Frequently Asked Questions

Weddings, vow renewals and commitment ceremonies. If there is another type of event you would like to have, please send us a message.

Yes, we absolutely perform same-sex marriages. We believe in love!

As soon as you begin thinking about getting married on the beach! We can reserve your date a year or more in advance.

If you’re feeling spontaneous and want to elope, we may be able to find a spot for you with as little as three days’ notice, depending on availability.

You can fill out the form on our Contact page, email us, call us or send us a text.

We’ll discuss your date and event details and get you on our calendar with your required deposit.

Not at all. Many of our clients live outside Florida or outside the country.

We usually meet approximately 30 minutes before the ceremony. Planning can be handled over the phone or through email, and we’re only a phone call away if you have questions.

We perform beach weddings along Florida’s Gulf Coast, including the Tampa Bay region and Pinellas, Hillsborough and Manatee counties.

Popular beaches include Redington, Indian Shores, St. Pete Beach, Pass-a-Grille and Clearwater.

We also love the Bradenton and Sarasota areas, including Anna Maria Island, Lido Beach and Siesta Key.

Other beaches, venues and locations—including private homes or properties—may also be considered. Send us the details and we’ll be happy to discuss the options.

Florida is known for beautiful weather year-round, but weekends, holidays and sunset ceremony times can fill quickly. Popular dates may book far in advance.

We live here and know Florida’s beaches and weather. One of our favorite times of year for beach weddings is November through March, when conditions are often more comfortable for couples and their guests.

We’re happy to help guide you when choosing your date and ceremony time.

It’s your day, so you choose the location!

We’re happy to recommend beaches based on local activity, tourism, permits and crowd conditions. We also work with hotels, condos, parks and state parks.

We can help you select a spot based on permit guidelines and other activities happening on the beach.

Yes. Florida beaches are public spaces and some dates and times are more crowded than others. We can help guide you when choosing your date and ceremony time.

Our favorite months tend to be less congested from November through March, and mornings can also be beautiful.

In our experience, beachgoers generally do not interfere with ceremonies. Occasionally you may even hear some cheers and applause when you kiss!

Beaches are typically much less crowded during the week.

Many of our couples and their guests have traveled from out of town, so a weekday ceremony can also allow everyone to enjoy a longer weekend without rushing home.

Weekdays may also mean shorter waits for restaurants and other Florida attractions.

Some beaches require permits, travel fees and/or access fees. Your current page notes that these may range from approximately $250–$400 depending on the location.

Some beaches require permit applications at least 30 days in advance, while others may not require a permit.

We’ll help provide beach-location recommendations based on your plans.

We have a team of professional officiants with the appropriate credentials to perform your marriage ceremony.

If you would like a Spanish-speaking officiant, please let us know as soon as possible so we can work to secure one for your event.

You’ll have an opportunity to consult with your officiant before your special day to discuss your ceremony and vow selections.

Our ceremonies are designed to be casual, light and romantic.

You’ll have the option of choosing your vows and adding your own words if you wish. These options can be discussed during your consultation with your officiant.

Packages that include a unity sand ceremony offer a symbolic way to represent two lives joining as one.

If you have special requests, please let us know.

Absolutely! Children can participate in the sand ceremony or receive rings or other gifts during the ceremony.

You can invite a guest or family member to read a poem or prayer, or your partner may want to sing or include another meaningful element.

Special requests should be arranged in advance and coordinated with your officiant so the ceremony flows smoothly.

Absolutely. Your officiant will be responsible for preparing the ceremony or vows and signing your marriage license.

Please notify us when making your reservation or at least 30 days in advance.

Your current policy states that there is no package discount or sand-ceremony substitution when bringing your own officiant.

No. Beach weddings are generally a simple process. Your officiant will review your vows beforehand and answer your questions.

We’ll also guide you on where to stand and what to expect. Don’t be afraid to ask questions—we want you to feel comfortable and prepared.

Chairs can be especially helpful for older guests or anyone who may have difficulty standing for longer periods.

Seating also creates a clear viewing area for your guests and photographer and can help keep guests from moving too close to the ceremony while taking their own photographs.

After the ceremony, your officiant will sign your marriage license.

Your current policy states that Barefoot Events & More can mail the completed license to the appropriate county clerk for you. The county clerk then processes the license according to its procedures.

Some couples prefer to return the license to the clerk’s office themselves when they want to handle the filing directly.

Our wedding packages include one of our professional photographers and one hour of photography.

Your photographer will photograph your ceremony as well as family, group and intimate portraits. We love hearing your ideas and will make every effort to accommodate special requests.

Your photographs will be made available through a personal online gallery. You can select the photographs included with your package and may have the option to purchase additional images, prints and keepsakes.

Your final selected digital photographs are provided as digital downloads with print release.

Absolutely. Photography time can be extended in half-hour or one-hour increments.

If you’d like photographs while getting ready or during your reception, we can discuss a custom package.

We strongly encourage reserving additional photography time when you book your wedding, or at least 30 days in advance. Photographer availability beyond your scheduled event cannot be guaranteed if it isn’t reserved beforehand.

We understand that family and friends are excited, but we strongly recommend an unplugged ceremony.

Phones and cameras can become distractions, cause delays and interfere with your professional photographer. Guests may also unintentionally appear in your professional photographs while holding phones or cameras in front of their faces.

We recommend asking guests to put their devices away, enjoy the moment and allow your photographer to document the ceremony.

We accept cash, check, money order, credit cards, Venmo, Cash App and Apple Pay.

A non-refundable $100 deposit is required to hold your date and time.

Your current policy states that final payment is required 15 days before your ceremony.

If your date needs to be rescheduled, your deposit and/or payments may transfer to a new date when the wedding is rescheduled within 365 days of the original date, subject to your agreement and applicable policies.

We understand that sometimes plans change.

Your current policy requires at least 14 days’ notice to reschedule. When less notice is provided, a $150 rescheduling fee may apply.

A rescheduled date must be within 365 days of the original date. Permits may need to be reapplied for and additional permit fees may apply.

Your current cancellation policy states that if the event is canceled without rescheduling, monies already paid to Barefoot Events & More are forfeited.

We understand that life happens. If you’re running late, please contact your officiant immediately.

Late arrivals can create a domino effect on other scheduled events and may shorten your available ceremony or photography time.

Your current policy states that arrivals 30 minutes late are subject to a $150 late fee. If you’re more than 30 minutes late, your event may need to be rescheduled.

Barefoot Events & More does not own a venue, which means we do not have an indoor space to automatically move your wedding into. Couples should have a backup plan available.

We monitor the weather and will communicate with you if there are concerns. Small Florida showers can appear quickly and often do not last long.

A light sprinkle may not stop a ceremony if conditions remain safe and everyone is comfortable proceeding. Lightning is a serious safety concern, however, and safety always comes first.

If a change in time, location or décor becomes necessary because of weather, your current policy states that discounts or refunds are not provided.

Your current policy also asks that backup locations generally remain within approximately a 20-minute drive of the original location or an additional travel fee may be required.

Be open-minded. Florida weather can change quickly, and sometimes flexibility is the best plan.

If conditions are safe, a light rain may still allow the ceremony to continue.

You may want to check with your hotel or condo about available indoor or covered areas and their policies.

If you already have a reception venue, ask whether your ceremony could be moved there if necessary. Please let us know in advance if this is your preferred backup plan because venue restrictions may affect what equipment or décor can be used.

For very small ceremonies or elopements with flexible schedules, postponing until another available time or day may sometimes be possible.

Your existing FAQ also recommends considering cooler months such as November through March, noting that summer commonly brings more afternoon showers and storms.