Atlantic beaches — Cocoa Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach — are about an hour from Orlando and face east, so the sun rises over the water (no travel fee). Gulf beaches — Clearwater, St. Pete, Anna Maria Island, Siesta Key — are about two hours away and face west for the classic sunset over the water ($75–$100 travel fee).
“I want to propose on the beach at sunset” is one of the most common things I hear. From Orlando, the first question is: which coast? Florida’s two coasts face opposite directions, and that changes everything about the light.
The one thing to know: which way the beach faces
Atlantic beaches face east. The sun rises over the ocean and sets behind you, over land. Gulf beaches face west — that’s where you get the sun sinking into the water. Both are beautiful; they’re just different photos.
| Beach | Coast | Drive from Orlando | Sun over the water at | Travel fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cocoa Beach | Atlantic | ~1 hr | Sunrise | $0 |
| New Smyrna Beach | Atlantic | ~1 hr | Sunrise | $0 |
| Daytona Beach | Atlantic | ~1 hr | Sunrise | $0 |
| Clearwater Beach | Gulf | ~2 hr | Sunset | $75 |
| St. Petersburg area | Gulf | ~2 hr | Sunset | $75 |
| Anna Maria Island | Gulf | ~2–2.5 hr | Sunset | $75 |
| Siesta Key | Gulf | ~2–2.5 hr | Sunset | $100 |
Drive times are typical and vary with traffic. The travel fee is added once to whichever package you choose.
Atlantic side: sunrise, or a soft pastel evening
The east coast is the easy drive, with no travel fee. For sunrise, you’ll have the beach nearly to yourselves, and the sun comes straight up over the water. In the evening, the sun sets behind the dunes — no sun in the water, but the sky over the ocean turns soft pink and lavender and the light on faces is even and flattering. Many of our favorite beach proposals were shot exactly then.
Gulf side: the sunset over the water
If the sun sinking into the ocean is the dream, go west. Expect company at the most famous sunset spots — Clearwater Beach’s Pier 60 draws a crowd every evening — so we scout a stretch a short walk away for privacy. Because it’s a longer drive, we’ll build in time for traffic so the proposal still lands in the golden light.
Beach setups: the rules are local
- Permits vary. Each beach town and county has its own rules for arches, rugs, chairs and signs. Some require a permit or a licensed vendor. We check the rules for your exact beach.
- Flames are often restricted. Plan on LED candles and lanterns.
- Sea turtle nesting season runs roughly May through October on Florida beaches. Many coastal areas limit lights on the beach at night and require that nothing be left on the sand, so setups are timed to finish at dusk and packed away completely.
- Wind is real. Signs, petals and hair all move. Our setups are weighted, and we plan portraits with the wind at your back.
What to wear on the sand
Light, flowing fabrics and soft colors photograph beautifully against sand and water. Skip heels (they sink), and bring a towel for sandy feet before the drive home.
