With thousands of miles of shoreline, Florida has countless scenic views to offer. There’s no surprise so many young couples are looking for an all-inclusive destination wedding in Florida. There are sandy beaches, historic hotels, and Renaissance courtyards.
With numerous beautiful options, it’s difficult to select one venue for your wedding. Whether you’re looking for an extravagant soiree or a laid-back celebration, Florida has something for everyone.
And since it’s got pleasant sunny weather, The Sunshine State offers the perfect climate for a warm and cozy wedding.
Table of Contents
Best Venues for Your Florida Destination Wedding
About Destination Weddings in Florida
Legal Requirements for Weddings in Florida
Florida Destination Wedding Planning Tips
Average Room Price: $400 to $1000
Drive Time to Airport: 38 minutes
Number of Rooms: 1041
Weddings Per Day: 5
All Inclusive: Yes
Adult Only: No
LGBTQ Friendly: Yes
Explore Venues and Packages →
Boca Raton, located in Palm Beach County, Florida, is a charming and picturesque city that offers an ideal setting for destination weddings. Known for its stunning beaches, upscale resorts, and vibrant cultural scene, Boca Raton has become a popular choice for couples looking to celebrate their special day in a beautiful and unique location.
With 200 waterfront acres, you may enjoy lakeside romance and ocean vistas. Stained glass, an arched ceiling, elaborate pillars, and golden accents adorn the cathedral area. This gives the space a classy and personal atmosphere.
Come and experience the color and art-inspired dunes ballroom. It’s your big day, so get ready to party and dance. There are enormous windows from the ceiling to the floor that provide breathtaking ocean views.
Set the scene for an intimate wedding overlooking the ocean’s turquoise seas. The swaying palm palms and sandy beaches provide a pleasant touch, complemented by a spectacular sunrise or sunset.
Additionally, for a luxuriant wedding, visit the Cloister Garden, which features shimmering lanterns, running fountains, and mosaic tiles. Get caught in the romanticism and tranquillity of the setting.
Moreover, hold your wedding on the Yacht Club Venetian Terrace, surrounded by tropical vegetation. It’s a lavish and expansive balcony that wonderfully symbolizes heaven. Enjoy the lakeside wind and recite your vows while taking in the scenery.
Average Room Price: $400 to $1000
Drive Time to Airport: 44 minutes
Number of Rooms: 277
Weddings Per Day: 2
All Inclusive: Yes
Adult Only: No
LGBTQ Friendly: Yes
Explore Venues and Packages →
The Don CeSar is an iconic and luxurious hotel in St. Pete Beach, Florida. With its stunning Mediterranean Revival architecture, breathtaking ocean views, and exceptional service, it has become a highly sought-after destination for weddings.
If you’re seeking a luxurious spa resort, go no further than this old hotel, which dates back to 1928. Bring your idea of marrying in the sand to life with its beautiful Gulf Coast beach. And, while you’re here, take advantage of the excellent facilities, which include spa treatments, beautiful décor, premium beverages, and a goodbye breakfast before you depart.
It is perched on the crest of wind-swept dunes and gives panoramic views of the lake in all directions. The beautiful Pink Palace is suited for both grand events and private ceremonies. As you read your vows, take in the scenery of the coast.
The Don CeSar has witnessed unique weddings, epic events, and notable people. With their attention to detail and unrivaled service, they are among the best venues in Florida for an all-inclusive destination wedding.
You’ll have a professional planning staff and over 38,000 square feet of venue space. Your visitors can stay at the Don CeSar or in one of the beach house suites near the Pink Palace. Both have stunning views of St. Pete Beach. There’s also convenient access to shopping, spa facilities, and award-winning gourmet dining.
Average Room Price: $400 to $1000
Drive Time to Airport: 90 minutes
Number of Rooms: 137
Weddings Per Day: 3
All Inclusive: Yes
Adult Only: No
LGBTQ Friendly: Yes
Explore Venues and Packages →
Casa Monica is an exceptional destination wedding venue that exudes elegance, charm, and a sense of history. Located in St. Augustine, Florida, this iconic hotel is famous for its luxurious accommodations, stunning architecture, and unparalleled service.
Casa Monica has an appealing old-world elegance that goes back to 1888. You can say your vows in a tropical garden with fountains and have your reception in the most magnificent ballrooms. The venue’s 10,000 square feet of space features historical elegance. Additionally, you may have your wedding both indoors and outside.
The Spanish Baroque façade, replete with colonial-style chambers and enchanting chandeliers, allows guests to feel the magnificence of this location. Casa Monica is committed to perfection, as seen by its pool and lavish cuisine that complements the regal atmosphere of the property.
Also, Costa Brava, the primary restaurant, focuses on Mediterranean-themed cuisine. You may taste farm-fresh fruits and vegetables. Don’t forget about the delectableness of outstanding steaks and fresh seafood meals. The Cobalt Bar serves handmade drinks as well as an extensive wine list.
Moreover, in all 137 rooms, you may feel the impact of Spanish-Moorish décor. The rooms feature hefty furnishings that are predominantly dark crimson with gold trim. Armoires and velvet headboards complete the opulent, jeweled aesthetic.
Average Room Price: Under $100
Drive Time to Airport: 16 minutes
Number of Rooms: 0
Weddings Per Day: 1
All Inclusive: No
Adult Only: No
LGBTQ Friendly: Yes
Explore Venues and Packages →
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is an enchanting destination with a perfect setting for a memorable wedding. Located in Miami, Florida, this historic estate showcases stunning architecture, magnificent gardens, and breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay.
This site is ideal for a Miami Beach or a beautiful garden wedding. The Vizcaya was built as a winter residence in 1922. It exudes a sense of calm that is uncommon in Miami. The management restored Vizcaya while retaining its former splendor in current times.
Vizcaya offers a calm setting that feels out of this planet amid the hectic metropolis of Miami. Walk along palm-lined walks to European-style gardens with enticing water features. The venue provides a lovely and private backdrop for weddings.
Make advantage of the garden since it is a place to show off. During the day, you can have a ceremony anywhere in the park. There are plenty of lovely spots to select from. The entire property is adorned with fountains, stone archways, carved walls, and other enticing elements.
It makes an excellent backdrop for a wedding photoshoot. Sunset wedding photography looks fantastic here since it bathes the entire venue in golden light. There’s also the inner courtyard, surrounded by a great glass roof. You may attend an elegant wedding reception with cocktail hours here.
Average Room Price: Under $100
Drive Time to Airport: 10 minutes
Number of Rooms: 0
Weddings Per Day: 1
All Inclusive: No
Adult Only: No
LGBTQ Friendly: Yes
Explore Venues and Packages →
The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, located in Key West, Florida, is a remarkable venue that offers a unique and enchanting setting for a destination wedding. It holds tremendous appeal for couples seeking a distinctive and memorable wedding experience.
It previously housed famed author Ernest Hemingway and is now available for weddings and other celebrations. The lush greenery in the gardens here is a tremendous delight for the senses. Growing here are ginger, jasmine, gardenias, and hibiscus. Take in the visual splendor of vivid colors and the freshness of flowers in the evening wind.
The venue is excellent for small weddings with fewer than 100 attendees. It has an in-ground pool that makes a fantastic backdrop for wedding pictures.
This colonial-style mansion is situated on one acre of ground in the center of Key West. It’s a popular wedding site in Florida because of its tropical flora, stunning flowers, and lush foliage. It has a deep history, delicate beauty, and romantic and timeless elegance, making it a perfect wedding setting.
Three event rooms are available so that you can hold your ceremony in one location and your reception in another. Because the entire region is in a tranquil natural environment, there are various options for unforgettable moments and breathtaking images.
About Destination Weddings in Florida
Why Get Married in Florida
If you want to get married in a tropical paradise, Florida will offer you the perfect destination to tie the knot. Here you’ll find options for full-blown reception parties as well as simple beach ceremonies.
Many resorts offer destination wedding in Florida all inclusive, which means you don’t have to run around to arrange things. Just buy a pre-made package and enjoy your special day to the fullest.
The location you select will impact the number of guests you can invite, your budget, and timing. For example, if you select a beach, you wouldn’t want to hold the wedding reception at late hours.
Average Cost of a Destination Wedding in Florida
On average, your destination wedding in Florida all inclusive will cost between $15,000 and $30,000.
Of course, this depends on a lot of factors. For example, what kind of venue you’re looking for, how many guests you want to invite, and how many days you want the events to go on.
An elopement package for just the bride and groom would cost you about $250 which will include the filling of the marriage license and the ceremony officiant.
If you want to add a photography session to it, the costs will go up to $500. As you add guests, accommodation, and additional events, the costs go up dramatically.
Legal Requirements for Weddings in Florida
Legal Weddings vs. Symbolic Weddings
If you sign the legal documents and get married in Florida, it’s a legal wedding or a civil wedding. However, if you get married in your home country and then come to Florida for the ceremony, it will be a symbolic wedding.
While symbolic weddings are hassle-free and less expensive (because there’s no paperwork involved), civil weddings hold a special charm because the legal date of your marriage is also the same date you hold the ceremony.
For a symbolic wedding, you have to arrive about 2 days before the wedding. However, for a civil wedding, you have to arrive at least 4 days before so you can take care of the paperwork.
Required Legal Documents & Cost
A county court judge of the circuit court issues the marriage license in Florida. You need to obtain a marriage license that’s valid for 60 days. The marriage ceremony should be performed before the 60-day time elapses.
Here are the documents you need to get a marriage license:
- A picture ID: This could be a state ID card, a driver’s license, or a passport.
- Social security numbers
- Divorce papers or death certificate of previous spouse if applicable
You also need to carry the required fee. The typical marriage license fee is $93.50. However, if you complete a licensed pre-marital course, it will be $32.50
Same-sex marriage is recognized in Florida.
Legal Marriage Timeline
Here is what you need to do to get married in Florida:
1. Collect the documents for a marriage license.
2. Apply for a marriage license. You can apply at the Court County office in Florida.
3. Once you get the marriage license, you have 60 days to hold the ceremony.
4. Hold the ceremony at the selected venue. Most venues can handle the legal paperwork for you.
You can also get the marriage license by mail. However, you’ll need to apply for it at least 45 days before the wedding.
Florida Destination Wedding Planning Tips
How to Get There
By airplane
The major airports of Florida are Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Jacksonville, and West Palm Beach.
All major U.S. airlines fly to and from these airports. Some of them are United Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Airfares are generally high during spring break and Christmas months.
By train
The main service provider is Amtrak. You can get off at Miami station or Jacksonville. There are also services running through Tampa and Orlando.
By car
Driving to Florida is pretty easy as there are three interstate highways connecting to the state. There are a lot of resting places and motels along the way.
By boat
The major ports of the state are Orlando, Miami, Palm Beach, Tampa, St Petersburg, Fort Lauderdale, and Jacksonville.
Florida Weather
Florida is called the Sunshine state for a good reason. It gets plenty of sun all around the year. The winters are short and mild, and the summers are long and hot.
The place gets particularly humid from May to October and dry from December to February when it gets slightly cold.
If you’re looking for a destination wedding in Florida all inclusive, keep in mind that Florida has the mildest winters in the continental U.S. states.
Budgeting Tips
- Miami International Airport is expensive. As an alternative, you can fly to Fort Lauderdale airport which is around 30 miles away from Miami Beach.
- Star Alliance, Sky Team, and One World offer air passes that can save you money.
- You can get rail passes from the official website of Amtrak.
Best Time of Year to Get Married in Florida
The months of spring (March and April) and fall (September and October) are the best to get married in Florida. Since the weather in these months is pleasant, you’ll have the perfect destination wedding.
However, if you want to save money, you can visit the state in January as the airfares are lowest in this month.
Looking for some other destinations? Check out our detailed guides on Lake Como and Tuscany wedding destinations.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
