Just Say I Do! 

Did you know North Myrtle Beach is one of the few places on the Grand Strand that allows commercially produced ceremonies on the beach? As a result, our area has an abundance of weddings every year. Here are some basic rules and regulations to help make sure your special day goes off without a hitch.

How to obtain a marriage license:

• A marriage license must be issued by a South Carolina Probate Court prior to a marriage ceremony being performed in South Carolina.  
• To apply for a marriage license, both applicants must personally appear, and must both have their social security cards.
• Couples may fill out applications at the Government & Justice Center located at 1301 2nd Avenue, Conway, South Carolina and can be reached by phone at (843) 915-5370.  
• Applications must be on file at least 24 hours before a license can be issued.
• For more information, please visit https://www.horrycounty.org/Departments/Probate-Court

Rules about licensing requirements:

• There are licensing requirements for all businesses providing goods or services for a beach wedding.
• If you are hiring a business or individual to provide professional services such as photographers, officiates, rental services, etc.,  they must possess a valid City of North Myrtle Beach business license.
• Please contact the Business License Division at 843-280-5585 to inquire about valid licenses or for a list of licensed providers.
• You must complete a wedding registration form and agree to follow all regulations and ordinances.
• Ministers who are not being paid for their services such as ministers from your hometown, are not required to possess a city license to marry you.

Rules about wedding location:

• You may not reserve a place on the beach for your wedding. It is always available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• If you go to a certain location on the beach to hold your ceremony, and another wedding group is already there, you can move your wedding to another location or wait. Hundreds of beach weddings are held in North Myrtle Beach every year, so the city encourages you to be prepared, flexible and patient.
• Your ceremony must be held at least 25 feet from any public beach access.
• Beach walkovers and beach access points are for all to enjoy. Please don’t hold your wedding ceremony on a beach access walkover or block the beach in front of a walkover. You must also leave room for emergency and beach patrol vehicles to pass on the dune side of your set-up.

For a detailed list of Beach Wedding Regulations, please visit https://city.nmb.us/beach-wedding-regulations/