Footprints in The Sand Beach Weddings
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions We Frequently Get Asked
Wedding Ceremony
No one wants to get all wet when they are dressed up and ready to say the I Do's and we completely understand that. Its the responsibility of the client to to have some type backup location and/or alternate plan. We highly recommend having a backup plan. When planning an outdoor event the weather is something to always take into considration. We try our best to watch the weather before any event very closely, and if it happens to look like it will definitely be a problem with the scheduled time, we can offer to adjust the timing to "zig-zag" around the rain. This many times is a great solution for a random shower.
** If you're having a reception, Its a possibility that it could be moved to your reception area. If this turns out to be the case some of our setups cannot be used in a indoor location, however we will do our very best to decorate the backup location you have chosen.
Photography Session
No one wants to be all wet when they are all dressed up and ready to be photographed and we completely understand that so if it looks like it is going to rain or some other weather catastrophe, we will be in touch via email or phone to reschedule.
** We are not responsible for the weather.
** We will do our very best to work with you concerning rescheduling for the next day, next week, or even next month to accomocdate your schedule taking in to consideration our schedule too of course.
The sooner the better! Our weekends can fill up pretty quickly - notably during the spring, summer, and fall. Reach out to us a soon as possible. We suggest putting your deposit down as soon as you have decided. Minister only package requires payment in full and is "Non-Refundable'. This ensures your desired date is reserved. Your deposit goes towards your wedding and is used to reserve your wedding staff.
* Note: All Wedding Packages and Events must be "Paid in Full" 30 days in advance of the scheduled date of the service.
Within a couple weeks following your event you will receive a link to download all of your pictures from our website. We will also provide you with a hard copy on a USB drive with all of the pictures of your event.
Getting married on any public beach in Alabama, Mississippi, or Florida will require a permit. The permit cost is "NOT" included in any of our beach wedding packages.
Mississippi - Pass Christian, Long Beach, Biloxi, and Gulf Port - There is no fee if the total number of people is 25 or less. Greater than 25 people, there is a $25 permit fee. They have a Red Gazebo @ 123 E Beach Blvd, no reservations, public, 1st come basis.
Dauphin Island
East End Fort Gaines
There is no permit fee however the Town of Dauphin Island does charge a parking fee. The App to pay for parking can be downloaded via the Apple App store or Goolge store. The APP name is Park Mobile.
West End Public beach - unfortunately we no longer perform wedding setups at the Dauphin Island West End Public Beach location. This is due to it being much more crowded at this location, and also the extra added distance we must travel down the beach to get to a spot that is a somewhat more clear to do the wedding setup. Note we do still offer the following services at this location.... Officiant only and Surprise Engagement setups.
Fort Morgan
No Weddings are allowed on the beach at Fort Morgan. This is due to the endangered wildlife species and the beaches are controlled by the U.S. Fish & Game Wildlife Service. You can however rent the entire Fort! How cool would that be! If you rent/reserve Fort Morgan for your Wedding the cost is $1000.00, Wedding only. If you would like to rent the entire Fort for both Wedding & Reception, the cost is $1500.00. The rental includes the entire Fort, Fort Morgan in its "Entirety" from 5pm until 12am.
Fort Morgan after hours Reservation form is located here: Rental Form
Gulf Shores
There are no Weddings allowed on any public beach in Gulf Shores. If you have a rental beach house, or Condo you are allowed to use the adjacent area directly behind the house/condo on the beach.
Perdido Key
No public beach weddings allowed. If you have a rental beach house, or condo you are allowed to use the adjacent area directly behind the house/condo on the beach.
Johnson Beach (FL)
Weddings are allowed on the beaches. $50 permit fee required. Permit will be in addition to the Wedding Package price.
Pensacola
Weddings are allowed on any / all of the Public Beaches in Pensacola. No permit required. We do not offer wedding services at the main public beach located at the decorated water tower and this is due to the extremely large crowd that is always at this location. Note: We normally perform our weddings at the Pensacola Park West Beach location (at 1225 Fort Pickens Rd) which is much less crowded.
Yes, there are possibilities of others being on the beach during the ceremony as most locations are public beaches. Some beach locations are proned to be less crowded than others depending on the time of year, day of the week, and events or holidays that are happening around your wedding date.
Alabama Act 2019-340
Effective August 29, 2019, the process for entering into a legal marriage in Alabama changes, pursuant to Ala. Act 2019-340. Under the new law, persons wishing to become married are no longer required to file an application for a marriage license with the county probate court, and the courts will no longer issue marriage licenses.
Furthermore, all Alabama probate courts will now be required to record marriage certificates. The Alabama Marriage Certificate form represents a contractual agreement between the parties to the marriage, completed by both parties and delivered to the probate court for recording. Once properly completed and recorded, the marriage is valid. A wedding ceremony may be performed for the parties, but solemnization is no longer required for a recognized marriage in Alabama.
The links below are provided for more information on Alabama Marriage Certificates.
Marriage Application Information - Alabama Marriage Application Information
Marriage Application Form - Alabama Marriage Application
Alabama Marriage Application FAQ - Marriage ACT FAQ's
Note - Please check the accuracy of the links above as information does change from time to time and this information is only provided as a reference.
Florida Marriage License
Every marriage license is issued by a county court judge or clerk of the circuit court under his or her hand and seal. Marriage licenses are issued by counties and you can apply for your license at any county clerk's.
You can get married in any county in Florida, regardless of where you obtained your marriage license. To obtain a marriage license you need:
Identification: a picture ID such as a driver's license, state ID card, or valid passport; both parties will also have to provide their Social Security numbers, but do not need to provide their Social Security Cards.
Fees: $93.50. Marriage license fees can be reduced by up to $32.50 if you complete a licensed Florida pre-marital course. * Please check with the Probate Clerks office in the county you get your Marriage license to make sure these fee's have not changed.
Marriage license is valid for 60 days after issuance. You must perform the ceremony of marriage before the 60 days has expired. Blood Tests are not required. There is a 3-day waiting period after issuance of the license before you can get married, unless you have completed the Florida pre-marital course, in which case the waiting period is waived.
Florida Marriage Statutes can be found here: Florida-Marriage-Statues
Florida Clerk of the Court contact information by county - Clerk-Of-The-Courts-Offices
Mississippi Marriage License
Every marriage license is issued by a county court judge or clerk of the circuit court under his or her hand and seal. Marriage licenses are issued by counties and you can apply for your license at any county clerk's office.
Your marriage license may only be used in the State of MIssissippi. You must return the marriage license to the clerks office in the county where it was obtained, regardless of what county you get married in Mississippi.
To obtain a marriage license you need:
Both parties must apply together
Both parties must present a valid I.D. (Driver’s License, Birth Certificate, Military I.D., DD214, Baptismal Certificate, Life Insurance Record, School Record, or any other official document evidencing age. The Clerk shall retain a copy on file.
Effective July 2nd, 2019, the Marriage License Fee will be $38.00 Cash or Credit Card
If either party has been divorced within the last six (6) months, a copy of the divorce decree is required
Additional Information:
If either applicant is under TWENTY-ONE (21) years of age, parental consent is required
The female applicant must be at least fifteen (15) years of age to apply
The male applicant must be at least seventeen (17) years of age to apply
The license may be used only in the State of Mississippi
Marriage Licenses will not be issued after 4:45pm
Yes! All of our wedding packages include photography! We wouldnt have it any other way. We discount all of our prices shown on our website by $200 for a signed photography release. We are very happy that you have chosen us and feel this is a definite added bonus at "No Additional Charge".
Footprints In The Sand Beach Weddings does not only do beach weddings, we can perform your wedding on a large Yacht, Beach House, Condo, Park, or your own special place.
Yes, you are more than welcome to do so. So long as he/she is Ordained or a Notary Republic in the State of marriage. Alabama, Florida or Mississippi.
Yes, you can. If you hire a professional photographer that person will be your Primary Photographer. Since all of our wedding packages do include photography, we will act as a secondary photographer staying out of the way. We will photograph around your hired photographer so that we do not interfere with his/her work.
I myself (Doug Wright) will perform the marriage ceremony. I am a Ordained minister with Universal Life Church which is a non-denominational religious organization recognized worldwide.
My wife Laura is a Notary Republic in the State of Alabama and can notarize your marriage certificate application as well (Alabama Only). (In Alabama it has to be delivered to an Alabama County Probate Court for recording within 30 days. Please check your specific states requirements)
The Universal Life Church has also become renowned for its role as a champion of religious freedom, social justice, and spiritual expression. While the Universal Life Church Monastery has become a global leader in these fields, it largely attributes that status to the commitment and competence of the millions of empowered ministers brought together in a world tent of togetherness.
Yes, we can schedule a in person meeting with the couple. This would be available by a prearranged appointment only.
Once the couple has decided on the date and time, you should book your event as soon as possible! We require 50% of the cost of the chosen package as a deposit to hole your date / time. All Deposits are 'Non-Refundable". When you submit the book online form, you can choose to pay your deposit immediately by credit card on our website. If you prefer to mail in a check for a deposit, please make this arrangement with us ahead of time. Minister only packages require payment in full at the time of booking.
* Note: All Wedding Packages and Events must be "Paid in Full" 30 days in advance of the scheduled date of the service.
Please be aware that unfortunately we cannot reserve your date, hold your date, or commit to any date until your deposit is received. We recommend putting the deposit on your credit card immediately. This can be conveniently done by submitting the book online form for your specific event.
* Note: Minister only package requires payment in full and is "Non-Refundable".
The location is all your choice. We can provide assistance and offer friendly advice if needed in this area. We go to Public Beaches, Parks, Condo's, Hotels, Beach Houses, or even on a large Yacht if thats whats you are getting married on!
Please note that all site locations picked out and submitted to us by the customer, the site has to be approved by us for setting up. Also, if the distance from the end of the board walk (where the pavement ends and the sand begins) to the actual site location where the setup is to be done, if the distance is excessive, additional charges will apply.
No. Rehearsals can be arranged at an additional cost of $25. Rehearsals cannot be schedule any later than 2 hours before sunset. We are very sorry we have to charge this fee, however "Time, Mileage, Gas, and Vehicle Maintenace" dictates this fee.
Yes we do. It is included in the Premium Sunshine Wedding Package. It is not included in the Elopement, Sandy Toes, or Footprints Wedding Packages, however it can be added as an A La Carte item for an additional fee of $100.
We can play mood music prior to the wedding, and also the traditional wedding march music for when the bride walks down the aisle. If you have chosen a particular song that you would like to be played, we can accommodate that as well as long as the song(s) are provided ahead of time.
Yes, Chairs are included in the Premium Sunshine Wedding package.
Chairs can be added as an A' La Carte item on any of the other wedding packages. Cost for 20 chairs (10 chairs on each side of the isle) is an additional fee of $175. Chairs are $87.50 per 10 chairs.
White Nylon Stretch Slip On Covers (20) can be added as an A' La Carte item for an additional fee of $25.00.
Cancellation
All cancellations within 48 hours (signed contract return requirement) of booking will incur an administrative fee of $100 deducted from the clients refund. In the event of a cancellation of any service between 48 hours (signed contract reuirement) & 45 days prior to the event date/time, "If' you have paid in full, the required deposit amount of 50% for any service plus any fees that have been spent on your behalf for items and/or services associated with your wedding are Non-Refundable. To Cancel or Reschedule, Please contact us ASAP once its known. Cancellations less than 45 days are fully non-refundable. We will do our very best to work with you concerning rescheduling.
Note: Wedding Officiant packages are "Fully Non-Refundable" once payment is made.
Postponement
Your deposit/payments will be credited and applied to your new date. If you need to postpone please call us to check for availability.
Cash, Check, Money Orders, and Credit Cards accepted.
The below are our preferred methods of payment:
* Venmo
* PayPal
* CashApp
We do also accepts the below methods of payment:
* Check / Money Orders need to be payable to Doug Wright.
* If paying in Cash, we will work with you to make the necessary arrangements.
* Payments made with a Credit Card incur an additional 4.0% surcharge
* Note: All Wedding Packages and Events must be "Paid in Full" 30 days in advance of the scheduled date of the service.
You have spent a lot of time and money planning your special day to celebrate the union with your lifelong partner. CONGRATULATIONS! Things to take into consideration... you have likely spent money on a reception venue, rings, wedding dress, wedding cake, and the list goes on. Now what happens in the event when something unfortunate and/or unexpected happens?
Wedding insurance has become a thing that gives the couple a little peace of mind. When planning an outdoor event such as a beach wedding it is becoming a popular choice for couples wanting to protect their investment and expenses of the big day.
Footprints In The Sand Beach Weddings encourages you to consider and look into the options of wedding insurance. It might or might not be right for you. If you are planning to fork over your hard-earned cash that could run in the thousands if you add everything up, it could be an option.
Investopedia has a great article as well as a lot of good information on it. You can find useful information by using the below links.
The Top 5 Wedding Insurance Companies by Investopedia
The 5 Best Wedding Insurance Companies of 2021
Wedsure The Original Wedding Insurance
Travelers Wedding Insurance Protector Plan
eWed Insurance Least Expensive Most Comprehensive