Questions? Yes, please!
Here are some of our commonly asked questions about destination beach weddings on Anna Maria Island.
Do you offer packages?
We sure do! We bring together our favorite vendors and offer packages that include custom wedding vows, Licensed Wedding Officiant or Ordained Minister, filing of Marriage License, photography, access to our Premium Preferred Vendor List, flowers, arch, chairs, live music, cake and anything else you desire for your destination beach wedding or vow renewal. Here are the links to our packages:
Do you offer weddings on private beaches?
We do! AMI Beach Weddings proudly partners with Tortuga Beach Resorts to provide services on their private beach. Room discounts are available for wedding party and guests, and accommodation rental is required for use of the private beach.
“Favorite Lodging: Tortuga Beach Resort.” Southern Living.
Here’s what’s great about Tortuga Beach Resort: It’s easy to get to. It’s located on Anna Maria Island, a rare, unspoiled island with vintage charm – totally unpretentious – the kind of place that sweeps you off your feet without even trying with its natural beauty and easy pace. The private white sand beach, located just across the street from the resort, is sprinkled with seashells & views of sea life such as dolphins & manatees. Beach chairs are provided on the beach so you can relax and enjoy the gorgeous pale jade water of the Gulf of Mexico and unbelievably beautiful Suncoast sunsets. There are three heated pools & a boat dock for our guests.
Here are the packages with Tortuga:
Tortuga Destination Wedding Package
What kind of ceremonies do you perform?
We offer weddings, vow renewals and family unity ceremonies.
What is the best time of year for a Florida beach wedding?
There is no bad time of year for a beach wedding! Just reach out and we can tell you the pros and cons of each season.
What is the best time of day for a beach wedding?
For the best light, we recommend the hour before the sunset, or early morning before nine. While sunset ceremonies are the most popular, the morning weddings are great for those who like private ceremonies as there are usually very few people on the beach.
How many people can I have at my wedding?
You can have as few as just the couple, and as many as sixty. We specialize in small, personal weddings. We do make a few exceptions each year, so reach out if you have a larger group.
Do I need a permit for my beach wedding?
Yes. We know all the rules and will work with you picking the best fit, and file all the paperwork on your part.
What about degrees, certifications or experience?
Karen, the owner, has a Master's degree in Adult Education, is a Certified Visit Florida Destination Wedding Specialist and Official Wedding Planner- completed with grade distinction. She is also on the board of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce and created the Anna Maria Island Wedding Association, so she knows everyone on the island.
How far out should we book our wedding?
We are a boutique wedding business, so we are limited in the number of weddings we take each year. Because we fill up quickly, we suggest you book a year in advance. That said, we may have a pocket of open time, so don't hesitate to ask! We have done weddings with as little as two days notice.
Can we get married on a weekday?
Yes! Many of our destination couples do just that! Since they are here for a vacation as well, they simply pick the day that works best for them. The beaches are very quiet on weekdays as well.
Do you take last minute weddings?
Sure! If we have the date open, we can set up your ceremony the same week.
Do you charge travel fees for your vendors or packages?
Other beach wedding businesses are not on Anna Maria Island and they charge a fee to come here. We are right here, so we don't need to charge any travel fees.
Can my children be included in the ceremony?
Of course! The most meaningful weddings are those that include the people most important to you. We have options for little ones to grown children in our ceremonies.
Can our fur baby be part of our beach wedding?
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on island beaches. There are, however, rentals who allow pets. Many couples take photos with their pets before the ceremony.
What kind of music can I have at my wedding?
There are so many options! We have a lovely classical quartet, steel drum, guitar, and ukelele just to start. We can find any style you would like.
How many photos do I get? Each hour of photography comes with 50 edited photos. Your photographer will take more, and you choose the 50 you like the best. If you want all of them, you can purchase them for a small fee directly from your photographer. Their job is to make them all irresistible!
What does your arch look like?
We commissioned a local artisan to craft an arch out of cedar. It is then draped with eco-fresh greenery and flowers to match your wedding colors and style.
What if we don't want chairs, or just want them for a few older guests? We require each guest to have a chair for two reasons. One, if guests are not sitting they tend to stand in the aisle way to watch the ceremony and block the photographer. Two, guests need to know what to do and where to be, so for the comfort of all guests, we require a seat for everyone who is invited and not in the wedding party.
Can I have a minister for my officiant?
Yes. We have ordained ministers who have the ability to perform legal wedding ceremonies.
What if I don't want a religious ceremony?
No problem. We also have licensed Flordia officiants to perform the ceremony.
Can I request a male officiant only? We are not able to guarantee the gender of the officiant or minister. If it is a requirement that there is only a male officiant, we can remove the officiant from the package and you can secure that part of the ceremony.
Do you offer same-sex weddings?
Of course! The island has a reputation for being a welcoming culture for all couples.
Do I write my own vows?
You can if you like, but we give options for the vows and personalize them. That way, you can choose but not be overwhelmed by writing them all.
What happens if it rains?
It does occasionally rain at the time of the ceremony. We offer a backup location that can be reserved "just in case" for a small fee at the time of booking the wedding, or if schedules allow, can postpone the ceremony.
Do I need a wedding coordinator?
We offer a wedding coordinator for all but the smallest ceremonies. That way, you will know when to walk, and in what order, and have someone to take care of each little detail for your beach wedding.
How do I get my marriage license?
You can either apply in person at the courthouse in Bradenton (30 to 45-minute drive depending on the time of year) or, we offer a license by mail option, and deliver it to your officiant before your wedding.
How do I find other vendors?
We work with the Anna Maria Island Wedding Association and our preferred vendor lists to find all the right services for your destination beach wedding. Once you have booked your beach wedding with us, we can refer you to our carefully vetted and highly rated local wedding vendors, including lodging, reception venues, caterers, bakers, florists, videographers and activities for your guests.
Do you travel to other Florida beaches?
Nope. We know AMI like the back of our hand, including all the rules, regulations and best wedding spots. We think Anna Maria Island has the very best beaches, and want to share it with our brides and grooms!
What about parking? We have reserved parking for you and your guests for many packages. The fee is included with the permit.
Can we get married at the house where we are staying and have our reception there?
If you are having a very small ceremony, it is possible with the permission of the house owner. Most of the time, it is not an option. One of the charms of the island is that rental homes are right on residential streets, instead of imposing high-rises in commercial districts. To help our local community live in harmony with our visitors, there are strict rules on parking, noise, and events. We are very careful with the rules because having your wedding shut down would be our worst nightmare (and yours too!) We have relationships with local businesses and can help with the ceremony, reception site, and lodging so you can have the wedding of your dreams!
What colors look best for the beach?
Think about the colors of the sunset, from light pinks to dark red or find inspiration from the water, as it changes from light blue to turquoise to dark blue as the sun sets. But it really comes down finding the colors that you love! Pick from the heart, not just on popular trends and you can't go wrong.
How do we know you are a reputable company?
That is a great question! We are members of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, Visit Florida and the Anna Maria Island Wedding Association. Check out our reviews on social media and Google. We also are always happy to have you talk to our past clients so you can have a first-hand account of their personal experience.
Our owner, Karen, was designated by the Manatee County Tourism Development Council as the 2018 Ambassador of the Year. Her last name is Love and we think she was destined to be in the wedding industry!
What else do I need to know?
Any questions you have, send us an email at Love@AMIBeachWeddings or call 941-527-6000.