Intimate Island Weddings Curated for the Perfect Beginning

There’s something undeniably romantic about exchanging vows on a pristine beach with the gentle sound of waves in the background and the sun setting over the Gulf of Mexico. Anna Maria Island, with its stunning beaches, laid-back charm, and intimate atmosphere, is the perfect destination for a luxurious beachside wedding. Whether you’re envisioning a grand celebration or a more intimate gathering, hosting your wedding on Anna Maria Island offers a picturesque backdrop for your special day.

At Once Upon A Beach, we specialize in providing luxurious accommodations for wedding parties and guests, ensuring that your wedding experience is as seamless and magical as possible. Partnering with AMI Beach Weddings, the island’s top wedding planning service, allows you to create the beach wedding of your dreams. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the process of hosting multiple guests for your wedding and how Once Upon A Beach and AMI Beach Weddings can make your celebration truly unforgettable.

Why Choose Anna Maria Island for Your Wedding?

Anna Maria Island offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and tranquil island vibes, making it an ideal location for a destination wedding. Imagine walking down a sandy aisle lined with tropical flowers as you gaze out at turquoise waters. The island’s relaxed atmosphere provides an intimate and romantic setting, while still offering all the amenities you and your guests need to enjoy a luxurious vacation.

Photography by: Love and Style Photography

Here’s why Anna Maria Island is the perfect destination for your beachside wedding:

• Scenic Backdrop: White sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters make for stunning wedding photos.
• Intimate Island Feel: The island’s small, laid-back vibe allows you and your guests to relax and celebrate in style.
• Luxurious Accommodations: With Once Upon A Beach, your guests will enjoy luxurious vacation rentals just steps from the beach.
• Year-Round Destination: Anna Maria Island boasts pleasant weather year-round, making it a flexible option for wedding dates.

Step 1: Choose Your Dream Wedding Venue with AMI Beach Weddings

Once you’ve decided on Anna Maria Island as the location for your wedding, it’s time to start planning! AMI Beach Weddings specializes in planning gorgeous, stress-free beachside ceremonies and receptions, tailored to your unique vision. From simple elopements to grand celebrations, they offer a range of packages designed to suit different wedding sizes and styles.

Photography by: Love and Style Photography

• Beach Ceremonies: They will help you choose the perfect spot on Anna Maria Island’s beaches, whether you prefer a secluded area or a well-known beachfront.
• Customizable Packages: AMI Beach Weddings offers a variety of packages, from simple, elegant setups to elaborate decor with floral arches, tiki torches, and more.

• Wedding Coordination: Their team handles everything from beach permits to setup and teardown, allowing you to relax and enjoy your day.
• Vendor Coordination: AMI Beach Weddings works with top local vendors for catering, photography, entertainment, and more, ensuring that every detail is taken care of.

Mindful Blooms Farm is our go-to for gorgeous locally grown flowers. Even offers flower workshops and events!

Cory Wright (Local Artist) offers live wedding painting services as well as painting parties

Tip: Be sure to discuss your vision with their team early on, so they can help you select the best location and package for your wedding size and style.

Step 2: Host Your Guests in Luxury with Once Upon A Beach

One of the most important aspects of a destination wedding is ensuring that your guests are comfortable and well taken care of.

At Once Upon A Beach, we offer a portfolio of luxurious vacation rentals that are perfect for hosting large groups of wedding guests. Our properties are located throughout Anna Maria Island, ensuring that your guests will be just a short walk or drive from your ceremony and reception.

Here’s how Once Upon A Beach can enhance your wedding experience:

• Spacious Accommodations: From beachfront estates to charming island cottages, our rentals offer ample space for families and groups, allowing your guests to stay together in comfort.
• Fully Equipped Homes: Our properties feature fully equipped kitchens, private pools, and stunning views, making them perfect for pre-wedding gatherings, post-wedding brunches, or simply relaxing.
• Group-Friendly Options: Many of our homes are located near each other, making it easy to accommodate large groups of guests while still maintaining privacy and comfort.
• Concierge Services: Our team can help you with transportation, custom hats/cups, activities, and anything else your guests may need during their stay, ensuring a stress-free experience for everyone.

Tip: Book your accommodations early, especially during peak wedding season, to ensure that your guests have access to the best properties on the island.

Step 3: Plan Additional Wedding Week Events

In addition to your wedding day, Anna Maria Island  offers endless opportunities to celebrate with family and friends. From a beachfront rehearsal dinner to a lively welcome cocktail party or a relaxed post-wedding brunch, the island provides stunning venues and unforgettable experiences.

Photography by: Anne Yarbrough Photography

Welcome Party or Rehearsal Dinner: Consider hosting a welcome party or rehearsal dinner at one of the island’s beachfront restaurants, such as The Sandbar Restaurant, where you can enjoy gourmet cuisine with ocean views. Smaller intimate settings include Blue Marlin and The Doctor's Office Garden 

Bridal Brunch: Treat your bridal party to a morning brunch at Ginny & Jane E’s Café, a quirky and eclectic spot perfect for a laid-back yet stylish gathering.

Step 4: Enjoy Your Dream Wedding Day

With Once Upon A Beach vacation rentals providing luxury accommodations and AMI Beach Weddings handling every detail, your Anna Maria Island wedding will be as seamless and magical as you dreamed. Exchange vows barefoot on the sugar-white sand, or host an intimate beachfront reception under the stars. From planning to execution, every aspect of your destination beach wedding is designed to let you and your guests relax, celebrate, and create unforgettable memories.

Photography by: Anne Yarbrough Photography

Step 5: Make Memories That Last a Lifetime

A wedding on Anna Maria Island is more than a day—it’s an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. With breathtaking oceanfront views, pristine white sands, and luxury accommodations, the island offers the perfect backdrop for a celebration filled with love, beauty, and relaxation. At Once Upon A Beach, we ensure your stay is seamless and stress-free, while AMI Beach Weddings brings your vision to life with expert planning and personalized details. Together, we’ll create a destination beach wedding experience you and your guests will cherish for a lifetime. 

Photography by: Love and Style Photography

Ready to Start Planning Your Dream Wedding?

If you're ready to start planning your beachside wedding on Anna Maria Island, contact Once Upon A Beach to secure luxurious accommodations for your guests, and work with AMI Beach Weddings to plan your perfect day.

Together, we’ll ensure that your destination wedding is everything you’ve dreamed of and more! Photography by: Anne Yarbrough Photography