No Grayton wedding?? Denied!

yes!! It's about time the County responded to legitimate complaints from the taxpayers instead of always cowtowing to special interests who only want to make South Walton a lookalike extension of PC and Destin with their ticky-tacky neon-encrusted souvanier stores and wall to wall signs. Oh, by the way, your favorite beach exists in PC and Destin also. Don't other people who come here to spend relaxing, meaningful time with their families have a right to some peace and quiet without having a wedding reception nightmare next door which likely has been a problem for days and nights prior to the reception night?

Sorry Tsutcli, you have it all wrong. The tourist industry has been here in Walton County for over 75 years, long before anyone could, let alone did, settle here as "full-time" residents. Just ask the Butler and Cessna families, the folks who started to tourist industry here in the county.

And, if you really understood the subject matter and the facts surrounding the Wedding/Events industry in this county and the amount of tax dollars it brings it, the "real" large taxpayers are the property owners who own short term rentals, own local businesses, and bring in the visitors of our county that pay all of the bed and a majority of the sales taxes.

So if being a "taxpayer" is your criteria for trying to shut down about 20% of Walton County's $1.7 Billion economy, then these "large taxpayers" should be considered in any such decision before the county government acts to do so.

The real issue here is that the Sheriff has chosen not to enforce the noise, parking and disturbing the peace ordinances. The Sheriff's failure has essentially created this situation of the county attempting to prevent short term renters from having legal family oriented events on their property through the use of the "Code Enforcement Board (CEB). Based on county documents, the CEB is nothing more than a "Kangaroo Court".

It is a pathetic response to the situation as it has created a situation where the group of "high-school class presidents" who attempt to run this county have no idea as to the fact that they have now laid the groundwork for destroying this county's economy once and for all.

So I just got off the phone with the Rivard people who seemed terrified at the prospect of me renting a house for a tiny, casual beach wedding. They said that people are trying to discourage beach weddings and that I'd have to go through a planner. I am SO not a "wedding planner" kinda gal. I just wanted a few friends and family, some beers, some crab dip and hot dogs by pool, not a giant Kardashian-sized blowout! What's going on here? I've always loved Grayton and dreamed about a simple service on my favorite white sands. I feel so denied!

Congratulations. I would not worry about the local county nonsense. Have your family and friends get together and enjoy your special day. Anyone can get married and on the beach in this county. Anyone can have a get together on a property they own or rent. And there is no need to go through a "planner". That is just plain nonsense.

Yes, the wedding industry is part of the larger tourism industry that brings in a great deal of revenue.

But that industry will still do quite well and will still bring in revenue while having weddings at PROPER venues. There are many.

Selling crack is also profitable, employs people, and draws in visitors - but that doesn't mean it is legal or that you want it going on at the house next door.

Our son and daughter-in-law were married on the beach in Seaside. Since it was an "out of town" wedding with family and friends coming from many places, we stayed at the Dunes of Seagrove. We had looked for large houses but we are very, very happy we chose the Dunes. Everyone had their privacy, beautiful pools and the beach is great. If you are getting married after Labor Day I believe the prices are reduced. Check with Carla at The Dunes of Seagrove.

Yes, the wedding industry is part of the larger tourism industry that brings in a great deal of revenue.

But that industry will still do quite well and will still bring in revenue while having weddings at PROPER venues. There are many.

Selling crack is also profitable, employs people, and draws in visitors - but that doesn't mean it is legal or that you want it going on at the house next door.

Hey Scooter, you always seem to use your "selling crack" or prostitution examples when presenting your position on this issue. Keep in mind, it is not legal for "residents" of Walton County to "sell crack" or "solicit for sex" versus Short Term Rental property owners doing the same. In my polite opinion, your example is not suitable. And your statement is not fact based.

You may or may not be aware, but the county is attempting to outlaw ANY and ALL EVENTS from being held on any short term rental property. Whereas "residents" can have any event they so desire.

No matter if these events are a wedding reception, family reunion, birthday party, funeral wake, campaign fundraiser, etc. If the event involves with "putting up a tent" (the county's exact words) on short term rental property areas, then the county Code Enforcement Board will attempt to deem this as an illegal event.

Meanwhile, homesteaded property owners and second home property owners can hold any of these events as they so desire as many times as they want.

When W.H. Butler originally invested in Grayton Beach in the 1920's, his goal was to create a tourist destination and establish a tourist economy in Walton County.

Short term rental property along the beach is the pre-dominant "Conforming Use" standard in the county for over 75 years. Living along the beach as a "full time resident" is the minority form of conforming use.

I agree that "residents" have property rights and the rights to a peaceful environment, but, when one decides to settle along the "tourist" filled beaches here in the county, these rights are not the same as one might expect when living north of the Bay. Most if not all, people who move in along the beach know this. And if they do not, then that is their problem to work through.

Mr. W.H. Butler, must be rolling over in his grave in response to the county's failure to handle this situation with EVERYONE's best interests in mind.

As stated many times before, if the Sheriff enforced noise, parking, and disturbing the peace ordinances, this problem would not even exist.

I would think that as long as it wasn't too big & the owners are okay with it, it would be fine. We have had great luck with VRBO.com for finding wonderful places to stay. On this site, you deal directly with the owners. Best wishes to you!

VRBO isn't the site it used to be. While looking for a house in Seaside, i discovered that many of the 'owners' that are listed are simply management agencies. If you look closely, many of the rentals are listed using the same format. Those are all managed by a single rental agency. Beyond that, you can look at the contact phone number and see that many are the same; all going back to a single rental agency. In the case of Seaside, many listings actually say they are 'partnered' with the Cottage Rental Agency who is the rental agency for most of the homes in Seaside.

Not saying its a bad thing, but you may find it hard to actually deal with an 'owner' on VRBO.

Hey Scooter, you always seem to use your "selling crack" or prostitution examples when presenting your position on this issue. Keep in mind, it is not legal for "residents" of Walton County to "sell crack" or "solicit for sex" versus Short Term Rental property owners doing the same. In my polite opinion, your example is not suitable. And your statement is not fact based.

You may or may not be aware, but the county is attempting to outlaw ANY and ALL EVENTS from being held on any short term rental property. Whereas "residents" can have any event they so desire.

No matter if these events are a wedding reception, family reunion, birthday party, funeral wake, campaign fundraiser, etc. If the event involves with "putting up a tent" (the county's exact words) on short term rental property areas, then the county Code Enforcement Board will attempt to deem this as an illegal event.

Meanwhile, homesteaded property owners and second home property owners can hold any of these events as they so desire as many times as they want.

When W.H. Butler originally invested in Grayton Beach in the 1920's, his goal was to create a tourist destination and establish a tourist economy in Walton County.

Short term rental property along the beach is the pre-dominant "Conforming Use" standard in the county for over 75 years. Living along the beach as a "full time resident" is the minority form of conforming use.

I agree that "residents" have property rights and the rights to a peaceful environment, but, when one decides to settle along the "tourist" filled beaches here in the county, these rights are not the same as one might expect when living north of the Bay. Most if not all, people who move in along the beach know this. And if they do not, then that is their problem to work through.

Mr. W.H. Butler, must be rolling over in his grave in response to the county's failure to handle this situation with EVERYONE's best interests in mind.

As stated many times before, if the Sheriff enforced noise, parking, and disturbing the peace ordinances, this problem would not even exist.

I keep using examples like that because in my opinion people are doing something illegal/in violation of rules and to pretend otherwise is just ridiculous.

Having not have been here since the 1920's I cannot speak to Mr. Butler's opinions, but I am pretty sure he would be more offended by how people are being bad neighbors than by attempts to curtail tourism. In fact, I am sure he would be amazed at how the area has exploded in terms of visitors - and the lavishness of these houses.

VRBO isn't the site it used to be. While looking for a house in Seaside, i discovered that many of the 'owners' that are listed are simply management agencies. If you look closely, many of the rentals are listed using the same format. Those are all managed by a single rental agency. Beyond that, you can look at the contact phone number and see that many are the same; all going back to a single rental agency. In the case of Seaside, many listings actually say they are 'partnered' with the Cottage Rental Agency who is the rental agency for most of the homes in Seaside.

Not saying its a bad thing, but you may find it hard to actually deal with an 'owner' on VRBO.

I had that problem as well. There should be a disclaimer on the rental if it has an agency. If I wanted a rental agency, I would use one...not a site like vrbo.

You sound so much like the developers in the mid-90's who assured this county that by limiting the height to 50 ft or 4 stories was just going to kill this economy. Not a realtor but it would seem the values of lands here have held their own compared to our neighbors to the east and west who failed to control their growth. Of course, I've always admired long term popular tourist destinations like Nantuckett and Cape Cod that set their standards and held them.

You sound so much like the developers in the mid-90's who assured this county that by limiting the height to 50 ft or 4 stories was just going to kill this economy. Not a realtor but it would seem the values of lands here have held their own compared to our neighbors to the east and west who failed to control their growth. Of course, I've always admired long term popular tourist destinations like Nantuckett and Cape Cod that set their standards and held them.

There you go.

There are several local wedding services that will help you line up an officiant, a photographer and will do a simple and elegant set up on the beach for you. I officiate at beach weddings and have performed several ceramonies for small family/close friends only type weddings. The group often returns to their beach rental for a small party - no diffierent from other parties that families have who visit our beaches. Rent a house, line up an officiant and have fun! Best of luck.

Our daughter who lives in Atlanta will be the lead photographer for a wedding in Rosemary this spring, along with the videographer that she works with who lives in Los Angeles. Because the bride and groom are hiring professionals from out of town, my guess is that either her parents or the groom's parents must be owners at Rosemary.

Obviously it has been approved because our daughter has already received a deposit.

Fishhead, hope you have a wonderful wedding!

Jdarg, you are so sweet to offer to help Fishhead with transportation.