Frequently Asked Questions

In the event of rain, we look at different options together.  I will look at where you are staying and where you are having your reception to see if these offer any kind of backup plan.  If it is not too windy, we can get a tent to put up.  We can also call places such as the Birding Center and the Chapel you see if they are available but there is about a $500.00 fee associated with this.  Some weddings we wait in the car for a break in the rain or just go ahead and do it in the drizzly rain.  The weather is very unpredictable.  I warn brides about watching the weather too far out.  I find that it will just stress you out.  I would bring an umbrella if you plan on getting married on the beach just in case...especially if you are getting married in September.  Get in your mind that you are going to be happy no matter what.

There are no private beaches on South Padre Island.  There will be people on the beach during your wedding.  We can't rope off an area for you.  The permit only lets the city know that we are at that location.  They could issue a permit to another wedding party at that same location.  We have to put the wedding 60 feet from the edge of the water to leave room for emergency vehicles.

It is always windy here.  Certain veils do not do well. Veils often blows in your face and even blows off your head. 

December, January, and February can be cold, windy, and drizzly rain. It could also be sunny and 80 degrees. Those are very risky months.

March can also have cold fronts blow in and the 2nd and 3rd weeks are Spring Break and not a good time to come to the island as prices are very high, traffic bad, and lots of college kids are here. It can be done but I would recommend a wedding in the morning before 10 a.m.

April and May are good months as it is still off-season prices and not too hot. They are two of our windest months though.

June, July, and August are the months with the most to do on the island. It is hot but always with an ocean breeze. It rarely rains during these months, but the beaches are full of people. Sunrise weddings during this time offer empty beaches and beautiful weddings.

September is what I consider our rainy month. The weather is unpredictable so it could be perfect.

October and November are great months. It's not too hot, it's off-season prices and beautiful skies. Some years we get what is called Red Tide that comes in October which is not good if planning an outdoor wedding. October can also have high tides caused by hurricanes out in the gulf.

I have a great team and we can put your wedding together in just a few days.  If you have your marriage license, we can do the day that you call.

The sailboat package does include dinner. I also offer a dinner option from the middle of September through the middle of May. Ask me for details. If you want something different I will

listen to what you want for your reception and make recommendations. In most cases, I do not book the venue or the food.

I do offer ceremonies in English, Spanish and Bilingual.  I have male and female officiants.  I also have pastors available to do your wedding but no catholic priests.  Catholic Priests require you to attend their church and/or classes.

I do more than one wedding on a given date.  I don't put two weddings with a set up at the same location.  I have several officiants, photographers, and assistants that I work with.  I will be able to do the date you are requesting most likely.

I would wear your hair up.  It is always windy here.

The sun sets on the opposite side of the island from the beach where most of the weddings take place.  I typically plan the weddings an hour before sunset.  It is called the golden hour for pictures.  If you go any later than that then you lose the lighting for the pictures.

I can provide an aisle runner, but it just runs between the chairs.  This is not a runner so you don't get in the sand.  It does not run all the way up to the walkway that leads to the beach.  This is mainly just for the looks of it.

After getting your information from you it typically takes me up to two days to get your proposal to you.  If you don't receive one from me, check your junk mail.  I find that couples will often find it there.  If you send me an email and haven't heard back after two days something is wrong.  Please email me again.

You will not need to sign your marriage license after the wedding.  You do all the signing necessary when you purchase the marriage license.  The state of Texas does not require any witnesses.  The officiant typically will sign the marriage license and mail it off for you.  You will get it in about six weeks in the mail.  If you need it sooner than that you can ask the officiant to sign it and give it back to you.  You will then need to return it yourself to the place where you purchased it.  You are not legally married in the state of Texas until the marriage license has been returned and recorded.

My smaller packages do not include anyone being at the wedding coordinating things because they were designed for elopements where there is just the couple and their kids attending.  They were designed for those families or couples who are arriving together and walking out and meeting the officiant and photographer and getting married.  It doesn't mean you can't be given away by someone and arrive separately. but the package was not written that way.  If your package does not say "Day of Service" or Wedding Planner Fee then I will not be at your wedding.  If your wedding package does include a Day of Service or "Wedding Planner Fee" then I or my associate will be at the wedding making sure things are going smoothly and everyone knows when and where to go.  I do not attend all the weddings, so I don't get to meet everyone, unfortunately.

I really like my weddings to run on time.  I don't like weddings to start late.  I will give you a schedule to follow and if you follow that schedule everything will run smoothly and on time.   It is hot on the beach, and I don't like guests to be kept waiting nor my vendors.  Photography is booked by the hour.  If your wedding is booked at 5:00 then photography is from 5:00-6:00.  If you are 45 minutes late, then you have lost your photography time.  In the summertime we can have lots of traffic on the beach and issues parking if doing the wedding off of Gulf Blvd.  Allow extra time for these issues.  I do understand things can happen, but I have had brides 30 minutes, an hour, and even up to an hour and a half late.  This is not cool with me. I often have weddings spaced one hour between them and will have one officiant doing both.  If your wedding starts more than 30 minutes late then this can mean an additonal charge for you as I would need to hire someone else for an emergency fill-in.  The charge would be $300.00.

I do more than one wedding on any given day.  I can do sunrise and sunset weddings.  I may have five weddings all going on at the same time on a Saturday in the summer.  I do not put more than one set up at the same location.  I have great people who work with me.  I have multiple officiants, photographers, and associates.  I have been doing this for over 10 years and you are in good hands.  Just because I don't plan two weddings at the same location doesn't mean there won't be two weddings going on.  Sometimes another wedding planner or bride on her own will plan a wedding at the same location as your wedding.  It is all public beach here so there is nothing I am able to do about this.  Typically, the weddings are separated far enough away that it doesn't cause much of an issue.

Most wedding groups go to a restaurant after dinner to celebrate.  Some families will go to a beach home and do a barbecue.  I do have some wedding parties that go to a ballroom for a sit-down dinner.  One of my packages has the "reception" on a sailboat.  It's all up to you. 

It is possible to rent a tent and have a party on the beach after the wedding but there are many things to consider, and I try to discourage doing your reception on the beach.  Here are some reasons why: 1) It is always windy here and the sand will blow in your food. 2)  Many locations do not have a restroom. 3) If it does rain you do not have a good back up plan as your wedding and reception are all scheduled for the beach.  4)  If it is too windy the tents are not allowed.

You can leave and read reviews on google, my Facebook page, yelp, the knot and Wedding Wire.   I would really appreciate your reviews.  I believe google might be the most helpful to me.  My Facebook page is South Padre Beach Ceremony.

The $275.00 deposit is non-refundable. By the time I receive your deposit, I have started the process by writing a proposal, booking items for your wedding, and often times answered numerous emails.   If you pay your full amount up front, then any payment beyond the $275.00 deposit will be refunded. minus any pay pal fees not covered in most cases for weddings taking place within 45 days.   If you cancel for other reasons less than 45 days before the wedding then, the other payments made beyond the $275.00 deposit will be looked at on a case-by-case basis.  The deposit is transferable to a new date within one year.

Yes, pets are allowed. They must be on a leash and picked up after.

I do weddings seven days a week.  Saturday and Sunday are the most crowded days.  If you are able to do your wedding on any other day of the week, I would recommend that. 

Parking on the island is an issue. You should plan extra time to park and carpool when you can. If you are traveling from anywhere other than the island, and it is summertime or the weekend, you should allow extra time to travel here. A trip that normally takes 15 minutes will often take over an hour. There are taxis, limited ubers, and a free transportation system. There is also a bus that can be rented and a limo option.

The nearest airports are Harlingen and Brownsville.  There is not much difference in the distance. The airports often offer free transportation to the island.  You could check with the airport about this option.

If you are already married, I will not need to see your marriage license.

Most video and photography editing take approximately six weeks.

A couple that intends to be married in Texas must apply in person for a marriage license at any Texas County Clerk’s Office. The application for a license must be signed by both the bride and the groom in the presence of the County Clerk. If this is not possible, any adult or one of the applicants may apply on behalf of the absent applicant. Specific terms must be met: For more information contact any county clerk's office.

1. Applications must be filled out with Social Security numbers, proof of age, and identification is shown (Certified Birth Certificate or Driver’s License)
2. A filing fee of $82.00 dollars in cash will be charged (price may change)

Harlingen  Cameron County Annex:

Address: 3302 Wilson Rd, Harlingen, TX 78552

Hours:  8 AM to 4:30 PM

Phone: (956) 427-8013

San Benito Cameron County Commissioner

Address: 1390 W Expy 83, San Benito, TX 78586

 Phone: (956) 361-8209

Brownsville Cameron County Clerk Administration:

Address: 964 E Harrison St, Brownsville, TX 78520

Hours: 8 AM to 5PM

Phone: (956) 544-0815

Port Isabel County Clerks Office:

Address: 505 Hwy 100 Port Isabel Tx 78578 

Hours: 8 AM to 4:30 PM

Phone: 956-943-8101

 Click button to view marriage license requirements.

View Requirements

if you are from out of state the marriage license cost more.

All Beach weddings will require a permit. The permit informs all interested parties of the wedding details, helps ensure your wedding does not restrict the use of the beach to others, and provides you with state and local beach rules and laws. For ceremonies held on beaches within the Town of South Padre Island.

I accept PayPal and Zelle. I will need $275 down to reserve your wedding day. ½ is due six weeks before your wedding and the remainder of the money will be due the day before the wedding.

The deposits are non-refundable. Package prices are subject to change.

You can find my book on Amazon. click the link to view.

View Book

Yes, RP Cleaners is located at:

215 E. Queen Isabella Port Isabel. 
956-433-5358 
M-F 9-1/2-5 and Saturday 9-12.