Are you planning a Sanibel Island wedding? The beautiful island offers the perfect backdrop for a nature-inspired beach wedding. Sanibel Island offers incredible shelling natural beauty and is a sanctuary for Florida wildlife. The laid-back island flair draws locals and visitors alike to wind down and enjoy.

Planning a Sanibel Island Wedding

If you plan to have your wedding on Sanibel Island keep in mind that much stricter beach wedding rules apply than at most public beaches in Florida. This is enforced to ensure the island’s natural beauty and inhabitants are safe and left as undisturbed as possible. We have put together some detailed information for you so you can decide if a Sanibel Island wedding is right for you.

Photo of wedding at Lighthouse Beach on Sanibel Island

Where on Sanibel Island can I get married on the beach?

You can get married on the public beach. An example would be Lighthouse Beach on the southern end of the Island, Bowman’s Beach, or Blindpass Beach Park to name a few.  The other option would be a wedding in one of the hotels or resorts on Sanibel Island, or beach vacation homes with private beach access.  A lot in deciding what location would fit you best has to do with your expected guest count and wishes. Are you looking for a quick elopement with just a few guests or planning a larger event?

Sanibel Island Wedding at a public beach access

As explained earlier, the city of Sanibel Island will enforce strict rules for holding your wedding on any public beach. So what are the rules on Sanibel Island you may ask? Honestly, a lot more than at most other public beaches in Florida. I listed below some of the restrictions year-round, but additional rules will apply from  March 1 – October 31 during Snowy Plover and Sea Turtle Nesting Season.

  • No tables or benches.
  • No temporary flooring or aisle runners.
  • No staking, digging, or raking of sand.
  • No artificial or real flowers other than a bridal bouquet or held flowers by participants. This includes no flowers on wedding arches and or aisle decoration.
  • No staging equipment or furniture other than a lightweight arch and folding chairs for guest seating.
  • No Balloons, petals, rice, or any other throwing material.
  • No open fires, fireworks, or sparklers.
  • No activities after dusk or before dawn including setting up of any decorations or breakdown.

Do I need a permit? Yes, you will need a special event permit and pay the fee for weddings if you plan on setting up a temporary structure or guest seating or have more than 25 people in total.

Those are very strict regulations, what are my options?

Due to beach standards, the wedding packages we offer have to be adjusted to comply with Sanibel permitting and beach standards. We have put together some examples below.

Photo of pop up wedding without decoration on Sanibel Island Lighthouse beach

Sanibel Island Wedding – Pop-up Wedding with 2- 25 people (including vendors)

No permit is required and this package is available at any public beach on Sanibel Island.

 

Full pre-wedding coordination for all aspects of the ceremony.
On request personal meeting before the wedding at our office location in Belleview.
Day of wedding coordinator during the ceremony for up to 1 1/2 hours.
Unlimited Emails and scheduled phone calls.
Filing for the marriage and registration.
Officiant Service in English by Mickey Hill. Custom vows and ceremony examples.
Decorative marriage certificate.
Bose speaker to play your favorite music via a Bluetooth device.
Fresh flower bridal bouquet and boutonniere (designer choice).

Price is starting at $1150 +7 % tax 

Add a professional digital photo package by Nautilus Studio Photography! 1-hour wedding photography starts at $450.

 

Sanibel Island Wedding with decoration and guest seating for up to 20 guests

A beach wedding permit is required and can apply for it.

 

Full pre-wedding coordination for all aspects of the ceremony.
On request personal meeting before the wedding at our office location in Belleview.
Day of wedding coordinator during the ceremony for up to 2 hours.
Unlimited Emails and scheduled phone calls.
Filing for the marriage and registration.
Officiant Service in English by Mickey Hill. Custom vows and ceremony examples.
Decorative marriage certificate.
Bose speaker to play your favorite music via a Bluetooth device.
Fresh flower bridal bouquet standard or economical flowers included and boutonniere for the groom.
Bamboo wedding arch with white sheers decorated with starfish and seashells
6 tiki torches with sashes in the color of your choice or 6 lanterns with battery-operated candles
20 French Country folding chairs for guest seating

Price is starting at $2340 +7 % tax + $300 security deposit + $50 resident/$150 non-resident permit fee.

Add a professional digital photo package by Nautilus Studio Photography! 1-hour wedding photography starts at $450

 

Wedding photo showing bride on swing, chalboard sign with couples names and couple in white gazebo at the Casa Ybel

What are my other options? I want more freedom in decorations and customization

The best way to go about this is by selecting one of the hotels or resorts on Sanibel Island to celebrate your wedding. At most resorts, you will have the option to add fresh flowers to your arch, and additional aisle decorations, and create the wedding package of your dreams. While some minor limitations may apply (for example maybe no rose petals), a wedding at one of the resorts will give you the freedom to have your wedding, your way. While a hotel or resort wedding comes with a higher price tag, it also has a lot of plus points in comparison to the public beach on Sanibel Island. Below are some compelling points when choosing a resort for your Sanibel Island wedding.

  • Customizable wedding packages and decoration
  • Have your wedding ceremony and possible reception, or dinner at one place.
  • Air condition and bathrooms nearby.
  • No driving back and forth, looking for parking, or scheduling guest transports. Guests are less likely to get lost on the way.
  • Less time getting from one place to the other and more time to celebrate.
  • Backup option in case of inclement weather.
  • Possible special hotel perks including discounted accommodations.

So what are the drawbacks? Resort and Hotel weddings are higher in price. You are looking at extra service fees, rental, and location fees. Once decided, there is often not much room for possible time changes or adjustments.

Resort weddings are so cli·ché!

That may be true for some locations. I am speaking of all-inclusive wedding packages at resorts that have one wedding after the other in intervals. Often with the same decoration and booking options and rarely room for individuality. The image pops up in my mind of a couple exchanging their vows in wedding attire surrounded by hotel guests in swimwear, eager to witness this utmost personal commitment. While this can also true for public beaches, especially on weekends and holidays, at a hotel more people are usually cramped in one designated beach area.

Weddings at a Resort don’t have to be cli·ché and can be as individual as you are. The key is that you select a hotel or resort that allows you to make your own choices on what vendors or services you can book, and the decoration that you wish to have. Also important to ask is if they provide a private or semi-private beach area for your ceremony. Our favorite resort on Sanibel Island is the Casa Ybel. While you have all the amenities of a resort, it feels more like a private vacation spot with island vibes rather than a hotel. We held many weddings at the Casa Ybel and find it perfect for any size wedding. An example Casa Ybel resort wedding package you find on our beach wedding pages. We will be happy to customize any package, wishes, or decorations at this location.

 

Photo of wedding ceremony on Sanibel Island with tropical flower decoration

Insider Tip:

The best time to hold a beach wedding is an hour or an hour and a half before sunset. Most regular beach guests are gone, and you will have more privacy. Secondly, the magic hour is the best time for beautiful photos. The light is soft and warm and creates the most pleasing skin tones. Thirdly, temperatures can be hot, especially during our summer months.  Please keep in mind, that most beaches will not have shade, and it will be uncomfortable for anybody to sit or stand through a ceremony in the blazing sun.

Sanibel Island is known to have No-see-um or Ceratopogonidae because it is a barrier island. Their habitat is dense vegetation and shady, humid areas. They are their worst from dusk till dawn and can be found on any beach in Florida. Because they are hard to see, they got the nickname No-see-um. They are nasty little biting midges and their bites are very itchy often over several days. I advise you to bring and use a Mosquito repellent spray containing DEET to your Sanibel Island Wedding.

 

BABETTE HILL – LIFESTYLE WEDDINGS