Tropical Beach Weddings Featured in the Navarre Press 10-30-2008

Booming business in a down economy

By: John Richardson
Navarre Press

Mike and Cecelia Cappella started Tropical Beach Weddings (TBW) just five years ago on Navarre Beach. Their office has been located on Navarre Beach for three years. The first year, they performed about 15 weddings on Navarre Beach. The business has continued to grow each year. This year they have performed over 200 weddings for the year, performing 140 of them on Navarre Beach. “We limit ourselves to 200 to maintain quality. TBW now employs 13 people, including three officiates, three photographers and a florist.

“The downturn in the economy has really helped our business this year,” said Cecelia. “A couple can come here and have a nice small wedding for a fraction of the cost of a large church wedding back home. In good times and bad, people still want to get married in front of friends and family. What could be more romantic than getting married here on the beach?”

The Cappella’s attribute their success to a combination of a good website, internet advertising, chamber referrals and most of all, reputation and referrals from previous clients. “We are still getting 95 percent of our clients from out of state locations. Many of our weddings are for military personnel. We offer a military discount.”  

With their own website of www.tropicalbeachweddings.com, prospective clients have all the information they need to have a wedding of their dreams on the beach.

“We offer several different packages,” said Cecelia. “Every package includes the ceremony and photos. We help the client find accommodations, wedding cake, flowers and restaurants. TBW is one of the only beach wedding to offer all inclusive beach wedding packages .”

“We have other packages that include a beach house or a condo on the beach. In April, we began offering a Tropical Island Luau package which includes a beach house rental and a large reception at the beach house. This is becoming a popular option.”

“We tell the clients just to bring their clothes, family and friends and a Florida marriage license. We will take care of everything else. Sometimes we get calls from anxious mothers that feel they should be doing something. We have to reassure them that everything will be perfect and to just relax and enjoy the day.”

Even in a slumping economy TBW continues to share their good fortunes to others in the community. We recommend local salons (Wabi Sabi, Villa Soleil) and beach rental agencies. Cocodries is used often for receptions or rehearsal dinners. “I wish we had a few more restaurants in the area,” said Cecelia. “When we have more than four or five weddings on a weekend, it is difficult to find places for them all.”

“Recently we performed a wedding on a Monday night for a couple from Pittsburgh. After the wedding, the wedding party went back to their rooms, changed into their Pittsburgh Steeler shirts and went to Juana’s to see their favorite team play on Monday Night Football.”

“We have been using Creative Celebrations in Fort Walton to provide our wedding cakes,” said Cecelia. “We have been working with them for five years. I like the fact that there is no staff turnover. Their cakes are consistently good.”

TBW has wasted no time in using the newest facilities on the beach. “The State turned over the State Park to the county on October 10. That evening we did our first wedding in the park. We expect to make a lot more use of the park area in the future.”