Beach Wedding on a Budget. Any Tips?!?

[omdela01]

Hello All!.
So, I got engaged last April you can view the proposal here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PiPYa9Wn14

I just had a baby around Thanksgiving, so I have not even though about wedding planning.
We live in Kentucky and all we have planned is this:

-Beach Wedding
-Destin Florida
-Week of June 18

Does anyone have any tips on how I can go about planning out a Destination wedding myself without getting Wedding planners involved.
Perhaps you live in Destin or know the area or know of someone that got married there and you have some tips.
I have been searching online to try to get ideas about my big day, but everything is so expensive!!! I thought there was no better spot to ask for advice than on HCWT, because you are all so savvy with money!.

Guidelines:
-Small Intimate ceremony
-30 people max (because I have 8 brothers and sisters :) )
-I want to do as much as I can by myself to save money...
-Perhaps make food a day in advanced and have a small reception afterwards without a caterer? Any advice on what I should make..
-I'd like to spend $3000 MAX and this includes the beach house

Any and all input would be very appreciated!.
Also, if you are in the Destin area and know of small freelancers that would have more reasonable prices than these Photography and Cake companies on wedding websites, I would love to hear about them!.

Thanks so much in advanced!

[karenv]

I loved your video!!! But I am not much help on the wedding planning!

[wendy1214]

DO you have family/friends in the area at all? Not sure how you would make your own food. I assume you are renting a house? Most everything can be done by yourself. I would suggest first contact the JP of that area and check there availability and then pick their brain- they would have done weddings like this before and may be helpful

[wendy1214]

http://www.eventective.com/USA/Florida/Destin/Officiants.html
http://www.decidio.com/local-businesses/officiants-destin-florida-s52.html
http://www.topweddingsites.com/Florida/clergy-officiant.html

As far as pictures- get a bunch of Disposable cameras and have the guests take the pics!
Flowers etc can be done on your own and Michaels/Acmoore, etc have workshops to help you learn how to make them

[wendy1214]

http://www.cheap-chic-weddings.com/
http://weddings.about.com/od/weddingplanningtools/tp/Costcutters.htm
http://www.cheap-wedding-solutions.com/

Hope some of these help!

[KarrenOliver]

That video was awesome!

[omdela01]

Thanks to much Wendy!.
The sites have given me some great ideas!.

[KellyMarie]

Olivia, I loved your video :)

My husband also has 8 siblings, I am an only child!

My son Johnathon vacationed in Destin a couple years ago, he spent some time down there scuba diving and may know some great spots. I foyu want to m him and ask, his user name here is JohnHolmes :)

Congrats on your upcoming wedding!