FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions – Barefoot Bride Weddings
Can we book a ceremony-only package with Barefoot Bride Weddings?
Yes! We offer standalone beach ceremonies without a dinner or reception.
What is the best time of day for a wedding in Ocean City, MD?
The ideal time for a beach wedding is a couple of hours before sunset, typically between 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM, depending on the season. This ensures:
Pleasant weather
Fewer beachgoers
Beautiful, soft lighting for photos
We avoid scheduling beach weddings midday in the summer due to heat and crowds. If you're considering a summer wedding, we recommend planning it before 10 AM or after 6 PM.
How does the payment process work?
A $500 non-refundable initial payment secures your date and goes toward your total invoice.
Your final payment is due 30 days before your wedding date.
Some additional services may require a separate deposit.
For dinner $1500 and reception $2500 packages, invoices are based on your estimated guest count, with the final count due 35 days prior to your wedding. The final invoice is adjusted accordingly, with payment due 30 days before your wedding.
Does the cost vary based on the day of the week?
We offer the best possible prices for all weddings. The only weekday discount available is a $500 discount on receptions held Monday–Thursday.
How do we obtain a marriage license for our wedding in Ocean City, MD?
Worcester County requires couples to obtain their own marriage license—Barefoot Bride cannot do this on your behalf.
You can apply in person at the Clerk of the Court in Worcester County and receive your license the same day. Only one partner needs to be present.
The license must be obtained in Worcester County, MD.
There is a 48-hour waiting period after issuance, and the license is valid for six months.
The fee is $35 (not included in our package).
Visit www.mdcourts.gov or call 410-632-5500 / 1-800-340-0691 for details.
You may be able to begin the process at your local courthouse. After booking with Barefoot Bride, we’ll provide guidance on this.
What happens to the marriage license after the ceremony?
The next business day, Barefoot Bride will mail the license to the Worcester County Clerk of the Court.
If using your own officiant, they are responsible for filing the license.
If you’re still in town, you may return it in person.
How do I get more information from Barefoot Bride?
Fill out the Contact Us Form on our website.
Call us at 443-614-8542 to check date and time availability.
If requesting a dinner or reception quote, complete the form, and we’ll send you a custom proposal.
We host weddings seven days a week, but sunset weddings on Fridays and Saturdays book quickly.
Peak wedding season: Mid-April through early October.
How do I book a wedding with Barefoot Bride?
For a Ceremony-Only Package:
Review our packages and service
Choose your package and add it to your cart.
Fill out the booking contract form.
Submit your non-refundable planning payment.
Pay the remaining balance 30 days before your wedding.
Once we receive your contract, you’ll get access to your personalized planning portal in HoneyBook.
You’ll receive a series of emails with planning materials, invoices, and marriage license guidance.
For a Ceremony + Dinner/Reception:
Complete the Contact Us Form to request a proposal.
Review and accept the proposal.
Sign the agreement.
Submit the initial planning payment.
Where is Barefoot Bride located?
Office & Venue: 5909 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842
Beach Ceremonies: Public beach at 59th Street (Oceanside)
Receptions/Dinners: Held at our Coastal 59 Venue (Bayside)
Why choose Barefoot Bride?
30+ years of experience and over 1,000 successful weddings.
Award-winning planner and Owner Jodie Meeks recognized internationally.
Family owned and operated by mother and daughter Jodie & Amber
Honest pricing—no hidden fees.
Trusted by vendors and highly reviewed by couples.
Fully licensed & insured—all documentation is available at our office.
Can we plan remotely without visiting before the wedding?
90% of our couples plan their weddings remotely.
We provide a comprehensive planning portal, email, and phone support.
FaceTime meetings are available.
Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram to see real weddings!
Can we meet in person?
Yes! We offer office appointments and venue tours at our Ocean City location.
How soon should we reserve our wedding date?
Call 443-614-8542 or email barefootbridejodie@gmail.com to check availability.
Dates are first come, first served.
Secure your date by completing the Booking Form and submitting your non-refundable initial payment.
Do you offer LGBTQ+ weddings?
Yes! We are LGBTQ+ friendly and have officiated many same-sex weddings.
Do you offer vow renewals?
Yes, we offer ceremony-only or full vow renewal packages.
Pricing is the same as our wedding packages.
What is included in wedding packages?
Our packages include everything needed for your wedding.
No hidden fees—each package lists all included services and vendors.
Custom options (florals, cake, décor) are available after booking.
How many guests can attend?
Ceremonies: No charge for guests.
Receptions: Up to 160 guests.
NO minimum food and beverage fees
Can we bring our own officiant, photographer, or DJ?
Officiant: Yes, but they must be ordained in MD. A $50 discount applies.
Photographer: Yes, with a $150–$700 discount on your package.
DJ: Yes, but they must follow our wedding timeline.
What happens if it rains?
We will adjust the time if possible or move the ceremony inside at Coastal 59 (complimentary backup).
Wedding insurance is recommended.
Can we bring pets?
Pets are allowed on the beach October 1 – April 30.
Not allowed in most reception venues due to health regulations.
Do you provide bouquets, cakes, or decorations?
Yes! Order flowers or cakes through Barefoot Florals after booking.
No cake on the beach (seagulls will crash the party!).
Do you provide music?
Yes! Bluetooth speaker for ceremonies.
Live musicians or DJs can be arranged.
What if we need to postpone or cancel?
Postponements: Payments transfer within one year.
Cancellations: All payments are non-refundable.
Vendor & Venue Commitment
When you booked your wedding, we and your vendors were excited to start planning with you. From florists to photographers, caterers to coordinators—every vendor begins preparing for your special day the moment a contract is signed. Unlike other industries, weddings are typically booked 9-12 months in advance, and when a date is reserved, vendors often turn away other potential clients. This is why non-refundable payments exist—to cover the time, effort, and financial loss caused by cancellations.
Cancellation Terms & Fees
As part of your contract, here’s the breakdown of cancellation fees:
$500 Cancelation Fee
Caterer: $515.00 can vary based on time of cancelation and wedding date
Photographer: $150.00
All other vendors and venue: No additional cancellation fees
Your first non-refundable payment of $1,500 will remain non-refundable
To officially process the cancellation, we require:
✅ A signed cancellation agreement
✅ Payment of the outstanding cancellation fees
Both must be received within one week. If not, an additional 25% fee will be applied for every week thereafter. The cancellation will not be finalized until these steps are completed.
We Are Here to Help
We understand this may not be the outcome you were hoping for, and we are not trying to be heartless or the bad guys. Unfortunately, we often face difficult conversations after cancellations, even though we are just following industry-standard policies to protect the businesses that make weddings possible.
If you decide to reschedule, we are happy to transfer all payments made to a new invoice and wedding date within one year of your original booking date.
Still have questions?
📞 Call us at 443-614-8542
📧 Email us at barefootbridejodie@gmail.com