Hurricane Sandy summer update:
It is true the Jersey Shore is “stronger than the storm”
Most venues and restaurants are open. Venues with their own private beaches are open as well.
I have had many inquiries from couples who were hopeful to hold their ceremonies on the beaches of Bay Head, Mantoloking or Lavallette. I check frequently and at this time these beaches are under construction. While some, like Bay Head and Lavallette are allowing people on their beaches, even selling summer beach badges. They are discouraging holding your wedding ceremony there. They are not allowing chairs to be set up yet. They ask that everyone please understand the rebuilding of the roads, houses, stairs walkways etc. is ongoing. They cannot predict which beach entrance will be open on what day. You may experience trouble parking as there are many construction vehicles all up and down the road.
If you would like to hold a simple elopement on the beach in Bay Head and don’t mind showing up and finding construction going on I would be happy to accommodate you.
If you are having something more than an elopement, I recommend the beaches of Spring Lake. They currently do not require a permit or charge (this could change this summer). They do NOT allow chairs to be set up.
There are many beaches and gazebos that do allow chairs however most require a permit and charge a minimal fee. This is easy to obtain, see the list below for numbers.
Please always call the town yourself for the latest information. It is your responsibility to know the rules yourself, and in this post Sandy summer they can be different than last summer.
If you would like me to officiate your ceremony, I must respectfully follow the rules of the town. While I understand you may have had a vision for your wedding, and this includes a certain beach, and you may want to “chance” it by setting up chairs or going on a beach that is still restricted due to the storm. Please understand that as a local business woman, as well as a resident, I will not put myself in this uncomfortable (and illegal) position
The best advice that I can give is to keep a positive attitude, sense of humor, and understanding. Make the best of the situation. With the right attitude your wedding will be beautiful no matter where it is held ~Your love is stronger than the storm~!
Peace Love and Be Married,
Andrea Purtell, Your Local Jersey Shore Wedding Officiant
It is true the Jersey Shore is “stronger than the storm”
Most venues and restaurants are open. Venues with their own private beaches are open as well.
I have had many inquiries from couples who were hopeful to hold their ceremonies on the beaches of Bay Head, Mantoloking or Lavallette. I check frequently and at this time these beaches are under construction. While some, like Bay Head and Lavallette are allowing people on their beaches, even selling summer beach badges. They are discouraging holding your wedding ceremony there. They are not allowing chairs to be set up yet. They ask that everyone please understand the rebuilding of the roads, houses, stairs walkways etc. is ongoing. They cannot predict which beach entrance will be open on what day. You may experience trouble parking as there are many construction vehicles all up and down the road.
If you would like to hold a simple elopement on the beach in Bay Head and don’t mind showing up and finding construction going on I would be happy to accommodate you.
If you are having something more than an elopement, I recommend the beaches of Spring Lake. They currently do not require a permit or charge (this could change this summer). They do NOT allow chairs to be set up.
There are many beaches and gazebos that do allow chairs however most require a permit and charge a minimal fee. This is easy to obtain, see the list below for numbers.
Please always call the town yourself for the latest information. It is your responsibility to know the rules yourself, and in this post Sandy summer they can be different than last summer.
If you would like me to officiate your ceremony, I must respectfully follow the rules of the town. While I understand you may have had a vision for your wedding, and this includes a certain beach, and you may want to “chance” it by setting up chairs or going on a beach that is still restricted due to the storm. Please understand that as a local business woman, as well as a resident, I will not put myself in this uncomfortable (and illegal) position
The best advice that I can give is to keep a positive attitude, sense of humor, and understanding. Make the best of the situation. With the right attitude your wedding will be beautiful no matter where it is held ~Your love is stronger than the storm~!
Peace Love and Be Married,
Andrea Purtell, Your Local Jersey Shore Wedding Officiant
Andrea Purtell New Jersey Wedding Officiant. My Tiki Torches for my Seaside Ceremonies
This list is Pre-Hurricane Sandy. I provided numbers for you to call to get the latest information. Phases of construction can change weekly and therefor access can change. Call ahead!
Beach rules as they are now. I strongly advise that you call ahead to get the most current information. It could change at any time! You should also make sure that another event such as a fishing or surfing contest, boat races, or something else, is not being held on the same beach, the same day, that you are planning your ceremony.
If you are from Out of State, be sure that you understand the rules of your marriage/civil union license and where it is valid. In the event that you have to move your ceremony to another location due to inclement weather, you must make sure that your license is also valid in that town.
Beach rules- No alcohol. No food. No tents. If you use rose petals they must be real (otherwise it’s littering) No arches-they blow away-other decorations are usually fine. Many beaches or parks do not allow chairs to be set up. You must check with the town to verify their rules. If you book with me I offer tiki torches and a star fish aisle. Some beaches have restricted areas for nesting turtles-Observe all rules. Stay off of dunes. Leave the beach nicer than when you found it!
If you are from Out of State, be sure that you understand the rules of your marriage/civil union license and where it is valid. In the event that you have to move your ceremony to another location due to inclement weather, you must make sure that your license is also valid in that town.
Beach rules- No alcohol. No food. No tents. If you use rose petals they must be real (otherwise it’s littering) No arches-they blow away-other decorations are usually fine. Many beaches or parks do not allow chairs to be set up. You must check with the town to verify their rules. If you book with me I offer tiki torches and a star fish aisle. Some beaches have restricted areas for nesting turtles-Observe all rules. Stay off of dunes. Leave the beach nicer than when you found it!
Bay Head- Hit hard by storm and currently under construction! They plan on opening up some time this summer exact date unknown always call ahead!!! Usual rules are: Between Memorial Day and Labor Day beaches are free before 10:00 am and after 5:30 pm. Off season any time. They allow chairs. If the group will be larger than 50 as a courtesy I call BHIA and the Police department with my info. BHIA (Bay Head Improvement Association) 732-892-4179
Mantoloking - Between Memorial Day and Labor Day beaches are free before 10:00 am and after 5:30 pm. Off season any time. They allow chairs. 732-899-6600, extension 100
Spring Lake- Between Memorial Day and Labor Day beaches are free before 10:00 am and after 5:30 pm Off season any time. Spring Lake also has some gazebos on the boardwalk with benches in them that are free to use-first come first serve. No chairs allowed to be set up. (732) 449-0800 ext. 615
Seaside Heights- Between Memorial Day and Labor Day beaches are free before 10:00 am and after 5:30 pm. Off season any time. You Must Call the town for permissions; Telephone: 732-793-9100 they will let the boardwalk workers know.
Lavallette- For beach use you must ask permission in writing/email deputyclerk@lavalette.org include name and address, date, time, number of guests, which street/beach you want to use. They present it at the council meeting, so you need to plan ahead. It is free to use. However the gazebo on the bay side is not free. You may reserve its use for a minimal fee. This is a beautiful spot for a sunset ceremony. 732-793-7477 Option # 8
Manasquan-- Between Memorial Day and Labor Day beaches are free before 10:00 am and after 5:30 pm. Off season any time. No chairs. 732 223-0544 ext. 235
Sea Girt- Little gazebo on the boardwalk is free to use. It is public access, first come first serve. The beach is not. You must apply for a permit and there is a minimal fee (last I heard was $50. But they do allow chairs to be set up) (732) 449-9433 Ext 111
Belmar- Some beaches like 9th Ave (others I am not sure of) are free. You must call the town for permission, they may have started to charge a minimal fee) they allow chairs to be set up. 732-681-3700 ext. 231.
Windward Beach Park- Brick, NJ- Pier is free. It is public access, first come first serve. Beach front and 2 very nice gazebos require a permit and fee. They allow chairs and Tents. 732-262-1001 ask for recreation department.
Point Pleasant Beach- All beaches are privately owned. Jenkinson’s, Martell’s, and White Sands have beach wedding packages you may book with them. There are some beach front houses that have access. If you rent the house you may use the beach for your ceremony. Check with Ward Reality - or other local realtors. Risdens Beach will not allow wedding ceremonies.
Many beach neighborhoods, especially in the Brick barrier island communities, have their own club house with beach fronts that can rented out. (Normandy, Chadwick and neighborhoods along Princeton Ave)–Call the town you are interested in and ask for a list.
Long Branch, Sea Bright and many other beaches require permits and insurance. This requires a 1 day rider on your home owner’s policy. Call each town for exact info.
Mantoloking - Between Memorial Day and Labor Day beaches are free before 10:00 am and after 5:30 pm. Off season any time. They allow chairs. 732-899-6600, extension 100
Spring Lake- Between Memorial Day and Labor Day beaches are free before 10:00 am and after 5:30 pm Off season any time. Spring Lake also has some gazebos on the boardwalk with benches in them that are free to use-first come first serve. No chairs allowed to be set up. (732) 449-0800 ext. 615
Seaside Heights- Between Memorial Day and Labor Day beaches are free before 10:00 am and after 5:30 pm. Off season any time. You Must Call the town for permissions; Telephone: 732-793-9100 they will let the boardwalk workers know.
Lavallette- For beach use you must ask permission in writing/email deputyclerk@lavalette.org include name and address, date, time, number of guests, which street/beach you want to use. They present it at the council meeting, so you need to plan ahead. It is free to use. However the gazebo on the bay side is not free. You may reserve its use for a minimal fee. This is a beautiful spot for a sunset ceremony. 732-793-7477 Option # 8
Manasquan-- Between Memorial Day and Labor Day beaches are free before 10:00 am and after 5:30 pm. Off season any time. No chairs. 732 223-0544 ext. 235
Sea Girt- Little gazebo on the boardwalk is free to use. It is public access, first come first serve. The beach is not. You must apply for a permit and there is a minimal fee (last I heard was $50. But they do allow chairs to be set up) (732) 449-9433 Ext 111
Belmar- Some beaches like 9th Ave (others I am not sure of) are free. You must call the town for permission, they may have started to charge a minimal fee) they allow chairs to be set up. 732-681-3700 ext. 231.
Windward Beach Park- Brick, NJ- Pier is free. It is public access, first come first serve. Beach front and 2 very nice gazebos require a permit and fee. They allow chairs and Tents. 732-262-1001 ask for recreation department.
Point Pleasant Beach- All beaches are privately owned. Jenkinson’s, Martell’s, and White Sands have beach wedding packages you may book with them. There are some beach front houses that have access. If you rent the house you may use the beach for your ceremony. Check with Ward Reality - or other local realtors. Risdens Beach will not allow wedding ceremonies.
Many beach neighborhoods, especially in the Brick barrier island communities, have their own club house with beach fronts that can rented out. (Normandy, Chadwick and neighborhoods along Princeton Ave)–Call the town you are interested in and ask for a list.
Long Branch, Sea Bright and many other beaches require permits and insurance. This requires a 1 day rider on your home owner’s policy. Call each town for exact info.
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