Dear Sandy,
Those are very good questions.  A Florida marriage license is required to get married anywhere in Florida.

Here’s what you’ll need to bring with you?

Identification- Both of you must bring a picture ID. It can be a driver’s license, state ID, military ID or a valid passport. You may also be asked to show a certified copy of your birth certificate.

If you’re a U.S. citizen you must provide your social security number. If you’re not a U.S. citizen you must provide proof of an alien registration.

Proof of Age: You must be 18 years of age.  Please check with the county clerk’s office where you are applying for more details.

Money-  The fee for a Florida marriage license is $93.50.   Please note: Fees and rules can be subject to change, always check with the county clerk’s office before applying.

Show up in person- Both of you must be present to apply, sign the application, and take an oath that you have given correct information.

Is a blood test required?
No, Florida does not require a blood test for couples getting married.

Is there a waiting period?
Not for non-residents of Florida.

How long is the marriage license valid?
Your license is valid for 60 days from the effective date of the license.

Who can marry us?
Any ordained clergy, public notaries of the state, judicial officers (this includes retired judicial officers) and Clerks of the Circuit Courts.

If you have any other questions please let me know.  – Peggy

Dear Camile,
First off, I’m so glad that you want to thank your guests.  Your guests are going the distance to attend your destination wedding and showing your appreciation is so sweet of you.  An idea that I often suggest is a welcome bag with items from the Keys.

For example,

Florida Key Lime Taffy -
A bag of Florida Key Lime Taffy makes a fun and delicious wedding favor!

Florida Orange Rum Cake -
No matter where they are, they can enjoy the taste of the Keys with this delectable gift.

…and if you want to be extra clever give them something that says “thank you for coming to my wedding in the Keys” with a twist…like a “key chain” personalized with your wedding details.

Whatever it is I’m certain that your wedding guests will appreciate the gesture.  If you need help ordering wedding favors for your destination wedding in the Keys just let me know.” – Peggy

Dear Gloria,
Anything is possible when you have a great wedding planner in the Keys doing the work for you. (tee hee) Planning a double wedding in the Keys is twice the work but you’ll save money on flowers, venue space, invitations, etc. considering you have the same family members who will more than likely be in attendance.   This is definitely a cost-effective idea but can also create headaches if not done right.  Give me a call and let’s chat about your vision. – Peggy

K and K Photography shot some amazing photos and we’re so pleased that they were published on the Destinations Inspiration wedding blog.

If you’re looking for the perfect destination for a Florida Keys wedding you’ll want to check out Hawks Cay Resort.

We have been so pleased this year to have several of our photographers have our Weddings published. Getting married at a destination is made so much easier when you have great vendors and the Photographer can make it that much more special.

K and K were so professional but really personal it made a perfect combination!

We have been doing Keys Weddings for almost 10 years and working with local vendors that make the moment so special! Please fee free to give us a call  let’s chat about your dream destination wedding plans!
Peggy and the Team
847-612-4712

Dear Kimberly,
As the bride you have the option to wear whatever you want.  However, you will want to take into consideration the sand and water.  There are several types of beautiful wedding sandals as well as my favorite type of beach wedding “shoe” which is the barefoot bridal sandal.  They’re strings of elegant jewels that connect to your middle toe and ankle resulting in a beautiful drape over the top of your foot.

Put together a look that means something special to you and you’ll remember it for years to come.  I’m more than happy to suggest some websites that sell beach wedding sandals that leave an imprint in the sand as well as jeweled, barefoot sandals.  Just give me a call and let’s chat. – Peggy

Dear Cassie,
Congratulations on your engagement!  That’s a very good question! And the answer is, as soon as you get engaged.

After you decide where you want to go (in the Keys for example), it’s really important to select someone local to guide you.  When you’re planning a wedding from far away, like anything you buy, the unknown can seem daunting!

A local planner will know the little things about a venue…the service, the quality of the food, where the location may mean the difference between guests having to taxi somewhere or are able to walk to everything. Some venues do not give room blocks to save guests money, while other resorts offer lower packages that they do not advertise.

“How can you do a wedding in a private home?”, is a question I am often asked.  It is not always wise to do that, especially with larger weddings.  But I have done some of my favorite wedding celebrations in small hotels, and we have rented the entire place! There are choices in the Keys (not always in Key West) that really suit some groups better.

We always start out with a questionnaire that helps us know our couples better; their wants and needs… A planner is really your local advisor, and Destination Wedding Studio believes that having someone alongside you to advise and guide you really makes the difference in making sure your wedding celebration is all you have dreamed of!

Venues and vendors speak only for themselves, so they don’t give you an objective or overview.  Having someone who is neutral is really important.

Our most popular service is the “Lady in Waiting”.  It allows our brides to still make all of the decisions, but starts at the beginning and goes to the end, and you have a partner and advisor the entire time guiding you.

Hope that helps!

Peggy

Dear Katherine,
Mother Nature seems to favor some states more than others when it comes to doling out good weather on wedding days.  To help you decide which date is best for a wedding in the Keys I’ve attached some averages from www.weather.com for you.

On Average: August is the warmest month. January is the coolest month. September is the wettest month. February is the driest month. April has the most clear days. September has the most cloudy days. The good news?  We’re nearly in the 70′s year round.

You may want to consider moving your wedding to a month like November when the weather is perfect and it’s less crowded.   Either way, a wedding in the Keys is amazing and I’d be happy to assist you in planning it here.   Just let me know.  – Peggy

(picture to the right of invitation shaped like Florida)

Dear Martha,
That’s a very good question and the answer is YES and anything you want them to be!!. Although a destination wedding gives your guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing vacation as they share in your wedding day joys, it’s still your wedding. You can do whatever you want!

With that said, you may consider sending your wedding invitation in the shape of Florida state as a fun alternative to a traditional invitation. This one here is from www.myexpression.com and I think it’s adorable. –  We also have created some others that are fun.  “Tommy Bahama” like casual invites for “flip flop beach casual weddings. A Palm tree for a more elegant island affair, and one of my favorite, the “gift box” invite. They are a bit more pricey but really great for smaller weddings and it makes guest feel so special to get a gift in the mail. We have put starfish and even fresh orchids (they last up to 5 days).  One of my favorite RSVP’s was a bride that was having a weekend of fun and sent postcards of the Keys/Key West and  had them stamped so guests RSVP’D and sent back so we knew exactly how many would be at each event from welcome party to goodbye brunch. The guests were excited before they even got on the islands!

Hope that gives you an idea and please send us your invite to share!

Peggy

]]> http://destinationweddingstudio.com/blog/beach-weddings/inviting-guests-to-your-destination-wedding-in-key-west-florida/feed/ 0 http://destinationweddingstudio.com/blog/beach-weddings/how-to-get-your-wedding-dress-to-your-destination-wedding/ http://destinationweddingstudio.com/blog/beach-weddings/how-to-get-your-wedding-dress-to-your-destination-wedding/#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:25:21 +0000 admin http://destinationweddingstudio.com/blog/?p=658 Dear Peg,
I’m traveling from Washington State to Key West for my wedding and don’t know how to pack my wedding dress.  Any suggestions? – Kasandra, Washington State

Dear Kasandra,
Your question is a common one, and the answer is simple…

Checking a wedding dress as baggage runs the risk of it being lost or damaged in transit.   So, for complete peace of mind, send your wedding dress via UPS or Federal Express.

Here’s how to pack it:

1. Pack your dress carefully in layers of acid-free tissue paper, which will not damage or stain the fabric.
2. Fold over any train, and surround the dress with additional tissue paper before placing in either a zipped garment bag or straight into a special garment box.
3. Choose a garment box with a hard exterior to avoid the dress being crushed in transit.
4. Send the dress at least a week in advance, and ask the hotel to confirm when it has arrived safely.  You can also send it directly to me, and, as your destination wedding day coordinator, I will make sure  it gets to your venue safely.
5. Have your wedding dress steamed on arrival. This should be pre-booked, and I’d be happy to arrange it for you.   (Lightweight dresses can simply be hung in a warm closet for creases to drop out naturally.)

Send me a photo of your wedding dress and the type of fabric it’s made out of.  I’ll gladly send back ideas for your specific wedding dress.

- Peg

Dear Sarah,
Destination weddings are very “in style.”…especially among superstars.  For example:

• DeAnna Pappas and Jesse Csincsak
• Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco
• David Beckham and Posh Spice
• Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith
• Joey Fatone and Kelly Baldwin
• Guy Ritchie and Madonna

What do they wear?  Some go with the traditional wedding dress and tuxedo but many make their own statement.

Craig Baritt/JPI

In an interview done by People magazine DeAnna Pappas said, “I’ll wear a white dress, some brown bridesmaid dresses, that’s all I care about.”  As for the men, “We’re not going to wear tuxes,” said Csincsak. “We’re going to get custom-made suits.I might wear some Nike 6.0’s instead of uncomfortable dress shoes.”  Will it be a quick nuptials and back to work?  The interview continued…“We want to do like a four-day weekend where you do a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday,” said Csincsak. “My family and her family can get together and do fun stuff.” Pappas added, “They get along very, very well. They love each other.”

Tell your family that destination weddings are very much the “in thing to do” and that it also gives them the chance to have an amazing vacation.  Call yourself a superstar and do what you want..it’s your day.