Bahia Mar Beach Resort

Is this place nice enough for a small beach wedding? I can%26#39;t tell by the reviews...it just seems like an ';average hotel,'; but their wedding package prices are pretty decent...maybe a little too decent?

For those of you that have helped me before, the Pelican Grande requires a minimum of 50 people for a wedding (we%26#39;d have about 35), and the Lago Mar does not have weddings at their hotel. The Marriot Harbor Beach and the Atlantic Resort look great and we will definitely look at them when we are down there this winter. I%26#39;m just trying to check out more options, like the Bahia Mar.

The Hilton Beach Resort Ft. Lauderdale also looks great.

Bahia Mar Beach Resort

I%26#39;m also planning a wedding with about 35 guests in Ft. Lauderdale. (that number keeps growing - I%26#39;ll probably hit 40!). Thanks for sharing the information you%26#39;ve already discovered!

I%26#39;m not familiar with Ft. Lauderdale at all, but I also looked into the Bahia Mar and was pleased with their prices. However, I%26#39;m not impressed with the pictures I%26#39;ve seen.

Here are some other things I%26#39;m discovering:

The Marriot Harbor Beach has all their wedding prices on their website and it seemed quite expensive. They advertise a ';sandpiper wedding ceremony'; for $3000, which includes set up, officiant, sound system, bouquet, photographer, album, and parking for all guests. That doesn%26#39;t include the reception and all the $ you%26#39;ll spend on food and drinks, so it seems outrageous to me.

I have been playing phone tag with the lady at the Riverside. I have no information yet, but from what I hear, it will also be quite expensive. Worth asking about though.

Embassy Suites price list starts at $75pp for their catering package and offer a complimentary suite for the bride and groom for one night. And so far, they%26#39;ve been the best about returning my calls and answering my questions. Very good customer service so far!

I also looked into yacht charters for a wedding - too expensive for me.

That%26#39;s as far as my research has gotten me. Thanks again for sharing your info.

Wish I could answer your question about Bahia Mar, but I will be interested to hear what folks here say about it.

When is your wedding? We%26#39;re looking at end of May.

Christi

Bahia Mar Beach Resort

Not of the ocean but both on the Intracoastal, Shooters and Blue Moon Fish Cafe might be possibilities. Blue Moon Fish does partner with a yacht company to do some catering. I have seen where they do a brunch together. Of the two Blue Moon Fish is the more upscale but both are on the casual side.

shooterscafe.com

bluemoonfishco.com/parties.html

Neither one of you mentioned your budget.

Here are some of the rules and suggestions for outdoor weddings from the City of Fort Lauderdale

ci.ftlaud.fl.us/cityparks/weddings.htm

If it was me planning a small outdoor wedding. I would hire a florist or rental company to set up the ceremony.

Rent the sun trolley to transport the guests to the beach wedding site. Parking is limited by the beach so I might have the guests park at the Galleria Mall and have the Sun Trolley pick them up there and bring them to the reception site.

Have the reception in a restaurant with a private room and have the sun trolley transport the guests there.

suntrolley.com

Best wishes to both of you!

When are you planning your wedding for? We are shooting for next fall, Oct. or November. I have e-mailed a MILLION places...I will have to send you a private message. We are planning on visiting a number of places in January and I would like to get organized now and elminate some places.

I agree with you on the Marriot Sandpiper package...it seems extremely overpriced. The hotel rates are pretty outrageous as well, even with a group discount.

I%26#39;m surprised that you haven%26#39;t received a response from the Riverside....

have you checked the GalleryOne? It%26#39;s on the Intracoastal and they have a great patio area for wedding ceremonies.

Bahia Mar%26#39;s rooms aren%26#39;t great, but it could work for a wedding ceremony.

If you need a notary public to do your ceremony, let me know....

You may want to check out Bayside Inn Key Largo, they have weddings there, a jetty for the perfect sunset (it is Bayside) wedding or anytime of the day wedding. There is Snooks Waterfront bayside just walk about 25 feet in case you want to have a reception so it is all convenient as the rooms and the caterer (if you need one) are right there. We just had everyone order from a menu at our wedding to save money and then picked up the tab for the ordering. But it is convenient. The Marriot is great but a little pricey. Did you want something in Fort Lauderdale or just a beach wedding Bayside is in the Keys so if that is not where you are looking for sorry.

I am definitely looking for a beach wedding...we were actually considering Key Largo b/c it%26#39;s the closest of the Keys to the airport. I would LOVE to do Key West, but it%26#39;s jus too far for our guests. Thanks! I will check out your suggestions.

There%26#39;s really no beach in Key West so if you want a beach wedding, that%26#39;s not the place to go. Another option is to have the wedding at John U. Lloyd State Park. There%26#39;s a caterer (a good one) who does lots of functions there and their food is very good. The website is billhansencatering.com. I%26#39;ve had their food and mentioned that it%26#39;s good - I didn%26#39;t mention that I%26#39;m very picky!

At any rate, the state park might be a nice option and you could look into the Best Western Oceanside for rooms.....