Destination weddings in Florida are becoming increasingly popular among couples looking to exchange vows in a beautiful and romantic setting. With its endless beaches, clear blue waters, and year-round sunshine, Florida offers a wide variety of options for those looking to tie the knot in paradise. Here are some of the hot spots.
Seaside
Seaside is a rapidly growing destination for weddings, a charming coastal town in the Florida panhandle along the Emerald Coast, fronting the Gulf of Mexico’s teal-green waters. With picturesque architecture, white sandy beaches, and a slowed-down sense of time, Seaside is perfect for a romantic wedding. Seaside has several miles of white sandy beaches – the longest private beach along that coast – perfect for ceremonies, receptions, and wedding photos. The picturesque cottages and homes, reminiscent of a simpler time, are also Seaside vacation rentals, flawlessly appointed, luxury guest accommodations for the whole wedding gathering. A multi-generational small town made for walking, and with everything close by, Seaside can easily accommodate all ages of a wedding group, offering entertainment, gourmet food, and many things to do.
Key West
Known for its tropical climate, crystal-clear waters, and laid-back atmosphere, Key West is a popular destination for destination weddings. Its beautiful beaches, historic architecture, and vibrant nightlife offer something for everyone. Accommodations are abundant, the food is diverse enough to satisfy all appetites and tastes, and there are so many things to do that all your guests should have some time apart from the special day to explore. You could easily arrange group outings and tours too, perhaps hiring a boat to take advantage of the massive ocean exposure or simply taking sightseeing tours in America’s southernmost, year-round tropical paradise.
Palm Beach
With its elegant resorts, designer shops, and world-class restaurants, Palm Beach is a popular destination for luxury destination weddings. The town is known for its beautiful beaches, upscale accommodations, and sophisticated atmosphere. Founded by a Standard Oil magnate, Palm Beach has always been a playground for the wealthy. With resorts, mansions, and historical iconography, Palm Beach offers fabulous shopping for your guests and world-class golf on incredibly scenic courses. If your budget allows, this is an excellent place for extravagant touches, such as taking your group on a boat tour or to brunch at the Polo Center – or, more simply, gathering together for a historic walking tour. Accommodations range from world-famous hotels to rental homes, with midscale prices and, of course, the top end.
Miami
Known for its vibrant culture, Miami is a popular destination for destination weddings. With its endless beaches, colorful neighborhoods, and exciting nightlife, it offers a unique and exciting option for couples looking to tie the knot. The wedding venues in Miami are practically countless- this place bears extensive browsing unless you already know your destination. With its city vibrancy providing color and excitement, you can fit a smaller budget into a wedding adventure here and offer your guests all the pleasure of gorgeous beaches and things to do.
Naples
This Gulf Coast city is known for its upscale resorts, championship golf courses, and beautiful beaches. The city offers a variety of venues for destination weddings, including beachfront resorts, elegant hotels, and private estates. Fabulous shopping includes eclectic boutiques and world-class chic. Close by are many pristine parks and preserves, and the coast is pure sand and lovely waters. This affluent area offers plenty of amenities and attractions to please all your guests, and the local planners can make you a magical wedding event.
Clearwater
Known for its sugar-white sands and crystal-clear waters, Clearwater is a popular destination for beach weddings. The town also offers a variety of activities, such as dolphin-watching cruises and deep-sea fishing, making it a great option for couples and their guests. It also forms part of a relaxed with Tampa and St. Petersburg, so the range is endless for historic and beautiful sights and side-visits. A myriad different accommodations are for the choosing here, as are the foods, music, culture and water attractions.
Wedding Tips
Destination weddings in Florida draw ever more couples from the rest of the nation looking to exchange vows in a beautiful and romantic setting. All of the destinations mentioned here have vibrant service industries with professional planners who can arrange a wedding. Give yourself a break and don’t kill the romance by trying the organize the thousand details yourself, let the locals handle it for you.
Also, be sure to book as far in advance as you can, since all of these places are popular. Ideally you want to give your guests as much as a year for a heads up, with formal invitations going put several months before the day. You may or may not choose to cover the cost of guest accommodations, but make sure that they’re close to the venue, and do make sure to coordinate any transportation that may be required.
If you’re not familiar with the place you’ve chosen for your destination wedding, try to visit beforehand so you know what to expect. And get a good idea of the climate and weather during your wedding adventure – the bride’s hair must look gorgeous, and the dress must be suitable to the temperatures – advise your guests accordingly too.
