Destin Editorial

Say ‘I Do’ in Destin
Let the Rest of Your Life Begin On Our Shores
 
- Elizabeth Spies,
 Destin Area Chamber of Commerce
 


Destin, famous for its sugary white sand beaches and emerald green waters, offers the ideal setting for your perfect destination wedding.  With its world-class beaches, first class venues, and top notch amenities, you will discover all you need to plan your special day in what has become one of the most popular destination wedding areas in the entire country.  To best understand what draws thousands of destination brides to this piece of paradise, it helps to first understand a little about Destin, Florida and what makes this special place just that…special.
 
History of Destin and its Sand
Among Destin’s most treasured assets is the beautiful white sand that frames its shoreline with the Gulf of Mexico.  Consisting of small quartz particles, this sand came from a process, which began 20,000 years ago. At the end of the last Ice Age, when temperatures started to warm and ice caps began to melt, large volumes of water were carried by the rivers to the world’s oceans. The Apalachicola River brought water from the Appalachian Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico.  This water carried the quartz particles from the rock that forms the Appalachians and deposited them 125 miles to the east of what is now Destin. As the sea level began to rise, these sands eventually formed a new shoreline. The sands today continually replenish and reach as far west as the Pensacola Pass, their final destination.
 
Destin’s human history dates back to the seventh century A.D. Artifacts confirm American Indians lived here, surviving off the abundant seafood in area waters. Spanish explorers visited some 900 years later, and divers are still finding wreckage of old ships in area waters.

Destin’s name and its immediate history can be traced to a fisherman, Leonard Destin, who moved here from New London, Conn., in 1845. For decades, he and his descendants fished and navigated the only channel passage to the Gulf of Mexico between Panama City and Pensacola, known as Destin’s East Pass.

Fisherman of Leonard Destin’s era fished close to the shores with seine nets from small boats called yawls, which they operated with oars. The oldest seine fishing boat still in existence is The Primrose, a 1920s era boat now restored and on display at Destin’s History and Fishing Museum. A trip through the museum reveals the evolution of fishing in the Destin area, from methods used by its earliest Indian inhabitants to seine nets, the introduction of rods and reels, and eventually to the largest charter fishing fleet in the State of Florida.
           
From its humble beginnings as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” Destin has grown into a world-class destination. Though it is no longer considered a small fishing village, visitors continue to enjoy what brings people back to Destin’s harbor and shores year after year... the beautiful white sandy beaches, emerald green waters, friendly atmosphere, supreme dining, excellent fishing, and beautiful resorts and beachside getaways.
 
Weddings to Suit any Style
From small and intimate ceremonies to lavish celebrations, Destin has the amenities and venues to fit your wedding’s style.

The most popular wedding venue is right on any of the Destin area beaches with your feet in the sand.  Many of the city and county public parks offer affordable settings with pavilions, restrooms, parking, and beach access.  For most, no reservations or fees are required, and they are available on a first come, first serve basis.
For those who rent Gulf-front condominiums or homes or within Gulf-front resorts or communities, the wedding may be held directly on the beach in front of your accommodation with permission of the property owner.  
 
Permits are only required for wedding parties of 50 people or more on Okaloosa County beaches, and they are required for events of any size on Walton County beaches.  If you are unsure about what county the venue you’ve selected to host your event is in, be sure to ask at the time you book your accommodations or wedding site.
 
While the beautiful beaches are the most popular wedding venue in Destin, they are by no means the only option.  Many of the dinner, sightseeing, and party boats offer wedding packages.  Imagine a sunset cruise along the Northwest Florida Gulf with your entire wedding party!  Also, many of the beach view condominiums and world class resorts in the area offer beautiful green spaces and ballrooms, which make ideal locations for weddings and receptions both small and large.
 
Destin is blessed with many fine dining restaurants, which are ideal venues for receptions.  Some overlook the Destin harbor, afford Gulf-front views, or offer beautiful settings, such as golf course views, off of the water.  From classic waterfront dining to 4 and 5 star restaurants with special wedding event packages, you will certainly find the perfect place for your wedding related dining events. On top of this Destin is home to several great caterers, including many of the restaurants, who can accommodate your event off site.
 
A picture is worth a thousand words, and several area photographers and videographers have mastered the art of capturing perfect moments along the Destin beaches and harbor.  Some of their work is featured with this article and within the pages of Gulf Coast Bride.  The Destin area also boasts florists, spas, salons, and many other professionals, offering elegant styling to make your special day unique.
 
If you are planning your Destin wedding from long distance you may find the services of one of Destin’s wedding and event coordinators invaluable.  Not only can these professionals help navigate the many decisions required, they can offer creative venue, catering, design, and styling options.  Also, many Destin area resorts, hotels, and accommodation rental companies offer wedding packages as part of their services.  An in-house event coordinator can assist in planning everything from guest accommodations to catering services, to floral, entertainment and more.

 Be sure not to forget to plan for your marriage license and officiant.  If neither the bride or groom is a resident of Florida, there is no waiting period after obtaining a marriage license.  For residents, the waiting period is only three days.  Ordained clergymen, justices of the peace, and notary publics may perform ceremonies in Florida and you should have no problem finding someone to facilitate your “I Do” in Destin.
 
Entertainment for All
In between wedding festivities, your guests will not want for any activity or amenity in Destin.  From beaches and boating to dining, golf, and shopping, Destin has it all! 
 
In addition to its world famous beaches, Destin hosts another hidden treasure for your guests to explore – Destin Harbor, home to the largest charter fishing fleet in the state of Florida.  The “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” is nestled between the Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, offering boaters and anglers the best of both worlds and all types of fishing.
 
From snorkeling and scuba diving to parasailing and boating, watersports are a way of life around Destin.  Those who prefer leisure boating can soak in the beauty of the area and the abundance of wildlife, from dolphins and the occasional whale or manatee to the many birds, who call Destin home.  Many Destin area companies offer dolphin, sightseeing, and dinner cruises, as well as fishing, parasailing, scuba, and snorkeling adventures. A boat rental of most any kind, whether you want to ride or drive, is always easy to find, and just walking the piers admiring many of these boats is a great pastime to many.
 
The allure of Destin does not end with its waterways. Those that venture onshore will enjoy dining in award-winning restaurants; golfing where the pros play; an array of nightlife activities and music venues, and the plentiful shopping available in upscale boutiques, the nation's largest designer outlet center, or any one of the beautiful outdoor town centers. Anytime of year, Destin is the perfect place to be and the perfect place to plan your upcoming destination beach wedding.
 
 
Elizabeth Spies is Vice President of Communications for the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as being a multi-published editorialist. She can be reached by visiting
www.DestinChamber.com