SBW Small Beach Wedding Guide

We are providing you a step-by-step process in planning your small beach wedding. Due to Covid wedding restrictions in Maryland and Delaware, many couples were forced to reschedule or resize their wedding. Micro-weddings, mini-weddings, and elopements are becoming a popular option for brides and grooms planning their wedding.

Our step-by-step guide will show you the process of how easy it is to plan a beach wedding with us.

A beach wedding is perfect for your mini-wedding or elopement.

1. Choose your date

   Contact us today to see if your date is available. We will also discuss with you the time of your wedding. From Memorial Day to Labor Day most beaches will only allow weddings before 9 am or after 6 pm. The beach patrol does not like weddings to take place while the lifeguards are on duty. During the offseason weddings are permitted any time of day in Maryland and Delaware.

2. Choose your location

   We offer beach wedding services in the following cities. We will set up your ceremony on the closest beach to where you are staying.

   • Ocean City, MD

   • Assateague Island, MD

   • Bethany Beach, DE

   • Dewey Beach, DE

   • Rehoboth Beach, DE

   • Lewes, DE

3. Choose your wedding package

   Our most popular wedding package is the Classic Package. Over 75 percent of all our wedding couples choose the Classic Package. This package includes a minister, photographer, ceremony music, wedding arbor, wedding chairs, and more. The Classic Package is perfect for small and large weddings.

4. Reserve your wedding date

   Contact our team to reserve your date and location. A retainer is required to officially reserve your date.

   • Marriage License in Maryland. Print and complete Maryland’s Marriage License Form. Mail your completed application plus a $35 money order/certified check here:
     Worcester County Clerk
     One West Market Street Room 104
     Snow Hill, MD 21863
   • Marriage License in Delaware: Both parties must appear together at the Sussex County Court House. An appointment is required. Delaware Marriage License.

5. Choosing a Hotel

   There are many great options in both Maryland and Delaware. We highly recommend choosing a hotel on the beach. Get ready and step right out to your beautiful wedding ceremony. If you are looking to save some money, plan a weekday wedding or offseason wedding.

6. Dinner/Reception

   If you are having a dinner or reception after the wedding ceremony, there are many great options in Maryland and Delaware. Please contact us for recommendations. We will need an approximate guest count.

7. Ceremony Music

   If you have chosen to include music in your ceremony, you will need to provide us with the artists and song titles. For the processional(walk-in) choose either one or two songs. In the case of two songs, one will be played for the bridal party and one for just the bride. One song for the recessional(walk-out). If you are unsure of what songs to play for the processional and recessional we have traditional choices. Many of our brides choose to share the first dance on the beach, we will need your special song for this as well.

8. Decorations

   One of the advantages of a beach wedding is you are starting off with a beautiful canvas not requiring much decoration. Our beach decor setup does include a bamboo arbor with white chiffon and floral decoration. We also provide a table with a white table cloth for decorations or pictures you would like to display. Any additional flowers or decorations must be brought to the beach an hour before the ceremony. A friend or family should be there to direct and help place any additional decorations you provide.

9. Just Show Up!!

   A beach wedding should not be stressful. You have chosen your date and location. Now all you have to do is get dressed, walk out onto the beach, and enjoy your amazing wedding day.

10. What happens if it rains?

    It is great to have a backup plan, but more important not to stress out about the weather. Oftentimes it will rain in the afternoon and open up to a beautiful sky in the evening. In the case of light rain, we will go on as planned. Umbrellas serve as great photo props for the portraits after the wedding. In the case of extreme weather, we will work with you to come up with the best solution.