It’s time to plan your Beach Wedding!!!!

It is typical winter day here in Ft. Morgan, and we are talking to vacationers about warm sunny days to come! One of my favorite conversations lately are with families planning spring or summer weddings. Everyone is excited and often really overwhelmed.
I wanted to take a minute and help you out with the planning.
First, now is the time to start planning. If you do not have a house, reception area, or spot on the beach chosen yet, do it now. These places book up fast and you are running out of time quickly.

When planning a beach wedding the simpler the better.
The beach is beautiful already, so you do not need lots of decorations to enhance such a lovely place. Plus most beaches have strict rules about what can and cannot happen on their beach. Note:Be sure you get a list of these rules well in advance so you can plan your wedding activities accordingly.

Your day is supposed to be about fun and great memories! The key to having a great day is flexibility. At a wedding in a church things can change at a moments notice. This is even more true with a beach wedding. The weather can cool off significantly or get unbearably hot, the wind can blow like a hurricane and bring rain with it or not blow at all and leave everyone feeling baked.  Always have a back up plan, and let your guests know! If it rains the ceremony will be at an alternate location… Maybe have a back up plan for some handheld fans in case bugs show up, or some mats for grandparents to walk on because sand is difficult to walk in for some seniors.  Flexibility is the key friends!!!

My best piece of advice is to have a trusted friend or wedding planner to help you not worry the day of your wedding.  This person will handle any emergencies that may come up and deal with them in a patient and helpful way not involving you unless absolutely necessary.

It is my hope that you have a wonderful wedding day experience for your beach wedding.  If we can help you plan or if you have any questions about a wedding at The Dunes Beach, give me a call!  I’m happy to help!!!

Happy Planning!!!!

Beach Update….from Utah???

Hey everyone! 

 

Well, I am curled up by the fire, hot cider in hand, watching the snow! I am completely in awe of the snow – I’ve had very few snow experiences, so I am thoroughly enjoying this one.

 

Oh!  Let me catch you up!  I’ve been talking about snow on our beach update.  I am currently in Park City, Utah, at our beautiful ski condo that is available for you to rent. I am very blessed to be able to take my friends to vacation here. Be sure to check out this condos interior photos on our online booking page.  I’m off to enjoy a day of snowy adventures!  Talk to you soon!

 

Enjoy the video I took!  Beach Update from Utah

 

Katie

Local Community Events this Month

I can’t believe it’s already December and 2011 is almost here!!  Let’s make the most of it and attend some of the great holiday events that our community has planned for us!  If you haven’t already planned your vacation to Fort Morgan this winter, now might be the time!  Listed below are just a few of the many activities in our area.  For a complete list, feel free to contact us at the office.

December 4- Gulf Shores Public Beach Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade.  Parade begins at 2 p.m. and the tree lighting at 5 p.m.

December 10- 3rd Annual Chocolate Affair.  Located at the Robertsdale PZK Hall from 7 to 10 p.m.  All proceeds benefit the Family Promise of Baldwin County.  Tickets $25.

December 11- 25th Annual Nautical Night of Lights Boat Parade.  Parade will begin at 5 p.m. from LuLu’s at Homeport Marina.  On lookers may view the parade from any public area along Canal Road.

December 11- Civil War Christmas.  This event is in our own backyard at the Historic Fort Morgan.  Event is from 4-7 p.m.  Admission is $3-$5. 

December 11- Summerdale Christmas Parade.  2 p.m. Parade will proceed downtown.

December 18- “The Nutcracker” performed by The Gulf Coast Ballet.  Foley Civic Center. 3 p.m.  Admission $5-$10.

December 31- New Year’s Eve “Block Party Blowout”.  The Wharf.  Events begin at 11 a.m.  Admission is free.

December 31- New Year’s Party at LuLu’s.  Doors open at 10 a.m.

January 1- Polar Bear Dip.  Flora Bama.  Noon.  Take a plunge in the Gulf to bring in the new year! 

We hope to see you soon!

What to pack for your Beach Vacation!!!

If  you are like me, you always over pack no matter where you are going, and the things you pack are not exactly what you need.  Tara and I took some time to make a video about what you need for your beach vacation.  What you need is a surprisingly short list.  Be sure to check out this video so you don’t bring needless items, and don’t forget the most important things! 

   What to pack for your Beach Vacation

Snapper Season Open each weekend until Nov. 22nd

Time to break out your fishing polls and put on some sunscreen, it is Snapper Season each weekend until November 22nd.  I’m not sure who came up with the idea but they were brilliant!!! Instead a few weeks earlier in the year,  Now it is Snapper Season every weekend in the fall.  Almost every man I know in the area is busy every weekend fishing for the fun and great tasting fish.

So now is the time folks, book your condo, bring your boat down or schedule a charter and get ready to have some fun!!!  The snapper are huge, and available every weekend.  Oh, and don’t forget about the ladies in your life, if they are not interested in fishing themselves, there are beautiful white sand beaches and world class shopping for them to enjoy in the area.  The fall is the beast time of year to come to the beach with its small crowds and perfect weather and low rates, who could ask for more???  Give us a call for specials.  See you soon!!!!

Shrimp Festival Weekend Beach Update

Yay for the weekend!!  Everyone down here is gearing up for a fun couple days at the Shrimp Festival at the public beach in Gulf Shores tonight through Sunday.  I went down to the beach earlier today and the weather was just perfect. It wasn’t too terribly hot, there was a nice south breeze, and the water was very clear.   The sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky.  A PERFECT beach day!!

Check out today’s beach update:

Ft. Morgan Beach Update for Shrimp Festival Weekend

Hope to see you guys soon!!!

Events You Do Not Want to Miss!!!

The month of October is one of the best times to visit the Alabama Gulf Coast and stay with Sunset Properties!  Free concerts.  GREAT food.  Live entertainment.  Fun festivals.  Fishing.  Whatever you fancy, Gulf Shores has it.

10/7/10-  39th Annual National Shrimp Festival.  Experience seafood fresh from the Gulf, hundreds of vendors, and 2 music stages featuring major and local artists. Plenty of activities for the kiddos as well!  This is an event you don’t want to miss!

10/12/10-  8th Annual Thunder on the Gulf.  This four day, exciting event takes place on the Gulf of Mexico in Orange Beach and is filled with 2 days of boat races, parties, and a poker run. Visit the website for more details. www.thunderonthegulf.com.

10/15/10-  Bon Jovi Free Concert on the beach.

10/17/10-  Brad Paisley Free Concert on the beach.

For our fans who love to fish, Snapper Season starts in 2 days!  Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only until November 22.  We will blog more about this soon and post some pictures from some friends!

Book a condo for any of these events starting as low as $299 TOTAL for 2 nights.  For larger groups, we also have some awesome rates on our beautiful beach houses.  If you have any questions at all, feel free to call us at 251-543-1370 or visit our website at www.sunsetproperties.com.

We hope to see you in OCTOBER!!

39th Annual Gulf Shores Shrimp Festival Oct. 7-10

Fall is officially here!!!!! We have some great happenings at the beach this fall, including the 39th Annual National Shrimp Festival.  This year it is the weekend of October 7th thru Sunday the 10th.  If you have never been here for the Shrimp Festival, it is certainly an event not to miss.  Great food, that ranges from seafood to typical fair food, that brings back memories of those childhood visits to the state fair. 

 The food is not the only reason to attend however, there are great vendors and you can purchase beach inspired clothes, jewelery, and artwork of any scale!  Some of my favorite pieces are the giant metal sculptures of life size sea creatures, and the resin cartoonish ones that bring a smile to everyone’s face.  Don’t forget about the musical performances each day you have choices of two different stages to listen to music continously through out the festival.  The kids are not left out at shrimp festival.  There is a family friendly sand sculpture contest, and a Children Activity Village, for your little ones to create their own masterpiece!  A Chef’s Challenge is something you don’t want to miss as the top five finalists consists of some of the best chef’s in our area showcasing their talents in the kitchen to create new dining delights for visitors to our area. 

We have some great specials for you come for a couple of days or a long weekend to enjoy the fun and events of Shrimp Festival, and then the piece and quiet of Ft. Morgan, only 20 minutes from the festival shuttles!  Prices start as low as $199.00 for 2 nights!  Give us a call today!!!!