Updated on 6/19/2024
Everything You Need to Plan an Affordable, Elegant, Wedding ceremony on Siesta Key.
Your detailed one-stop guide to planning a wedding at Siesta key.
In This Guide You Will Find Out:
- Why is Siesta key a popular beach wedding destination?
- How To: Siesta key beach venue selection
- Siesta key’s ‘other’ beaches – Choices, Choices
- About having your ‘barefoot beach wedding’ at Siesta beach
- Our affordable Siesta key beach wedding packages & options
- Popular Siesta beach ceremony & officiant services
- The #1 Wedding Package option is?
- Reception ideas for Siesta beach weddings
- List of restaurants / ideas for Siesta key wedding receptions
- Receptions on the beach with tips/guide
- List: Siesta key wedding resort venues
- DIY: Siesta key beach wedding decorations
- Siesta beach permit: tips & guide
- How to: Getting your Sarasota Florida marriage license with links to – Sarasota & All Fl. Clerks Offices
About Siesta Key Beach Weddings…
Siesta key public beach is the most requested beach ceremony venue of all Sarasota Florida area beaches. With its’ cool white powder sand combined with an estimated 100 yard wide beach. Siesta key beach easily accommodates even the largest of beach weddings.
See All Siesta Beach Wedding Packages Page Here
Sarasota Beach Weddings Company is located in Sarasota Florida and open Monday thru Saturday from 9 am until 5 pm, and Sunday 12 pm till 5 pm. Contact us for help planning your Siesta key beach wedding at 941-726-6654. Siesta key Beach at Sunset: A Nightly Event to Sit-back, Relax, Watch & Behold…
How To Plan a Siesta key Beach Wedding: Ceremony Venue Selection
After having planned and planned & performed hundreds of beach weddings on Siesta key from its’ public beaches to its’ private beaches, backyards and hidden beach access locations, I can give you the following advice…
As with every wedding, your “venue” is first on the list of items to secure. With beach weddings, your spot on the beach will be your ceremony venue.
Guide: Siesta key public beach weddings with decorations or chairs must get a permit for their wedding event. Decorations include bamboo arches, decorated hearts-in-the-sand, tiki torches, chairs, etc. We usually obtain beach wedding permits for our customers. (See more Siesta key beach wedding permit tips below on this page.)
There are different areas or spots at both Siesta beach and Turtle beach where you can choose to setup decorations and chairs for your ceremony, and that brings up the following question.
Where are the best Siesta key beach ceremony spots?
The “which wedding spot do we choose” answer is more complicated than it should be. Everything changes and the best spots in the summer months may change with the new season or even the day of the week. We also take into consideration what you want for ‘Decor’ and your guest count. We go over options for all who inquire and provide our best recommendation.
Tip/Guide: The Siesta key drum circle is an every Sunday evening event and directly effects both my choice of public beaches wedding locations, as well as ceremony location if the wedding is to be at Siesta public beach.
If you’re going the DIY beach wedding route know that there are options, research them and choose wisely.
The Beaches of Siesta key in Sarasota Florida…
There are 3 main beaches on Siesta key. Contact us if you want experienced help planning your Siesta key beach wedding. Siesta key beach is the most popular of the public beaches. Crescent beach is the same sand as Siesta but is considered to be a “semi-private” beach area. Turtle beach is public and on the very south end of Siesta key. Turtle beach is for smaller groups and the ability to set-up close to the water-front. Win-Win.
Semi-private beaches in the state of Florida are public beaches from the water front up to the high-water or high-tide area. This describes Siesta key’s ‘Crescent Beach.’
1.) Siesta key public beach – Link to: Wiki-About Siesta key beach
2.) Crescent beach (semi-private) Note: There are NO totally private beaches in the State of Florida, per law. Beach goers have the ability to walk along the water-front at all beaches in the state.
3.) Turtle beach – A public beach best for smaller weddings. Set-up close to the water-front is available.
Barefoot Beach Weddings Encouraged
One of the best things about beach weddings is that they’re supposed to be much more casual, relaxed and a whole lot more fun than those fancy-schmancy expensive ones.
Many couples love Siesta key beach just because they can really dig their bare feet into the powder soft sand at Siesta. Other beaches don’t even come close to the soft sand feeling at Siesta, that feeling between your toes is unbelievable.
After performing so many beach weddings, it seems that when people literally ‘kick-off their shoes,’ a sense of calm begins. I’m not sure exactly how or why it works this way, but it does… and it’s great!
So, when you’re planning that beach wedding consider making it a “Barefoot” affair. I think you’ll be glad you did.
Siesta key Beach Wedding Ceremony Packages…
Wedding packages at Siesta beach usually combine a 2 or 4 post bamboo arch with other wedding decorations, chairs, wedding photography, processional & recessional walk music, rose petal aisle and more. You can have your own wedding ‘Officiant’ or request us to perform your wedding ceremony.
We believe that our wedding packages are beautiful, and very affordable compared to other beach wedding companies. See our wedding ceremony packages and designs for yourself. You’re our judge and jury and we understand that.
Wedding package Options are Available – Just pick the ones you want!
Siesta key wedding package options – Just ask for pricing. We provide a total cost quote to everyone up-front.
Siesta Key Ceremony & Officiant Services Guide…
We do wedding ceremonies for all couples, elopements and vow renewals at Siesta key. Last minute weddings are a favorite, just contact us to book your wedding ceremony. We have both male and female ceremony officiants & ministers available for your wedding or vow renewal event.
“I am of the belief that it is truly an honor to be asked to perform each and every wedding or vow renewal ceremony. These wonderful ceremonies mark special, once in a lifetime moments. With sometimes overwhelming emotions of brides & grooms filled with love for one another. Two individuals beautifully connected.”
“I truly enjoy the ability to perform these wonderful wedding ceremonies.”
Affordable Siesta Key Ceremony Packages…
Look at the drop down menu under the Officiants Page for popular ceremony packages or call for more information to 941-726-6654 or use the on-site Contact form.
Popular Siesta Key Wedding Options…
The 5 most popular & requested ceremony options are: Photography, the Sand Ceremony, Officiant services, Music and a Rose Petal Aisle.
Beach Wedding Option: Photography
Wedding photography is the most popular option requested by couples planning their ceremony.
Tip: We do a lot of small beach weddings and vow renewals where 30 minute photo shoots are a perfect fit.
Couples always have an additional upgrade option to a 1 hour photo shoot if this what you want.
After the wedding photo shoot the photographer will “edit” the best photo’s. The edited photos are then transferred electronically online, or installed onto a CD which is then mailed to your home address.
You’ll have full rights to the photos to print out, email or post on Facebook and Instagram.
Siesta Key Public Beach Wedding Reception Ideas…
The majority of beach wedding couples use a local restaurant as their reception venue. Having a restaurant be your reception venue is easier and much more affordable than renting a pricey reception venue. Another option will be your having your reception where you are staying, your accommodations. Ask us for ideas, just ask!
It’s also more affordable that having a beach reception plus you’ll be able to get out of the hot Florida sun.
Believe me, you start getting dehydrated after only about 30 minutes when you’re on the beach.
favorite Siesta key restaurants for an affordable stress free wedding reception:
- Ask us for restaurant ideas that fit what you want!
Can I Have a Wedding Reception on the Beach?
The short answer is yes, in some defined beach locations. For most Siesta key beaches the answer will be no, you cannot have a reception on the beach.
Tip: Plan to provide a “Champagne Toast” or “Cake and a Toast” on the beach, with or without a wedding reception to follow. Other ideas would be to just have a restaurant get together, food apps and drinks, casual style, flip flops only!
Another casual idea would be for outdoor barbecue with soda, beer or wine.
Please understand that beach receptions can be very expensive. Food and drinks have to be cooked off-site then transported and setup on the beach with tables, tents, chairs and much more. All of that takes a lot of man-power, and that equals money. If this is what you would like we have some great catering companies that we are happy to recommend to you.
Beach receptions can get very expensive very quickly, and it’s just another good reason to head to a local restaurant instead. If your thinking about a beach reception on one of the beaches of Siesta key, consider the fact that over 80% of couples having a beach weddings choose a restaurant to host their reception.
Siesta beach / Crescent Beach Wedding Resort Venue Options
Crescent Beach is just a short walk south of Siesta Key beach & has the same white sand, water & palm trees, but…
Crescent Beach is a semi-private beach fronted by a few resorts and a lot of condominium rentals. Some resorts on Crescent Beach accommodate couples wishing to hold a semi-private beach wedding. Contact the property ‘Manager’ for approval.
Tents might be allowed on the beach for a reception at a select few of these resorts. Again, be aware and prepared to spend thousands for your beach wedding reception. Not recommended, See our post information about having a Siesta beach reception tips.
Tip: Save $$$ – Most Siesta key & Sarasota resorts & hotels will give an additional 10% off when you book 10 rooms minimum for your friends, family and guests to stay.
Siesta Key – Contact us for Ideas on where to stay!
Tropical Beach Resorts
6717 Sara Sea Circle
Siesta Key, Fl 34242
Capri at Siesta
6782 SaraSea Circle
Sarasota, Fl 34242
Conclare
6738 Sara Sea Circle
Sarasota, Fl 34242
Siesta Key Beach Weddings: DIY Decorations Plus Our Officiant = Super Savings
This “DIY” information is for couples that live locally and would want to build their own wedding arch and other decorations. Destination wedding couples would really find it next to impossible to go the DIY route.
Some of our beach wedding couples like the idea of building their own “wedding arch” and call me to officiate and photograph their wedding which is a great way to save money.
Beach Wedding Permit Tips…
Siesta key beach wedding permits are required for every public beach wedding that will be setting-up any kind of wedding decoration, such as a bamboo arch, chairs for guests, or a sand heart decoration.
Permits are 4 hour minimum. Pricing is Different at Local beaches on Siesta key, permit costs are higher on weekends = Friday’s thru Sunday.
Guide: A Siesta key beach wedding with an arch and 20 or more chairs typically requires at least a 2 hour permit, with a 3 hour permit allowing for a more relaxed, un-rushed wedding with plenty of time for after ceremony pictures with family and friends.
Tip/Guide: Permits must allow for the setup and removal of all decorations, wedding arch, chairs, music etc. Depending on the decoration package, setup and removal could take only 1/2 hour, or as long as 1 and 1/2 hours.
We typically obtain wedding permits as a customary part of our service for our clients. We know the best beach spots are understand that our Brides & Grooms do not have access to this knowledge gained by many weddings over decades of time.
The permit fee is an additional cost to our beach wedding packages. Contact us with any questions regarding your beach wedding anywhere on Siesta key. Intimate beach weddings typically don’t need a County permit.
Guide/Be Aware: The information below is for “Sarasota County.” Other Florida counties may have slightly different marriage application requirements. Please check marriage application requirements with the clerk of the court in the county where you will be obtaining your marriage license.
Sarasota Florida Marriage License Requirements…
Sarasota County Marriage License Application Guide:
Applicants must apply in person and bring a driver’s license, passport, or Florida Identification Card. If either applicant was previously married, the date the prior marriage ended by divorce, annulment, or death is required. Call the Clerk’s office with any questions. Our information here is NOT all inclusive.
Sarasota County Marriage License & Fee Information:
Marriage license will not be valid until three days after issuance. Exceptions to the waiting period are Non-Florida residents applying for a license.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to apply.
• If either applicant is under the age of 18 years but at least 16 years of age, a birth certificate and proof of identification is required.
• Blood test is not required.
• Fee is about ~$98.00.
More About Sarasota County Marriage Licenses:
- The license must be used within sixty days of issuance.
- The license may be used in any county in the State of Florida.
- The executed license must be returned within 10 days to the county in which is was issued.
2 Sarasota County Clerk of the Court Locations:
Sarasota Fl. Office
2000 Main Street
Sarasota, Fl. 34237
Venice Fl. Branch
R.L. Anderson Administration Center
4000 South Tamiami Trail (US 41)
Venice, Fl. 34293
Here is a link to: Sarasota County Clerk of the Court for Wedding & Marriage License Information.
Florida Marriage License Clerk Offices in every Florida County: List of Florida Clerk Office in Every County.
