Key West is the southernmost point in the US. It invites guests with colorful pastel conch-style houses and lively entertainment, it attracts tourists by land, air, and sea. If you plan a Key West wedding be prepared that you probably will not be the only one getting married that day. It is a prime location for weddings. Once a fishing town and place for artists and those that look for an unconventional lifestyle, Key West is mainly catering to visitors today. It is still one of a kind city and a special place like no other.

If you are looking for a fun place to go with all-night-long entertainment, love boating, snorkeling, or fishing, Key West will not disappoint you.

Key West Wedding cost

Our wedding packages in Key West are substantially more than at other locations. Why? We have to travel to the Keys and it is a 9-hour one-way drive for us. Therefore we have to calculate for each wedding a three-day minimum where we can not book any other event. We have to also calculate our travel costs including mileage, gas, accommodation, and food.

Florida Keys & Key West Wedding Packages

Currently we do not offer any packages.
If you are interested, please ask for an exclusive offer.

Your Key West Wedding on the beach has some limitations.  There is really only one public beach suitable for weddings that don’t have a site fee or permit. Smather’s Beach is a thin stretch of beach with palm trees and white sand and quite picturesque for photos. Because it is one of the few options there may be several weddings happening at the same time. For weddings, at Smather’s Beach, we recommend only weekday weddings and picking a date not on holidays or in prime season.  The other option is Fort Zachary State Park. It is a beautiful park for weddings but often booked years in advance even on weekdays. Fort Zachary will have specific regulations and also a site fee.

What other options do I have?

Alternative options for a Key West wedding are to celebrate your beach wedding at a private vacation home with beach access, or in one of the resorts that have a private beach. Please keep in mind that rental fees can be quite high.

Many travel catalogs and sites show beautiful white sandy beaches with palm trees advertising the Florida Keys. However, there are only a few public beaches available. A very nice beach in Marathon that we can recommend is Sombrero Beach. In Key Largo, Harry Harris Park, or Rowell’s Waterfront Park may be an option if you don’t expect a larger sandy beach. Overall we recommend planning your wedding at a hotel or resort if you are expecting more than 20 guests.

With Key West rated as one of the prime destinations for weddings, you will find a wide selection of facilities, restaurants, and hotels that offer space for any size of event. We have had weddings at the Southernmost Beach Resort, Hemingway Home and Museum, and at the Casa Marina Key West Waldorf Astoria Hotel

If you are looking for a restaurant for a romantic candlelight dinner or dinner reservations for a small group we can recommend Louis Backyard and Latitude’s Restaurant.

We will be happy to assist you with the planning of your reception.

Planning a Key West wedding in the summer is like putting on a winter jacket in 80 degrees weather. It can be very hot and humid.  We have been planning weddings in Key West for over 15 years and summer is not a favorable time to celebrate your special day. There is a big chance that mountains of seaweed are washed ashore during the summer months. While they do try to clean the beach as much as possible, seaweed has been a major problem in Miami and Key West the past years. It is very smelly and can be unbearable. We recommend late autumn, winter, or spring months for a Key West wedding on Smather’s Beach, where the climate is milder and seaweed usually not a problem.

Dreaming of a Longboat Key beach wedding surrounded by turquoise blue ocean and white sand?  We believe this little sleepy Island is perfect for a wedding and still a hidden gem. Longboat Key has only a small selection of hotels and accommodations. However, because of that, the island has an overall more hometown feel.  Longboat Key is located north of Sarasota and south of Anna Maria Island. It stretches along the Gulf of Mexico and offers natural pristine beaches. In addition, they are not as crowded as Anna Maria Island or Siesta Key. The island offers a beautiful setting for a romantic beach wedding.

Although you may not find a lot of accommodations directly on Longboat Key, Sarasota, Bradenton, and Anna Maria Island have plenty to offer. One of the resorts we can recommend and previously had weddings at is the Zota Beach Resort on Longboat Key. Not to mention, the resort is only a 5-minute drive by car from our beach access.

If you are planning a Longboat Key Beach wedding, we are here to help. It is one of our favorite beaches for a smaller intimate wedding. The beach access we often use has not yet been discovered by many regular beachgoers. This is why it is absolutely fantastic for a wedding. Equally important the beach has beautiful natural surroundings and wildlife like birds and dolphins. In addition, a wooden boardwalk is leading out on the beach and provides another great background for photos. Having a Longboat Key Beach wedding during sunset will not disappoint you.

Another public beach access is Bayfront Park and several smaller entrances with limited parking. If you book accommodations along the Gulf of Mexico a private beach entrance may also be available to use.

Depending on the size of your event, Longboat Key has several options to have your reception or dinner. Some examples are the Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant, Dry Dock Waterfront Grille, and Shore.

For very small weddings and candlelight dinners, some restaurant options are the Maison Blanche, Euphemia Haye, and La Norma. Longboat Key has a fantastic selection of upscale restaurants perfect for a romantic wedding dinner.

An alternative option if you don’t wish to have your reception in a restaurant or facility is a private chef or catering at your vacation home. Just make sure the owners are Ok with you having the reception on-premises. We can help with all the details of catering and decoration at your vacation home.

To celebrate a Longboat Key beach wedding you will need a beach permit if wedding decoration is desired.  Some examples are a wedding arch or chairs for guest seating. Smaller groups without any decorations will usually not need a permit. If you book one of our Longboat Key Beach wedding packages, we will apply for your permit. Parking at our favorite beach location is free. Other beaches in Longboat Key may or may not have metered parking.

Cocoa Beach is known for its surf breaks and a prime destination for Spring Breakers. But if you are not traveling during this time, a Cocoa Beach wedding can be very beautiful and tranquil. Cocoa Beach is also the closest beach to Orlando if you are planning a city stay but wish to have a beach wedding. We use a spot for a wedding away from the hustle and bustle a little south of the city.  Melbourne and Palm Bay also have many public beaches and beach parks available for your event.

Private vacation homes along the Atlantic Ocean with beach access will almost guarantee you that nobody will crash your wedding.

Cocoa Beach is quite a wide beach and is known for surfing and waves. The sand is a darker color and not as fine as it is on the West Coast of Florida. Our usual spot for Cocoa Beach Weddings offers plenty of parking and has no large hotels or housing in the background. With sea oats and dunes and quite some spectacular waves at times, it is a very natural beach. You may find some people fishing, sunbathing, or surfing, but we never experienced it overcrowded. Another plus, parking is free and we currently don’t have to pull a permit.

Other possible locations for your Cocoa Beach Wedding are Leon Cocoa Beach Parking closer to the pier, Lori Wilson Park, and smaller beach parking lots suitable for weddings with less than 10 people.

At Satellite Beach we have been using Pelican Beach Park for weddings and they also offer picnic pavilions for rent. This spot can be busy on weekends. Further South towards Melbourne you can find plenty of more beach parks and public beaches that are possibilities to hold your beach wedding ceremony.

Along the coast from Cocoa Beach down to Palm Bay and Vero Beach, you find resorts and hotels, restaurants, and facilities where you can plan your reception. Some examples in Cocoa Beach are Cocoa Beach Pier and Indian River Queen Boat. In Vero Beach, we have been working with the Costa d’Este Beach Resort that is a good option for a smaller wedding. There are plenty more and we will be happy to assist you in finding the perfect spot for your beach wedding.

Reception at the vacation home.

South of Cocoa Beach on the Atlantic Ocean you find many smaller communities that have vacation home rentals directly on the beach available. Many of them have private beach access. If you celebrate a smaller wedding why not celebrate at your vacation home? We are happy to assist with catering or private chef options for your homespun reception. Just keep in mind this is usually only an option for very small weddings and you will have to get permission from the owners.

Some beaches in Cocoa Beach down to Vero Beach will need a beach permit and varies from location to location. If you have a specific beach in mind we can contact the park or city and ask for requirements and possible fees.

Naples is the Beverly Hills of Florida. You will find exclusive five-star hotels and resorts, classy restaurants, and extravagant boutiques along 5th Ave. Naples is known for its sugar-white beaches, clear water, and very quaint and beautifully maintained neighborhoods. Along the coastline, you will find multi-million dollar mansions and estates. There are numerous public beach entrances north and south of the pier that may be used for smaller weddings. Whether you wish to celebrate your wedding at one of the resorts, at a private estate, or keep it more simple on a public beach, Naples beach weddings are certainly beautiful and romantic.

A beach wedding in Naples can be held at almost any public beach access. We love the area south of the pier as it is usually less crowded. Nestled in between villas and estates there are many options. The closer, you get to the pier as more people will be on the beach. North of the pier you find also several public beach entrances that are available for weddings. Naples can be very quaint during the week towards sunset, you may find yourself almost alone on the beach.  As with almost all the beaches in Florida, they will be packed on weekends and holidays.

Other beach locations in Naples that can be used for weddings are Lowdermilk Park, Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park, Vedado and Horizon Way, and the famous 8th Ave South Wedding Park.  “The Wedding Park” is a prime location and booked often a year in advance on weekends. There is no direct parking so you either have to park at the pier parking lot and walk or have guests shuttled. In addition, we will have to add an extra setup fee for decoration since we are not able to park our vehicle at the location. All other areas have mostly public metered parking available.

Naples has a wide selection of restaurants, resorts, and hotels where you can celebrate your reception. But be prepared,  Naples is in the upper price range when it comes to weddings, especially at prestigious beach resorts. For smaller weddings, some restaurants we can recommend are Bayside Seafood Grille and bar, M Waterfront Grille, and Baleen Restaurant located in the La Playa Golf and Beach Resort.

Reception at the vacation home.

Another option if you don’t wish to have your reception in a restaurant or facility is a private chef or catering at your vacation home. Just make sure the owners are Ok with you having the reception on-premises. We can help with all the details of catering and decoration at your vacation home.

To celebrate your Naples beach wedding all public beaches require a permit for weddings of over 6 people or where decoration will be set up. For Naples Beach including 8th Ave S, the fee for non-residents is currently $165 per hour with a max. of 3 hours and up to 50 people. In addition, there is a $50 damage deposit required that will be refunded. Delnor Wiggins Pass may or may not have a permit fee, depending on guest count and if a pavilion is rented. Small weddings with under 10 and some decorations usually will not need to pay for a permit, however, parking and entrance fees per person have to be paid.

St Pete Beach has a long stretch of beach with the northern part mainly occupied by resorts and hotels. One landmark in St Pete Beach is the Don Cesar Resort and in fact a prime location for weddings. If you are traveling further south of the Don Cesar you find the historic beach district of Pass a Grille. In contrast to the St Pete Beach northern part, Pass a Grille has mainly private housing, smaller restaurants, and hotels.

Thinking of a St Pete Beach wedding?

With plenty of white sand and dunes, St Pete Beach truly offers beautiful scenery. Depending on the season and the weather the beach can be a little narrower in some spots. In general, expect the public Beach access in St Pete Beach and Pass a Grille to be crowded on weekends and holidays. It is a prime location for regular beachgoers. We recommend holding weddings on weekdays if possible and towards sunset when most regular beach guests have already left.

A St Pete Beach wedding can be held at many public locations. For most of our St Pete Beach weddings, we use the beach at Pass a Grille. Besides that, another popular spot is next to the Don Cesar Resort. The southern end of St. Pete Beach is often less crowded. Wooden walkways are leading out to the beach and there is plenty of metered parking available. The northern stretch of St. Pete Beach has also public beach access points that may be used for weddings. However, you often find a lot of beach guests at those locations.

The beach stretches from St. Pete Beach to Clearwater approx. 25 miles with many resorts and hotels along the shoreline. Besides St PeteBeach, towns like Treasure Island, Redington Beach, Indian Shores, and Indian Rocks Beach, are also locations where your wedding can take place. Sunset Beach in Treasure Island is public and an option for a wedding ceremony. Another option in St. Pete is Fort de Soto State Park and beach and offers picnic pavilions and grill sites.

There is a big selection of accommodations along the shoreline to celebrate your St Pete beach wedding. Most of them will either offer ceremony and receptions on-premises or we are also often able to just use the beach area right next to the hotel for smaller ceremonies.

Things to remember

Most of the beach is public and not privately owned. However, several private walkways that are leading out to the beach can not be used unless you are a guest there. So some beach areas are not accessible for us to use and bring equipment on the beach. We encourage couples that arrive with more guests to hold the wedding and reception at the same place. Another option is to book guest transportation from the hotel to the ceremony and reception. We previously had couples celebrating their wedding at the Don Cesar Resort, Sirata Beach Resort, Bellewether Beach Resort, Postcard Inn, and many other hotels in the area. As long as they allow outside vendors we will be able to coordinate your event.

Reception at a St Pete Beach vacation home.

Another option if you don’t wish to have your reception in a restaurant or facility is a private chef or catering at your vacation home. Just make sure the owners are Ok with you having the reception on-premises. We can help with all the details of catering and decoration at your vacation home.

To celebrate your St Pete beach wedding on a public beach we have to apply for a permit. Usually, if you celebrate your wedding at a hotel or resort we will not need a public beach permit. However, in order to use the hotel beach additional fees set forth by the facility will apply. With this in mind, the Ceremony fees can be quite steep depending on the chosen hotel. If you wish for a very simple St Pete Beach wedding without decoration no permits are necessary as long as they stay under 10 people. Most larger weddings with or without decoration will need a permit.

Sanibel Island is located in southwest Florida and can easily be reached by car.  Your Sanibel Island beach wedding can be held in one of the resorts, at public beaches, or private vacation rentals. In addition to lodgings on the island, neighboring cities like Cape Coral or Fort Myers offer plenty of guest accommodations.

Sanibel Island is known for its natural beaches and great shelling. Perfect for couples that are looking for tranquility, nature, and relaxation. Over  40% of Sanibel Island is wildlife protected. Visitors can find many different birds and animals on Sanibel Island. Furthermore, water and air temperatures are pleasant year-round.

Sanibel Island is a top beach wedding destination for eloping couples. Our favorite resort that we are working with is the Casa Ybel Resort. No matter if you are celebrating with just the two of you or with guests, the resort is a fantastic location for any size wedding or event.

If you plan a Sanibel Island beach wedding, a permit is required on all public beaches. While at most beaches some basic regulations apply, Sanibel Island enforces stricter rules for weddings. The first and most impacting is that neither fresh nor silk flowers are allowed. Only a bridal bouquet may be carried. This will restrict decoration options greatly. Secondly, while you can set up folding chairs for guests, no benches or tables are permitted.  Thirdly, the wedding arch must be a light structure that doesn’t need to be dug in the sand. In addition, some basic other beach restrictions will apply.

Possible beaches that are public to celebrate a Sanibel Island beach wedding are:

• Lighthouse Beach with restricted decoration
• Gulfside City Park without decoration
• Bowman’s Beach without decoration
• Blind Pass Park with restricted decoration
• Any other private beach access that can be used with your vacation rental or resort.

Since tighter restrictions apply, it is necessary to make adjustments to our regular decoration. An example set up could be a two-pole Bamboo wedding arch with sheers, exchange fresh flower arch decoration with some starfish and seashells, lanterns down the aisle, and seating with folding chairs for guests.

One solution is to choose our Casa Ybel Resort package.  Alternatively, other hotels on Sanibel Island may be an option for your wedding. Celebrating your Sanibel Island beach wedding at a resort can have many plus points, in particular when it comes to decoration and design. But also a big plus is that you have your wedding in one spot and can also plan the reception right there without guests having to travel or drive anywhere else.

Unless you are celebrating your Sanibel Island Beach wedding and reception at one of the resorts like the Casa Ybel, a regular restaurant might be an option for you. We have had couples dining at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar, The Mad Hatter Restaurant, The Sandbar, and Bimini Bate Shack across the bridge to Sanibel Island. If you are planning a small Sanibel Island beach wedding we gladly make dinner reservations for you.

Reception at the vacation home.

Another option if you don’t wish to have your reception in a restaurant or facility is a private chef or catering at your vacation home. Just make sure the owners are Ok with you having the reception on-premises. We can help with all the details of catering and decoration at your vacation home.

Clearwater Beach is a prime destination for a beach wedding. Many visitors to Florida will make a stop at Clearwater. From luxury resorts to smaller hotels you will find a large selection of accommodations in Clearwater. Clearwater also has some nightlife with clubs and bars and beachside casual restaurants. This may be especially attractive to our younger couples. With the proximity to Tampa, Clearwater Beach is easy to reach for eloping couples.

Celebrate your Clearwater Beach wedding on the Gulf of Mexico and enjoy spectacular sunsets.

For our Clearwater Beach weddings, we often use beach access on Avalon. There is usually plenty of parking available. It is also within walking distance from the Sandpearl Resort. Other spots along Clearwater Beach are available including next to the Opal Sands Resort. All areas South of the Clearwater Pier are always more crowded, especially on weekends.
Sand Key Park is across the bridge and South of Clearwater Beach and is also an option for beach weddings.

Other beaches close by.

If you travel a little further south of Clearwater Beach we can also recommend Indian Rocks Beach for your beach wedding.
Traveling North of Clearwater is the city of Dunedin and Honeymoon Island. Honeymoon Island is a nature preserve. Honeymoon Island can be crowded on weekends or holidays and sometimes there is not much beach left due to erosion. Caladesi Island is truly a gem and can only be reached by ferry or boat. We offer only weddings without decoration in Caladesi.

Another option for a Clearwater beach wedding is Sand Key Park. Sand Key Park has a pretty wide sandy beach and is usually less crowded than Clearwater Beach. However, due to the distance to the water, we can not set up close to the water’s edge. There are also beach chairs and rentals available that can compromise the background depending on the time the wedding is taking place. Sand Key Park also offers picnic pavilions that can be rented in the parking area.

A Clearwater Beach wedding with reception can be held in many of the resorts. We have been working with the Sand Pearl Resort and Opal Sands as well as with the Sheraton Sand Key Resort. If you are celebrating a small beach wedding with less than 10 guests we can make dinner reservations for you. Very nice is the Columbian Restaurant on Sand Key with water views and outdoor seating.

Reception at the vacation home.

Another option if you don’t wish to have your reception in a restaurant or facility is a private chef or catering at your vacation home. Just make sure the owners are Ok with you having the reception on-premises. We can help with all the details of catering and decoration at your vacation home.

To celebrate a Clearwater Beach wedding you are required to have a beach permit. You also have to pull a permit for Sand Key Park weddings and Honeymoon Island. Currently, the only beach close to Clearwater that will not need a permit is Indian Rocks Beach. If you book your wedding with us we will cover the permit application and also provide the insurance if applicable.

Beach Restrictions

Not allowed on beaches in Clearwater is alcohol, open fire, helium or regular balloons and artificial rose petals, confetti, and other non-biodegradable throwing material.

Anna Maria Island is one of our favorite locations for a beach wedding. You will not find any high-rise buildings, large resorts, or restaurant chains on the island. Anna Maria Island is perfect for a romantic elopement, a family vacation, and can pleasantly accommodate wedding parties of any size. Not to mention a wide selection of vacation home rentals, Airbnb, and condos for rent on the island. In addition, smaller hotels, cottages, and resorts offer charming and romantic accommodations. Anna Maria Island has seen a notable increase in tourism over the years. But after all, it is still one of the most beautiful little Islands in Florida.

Where is Anna Maria Island?

Anna Maria Island is located on the west coast of Florida between St. Petersburg and Sarasota. The two closest airports are Sarasota or Tampa.

A beach wedding on Anna Maria Island can be held at almost any beach. Our most used beach is Coquina Beach. The southern end of the Island has no buildings or houses in the backdrop. It is a perfect spot for a beach wedding. At the southern tip of Coquina Beach swimming is not allowed. Not only will this keep most regular beach guests further north but also makes it an ideal spot to have your wedding. In addition, you find many picnic pavilions in the parking area that can be rented. Pavillions can be used for small informal receptions after the ceremony with some finger food and drinks.

Other beaches on Anna Maria Island that can be used for weddings are Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, Bean Point, or Bayfront Park. If you are renting a vacation home on the beach in Anna Maria Island we can hold the ceremony at that location. Keep in mind that some of the beach entrances are busier than others. If you like to have your wedding at Bean Point we will not be able to bring decoration unless you are renting a home there with access to the beach.

We are working with many restaurants and banquet facilities on the island. If you are planning a reception or have more guests we recommend having your wedding and reception in one place. We are working together with the Beach House Restaurant, Sandbar Restaurant, and other local restaurants. On the other hand, if you are celebrating a small beach wedding we are happy to make dinner reservations for you. Very nice for a romantic upscale dinner is the Beach Bistro on Anna Maria Island.

Reception at the vacation home.

Another option if you don’t wish to have your reception in a restaurant or facility is a private chef or catering at your vacation home. Just make sure the owners are Ok with you having the reception on-premises. We can help with all the details of catering and decoration at your vacation home.

To celebrate your beach wedding on Anna Maria Island all beaches require a beach permit. In addition, there are different permits to pull with different entities on Anna Maria Island. Therefore pricing and beach rules may vary. Coupled with that, many locations will also require liability insurance. If you book your wedding with us we will cover the permit application and also provide liability insurance.

Anna Maria Island wedding restrictions

Not allowed on beaches in Anna Maria Island is alcohol, open fire, helium or regular balloons and artificial rose petals, confetti, and other non-biodegradable throwing material.