Where Can You Have a Beach Wedding in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach?
We get a lot of questions about beach wedding locations and permits in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama. Here are your main options.
1. Alabama State Park Beaches
Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion — One of the most popular options for beach weddings. A permit is required and costs $150.
Cotton Bayou — A great option for smaller weddings. A permit is required and costs $150.
2. Wedding-Friendly Beach Houses
Renting a beachfront house that specifically allows weddings and events is another great option. Airbnb and Vrbo do not allow weddings/events, so contact a local vacation rental company, such as Harris Properties, and ask for wedding-friendly homes.
Beach houses usually offer a quieter stretch of beach with fewer people nearby.
3. Hotels & Condos
Some hotels and condos allow beach weddings with permission. We usually don’t recommend this option because the beach can be crowded with guests, umbrellas, chairs, and busy boardwalks.
Beach Wedding FAQ
Can I have a wedding on Gulf Shores or Orange Beach city beaches?
No. The cities do not allow weddings on the city beaches.
Can I have a private beach wedding in Alabama?
There is no completely private beach in Alabama. The beach is public, while the area up to the dunes may be private property. Renting a beachfront house usually gives you a quieter location with fewer people around.
Is a Beach Pavilion wedding held under the pavilion?
No. The $150 permit is for your wedding on the beach. If you would like to use the pavilion itself, it must be rented separately by contacting Gulf State Park.
Can I just go to the beach and get married?
No. You need permission and the required permit for your location. Park rangers have the right to ask to see your permit.
Can I rent chairs myself and use the Beach Pavilion beach?
No. For a wedding setup, you need to work with a beach wedding company that is insured and an approved vendor with Gulf State Park.
After planning beach weddings throughout Gulf Shores and Orange Beach for more than a decade, we usually recommend either a permitted Gulf State Park location or a wedding-friendly beachfront house. The best choice depends on your guest count, parking needs and how quiet you want the surrounding beach to feel.
At Your Dream Beach Wedding, we make Gulf Shores and Orange Beach weddings easy—from permits and location planning to ceremony setup, flowers, photography, officiant, music, and coordination.
Explore our Gulf Shores and Orange Beach wedding packages to compare ceremony designs, flowers, photography and coordination.