matched her bridesmaids perfectly!). We also provided their sound system and recorded music. Their wedding was officiated by Jeff and their wedding photography was provided by Claire.

Safiyyah and Jeremiah looked stunning themselves, and below are a few of our favorite pictures from their Florida beach wedding:

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How to plan your wedding with Google

2010-08-06T15:49:00.003-04:00

Like many people, we use Google for just about everything; Email, Calendar, Documents, and of course, "Googling" stuff. But we never gave much thought to how Google could help our clients with their wedding planning until we stumbled upon these great Wedding Planning Tools from Google Docs.

This is a great idea and is just too cool not to share with our readers:

Be sure to come back and check out these other great tips to help you plan the perfect Florida beach wedding:

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Lauren and Neils' Don Cesar Beach Wedding

2010-07-29T09:34:00.004-04:00

Lauren and Neil were visiting Orlando and St Pete Beach, Florida from Scotland, and opted to have their Florida beach wedding on the beautiful white sands of the Don Cesar Beach Resort on St Pete Beach.
Our friends at the Don Cesar provided the wedding decor and ceremony, and we provided Lauren and Neil's wedding photography and videography. Below is a snippet of their wedding video provided by our staff videographer, Jamie Fitzpatrick of True Life Films:

Don Cesar Beach Wedding

Lauren and Neil: Thank you so much for choosing Simple Weddings! We wish you all the best in the years to come and hope to hear from you next time you're in Florida!

Sincerely,

The Simple Weddings Team

Simple Weddings | Florida Beach Wedding Packages

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Shari and Brett's Sand Key Florida Beach Wedding

2010-06-23T10:42:00.017-04:00

Shari and Brett are from Ohio. Shari contacted us back in January - she was freezing in the cold Ohio winter and had dreams of a sunny and warm Florida beach wedding in June.

In working with Shari and Brett to plan their wedding, we really felt like we got to know them a little, and Shari even shared her engagement story and pictures with us for this post:

We both work in the school district - I'm a secretary and he is our district resource officer and a policeman with the city. On the last day of school before winter break last December, he called me on the phone in my office and told me to meet him out front of our building. He said he had coffee for me but that he needed to rush to the high school for an issue with a student - he didn't have time to walk it in to me.

As I walked toward the front door of the building I could see his strobes flashing on his cruiser...still on the cell phone with him, I said, "What's going on out front, do you have someone pulled over?" He said, "Just hurry up, I need to get going." So I hung up and walked out the door...

There in front of the building were 3 police cruisers parked facing me with their strobes all flashing. Brett was standing behind the door of the middle cruiser and he announced on the PA of the car, "You know I love you don't you? And I want to spend the rest of my life with you...will you marry me?"

Of course I said yes! He gave me a beautiful ring and a bouquet of pink roses. I was TOTALLY surprised. I thought he was going to ask me over Christmas, so I wasn't surprised that he asked, but that he GOT ME!! HE SURPRISED ME!! I turned around and all the teachers were behind me cheering. Then, I heard kids cheering and I looked toward the end of the parking lot and there were all the first and second graders cheering for us. It was SO SPECIAL and SO MUCH FUN!

Shari and Brett were married on June 10th on the beautiful white sands of Sand Key Beach Park near Clearwater Beach, Florida. They opted for our bamboo arch, white chairs for their guests, recorded music, and a wireless microphone for their ceremony. Their wedding photography was provided by Jason, Trent performed their ceremony, and they incorporated their children into the sand unity ceremony.

Most importantly, Shari got to realize her dream of warm weather, white sand, and a stunning sunset for a perfect Florida beach wedding!

Shari and Brett - Thank you so much for choosing Simple Weddings and for sharing your beautiful engagement story! We wish you all the best in the years to come. Below are a few of our favorite pictures from your Sand Key beach wedding.

[Added 8/1/2010:] Also below is a snippet of your wedding video provided by our staff videographer, Jamie of True Life Films in St Petersburg, FL.

Sincerely,

Jeff, Trent, Jason, and the rest of the Simple Weddings Team

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Leslie and Logan's Pass-a-Grille Beach Wedding

2010-05-14T12:10:00.008-04:00

Leslie and Logan were married on beautiful Pass-a-Grille Beach under our bamboo canopy. After a little scare with a threat of rain earlier in the day, the weather cleared and they enjoyed a beautiful sunset beach wedding.

Leslie and Logan's wedding was attended by about 30 of their closest family and friends, and their music was provided by our guitarist, Jeff McNabb. Their videography was provided by our good friend Gordon Silver (see below), and their wedding pictures were provided by Jason Collin.

Leslie and Logan: Congratulations and thank you again for choosing Simple Weddings! We wish you all the best in the years ahead. Below is a sneak peek at your wedding video.

Sincerely,

Jeff, Claire, Jason, and the rest of the Simple Weddings Team

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Lauren & Joe's Sanibel Island Beach Wedding

2010-04-28T20:34:00.014-04:00

Lauren and Joe are from Minnesota and worked with us since last December to plan their Florida beach wedding at Casa Ybel Resort on Sanibel Island.

Their wedding was officiated by their own minister (who they flew down from Minnesota!) and was attended by about 20 of their closest friends and relatives. We provided their bamboo arch, chairs, sound system, and wedding music on Casa Ybel's beautiful private Sanibel Island beach. Lauren actually mixed her own music and it really added a personal touch. Lorraine provided their wedding photography, and had a blast taking their pictures on the stunningly landscaped grounds of Casa Ybel.

Unfortunately, Lauren's father was hospitalized just before the wedding and was unable to make the trip. So we got "high tech" and connected the line out from our sound system to one of their guests iPhones, while another guest used another iPhone to record and broadcast the wedding to her father. So, despite being stuck in a hospital bed almost 2,000 miles away in Minnesota, he was able to watch and listen to their beach wedding in Florida in real time!

Lauren & Joe: Thank you so much for choosing Simple Weddings! Below are a sneak peek of your wedding video (courtesy of Captiva Video), as well as few of our favorite pictures from your Sanibel Island wedding.

Congratulations again - we wish you and your family all the best in the years ahead!

Sincerely,

Jeff, Lorraine, Janet, and the rest of the Simple Weddings Team

Simple Weddings Sanibel Island Beach Weddings

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Wedding Planning Tip: Wedding Invitations

2010-03-31T03:00:00.002-04:00

In our never ending quest to help you plan your Florida beach wedding. We thought it would be useful to learn a thing or two about wedding invitations. Designing and ordering wedding invitations is something many people only do once in their life, so it's hard to find an "expert" on the matter. So we went out and found one for you!

I recently had the chance to interview Jessamyn Anderson of 365-Cards, an online greeting card company specializing in personalized Wedding Invitations and more. The transcript follows:

1) I know next to nothing about "wedding invitation etiquette". So give me the low down - who gets one, who doesn't, how, when, and why?
The good news about wedding invitation etiquette in today’s world, is that there are choices. Wedding invitation etiquette depends on the individuals. How each person decides to word their invitations is entirely up to them. They can follow traditional etiquette – (there is plenty of advice available on that) or they can break with tradition and do something different. Traditionally, all wedding guests get invitations. That way they'll have all the information they need in writing.

2) How far in advance should a couple order their wedding invitations?
Wedding invitations should be ordered as soon as the guest list is available – at least 4 to 5 months before the wedding. If your wedding is a destination celebration then you should give it more time.

3) Is the designing and ordering of the invitations mainly a "bride thing", or do you see a lot of grooms get involved as well?
Wedding invitations should come from the home of the bride. Choosing and ordering the design and wording really depends on the couple. I would say that more often than not invitations become the domain of the bride and her family but we have also seen couples that are both very involved in the choice of their wedding stationery.

4) How far in advance should a couple send their wedding invitations? What about save the dates?
While Save the Dates cards are not necessary for everyone, they are a great way to give your guests time to arrange to attend the special day. For family and friends who will be traveling to the wedding location, Save the Dates allow them to book flights, and find travel deals in good time. Send them six to twelve months before the wedding. The wedding invitation should be sent at least two months before the wedding.

5) Should they be mailed or hand delivered?
Invitations should be mailed. They are likely to cost more than the regular first class as they often have enclosures. You can also choose to have them "hand canceled" which means your invitations will be processed by hand and should bypass the automated processing machines, avoiding damage. By the way, it’s a free service!

6) What types of materials are invitations available in?
Invitation stock varies depending on the type of printing chosen. We at 365-Cards use 100lb matte card stock.

7) I would imagine there are literally endless combinations of colors, fonts, stationery, fabrics, envelopes, stamps...it makes me dizzy just thinking about it! How do you help couples cut through the fog of indecision and actually get started on a design?
Couples very often have a theme or color palette in mind when they start the process of looking for designs for their wedding stationery. Working with a professional wedding invitation designer will help them clarify their ideas and set the tone by suggesting colors, fonts and printing methods. There are also companies that will design stamps to match the invitation design.

8) The invitation is traditionally from the bride's parents, right? Is this still the case or are couples taking a more modern approach these days?
Tradition says that the bride's parents pay for everything, so traditional wedding invitations always read that the parent of the bride requested the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter. Now, divorce, blended families, and non-traditional families have altered the way weddings are paid for, so the traditional wording has become much more flexible. Modern couples may choose to add opening sentiments such as "With Joy in Their Hearts," or may choose to change the traditional "request the honor of your presence at the marriage" to something like "invite you to be a special part of the wedding of ….."

9) Who is responsible for paying for the invitations?
This depends on how traditional or modern you are. In the days when a bride came with a dowry, the bride's family paid for wedding invitations. Today, traditions are changing and modern payment arrangements are becoming common for weddings. Today, both sets of parents often help with wedding costs. The important part is to decide who is paying for what. Because of the independence couples share in today's society, they will often pay for the invitations themselves.

10) What is the price range of invitations?
Wedding invitation can range from $1.50 each with do-it-yourself kits to $3 or $4 each for mid-range standardized invitations on mid-weight card stock to $9 or more each for invitations that use a high-end printing process -- such as engraving or letterpress, on quality handmade or silk paper.
The per-invitation cost goes up with extra folds -- tri-fold costs more than bi-fold -- or lining on the invitations or envelopes.

The average couple spends $659 on invitations and reply-cards, according to The Bridal Association of America. Other additions such as Save the Dates or Thank you cards will increase the cost.

Jessamyn Anderson is the Creative Director at 365-Cards. To see their collection of Wedding Stationery, check out http://www.365-cards.com/!

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Lisa & Matt's Treasure Island Beach Wedding

2010-03-28T22:47:00.008-04:00

Lisa and Matt are from Missouri and have been engaged for two years. Apparently Lisa thought that was long enough, because she contacted us last Tuesday and wanted to know if we had availability...for Thursday!

It turns out we did have availability, and Lisa and Matt had a beautiful Florida beach wedding for two on Treasure Island's Sunset Beach. They chose our Simple Wedding Package with a sand unity ceremony and champagne toast.

Their beach wedding ceremony was officiated by Trent, and Jodi provided their wedding photography. Below are a few of our favorite pictures from their Sunset Beach Wedding.

Lisa and Matt: Thank you so much for choosing Simple Weddings! We wish you the best of luck with all that life throws your way!

Sincerely,

Jodi, Trent, and the rest of the Simple Weddings Team

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Mark and Lorrie's Sand Key Beach Wedding

2010-03-27T13:19:00.010-04:00

Mark and Lorrie are from Canada. So when they chose an early Spring date for their wedding, they decided to head south for some warmer weather! They were originally planning on having their wedding on Indian Rocks Beach. But after they arrived in Florida, there was a problem with their reception venue and they called and asked us if it was possible to change their venue to Sand Key Park near Clearwater Beach.

There is a permit requirement for Sand Key, and normally you're supposed to apply 60 days in advance. We had eight! So, though it was seemingly impossible to get them a permit on such short notice, we told them we'd try and pull some strings and would see what we could do.

We called our friends at Pinellas County Parks and Recreation, who manage Sand Key Park. The staff was very gracious, and after much sweet-talking and groveling, they told us that they would approve the permit. However...they also cautioned us that this would be the seventh wedding permitted for Sand Key Park that day!

Mark and Lorrie were undeterred, and even offered to arrive early on their wedding day to pick out a spot on Sand Key and guard it with their lives!

It was all worth it in the end. Mark and Lorrie's wedding was absolutely stunning. It was a perfect Spring day on Sand Key, and Mark and Lorrie used our bamboo wedding arch and white chairs. They also incorporated readings by both Mark and Lorrie's sisters. Afterwards, Mark had this to say via e-mail:

"All I can say is that you guys know how to perform a wedding! Everything was absolutely perfect!!! Once again I want to thank you and your crew for making our wedding fantastic and better than we could have ever imagined!"

Mark and Lorrie opted for our sound system with a microphone for their ceremony and recorded music. And the wedding music they chose was just awesome! Their prelude included Bob Marley, the Beatles, and Jack Johnson, and the processional was For Once in My Life by Stevie Wonder. They chose another Stevie Wonder hit - Signed, Sealed, Delivered - for the recessional. It really added a personal touch to the wedding and made it a lot of fun!

After the ceremony, Mark and Lorrie took advantage of the beautiful weather and the perfect sunset to take their wedding pictures on the beach with Claudette. Below are a few of our favorites.

Mark and Lorrie: Thank you so much for choosing Simple Weddings and making us a part of your Sand Key Beach Wedding! We wish you all the best, and hope you keep in touch when you return to Florida!

To our readers: How would you handle changing your wedding venue at the past minute? How have you incorporated your siblings into your wedding ceremony? What is the most unique song you've heard at a wedding? Feel free to leave a comment below!

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Wedding Planning Tip: Getting a Florida Marriage License

2010-03-27T12:56:00.010-04:00

Getting a Florida Marriage License is one of those pesky little details that is boring, but very necessary, when planning your Florida wedding. Any couple who wishes to wed in the State of Florida must obtain and present a valid Florida Marriage License to their wedding officiant. Marriage licenses issued in other states are not valid in Florida.

A Florida Marriage License can be obtained from any county courthouse in the State of Florida, and the process is usually handled by the respective county’s Clerk of Court. Once issued, the license is valid for 60 days and can be used anywhere in the State. The fee for a Florida Marriage License is $93.50 as of this writing.

If either the bride or groom is a Florida resident, there is a three-day waiting period before the Florida Marriage License becomes valid (the license will be issued when you apply, but will have an effective date three days in the future), unless you have completed a State-approved marriage preparation course. Completion of this course also gets you a discount on the Florida Marriage License in most cases. There are lots of vendors out there offering this service – if you use one, make sure they are approved by the County in which you intend to apply.

If neither party is a Florida resident, your Florida Marriage License will be valid the day it is issued and you can get it as late as the same day as your wedding. But it's always a good idea to allow some extra time and get it a few days earlier if possible.

If either party has been divorced or widowed, or changed their name, it is a good idea to bring legal proof of this (i.e., a divorce decree, court order, or death certificate) with you when you apply for your Florida Marriage License. At a minimum, you will need the exact date your previous marriage ended. We recommend you call the Courthouse ahead of time to confirm their requirements, especially for unusual cases (be sure to keep a record of who you spoke to and when).

Generally, both parties must be physically present (Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm) and present valid identification at the time of application, and this is by far the easiest way to obtain your Florida Marriage License. Your best bet is to plan your trip so that you have time to stop by a County Courthouse a few days before your wedding ceremony.

However, this is not always possible (for example if you are arriving on a Friday evening and want to get married over the weekend). Services like Florida Marriage License Express can process a Florida Marriage License in advance of your arrival (for non-Florida residents only).

Once you have a valid Florida Marriage License, you must present it to your wedding officiant prior to your wedding ceremony. They will sign and notarize the license after your ceremony, may have witnesses sign it (this is optional in some counties), and must keep the original and file it with the county court in which it was issued. You will receive a certified copy from the court after it has been recorded, and can request additional copies from the Clerk of Court for a small fee at any time in the future.

Most counties in Florida maintain a website with marriage license information and frequently asked questions, and some details vary from county to county. For more information on the counties in our service area, see:

And that's it. It's actually a pretty painless process, but it is an important element of planning your Florida wedding!

Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions about getting a Florida Marriage License.

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