How to Get City Permits for an Outdoor Wedding

An outdoor wedding on a public beach or in a park is a great way to save money on renting a ceremony location. Besides, these locations offer natural beauty and brilliant pictures. Most cities, however, require residents and non-residents to get city permits to have their weddings in public places. Some cities even require you to get a permit to take pictures at public parks and beaches.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Find out if the location you are interested in requires a permit. You can contact your city or county to ask this question.
2. Contact city hall to find out which department handles special event permits for the location you've chosen.
3. Apply for your permit as early as possible. The latest date you can get a permit is usually 2 or 3 weeks before your event, but you don't want to wait that long. Getting a permit will reserve the area for you and prevent other events from taking your spot.
4. Pay your dues. Special event permits are not usually very expensive. Typically, residents pay less than non-residents because residents pay taxes in the area.
5. Find out about parking at your location. You may have to pay for reserved parking spots or there may be rules that prohibit parking. It's important to provide parking for your guests or a shuttle to the location they can use.
6. Keep a copy of the permit with you or someone you trust on your wedding day. You may be approached by a police officer or park worker who will demand it as proof that you should be there.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit the exact location you want to have your wedding to determine if it will suit your purposes and is accessible for your guests.
• Many public areas have a laundry list of restrictions such as no rehearsals, no food or beverages, no decorations, no chairs and no music to name a few. Find out what types of restrictions you have to adhere to when you apply for your permit. You may have to find another location if these are things you can't live without.
• Designate or hire someone to clean up after your outdoor wedding or you could be fined by the city.
• Find out what dates and times are permitted for outdoor weddings at your location before you pick a date for your wedding. Most cities restrict when weddings can be performed and how long the weddings can last.

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