Sarasota County Contacts
All beach weddings (or any special event) in Sarasota County require a permit.
Sarasota County Parks and Recreation
1660 Ringling Blvd., 5th Floor, Sarasota, FL 34236
http://www.scgov.net/ParksandRecreation/ContactUs.asp
For General Parks Information and Questions
Call 941-861-PARK (7275)
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.– 5 p.m.
Reservations and Rentals
To find contact information to reserve facilities, picnic shelters, event space and more, call 941-861-7275
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.– 5 p.m. or 941-861-5000 or visit parksonline.scgov.net
Sarasota County Beaches:
Brohard Beach Park, 1600 Harbor Drive South, Venice
Casperson Beach Park, 4100 Harbor Drive South, Venice
Chauncy Howard Park, 601 The Esplanade North, Venice
Service Club Park, 1190 Harbor Drive South, Venice
Venice Beach, 101 The Esplanade, Venice
Blind Pass Beach Park, 6725 Manasota Key Road, Manasota Key
Manasota Beach Park, 8570 Manasota Key Road, Manasota Key
Lido Beach and Pool/North Lido Beach, 400 Benjamin Franklin Drive, Lido Key
South Lido Beach Park, 2201 Benjamin Franklin Drive, Lido Key
Nokomis Beach Park, 901 Casey Key Road, Casey Key
North Jetty Park, 1000 Casey Key Road, Casey Key
Palmer Point Beach Park, 9399 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key
Siesta Beach Park, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key
Turtle Beach Park, 8918 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key
For Beach Wedding Permits at the beaches listed above… and a few more…
Speak to Kathy Hilton who runs the Sarasota County Parks and Recreation Reservation Department.
They are available at 941-861-9930 and 941-861-9931 respectively. Your permit can be purchased over the phone with a credit card. The highest demand for wedding activity is on Siesta Key Beach…be sure to get your permit before you plan.
Plan on approximately…. $54/hour for a beach wedding and $33/hr for a wedding in one of their many parks. There is a two hour minimum as soon as any structural set-up is involved…like chairs or a canopy.
Kathy will review any restrictions with you.
Where Do I get to Have My Ceremony at Siesta Beach
If you’re not familiar with Siesta key beach let me walk you through it…
When you first pull into the beach parking lot take the “right” lane, this will take you to the north parking lot area.
Park at the far end of the north parking lot as you can.
You can have you’re beach wedding ceremony on the beach, starting at the end of the path. If you want the ceremony close to the water, watch out for people who will walk right through it.
If you are standing on grass in a public space in Sarasota…most likely you’ll need to inform someone and/or pay a fee.
If you’re standing on grass in one of the city parks of Sarasota, you’ll need to call:
Toni Welicki at 941-954-4165- (choose option #6) She’s the go to person for weddings in:
The Center of St.Armands Circle
Lido Beach Park
Ken Thompson Park (near the Mote Aquarium)
Manatee County Contacts
All beach weddings (or any special event) in Manatee County require a permit.
Manatee County Parks and Recreation
5502 33rd Avenue Drive West, Bradenton, FL 34209
http://www.mymanatee.org/home/government/departments/parks-and-recreation.html
Reservations and Permits
To apply for a Special Event Permit, you will want to plan ahead and submit an application at least 60 days in advance of your planned function.
If you plan to hold your Special Event at an Anna Maria Island beach, the local municipality may require a permit, also.
For more information about Special Events, contact Bridget Frattallone at 941-742-5923.
Manatee County Beaches
Anna Maria Bayfront Park
Coquina Bayside Park
Coquina Gulfside Park
Manatee Beach Park
Palma Sola Causeway Park
For Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island:
2650 Gulf Drive, Bradenton Beach, Florida 34217
Pavilion Rentals are around $100.00- Beach Wedding Permits are free/not required.
If you are building a structure or having a larger wedding, it is best to give a courtesy call to the local police… There are fees for tents
Anna Marie Sheriff’s Office 941-708-8899
Bradenton Beach Police Department 941-778-6311
Holmes Beach Police Department 941-708-5804
City of Venice Contacts
The gazebo in Centennial Park is a popular place for weddings and concerts. Reservations are scheduled through the Planning and Zoning Department. Sunset beach weddings, concerts in the park, arts and crafts shows, and the downtown strolls are part of city’s unique charm.
To schedule a special event, or for more information, call Roger Clark at 486-2626, Ext. 28004.
Sarasota County issues permits for Venice Beach, Brohard Beach, Maxine Barritt Park, Patriots Park and several other parks located within the city. Contact Sarasota County Parks reservations office to inquire about scheduling events at these parks at 861-PARK (861-7275).
All event holders must adhere to the city’s noise ordinance.
Charlotte County Contacts
In Charlotte County you must contact the specific beach for date and time availability, rental and/or parking fees, and amenities.
Englewood Beach/Chadwick Park, 2100 North Beach Road, Englewood
941-473-1018
Port Charlotte Beach Park, 4500 Harbor Boulevard, Port Charlotte
941-627-1628