Miami: Beach Wedding or Renewal of Vows

Miami makes getting married on the beach surprisingly simple. For $399 per private group of up to six, you get a casual ceremony, an English or German-speaking officiant, roses, champagne, and 50 photos beside a quiet stretch of white sand. Bettina, the officiant most closely associated with this experience, personalizes the words and can include children in the ceremony.

I like two things right away: the small private format, which keeps the moment personal, and the practical choice between a legal civil wedding and a vow renewal with no legal paperwork. The rose bouquet and photo package also mean you do not need to arrange every little extra yourself.

The main catch is that a legal wedding requires a separate marriage license before the ceremony. You must also check whether your home country needs an apostille, and the published information gives two different license prices, $86 and $100. Confirm the current fee before you book.

Key points to know before booking

• A quiet Miami beach setting: The ceremony takes place on white sand beside the water, away from the feel of a large wedding venue.
• Two ceremony choices: Pick a legally registered civil wedding or a non-legal renewal of vows.
• Bettina may personalize the ceremony: Her ceremonies can include personal wording and children, not just a standard script.
• Private group of up to six: This suits couples who want a small ceremony with close family.
• Roses, champagne, and 50 photos included: You receive useful keepsakes without arranging every detail separately.
• Legal paperwork takes planning: Bring passports, visit the Miami marriage office first, and check apostille rules for your country.

A simple ceremony on a quiet Miami beach

The appeal here is not a grand production. It is the opposite. You meet the officiant at a quiet Miami beach, walk to the prepared ceremony spot, say your vows, and raise a glass afterward.

That relaxed approach works well for couples who want the beach itself to be the main setting. You are not paying for a large venue, elaborate decorations, or a full wedding reception. You are paying for help with the ceremony and a small set of meaningful extras.

The exact meeting point can vary depending on the option you book, so check the final instructions carefully. The activity lasts one day, but the ceremony itself is naturally much shorter. The day is best understood as a scheduled wedding service rather than an all-day guided outing.

The private group limit is six people. That gives you room for a couple and a few family members or friends, but it is not designed for a large wedding party. If your ideal ceremony includes dozens of people, music, formal seating, or a reception, this will feel too small.

Choosing between a legal wedding and vow renewal

The first decision is legal status.

A civil legal wedding is registered through the proper Miami process. Most nationalities can marry in Miami, and same-sex couples are included. You need passports and the dates on which any earlier marriage legally ended.

Before the beach ceremony, you must obtain a marriage license at the Miami marriage office. The stated office hours are Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except US holidays. The process is described as taking about 30 minutes.

The supplied details list an optional marriage license fee of $100, while the practical information also gives a Miami office fee of $86. That difference may reflect a change in pricing or different charges. I would treat the amount as needing confirmation and ask the planner which fee applies when you arrange your ceremony.

A vow renewal skips legal registration. This is the easier choice if you are already married and want to mark an anniversary, celebrate a family milestone, or simply repeat your promises in a memorable setting. You do not need to deal with the marriage office for this option.

You still need your passport as an item to bring. For a legal wedding, ask the planner about every document needed before you fly. A short email before departure can prevent a great deal of stress.

What happens when you arrive at the beach

Your meeting point depends on the option booked. Once you reach the beach, you meet the officiant, who has the ceremony prepared.

The setting is described as a very quiet, white sandy beach. That matters because a beach wedding can easily become a public spectacle, with crowds, loud music, and people wandering through the background. Here, the intended mood is casual and private.

You exchange vows with an English or German-speaking officiant. The ceremony can be shaped around your story instead of feeling like a quick legal appointment. Bettina has been praised for writing personal wording and for keeping the tone warm and human.

One particularly useful detail is her ability to involve children. A family of five used the ceremony to include three children, turning the renewal into a shared family moment rather than a private exchange between two adults. If children are joining you, discuss their role with the planner in advance.

The experience is not built around loud speakers or amplified entertainment. Speakers are not allowed, which suits the quiet format but may disappoint anyone hoping for a beach soundtrack. Keep your expectations focused on vows, photographs, flowers, and a toast.

Roses, champagne, and a useful photo package

After the vows, you receive a rose bouquet and a champagne toast. These are small touches, but they help the ceremony feel complete. You do not have to arrive carrying flowers or arrange a separate bottle for the beach.

The rose bouquet has also proved useful beyond the ceremony. One couple kept the flowers for the rest of their holiday, suggesting that the bouquet is more substantial than a token single rose. Exact flower color and style are not specified, so request your preferences when you speak with the planner.

The package includes 50 photos. That is a strong practical benefit for a ceremony this small. You can focus on one another instead of asking a family member to take every picture.

The photographs are taken around the beach setting, and the experience can still work in difficult weather. One December ceremony took place during a storm, yet the wind became part of the photographs and created unusual effects in the images. That does not mean bad weather is guaranteed to look romantic, of course. It means the photography is not limited to one rigid pose or one perfect patch of sunlight.

You should still ask how weather changes are handled. The supplied information does not state a rain policy, backup location, or rescheduling arrangement. Those are sensible questions, especially if the ceremony is the main reason for your Miami trip.

How personal is the ceremony?

The answer depends partly on how much you communicate with the planner beforehand.

This is not presented as a one-size-fits-all legal signing. The officiant contacts you after booking so you can customize the ceremony and settle the legal details. Use that conversation well. Tell the officiant if you want certain promises included, if children should participate, or if you prefer a short and simple format.

Bettina’s style appears to be a major part of the experience. She has been described as professional, warm, and emotionally involved in the ceremony. In one renewal, she paused because she was moved by the moment. That sort of human response can make a brief ceremony feel less mechanical.

At the same time, I would not book this expecting a fully scripted wedding production with multiple vendors. The strength is personal attention within a small, casual service. The ceremony is likely best for couples who value sincerity over spectacle.

English and German are available. If you need another language, the supplied details do not promise it, so ask before paying.

Price and what the $399 covers

The base price is $399 per group of up to six people, not per person. That makes the cost easier to judge if you are bringing a few close relatives. A couple booking alone pays the full group rate, but the private setting and included photos make the package more useful than a simple officiant fee.

The price includes:

• A casual civil legal wedding or vow renewal ceremony
• An English or German-speaking officiant
• A rose bouquet
• A champagne toast
• 50 photos

For a legal wedding, the marriage license is extra. The published information gives a separate optional apostille fee of $200. An apostille may be needed to have the US marriage document accepted in some countries outside the United States, including the UK and Germany.

The apostille question is important. Do not assume that a Florida marriage certificate automatically satisfies your home country’s paperwork rules. Check with your local marriage office before booking, especially if you need the marriage recognized for immigration, tax, inheritance, or official record purposes.

Assistance with legal documents for people from outside the United States is available for an additional charge. A photoshoot is also listed as an optional extra, although 50 photos are already included in the basic package. Ask what the extra photoshoot adds so you do not pay twice for similar coverage.

Who will enjoy this Miami wedding experience?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Couples wanting a small beach wedding rather than a formal venue
• Couples renewing vows for an anniversary
• Same-sex couples seeking a legal ceremony in Miami
• International couples prepared to handle paperwork in advance
• Families who want children included in the ceremony
• Couples who value personal words and photographs more than decorations

It is less suitable for anyone needing wheelchair access, since the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also a poor fit for a large group, a formal reception, live music, or a heavily decorated setup.

The private group format gives you privacy, but it does not give you a large support team. You should be comfortable making some choices with the planner and handling the marriage office visit yourself.

Timing, weather, and practical preparation

The activity is valid for one day, with starting times based on availability. Since the meeting point may change, keep your schedule flexible and read the final instructions closely.

For a legal wedding, plan the marriage office visit before the beach ceremony. The stated office hours are weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding US holidays, and the license process takes about 30 minutes. Do not leave this until the last possible moment if your ceremony date is tight.

Bring your passport. You also need the dates when any previous marriage legally ended. The information says couples only need passports and those dates for the Miami marriage office, but your home country may have additional requirements after the ceremony.

Weather deserves a little thought. Miami sun and heat can be intense, while wind may affect hair, clothing, flowers, and photographs. A couple had a stormy ceremony and still received strong photographs, but you should ask about bad-weather arrangements rather than assuming every day will work the same way.

Avoid bringing speakers. They are not allowed, and the experience is built around a quiet beach ceremony.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Miami plans are still shifting.

My call: book it for a meaningful small ceremony

I would book this experience if you want a simple, private, photo-ready beach ceremony with a real person guiding the moment. The combination of personal vows, roses, champagne, and 50 photos gives the $399 group price a clear purpose, especially for a couple bringing a few family members.

I would pause before booking if you need a large wedding, guaranteed weather protection, wheelchair access, or full legal paperwork handled without your involvement. The license, possible apostille, and variable meeting point require planning.

For a vow renewal, this is the easier choice and the best value. For a legal wedding, contact the planner early, confirm the current license fee, and check apostille rules with your home country. Get those details settled, then enjoy the good part: saying something important to one another with the Miami shoreline behind you.

FAQ

How much does the Miami beach wedding or vow renewal cost?

The price is $399 per private group of up to six people. A marriage license, apostille, and some optional services cost extra.

Is the ceremony legally recognized?

A legal civil wedding can be registered in Miami. A vow renewal has no legal registration. If you need recognition outside the United States, check whether your country requires an apostille.

How much is the marriage license?

The supplied information lists an optional fee of $100, while the Miami marriage office information states $86. Confirm the current amount with the planner before booking.

Where do I obtain the marriage license?

You obtain it at the Miami marriage office before the ceremony. The stated hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except US holidays.

What documents do I need?

Bring your passport and the dates when any previous marriage legally ended. Ask the planner if your personal circumstances require anything else.

Can same-sex couples marry through this experience?

Yes. The information states that same-sex couples can legally marry in Miami.

What language is the officiant available in?

The officiant is available in English or German.

How many people can attend?

The experience is a private group activity for up to six people.

Are photographs included?

Yes. The package includes 50 photos. A separate photoshoot is also available at an additional charge.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The experience also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.