October Beach Wedding Rain Plan??? (Tampa, Clearwater: to rent, condo, hotels)

[captaincaliena]

Hi there everyone! I have a couple quick questions for you all, hopefully someone can give me an idea or two.

My fiance and I are getting married in the Tampa Bay area on October 3rd of this year. It's a VERY small ceremony consisting of only the two of us, my mom, my maid of honor, and a mutual friend of ours. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that we're out-of-towners from IL, so we're on a non refundable flight schedule, lol.

We are planning to get married on the beach at Honeymoon Island, however, I'm terrified that it will rain, so I've been trying to make a rain plan.

Anyone had any experience with Cafe Honeymoon? It's right there and I love the deck area. We could still be outside, but out of the hypothetical rain. Any other cheap (or free :P ) suggestions would be welcome as well. I'm lost for ideas right now that aren't hotels.

Also, I've heard conflicting statements about Honeymoon Island State Park charging a special fee ($100 or over) for couples who wish to get married there. Is this true?

Thanks, guys!

[sunigal99]

I got married at Coachman Park in Clearwater, on the intracoastal waterway. It's more green, less beachy. You're supposed to rent the place and pay a fee. Like you, it was just a handful of people and a justice of the peace. So we just showed up, did the ceremony on a little bridge they have there, took some photos and left. It's not like someone was going to call the police!
Honeymoon Island is a state park with a ranger booth, where you pay an entrance fee. I don't know if they would say something to you as you enter all dressed for a wedding. I'm not familiar with Cafe Honeymoon. Is that what they call the snack bar now?
There's a condo on the causeway to Honeymoon Island called Royal Stewart Arms. I went to a wedding reception in their clubhouse once, but I don't know if they rent it to non-residents.
I had my wedding brunch at Bon Appetit, a waterfront restaurant in Dunedin. The food is mediocre but the setting is pretty. There are small hotels along Bayshore Dr between Honeymoon Island and Dunedin that are waterfront. I spent my honeymoon night at one (it's changed hands since then). They might have a small space you can rent.
October is usually a dry month, and it usually doesn't rain all day.
Congratulations and good luck!

[captaincaliena]

Thanks for the reply, sunigal! I actually went ahead and checked with my officiant about Honeymoon Island and she said that they only charge for wedding permits if there's going to be over 10 guests. Since I have 3 guests (not including myself and my fiance), she said it wouldn't be a problem. However, she did advise us that there would be an entrance fee of either $4 or $8 per car, which is fine with me. I'm pretty dead set on the beach location as it has always been a dream of mine to have a destination beach wedding. We're also going casual (sundress for me and khaki's and a white button down t-shirt for the future hubby) with our attire, so it shouldn't raise any red flags.

And yes, Cafe Honeymoon is the little hut with the pavilion/deck thing. It's supposed to have a bigger menu now according to the website.

My officiant also said October is dry, so I guess I"m just paranoid

[sunigal99]

It sounds lovely. I'm glad you have someone with "boots on the ground" to advise you.
And you're sure to have wonderful memories of your wedding at Honeymoon Island.
There's also a ferry there to take you to the more remote Caladesi Island. Such natural beauty!
If you have a chance, read "Yesteryear I Lived in Paradise" a memoir by Myrtle Scharrer Betz.

[LKJ1988]

Hard to say that far out. If you had at my house i would bet 100% it won't rain.

[spbbound]

If you're not dead set on Honeymoon Island, there are lots of options on St Pete Beach where you could get married on the beach and if weather turns bad, go inside the hotel. Grand Plaza is one that comes to mind since they seem to have a continuous stream of weddings every weekend and I've been at the bar there when it has rained; the hotel just picks it all up and does it in one of their ballrooms instead.