NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC -- The City of North Myrtle Beach says thousands of people get married on the beach each year. They've compiled all the rules that impact people wanting to hold a beach wedding.

Here's a list of rules and regulations that apply, courtesy of North Myrtle Beach.

􀂾 Please don't hold your wedding ceremony on a beach access walkover or block the beach in front of a walkover. Beach walkovers and beach access points are for all to enjoy.

􀂾 While certainly photogenic, our dune system is a fragile one, and we rely on it for our protection from storm surges and for the good health of the beach you like to visit. Please stay off the dunes and avoid picking sea oats and other dune vegetation.

􀂾 Alcohol and glass containers are not allowed on the beach.

􀂾 If you want to hold your wedding ceremony in a certain location, and someone is already enjoying the beach in that location, you may certainly ask them to consider a temporary move while you hold your ceremony, but they are not required to grant your request.

􀂾 Please park only in designated parking areas. Parking is at a premium along our oceanfront. You may have to arrange for group transport to the beach. Or you may decide to stay at a property that offers direct access to the beach or a short walk to the beach.

􀂾 Rice-free weddings are not required but they are environmentally considerate as birds cannot digest rice. Consider rice-free alternatives, such as, bubbles, birdseed, rosebuds or bells (to ring). Confetti poses a danger to small sea creatures, and it has to be cleaned up.

􀂾 Please observe all laws applying to the use of tents, pavilions, umbrellas and other shading devices on the beach. The City's Beach Shading Devices law is attached to the end of this document.

􀂾 Chairs and archways are permitted on the beach but must be removed following the ceremony.

􀂾 Be aware that Cherry Grove Oceanfront Park (at Towers on the Grove) is a City park, not a private park. It is a popular wedding location but it is also a public space. While you may certainly ask people to consider making a temporary move from the park while your wedding ceremony occurs, they do not have to leave, and other people have the right to walk through or settle in the park during your wedding ceremony. Also, the passage through the beach walkover must be kept open.

􀂾 What happens if you go to a certain location on the beach to hold your wedding, and you discover that another wedding party is already there? You can either move your wedding to another location along the beach or wait your turn at that location. Thousands of beach weddings are held in North Myrtle Beach each year and we encourage you to be prepared to be flexible and patient.

􀂾 If you are a Professional Wedding Planner, then you know that you must have a current Business License from the City of North Myrtle Beach to do business in our City, even if you are located out of town or if you attract your wedding business via the internet. You also know that any other paid services you employ on behalf of the wedding party that you represent must also hold a Business License from the City of North Myrtle Beach. For more information, please contact our Business License Division at (843) 280-5585.

􀂾 If you are managing your own wedding, please be aware that any professional services you use, other than a minister, must also have a City of North Myrtle Beach Business License. This includes a professional photographer, a caterer, or any company or person to whom you pay a fee in return for a service. For more information, please contact our Business License Division at (843) 280-5585.

􀂾 We wish you joy and success in your married life!

And here's the city's law on using tents or other "shading devices" on city beaches.

In December 2010, the North Myrtle Beach City Council passed a new law governing the use of tents and other shading devices on the beach in North Myrtle Beach. The law is now in effect.

The new law was necessary due to the increased use of tents and other large shading devices on the beach, which sometimes blocked public safety and emergency rescue personnel from gaining swift access to people in trouble on the beach or in the water.

These are the highlights of the new law:

􀂃 No shading devices (tents, umbrellas, pavilions, canopies, etc.) may be set up on the beach before 8am daily.

􀂃 Shading devices must be removed from the beach by 7pm daily.

􀂃 Shading devices left on the beach after 7pm will be collected by the City and stored for up to 30 days. Owners can reclaim their tents during that period but must pay a $40 fee, which goes to pay for the labor required to collect, tag and store tents left on the beach after 7pm.

􀂃 Shading devices, other than umbrellas, must be located landward of the City umbrella line or, if no City umbrella lines exists, the high tide mark.

􀂃 All shading devices must be located 20-25 feet seaward of dune line. This frees up a lane along the high tide beach for Rescue and Safety vehicles to use in the event of an emergency.

􀂃 No shading device may be larger than 12 feet x 12 feet or a total 144 square feet.

􀂃 No shading device may be higher than 9-feet installed.

􀂃 Shading devices may not be joined together in any manner.

􀂃 Shading devices, other than umbrellas, must be placed at a minimum of 10 feet from any other shading device.

􀂃 Shading devices may not be placed within 10 feet of any lifeguard stand.

􀂃 Anchoring lines, if used, may not extend beyond the perimeter of the shading device.

􀂃 Violation of the ordinance is punishable by a $250 fine