New Guidelines For Beach Weddings At James Lee Park In Destin, Florida

Couples who are planning to get married at James Lee Park in Destin, Florida might have to wait in line for their turn after Okaloosa County commissioners approved new guidelines that are intended to limit the number of ceremonies at the park.

The beachfront park on Scenic Highway 98 is a popular spot for beach weddings but the limited parking is causing traffic congestion as wedding parties, beachgoers and customers of The Crab Trap restaurant compete for the limited parking spaces throughout the spring and summer months.

During a board meeting in Fort Walton Beach earlier this week, the Okaloosa County commissioners unanimously agreed to put new guidelines in place that would limit the number of couples planning weddings in Florida at the park and tackle the traffic problem.

The guidelines suggest ceremonies on a first-come, first served basis but despite the decision from the commissioners, the measures are not backed up by a county ordinance so they cannot be legally enforced.

A number of wedding planning companies who specialise in organising destination weddings for couples at the park say they are not planning to follow the guidelines.

Tracy Reeder, who owns Sugar Beach Weddings with his wife Connie, explained: The brides choose the park, not us. If our bride wants to have her wedding there, were going. Im not going to follow the guidelines.

Commissioner Dave Parisot spoke to the wedding planners at the meeting and said: There are physical limitations on the resources available. Were trying to help you.

The wedding planners say that the new guidelines are aimed at the beach weddings market but several other ceremonies and events take part in the park such as baptisms and birthday parties, which also contribute towards the traffic congestion.

The public car park is leased by the owners of the Crab Trap restaurant and last year, one of its proprietors, Bob Bonezzi, clashed with the wedding planners over the number of beach weddings at the park, saying that they clog the car park and deter beachgoers and diners.

The new guidelines for Florida weddings at James Lee Park are as follows:

The county will schedule one wedding per one- to two-hour time slot during park hours each day.
Beach wedding companies should register their ceremonies with the county at least 14 days in advance.
Wedding planners looking to reserve an area of the park should notify the county with the date, time, name of the bride and groom, and the number of expected wedding guests.
The county will post signs at the park stating that all weddings should be scheduled through the county.
Located on the North West Florida Gulf Coast, Destin is a popular choice for tropical weddings by the sea and couples can enjoy romantic ceremonies on the soft white sand beach against a backdrop of the sparkling azure ocean.