Planning Your Destination Wedding

A destination wedding in the Florida Keys offers a truly memorable and romantic experience, inspiring excitement and confidence in your planning journey.

Your complete guide includes expert tips and professional services to help you feel supported and confident throughout your planning.

 

1. How to Plan a Destination Wedding in the Florida Keys

The Destination Wedding Plan starts with a clear roadmap. Here’s how to create a smooth, stress-free experience from start to finish.

Step 1: Choose Your Wedding Style:

I’ll walk you through each wedding style, such as beach, boat, sandbar, and sunset, so you can confidently choose the one that best reflects your vision.

 

Beach Wedding — For the Romantic, Relaxed, and Nature-Loving Couple

 

 

A Boat Wedding is truly one-of-a-kind — imagine saying your vows surrounded by endless blue water, far from crowds, with the sky and ocean blending into one.

💞 Best For Couples Who Want:

• A private, intimate ceremony with no strangers around
• A sense of adventure without losing comfort
• A luxurious “exclusive experience”
• A built-in scenic cruise after the ceremony

Why It’s Special:

No two boat weddings look alike. Every moment feels cinematic, and the changing water, clouds, and light make your ceremony feel alive.

Photo Style:

Grand, dramatic, cinematic.

If you want a private celebration and unforgettable ocean views, choose a boat wedding.

 

Boat Wedding — For Couples Who Want Privacy, Adventure & Unforgettable Views

 

 

A Boat Wedding is truly one-of-a-kind — imagine saying your vows surrounded by endless blue water, far from crowds, with the sky and ocean blending into one.

💞 Best For Couples Who Want:

• A private, intimate ceremony with no strangers around
• A sense of adventure without losing comfort
• A luxurious “exclusive experience”
• A built-in scenic cruise after the ceremony

Why It’s Special:

No two boat weddings look alike. Every moment feels cinematic, and the changing water, clouds, and light make your ceremony feel alive.

Photo Style:

Grand, dramatic, cinematic.

If you want a private celebration and unforgettable ocean views, choose a boat wedding.

 

Sandbar Wedding — For the Adventurous Couple Who Loves Unique Experiences

 

 

If the idea of standing in crystal-clear, knee-deep water while exchanging vows excites you, then a Sandbar Wedding is made for you.

💞 Best For Couples Who Want:

• A wedding that NO ONE has seen before
• A fun, adventurous, playful experience
• Photos that look straight out of a travel magazine
• A ceremony in shallow turquoise water

Why It’s Special:

This is the most unique wedding style in the Florida Keys. The sandbar becomes your private island — just you, the ocean, and the sky. The entire experience feels magical and surreal.

Photo Style:

Bright, tropical, Instagram-worthy, iconic.

If you love adventure and want a wedding story no one will forget, choose a sandbar wedding.

 

Sunset Wedding — For the Dreamers, Romantics & Love-at-First-Light Couples

 

 

A Sunset Wedding is the most emotional and romantic of all ceremony styles. As the sun lowers and the sky fills with warm golden and pastel hues, your wedding becomes a living painting.

💞 Best For Couples Who Want:

• Dramatic, glowing, unforgettable photos
• A soft, emotional ceremony atmosphere
• Cooler, comfortable weather
• Timeless “golden-hour” beauty

Why It’s Special:

Sunset is the most beautiful time of day in the Keys. The ocean reflects the sky, and every photo feels like a work of art. This is the moment most couples say, “This is what I’ve always imagined.”

Photo Style:

Golden, glowing, romantic, dramatic.

If you want breathtaking colours and a heart-melting atmosphere, choose a sunset wedding.

 

Step 2: Select Your Location

The Keys offer fantastic options:

• Quiet beaches (natural & romantic)
• Private boat charters (exclusive & intimate)
• Sandbars (unique shallow-water ceremonies)
• Waterfront parks/pier venues

Choose a location that suits your preferences and your guests’ requirements.

 

Step 3: Finalize Your Décor & Setup

Use themes like tropical, minimalist, nautical, sunset romance, or boho. Most couples keep décor simple to let the scenery shine.

 

Step 4: Arrange Travel & Accommodations

Share a guest guide with:

• Airport options (Miami, Key West, Marathon)
• Transportation recommendations
• Hotel & resort suggestions
• Activities in the Keys

 

Step 5: Build Your Wedding Day Timeline

A smooth Florida Keys ceremony follows this flow:

• Guest arrival
• Pre-ceremony photos
• Ceremony
• Post-ceremony portraits
• Celebration cruise or dinner

 

2. Florida Keys Weather Guide for Wedding Planning

The weather is one of the most significant factors in planning a destination wedding. Thankfully, the Keys have warm, tropical weather nearly year-round.

 

 

Wind & Sunlight Considerations

• Beach weddings: early evening is ideal
• Boat weddings: calmest seas in winter/spring
• Sandbar weddings: best during midday for crystal-clear water

Sunset Timing

Always verify the exact sunset time for your wedding month to ensure your ceremony occurs during the golden hour, enhancing your photos and atmosphere.

Check the Florida weather forecast to help you feel prepared and confident about choosing the best time for your wedding.

 

3. Budgeting for a Florida Keys Destination Wedding

 

 

Your wedding budget depends on your location, guest count, décor, and duration.

Typical Budget Breakdown

• Elopements: Lower-range
• Small beach weddings: Mid-range
• Boat weddings: Varies by charter size
• Sandbar weddings: Higher due to logistics
• Sunset weddings: Range depends on décor & photography

What Affects Your Costs

• Location: beach vs boat vs sandbar
• Charter duration (for boat weddings)
• Floral décor and theme
• Photography/videography
• Guest count
• Time of year (peak vs off-season)

Budget-Saving Tips

• Choose a weekday
• Book during off-season (May–Nov)
• Use natural décor (sea, sand, sunset)
• Opt for intimate ceremonies.

 

4.  Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Florida

Planning a destination wedding in the Florida Keys is exciting, and the good news is that the legal process is stress-free and straightforward. Whether you’re a Florida resident or traveling from out of state, here’s everything you need to know to make your marriage official.

Marriage License Requirements

To legally marry in Florida, you’ll need to obtain a marriage license from any Florida courthouse—it doesn’t have to be in the county where your wedding takes place. Your license is valid for 60 days, giving you plenty of time to plan your ceremony.

If you’re visiting from outside Florida, you’re in luck: there’s no waiting period, so your license becomes valid immediately upon issuance. There is a mandatory three-day waiting period for Florida residents. This can be waived if both applicants complete a minimum four-hour premarital course from a registered provider and present the certificate of completion when applying for the license.

Documents You Need to Bring

When applying for your marriage license, make sure to bring:

• Identification: Each person needs a valid form of ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID. The ID must confirm must be at least 18 years old.
• Social Security Numbers: You must provide your Social Security numbers when applying for the license.
• Previous Marriages: If previously married, you must provide the date the last marriage ended.
• Application: You must apply for and obtain a marriage license from a Florida county clerk’s office before the ceremony

No medical tests or notarized documents are required—just simple identification.

Who Can Officiate Your Wedding?

Florida offers flexibility in choosing your officiant. Your ceremony can be performed by:

• An authorized person, such as a judicial officer, a clerk of the circuit court, a notary public of Florida, or an ordained minister.
• Ordained ministers
• Authorized boat captains

Many charter companies in the Keys have licensed captains who can legally officiate weddings, making boat-and-sandbar ceremonies even more seamless. These vendors are familiar with the paperwork and can guide you through the process to ensure your ceremony is fully legal and stress-free.

 

5. Best Time of Year for a Beach or Boat Wedding in the Keys

 

 

Timing plays a significant role in your ceremony experience.

Best Overall Months: December – April

• Clear skies
• Low humidity
• Ideal for beach & boat weddings

Best Sunset Weddings: October – March

• Long, glowing sunsets
• Soft evening breezes

Best Budget-Friendly Months: May – November

• Lower hotel & travel rates
• Fewer crowds
• Beautiful weather with short afternoon showers

When to Avoid

• Late August–September (peak humidity + storm season)
• Holiday weeks (crowded, premium pricing)

 

6. Florida Keys Wedding Checklist

Here’s your complete step-by-step checklist for planning your Florida Keys wedding:

 

12–6 Months Before

• Choose wedding style (beach, boat, sandbar, sunset)
• Select your venue or charter.
• Secure your date & time.
• Research décor & photography
• Begin guest list planning.
• Reserve accommodations

 

6–3 Months Before

• Apply for a marriage license.
• Finalize décor & theme
• Book photographer & officiant
• Create a guest travel guide.
• Plan activities for guests

 

2 Months Before

• Confirm all vendors
• Send travel reminders
• FinaFinalize ceremony script
• Purchase wedding attire

 

1 Month Before

• Confirm timeline with vendors.
• Check the weather forecast trends.
• Prepare welcome bags (optional)

 

Wedding Week

• Pick up a marriage license.
• Do a final venue/boat walkthrough.
• Check sunset time for photos.
• Pack essentials (touch-up items, sunscreen, hair products)

Wedding Day

• Hydrate
• Take pre-ceremony photos
• Say “I do” in paradise.
• Enjoy your celebration cruise or dinner.

 

Conclusion

Planning a destination wedding in the Florida Keys can be simple, enjoyable, and completely personalized to your vision. With warm weather, stunning scenery, and flexible ceremony options—from beaches to boats to sandbars—your big day can be as intimate, adventurous, or romantic as you imagine.

Whether you’re budgeting your dream ceremony, choosing the perfect date, or navigating the legal steps, this guide gives you everything you need to plan confidently and stress-free.

And if you need help planning your Florida Keys wedding—we’re here for you.

We offer boat weddings, sandbar ceremonies, beach weddings, charter experiences, décor setup, and full planning assistance to make your dream day effortless and unforgettable.