Are you considering getting married or eloping on the Gulf Coast? Need to keep the ceremony affordable? Keeping it simple and beautiful is not only doable, but you can choose from many wonderful natural settings for the wedding ceremony that are also low-cost or even FREE. The central west coast of Florida’s beaches, parks and gardens simply can’t be beat. Outdoor ceremony venues abound, one more beautiful than another.
West Coast of Florida Beaches
Obviously the SunCoast’s light sand beaches are natural, expansive and free to the visitor. We have our favorites which include Nokomis Beach, South Coquina Beach, Anna Maria’s many public beach accesses, Lido Beach, Longboat Key’s lesser known public beach accesses, and Pass-a-Grille on St. Pete Beach. If you choose not to put up an arch or have chairs, no permit is necessary. Permitting is not a difficult process, but limits the location and adds to the cost. 
You can find out more about Sarasota County beaches at https://www.sarasotacountyparks.com/Home/
Are you not a sand in your toes type of bride, but like a natural setting? We have many botanical gardens, some of which are pricey for weddings and some which are very affordable.
Palma Sola Botanical Park
We love Palma Sola Botanical Park, which for a donation, you may enter and elope on the grounds.
Bay Preserve at Osprey
Ceremonies are very affordable here if you are having guests. Secret Garden at St. Pete Beach is another gem, small but very tropical and the beach is footsteps away. Bayfront Park in Sarasota and Bay Preserve in Osprey are public and boast water views of Little Sarasota Bay and Sarasota Bay and are no coast options for the under 10 people wedding ceremony (with venue permission). Jigg’s Landing on the Braden River is a lesser known waterfront option with a light bites cantina and tiny cottages for rent. Vinoy Park, a lovely public area on Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, is surrounded by restaurants for those wanting a romantic lunch or dinner following the wedding ceremony.
We recommend you always hire a professional officiant from the Sarasota/Bradenton/St. Petersburg area who knows not only the best spots for a low cost ceremony, but who has contacts for permitting and with those who manage the calendars, properties or pavilions. We also can assist with information about or obtaining the necessary Florida Marriage License and about changing your name post-ceremony. We offer ceremony packages with add-ons like photography, simple flowers, musicians, picnic outfitters to make the day something you’ll remember for decades to come.
