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.