Find your wedded bliss

With white sands and emerald waters, Destin makes the perfect backdrop for any beach lover’s wedding fantasy.

But wedding planners say choosing the wrong venue while tying the knot can definitely constrain the wedding party.

James Lee Park is a popular public beach wedding venue — too popular for some, as the stretch of beach was recently the sight of a high-profile wedding spat between nearby business owners and wedding industry officials.

The park is located along Scenic Highway 98 on the line between Okaloosa and Walton County in Destin. The beach park has three pavilions, nine dune walkovers, restrooms with changing rooms, and 166 parking spaces.

“It’s such an uncontrolled environment… It’s bad enough with the weather,” said Jennifer Tucker, owner of R.S.V.P. Destin Inc. “Sure, it’s a free site, but they don’t realize the other issues.”

Tucker doesn’t like to plan weddings at public beaches and has avoided them for more than three years after seeing six weddings ceremonies taking place at the same time on the public beach.

“A couple of the brides were in tears,” she said. 

When planning a wedding on the beach, Tucker prefers Henderson Beach State Park. The pavilions are available to rent after sunset year round and daytime rentals are available from September through May.

“The parking is great and the people there make it very easy to work with,” said Tucker.

Henderson Park Inn is located adjacent to Henderson Beach State Park along Scenic Highway 98. The New England inspired bed and breakfast has several different wedding facilities where couples can trade vows.

The east and west lawns provide outdoor seating for up to 150 guests with a view of the Gulf of Mexico and the sunset. The veranda deck is a more formal venue but offers the same views and seating for up to 25 people.

For those planning a large wedding, the north lawn can accommodate groups of 250 to 300 people depending on the desired function. Henderson Park Inn also offers catering for any function.

“It’s very private. There are miles of untouched beach to the side where the state park borders,” said Tucker. “It’s very exclusive, the catering is phenomenal and you’re not sharing the boardwalk with other people. That’s one thing that always stands out to me.”

But there are more than just beach weddings in Destin. Golf courses, private estates and beach houses also make the perfect intimate venue for the big day.

Tucker said weddings at the Emerald Grande definitely top her list of favorite wedding locations.

“The one thing that stands out to me is that it’s a somewhat private deck overlooking the harbor… You’re not sharing it with eight other couples lined up at the beach.” 

The Emerald Grande wedding facilities include an outdoor deck with a grand staircase and an indoor event space for the reception. The staff is available to assist in several aspects of wedding planning including music, photography, reception dining options and décor. Special group room rates are also available for guests of the bride and groom.

At Rutherfords 465 there are numerous settings available. The main dining room with vaulted mahogany ceilings, and windows overlooking Lake Regatta has room for up to 100 guests. The private library has a fireplace and can accommodate up to 30 people. The Florida Room offers guest a view of Regatta Bay's 18th green and Lake Regatta. They also have a tented deck that can seat up to 300 guests.

“Rutherfords has beautiful greenery and scenery. It’s one of the venues I prefer over the typical beach wedding… It’s great for someone who is looking for something different,” said Tucker.

Kelly Plantation is located on Highway 98 just west of the Mid-Bay Bridge. The dining room area can cater up to 150 people and is perfect for small, intimate weddings. Kelly Plantation also offers a clubhouse patio and outdoor weddings on the lawn with room for up to 500 guests.

“It’s not beachy,” said photographer Ryan Manthey, the owner of Pure 7 Studios. “It’s just something completely different.”

Tracy Reeder is in his seventh season of wedding planning and plans an average of 300 weddings a year.

“It’s an economy booster… These brides come back year after year after year,” he said.