So you’ve decided to take the plunge. All the ingredients for marital bliss are coming together perfectly. Soul mate who you’re madly in love with? Check. Perfect date picked? Check. You’ve got the who, the why and the when. But what about the where? If you’re thinking about a seaside wedding, check out all that Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Ala., have to offer–everything from the extremely elegant to the casual and carefree.
The Beach Club, Gulf Shores | 251-224-3362 | www.beachclubal.com
On the Fort Morgan peninsula, amid thick stands of live oaks, saw palmetto and the alluring waters of the Gulf, The Beach Club beckons many a bride and groom with its elegant, yet tranquil ambiance. On average, the property hosts 50 weddings each year. In addition to the surrounding natural beauty, this luxury resort has all the features you’d expect, but it also has something extra. The staff at The Beach Club genuinely cares about every detail of every wedding and will go that extra mile to help any couple create a beautiful, stress-free event.
As Jenna Richards, The Beach Club’s onsite wedding planner, explained, “ Being five-star Southern hospitality certified, we pride ourselves on being unique and always thinking of the guest’s every need. We do this by having many amenities and activities available so the guests are comfortable and do not need to leave the property. We have two restaurants, a full-service salon and spa, indoor/outdoor pools, a Tiki bar, tennis courts and the most amazing view of the Gulf of Mexico,” she said.
The Beach Club offers several different venues for both ceremonies and receptions, including the Village Meeting Place and the Clubhouse, as well as its private beach.
Caribe | 251-980-9000 | www.caribe-resort.net
Completed in 2002, Caribe in Orange Beach has much to offer, but its standout feature is probably a picturesque view of the both the beach and the bay. With several unique spaces and a long list of amenities, Caribe is positioned to deliver a beach destination wedding that lives up to any bride’s vision.
The onsite restaurant Cobalt has a private dining room that seats 75 for smaller receptions, and at in the off-season, the entire restaurant with its wall of windows facing the water can be reserved. Two other event spaces in Caribe’s two towers have 7,000 square feet each.
But it’s the outdoor spaces that have the most appeal. The green, grassy breezeway between the two towers overlooks the bay and marina and makes a lovely spot for an intimate ceremony. The deck around the resort’s Lazy River is a truly special venue. On top of a third-level parking structure, it’s elevated and has an amazing vista overlooking the beach. Lisa Day with Big Day Weddings, a wedding planner in the area, names this setting among her favorite venues. “It’s really different and quite beautiful,” she said. And she loves planning receptions at Cobalt.
Gulf Shores Wedding Chapel | 251-968-6222 | gulfshoresweddingchapel.com
It may be small, but the quaint Gulf Shores Wedding Chapel has coastal charm and grace in mass quantities. With twinkling chandeliers and the glow of the Southern sun lighting up colorful stained glass windows, the chapel casts a spell on all who see it. Two acres of lovely landscaped grounds dotted with fountains, flowers and a gazebo as well as a separate indoor reception venue add to the offerings. Plus, a new pavilion was just added that connects to the reception hall, allowing the Gulf Shores Wedding Chapel to boast that it has the best rain plan in the area.
Elaine Harper at the Chapel can also help you plan an outdoor ceremony on the grounds or at the nearby beach. “Drawing from our years of experience and professional vendor support, we can provide outstanding service,” she said. “Together, we can plan an entire wedding and reception with our packages, or custom design a wedding to suit any dreams or desires. We specialize in creating perfect memories here.”
Gulf State Park & Pavilion | 251-948-7275
Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores has two miles of pristine, sun-kissed beaches, perfect for surfside nuptials. Then celebrate your union with family and friends at a reception under the new pavilion. It’s easy to get carried away when gazing at this eye-catching structure. The curved roof looks ready to take off on the next strong beach breeze. Or maybe it more resembles a wave ready to break on the beach. Whatever image the contemporary design brings to your mind, it’s sure to be something extraordinary. And the pavilion is available for weddings and receptions, weather permitting, all year long.
Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club | www.peninsulagolfclub.com
While Alabama’s beaches are beautiful, so is the bay. The calm dark waters present a different side of the coast’s personality, one of sophisticated serenity. The Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club in Gulf Shores is an impressive 27-hole championship golf course designed by Earl Stone that’s tucked next to the Bon Secour Wildlife Preserve.
But the Club offers more than just great golf. The full-service club is also often the site of “I dos.” Ready to handle both small and large groups, Peninsula has a recently renovated clubhouse that’s proven very popular for weddings.
Bon Villa | 251-967-8672 | www.bonvillagulfshores.com
For a cozy, homey feel that still has the relaxed atmosphere of a beach wedding, look to Bon Villa, which means “Good Home” in French. Known for stunning sunsets, this private house on Plash Island surrounded by the gentle currents of Mobile Bay and the Bon Secour River hosts wedding ceremonies and receptions for those lucky enough to discover it.
The secluded site is a treasure trove for nature lovers with swaying palms, many resident birds and frequent dolphin sightings. Bon Villa also has its own beach and large patio area ready for dancing and dining. And it comes with its own wedding planning service, Weddings by the Bay, ready to meet your every wedding need.
Bill and Linda Sundancer own and operate Weddings by the Bay and Bon Villa, and Linda explained the location’s appeal. “For one thing, it is all-inclusive. You can do both your wedding and reception right here,” she said. “And it is very private yet still conveniently located to the main highway in Gulf Shores, Hwy. 59.”
But the main attraction is the natural beauty. “Brides can save the expense of a lot of extra décor. Bon Villa doesn’t need any embellishment. God already did it all,” Linda said.
Wild Hearts Charter Boat | 251-981-6700 | www.sailwildhearts.com
Why not just sail away together? Or at least feel like you’ve traded the everyday for paradise with an exchange of vows aboard Wild Hearts, a catamaran that cruises the ocean and backwaters in and around Orange Beach. The 53-foot craft can accommodate up to 49 people from spring through fall, and Captain Shu Cunningham and his crew are willing to help you create any kind of event you can dream up.
Orange Beach Adult Activity Center | 251-981-3440 www.obparksandrec.com/adultseniorcenter.html
Don’t let the name or the rather non-descript exterior of this place fool you. It has the three most important aspects covered: location, location, location. Situated directly on the blue-green waters of Wolf Bay, the Center has a large manicured lawn perfect for an outdoor wedding at the water’s edge where you can share your first married-couple kiss as sailboats float behind you on the bay. Its large multi-purpose room can be utilized for events as well.
Details, details…
While many of the above have onsite staff ready to help you with your destination wedding, you may want to consider using an area-wedding planner like Lisa Day at Big Day Weddings or Charli Linn of All the Details. They can help you answer important questions like, “Do I need a permit for this?” and ensure that there’s not another wedding just 100-feet down the beach from yours. They’ve also got the inside scoop on all the venues, local photographers, florists and more.
Charli Linn, All The Details, www.dreamybeachweddings.com
Lisa Day, Big Day Weddings, www.bigdayweddings.net
The Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau is a great resource too. It has a section on its website that lists all of the wedding-related businesses in the area. Check it out at www.gulfshores.com/reunions-weddings/weddings.
There are also numerous private beach houses and condos available for rent for weddings. Contact the below rental agencies for more information.
Meyer Real Estate, 800- 859-8948
Kaiser Realty, 800- 225-4853
Young’s Suncoast, 800-826-1213
Gulf Shores Vacation Rentals, 877-747-4787
Brett/Robinson, 800- 221-0258
Picard Realty, 800- 786-1890
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | Copyright 2010 Gulfscapes Magazine | Craig and Victoria Rogers | PO Box 863 | Port Aransas, TX 78373 | 361-548-6804 | www.gulfscapes.com
