I am going to be honest with you from the beginning… we spent A LOT of time figuring out where we wanted to get married! The good news, Dogwood Dude and I did it all from the comfort of our own couch! All we needed was Google Maps and a bunch of browser windows.  We started in North Carolina and went all the way down the east coast of Florida and back up to the panhandle to find the perfect location.  I know that seems a little daunting, but you just have to set parameters and I suggest tackling one city a night.

Dogwood’s tips for choosing the right beach:

1. All Access. First and foremost we wanted easy access for our guests which meant a location within a reasonable distance of an airport was key.  We chose to keep it all within an hour of the closest airport.
2. Cut the Cost. Of course, planning a wedding on a budget means you have to find a budget friendly place.  This was important for not just the wedding costs but for our guests as well.
3. Rain Check. Once we got those two things out of the way my practicality kicked in! Next item… a place with a good rain plan. We wanted to make sure that the location was not only beautiful on the outside, but also on the inside incase of the “r” word.
4. Beach Bums. Since this all hinged around getting married on the beach, of course we had to make sure that the beach was great! Keeping in mind the budget, we decided to go with a place that had its own natural décor and in not much need of much else but the two of us and some vows.
5. Keep em’ entertained. As with any vacation you always need activities.  I am completely comfortable relaxing in a hammock for hours on end with a good book, but we had to keep in mind our guests.  We needed a place that could keep everyone happy, entertained and enjoying life as much as we are.

Can’t wait to share our fantastic destination with you in Part 2!