Beach Wedding on a Budget. Any Tips?!?

by Olivia
(Louisville, KY)

Hello All!.
So, I got engaged last April you can view the proposal here: proposal on youtube

I just had a baby around Thanksgiving, so I have not even thought about wedding planning.
We live in Kentucky and all we have planned is this:

-Beach Wedding
-Destin Florida
-Week of June 18

Does anyone have any tips on how I can go about planning out a Destination wedding myself without getting Wedding planners involved.

Perhaps you live in Destin or know the area or know of someone that got married there and you have some tips.

I have been searching online to try to get ideas about my big day, but everything is so expensive!!!

Guidelines:
-Small Intimate ceremony
-30 people max (because I have 8 brothers and sisters )
-I want to do as much as I can by myself to save money...
-Perhaps make food a day in advanced and have a small reception afterwards without a caterer? Any advice on what I should make..
-I'd like to spend $3000 MAX and this includes the beach house

Any and all input would be very appreciated!.
Also, if you are in the Destin area and know of small freelancers that would have more reasonable prices than these Photography and Cake companies on wedding websites, I would love to hear about them!.

Thanks so much in advanced!