All your By the Sea beach setups & event planning answers

Thanks for thinking of us for your event! To lock in your date, we will send a quote, contract, and Invoice. Once the deposit has been paid, you're all set. Spots fill up fast so don't wait. Don’t forget to let us know how many people will be attending. Different Counties have different rules and permits.

Just a heads up, all permit fees are non-transferable and non-refundable, we can help you make a great choice, but you should pick your spot carefully! If you have your own private beach access, you’ll need a special event permit from the us and permission from the owner and sometimes the HOA. We’re here to help with that. Just make sure to attach the owner’s or property manager’s photo ID when you send us the form! Permit Fees are not included in our Package Prices.

We totally get that Florida weather can be a bit tricky. We keep a close eye on the weather and to stay ahead of any changes. We will keep you in the loop with recommendations. In the end, it’s all about what the couple prefers! While the weather is usually nice, Florida storms can pop up out of nowhere, so we definitely suggest having a 'Plan B' ready for the ceremony. No one controls mother nature, and our vendors are locked in for your date, so it’s smart to think about nearby shelters or pavilions as backup. If the weather cooperates, we’ll take advantage of any breaks to get the job done!

​

Please note: There are a limited number of nearby shelters or pavilions on the beach that would be a reasonable option to hold the ceremony, and some pavilions require reservations in advance of the ceremony.

May we suggest looking at adding wedding insurance to cover any cost - all deposits are non-refundable, and we can’t do last-minute reschedules because of permit rules.

In Okaloosa Island A wedding permit is required for all weddings, regardless of the number of attendees, at any county owned beach or park. The process can be tedious, but we can help guide you to the right place and help you file for a permit. In Destin, FL Beach wedding permits are only available for The Shore at Crystal Beach Park and June White Decker Beach Park - maximum of 25 people. Beach access points are not available for permits.

Setups are included with Luxury Picnics these are the tables, chairs,

Yes, we do! As a military family ourselves, we proudly offer special discounts to all military personnel and first responders. Your dedication and commitment deserve to be recognized, and we’re honored to support you.

The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) is east of South Walton in the Panama City Beach area, and the Northwest Florida Regional Airport (VPS) is situated west of South Walton in the Ft. Walton Beach area. The average drive time to both airports from South Walton is about 30-45 minutes.

If you need to cancel your event, we understand things happen. For picnics let us know at least 30 days in advance, and you'll get a refund minus deposit and the permit fee. If it’s less than 30 days, we’ll have to keep all moneys paid.

If weather looks iffy, we’ll reach out to you, and you can decide what to do. Just give us a shout at least 72 hours before your event to let us know which option you choose!

​1. Reschedule to a different available date (additional permit fee will apply)

2. Credit with By the Sea for future services (additional permit fee will apply)

3. Move event to covered area such as cabana/covered patio or indoors if enough space is available

4. Completely cancel (initial deposit is non-refundable- NO EXCEPTIONS