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Renee, Ashley, and Liz are dedicated professionals who live to create unforgettable events for couples wherever their wedding destination takes them. With 14 years of experience in the industry, Renee leads her team with integrity, kindness, and a desire to foster growth personally and professionally.
We seek out every opportunity to connect with established vendors and new talent with the goal of telling your love story in a meaningful, authentic way. Details become the design, and the design of your wedding is a reflection of your story.
Building your itinerary to make the day flow with ease, keeping on top of trends by always seeking a fresh aesthetic, and knowing just the right moment to pass you a glass of bubbly - it's our love language to share with you.
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September 25, 2024
The scenic stretch of Florida’s Gulf Coast (known as 30A) is a dream wedding destination. Nestled between crystal-clear waters and sugar-white sand beaches, this 24-mile stretch of paradise is home to both charming beach communities and stunning wedding venues that offer picture-perfect backdrops for your special day. Whether you’re envisioning a sunset beach ceremony, a luxurious reception at an iconic resort, or a more intimate garden wedding, the wedding venues on 30A deliver charm, elegance, and a variety of options for your wedding day.
Before we dive in, if you are new here, welcome! At A Wedding Collection, we believe your wedding should be an intentional reflection of your love story, offering details throughout the wedding weekend that tell guests you were anxiously awaiting their arrival. Having our team plan your wedding so you can host guests in a setting that allows them to slow down and re-connect with one another is always our honor. When you’re ready, you can view our portfolio for inspiration, or reach out here so we can start planning a 30A wedding that’s perfect for you!
While we’re sure you’re eager to learn more about the wedding venues on 30a, the first step in planning your wedding is getting to know the unique beach communities that truly define this stretch of land! Each iconic spot has its own distinct charm, but here are the cliff notes versions of each:
Now that you have a lay of the land, we are ready to move on to the wedding venues on 30A. When it comes to choosing the perfect ceremony venue along 30A, couples are spoiled for choice. From charming chapels to beachfront lawns and picturesque parks, the options are truly endless.
While 30A is renowned for a reason, for couples willing to venture slightly beyond, here are two more stunning venue options:
These off-30A venues offer elegant alternatives just a short distance from 30A’s main stretch.
Once your ceremony is over, it’s time to celebrate! While the above options make for fantastic ceremony options, 30A also offers a wide variety of reception venues, each with its own unique charm, from elegant lakefront spaces to vibrant rooftop views. Here are six wedding venues on 30A with the best reception spaces:
Again, for larger wedding receptions or couples willing to venture beyond 30A, here are a few exceptional nearby options:
These venues provide a range of options, from classic 30A charm to nearby luxurious alternatives, ensuring every couple finds the perfect fit for their celebration.
Choosing a wedding venue on 30A that can host both your ceremony and reception in one location can simplify logistics, reduce costs, and keep your day flowing smoothly. Transporting guests between separate venues, like from Seaside Chapel to The Pearl, adds vendor and transportation expenses. For instance, Seaside requires off-site parking at Grayton Central with a shuttle service, so planning ahead is important. Don’t worry, as your wedding planners, we will help take care of all of this for you. If you would prefer to have your ceremony and reception at the same venue (or a short walk away), reach out here and we can share some suggestions.
Choosing your 30A wedding venue can significantly affect your budget, especially depending on whether the venue has an exclusive or preferred vendor list. That’s one of the reasons we recommend hiring a wedding planner before you book your wedding venue. Understanding these vendor requirements early on is so important if you want to avoid budget surprises. In the meantime, here’s what you need to know.
Venues with exclusive vendor lists require you to use specific vendors for services like florals, catering, and planning. This approach can ensure quality in some cases, but it limits options and may increase costs. Venues like WaterColor, Seaside Chapel, Seaside Lyceum and Ruskin, The Pearl, Rosemary Beach Town Hall, and Alys Beach require exclusive vendors for some or all vendor categories, sometimes with minimum spends (e.g., $20K–$35K for florists), which could add pressure to your budget if you don’t choose carefully.
It’s worth noting that your planner’s relationship with these venues is crucial to the success of your event. There are special requests made all the time on behalf of clients and vendors, and the venue representatives place a great deal of trust in your planner to manage those. Maintaining these long-standing relationships are the hallmark of a good planner, and can offer added assurance that your wedding day will run with seamless precision.
A preferred vendor list offers more flexibility, recommending trusted vendors but not requiring them. Venues like Carillon Beach, Eden Gardens, and Vue on 30A allow more freedom to choose vendors based on your budget and style, giving you a more customizable experience.
Exclusive vendor lists can quickly increase costs, especially if the venue’s required vendors have high minimums. While these vendors are often top-tier and have established relationships with the venue, their prices may not align with every couple’s budget. It’s important to factor in how these vendor requirements will affect your total spending.
If it’s important to you to book the venue before hiring a planner, please be sure to talk to your planner in depth about your plans. At A Wedding Collection, we dive deep into these topics on our very first inquiry call because we know the potholes that can appear along the way! Some venues even require you to have a planner contracted within 30 days of booking, and some florists won’t schedule an inquiry call without a full-service planner on board. We know the road ahead—let us help guide you!
By considering the vendor list type and asking the right questions, you’ll be able to find a venue that aligns with both your vision and budget, ensuring a seamless wedding day on 30A.
Next, if you’re planning a rehearsal dinner on 30A, there’s no shortage of excellent options. Here are some of our favorite spots for gathering with family and friends before the big day:
For a memorable “Post Toast” after your rehearsal dinner or welcome party, consider hosting a beach bonfire. Is there a more fun way to introduce your guests to the wedding weekend than a bonfire with a cotton candy sunset over the Gulf with delicious, gooey S’mores in hand?! (The answer to that is yes- add Townsend Catering to the line-up for Lobster Rolls served in custom printed wrap papers with a Ranch Water cocktail and Voila!) Top locations along 30A include Seaside’s iconic Coleman Pavilion, where you can book through CC Boone, the exclusive vendor for this picturesque spot. Inlet Beach offers a more laid-back setting, perfect for a relaxed gathering by the Gulf. Carillon Beach is another excellent option if you are hosting your wedding there. These stunning locations will set the tone for an unforgettable wedding weekend.
While we are talking about additional events on your wedding day weekend, let’s not forget about brunch! Kick off your post-wedding celebration at one of these delightful brunch spots:
Now you’ve got a full list of wonderful dinner and brunch options to consider for your wedding festivities on 30A!
Once you have your venue chosen, it’s time to save the date. The best months to get married on 30A are March, April, May, October, and November. These are high-season months, offering beautiful weather, though rates can vary depending on the venue and resort. December, January, February, and September offer quieter times, with fewer crowds and fun activities like beach bonfires, but the weather can be unpredictable.
If there was one piece of advice we could give you, we would caution you about planning weddings during June, July, and August. The heat, humidity, and busy tourist season can create a few extra challenges along the way. Also, keep in mind that March is Spring Break. Let us help you navigate the curfews and crowded areas!
When planning your wedding day, it’s important to keep timing in mind to make sure everything runs smoothly. Wedding ceremonies typically last around 30 minutes, leaving plenty of time for guests to enjoy the celebration afterward. Receptions generally run for about four hours, though many venues allow additional time for a fee. For outdoor events in Walton County, keep in mind that a noise ordinance requires festivities to end by 10 PM. However, some venues offer indoor spaces where you can extend the party into the night.
If you’re planning a wedding between November and early March, don’t forget to consider the earlier sunset. With Daylight Saving Time ending in early November, a 3 PM ceremony is ideal, wrapping up around 3:30 PM. This gives you ample time for family photos before the sunset at 4:45 PM. Most couples choose to start cocktail hour around 3:30 or 4 PM, which means the reception concludes at 8 PM. In our experience, many couples choose to host after-parties or casual late-night gatherings to continue the celebration.
On the other hand, if you prefer to schedule a First Look with wedding party and family pictures following, we could plan a candlelit ceremony at 5:30 PM with reception following from 6-10 PM. Wintertime weddings can offer their own version of magic at the beach.
Planning a wedding on 30A opens up endless possibilities, with a wide range of stunning wedding venues, from beachfront locations to charming chapels and scenic parks. Each location feels more beautiful than the next! With its unique blend of natural beauty, luxury, and charm, wedding venues on 30A promise an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.
Ready to start planning your unforgettable 30A wedding? Take a look at our portfolio to see the beautiful weddings we’ve had the pleasure of bringing to life. If you love what you see, reach out, and let’s create something magical together!
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