White Sand Weddings

What is so Legendary about the Beaches of Siesta Key? Allow me to quote Gary Brey of the Sarasota Group.

“In the Great International White Sand Beach Challenge of 1987, scientists studied samples from more than 30 beaches around the world before declaring that the beaches of Siesta Key were home to the finest, whitest sand in the world-a designation they still hold today. The geology department at Harvard University determined Siesta’s sand to be 99 percent pure quartz and of such a fine texture that it remains cool even during the hottest hours of a sunny day.

The appearance of Siesta Key’s Crescent Beach can only be described as dazzling. It is consistently rated among the top ten beaches in the world, with several awards from other sources, including”

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The Best of the Best Sand-Conde Nast Traveler, 1999
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One of the top three beaches in the United States-USA Today
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Best Sand Beach in America-The Travel Channel

Siesta Key – How Does It Get Any Better Than This…

When they say Siesta Key has something for everyone, it is no exaggeration. Siesta offers endless possibilities for active recreation, on land or on the water, including walking, fishing, bicycling, boating, kayaking, rollerblading, snorkeling, parasailing, scuba diving, tennis or golf . . . for some it’s just going on a seashell search.

Spectator sport fans also have plenty of reason to cheer-the Sarasota area hosts the spring training camp for the Cincinnati Reds in February and March, as well as the Single-A Sarasota Red Sox, a farm team of the Boston Red Sox.

Welcome nature lovers! On Siesta Key the morning greeting is “welcome to paradise” and with many species of tropical trees and flowering shrubs in residence, as well as diverse and exotic animal life, such as parrots, gulls, terns, plovers, pelicans, egrets, herons, ibis, spoonbills, storks and cranes, it is easy to see why we say that. The islands waterways are home to about 1000 species of fish. Schools of dolphins and manatees can often be seen playing offshore. Sometimes in the mornings there are as many as 50 or 60 Pelicans on the water just cruising and fishing. Come early to see the sun rise!

Artists, musicians, and writers are attracted to the varied and free-spirited lifestyle of Siesta Key and the active cultural attractions of nearby Sarasota. Just a quick drive over the bridge from the island, Sarasota is home to a thriving community of art galleries, artist enclaves, the Ringling Museum of Art, and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Other attractions include the Asolo Theatre Company, Florida West Coast Symphony, Jazz Club of Sarasota, Sarasota Ballet of Florida, and the Sarasota Film Festival. We’ve got it all!

As the sun sets, Siesta Key nightlife beckons.
Siesta Village, just to the north of the public beach, has bars, restaurants, and shops to amuse and entertain. Whether you prefer candlelit dining, enjoying cool daiquiris and munching on appetizers,sipping a latte or shopping in the many boutiques where local artisans display their handcrafts, you will find more than enough to fill your evening. Another commercial district to the north, south of the intersection of Stickney Point Road and Midnight Pass Road, also offers boutiques, offices, and dining opportunities. Just off the island, in all directions, there is a variety of options for shopping and dinner too.

If you don’t want to drive anywhere you will find a mouth-watering array of culinary delights on Siesta Key. From simple fare to more exotic ethnic and seafood offerings, your taste buds will love the variety and quality of dining options available. In addition to mouthwatering menus, many of the restaurants provide the perfect ambiance too, with open-air seating and live music.

Photos by Lester J. Kuhn

On most Sunday evenings, the Siesta Key Drum Circle-an internationally known event that grew out of a spontaneous local phenomena-takes place. The festivities begin about an hour before sunset, as the evening air comes alive with the rhythm of drums, bongos, and maracas.”

Dancing Down The Sun Video

HINT: The Drum Circle is on Sunday nights at 7 ~ Remember to notice the SAND ….and come early to park somewhere within a mile of the drum circle! It is worth the walk to feel the energy!

Come on Down!
If you are looking for a place of your own in a tropical paradise, you will find a wealth of possibilities to choose from on Siesta Key. From modest bungalows and efficiency apartments to high-rise condominiums and exquisite estates, the Key offers something for everyone. Moreover, with miles of gulf shoreline, canals, and lagoons, waterfront property is plentiful and relatively low in price.

Welcome to Paradise
Siesta Key, a tropical paradise, is an enchanting barrier island located in the Gulf of Mexico, just off the western coast of Florida. Connected by two bridges to Sarasota on the mainland, the Key combines the charm of island living with easy access to countless points of interest for both young and old alike.

First-time visitors to Siesta Key fall in love with the laid-back, old-Florida lifestyle that flourishes here. What more can you ask for than the most beautiful beaches with fine white sands and clean warm gulf seas beckoning sun lovers to slow down and soak it all up? Diverse opportunities for recreation, shopping, dining, and nightlife to keep life interesting and fun, all make your brief stay fly by all too quickly. There is so much to offer, its no wonder that many Siesta Key visitors decide to make a home here. Come for a visit and plan to stay. That’s what we did!

Amazing Siesta Key Beach, FL on the Gulf of Mexico 6/21/2010  Video

Siesta Key Beach Tour Video

We look forward to meeting you in person and a ceremony to renew

your vows or your white sand wedding right here on Siesta Key Beach.

Welcome to Another Day in Paradise!

Beach Weddings in Florida can be easy, fast, fun and yes, LOW COST. They can also be just as casual or formal as you want them. I have seen biker weddings, sailor weddings, have-to-be-back-at-work weddings, and very formal weddings on the beach. Many of them have taken place while on lunch hour, on vacation, and even on the spur of the moment after dumping the formal plan in favor of something simple and easy and stress free!
Wow, a stress free wedding!

The rules for getting married in Florida are fairly simple and do-able. It is amazing how quickly you can get it all set up and accomplished if you only have a week in Florida and really wanted to get married here in paradise and have a honeymoon too. So what are the rules, anyway?

Here is what you need to know:

Residency Requirement:
You do not have to be a resident of Florida.

ID Requirement:
Florida requires that you have picture ID such as a driver’s license and your Social Security card or a valid passport number or I-94 card. You may be asked for a certified copy of your birth certificate.

Previous Marriages:
If you have been previously married, the date of your divorce or date of your spouse’s death must be supplied. If the divorce or spouse’s death occurred within the past 30 days, a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate is required.

Waiting Period:
There is no waiting period for Florida residents who have both completed a state sanctioned marriage preparation course within the last 12 months. There is a three-day waiting period for Florida residents who have not taken the course.

Fees:
Marriage license-$93.50. Many locales do accept credit cards now, but be sure to check with the local county clerk to make sure.
Officiate for Ceremony-We charge $100 paid in advance.

Couples who have completed a state-sanctioned marriage preparation course within the past 12 months are entitled to a discount on marriage license fee.

Other Tests:
None.

Trying to keep it simple?
You can have a “white sand wedding” on one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in America ~ Siesta Key Beach, Florida; with downloaded video, a picnic basket style Wedding meal for Two including Mini Wedding Cake, Iced Champagne with glasses, Bouquet for the bride and a Rose Boutonniere for the groom, an officiate, and witnesses all within four days. Email beachweddings@live.com for details and package price.

How sweet is that?

“Hey Honey….I have an idea…Let’s Get Married At The Beach!� Let’s renew our vows and get married all over again!”

That was a magic moment I will never forget. It was the beginning of a magical, beautiful, white sand wedding visual.� All I could think of was a white wedding dress and barefoot in the sand on our favorite beach in all of Florida. Immediately I pictured the soothing vastness of the ocean, a tropical setting sun, and the music of the waves. Let’s face it; how many of us had the perfect first wedding?� Most people when asked say they can barely remember the day.� A beach wedding – a white sand beach wedding is quite unforgettable!

For us it was a second wedding and a dream come true.� Our first wedding was with the Justice of the Peace in a sentimentally significant spot that was special to us but lacked the romance and fun and joy of our dreams.� Cash was more than a little tight but most importantly we tied the knot, took the vows, made a commitment to each other. That was then.

Now, five years later, it meant a plan, and lots of photos and a date for our own white sand wedding in Sarasota on Siesta Key Beach.� The sand there is like powdered sugar.� Not just sugar…but powdered sugar.� It is so fine and cool and clean.� The sand is 99% quartz crystal and I swear it is full of magic fairy dust or something.

I will be telling you lots more in the posts and articles and pictures to come so check back with me regularly.

And hey….get ready for a white sand wedding at the beach and live your dream.

Love,

The Reverends Michael & Alexandra Barrett

PS. A Dream Wedding doesn’t have to be large or costly, it just has to fulfill your idea of magical.