Florida has long been one of the top places for destination weddings. It allows the wedding party and guests to feel a world away while never having to leave the country, and the mild climate and beautiful surroundings make it perfect for a beach wedding. There’s plenty of beaches and resorts that play host to weddings every year. Here are some of the top ones to consider.
8 Perfect Florida Beaches for Weddings
1. Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers Beach is famed for its “sugar sand,” making it perfect for a barefoot wedding on its miles of beach. In addition to the romance, there will also be plenty to entertain guests from out of town — everything from watersports to dolphin spotting.
2. Naples
As one of the wealthiest cities in the state and with a resident Ritz Carlton and Waldorf Astoria, this southwestern Florida town doesn’t lack in luxury. It’s turquoise waters and white sand beaches, as well as the gazebo overlooking the ocean at Naples Beach, make it a beautiful spot to get married.
3. St. Pete Beach
With just a $25 permit required, it’s easy to get married at St. Pete Beach. The coastal city is located on the western coast of Florida on Long Key, a barrier island bordering the Gulf of Mexico. Possibly the best place to get married in St. Pete Beach is Pass-A-Grille Beach, an area with no high-rise buildings, hotels or restaurants.
4. Treasure Island
Nearby St. Pete, also on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico lies Treasure Island, not an island itself but a city on a barrier island. Besides having no wedding permit fee, Treasure Island also has an extremely wide beach, with 3 miles of white sand. If you’re hauling out the chairs for your guests yourself, it can be quite the trek, but it also adds to the feeling of seclusion.
5. Indian Rocks Beach
Indian Rocks Beach is a small beach village located on a barrier island on the gulf coast of Florida. There’s no fee to get a wedding permit, and the town is also free of big resorts. Instead, rent a few cute beach cottages to get married next to, and hold your reception outside or in one of the town’s many restaurants.
6. Clearwater Beach
Though nearby to Indian Rocks, Clearwater Beach is almost the opposite. There are many resorts, frequent beach volleyball tournaments, and lots of families and spring breakers on vacation. If you’re looking for a bit busier place to host your wedding — and plenty to entertain guests in the days before and after the ceremony — this is the place, but make sure to watch out for photobombers.
7. Siesta Key
Siesta Key is one of the most popular Florida wedding destinations (which unfortunately means you have to fork over $185 for a permit). Rent a condo or house along the shores of this beach, which has been voted one of America’s most beautiful, and host a reception there or in town at a restaurant.
8. Miami Beach
Though the rest of the places on this list are mainly romantic getaways, for those looking for somewhere they can host their wedding and bachelor/bachelorette parties, Miami is clearly the place. Pick a resort to host the wedding at, or get a permit and get married on the public beach or a park overlooking it.
This article was written by Isabella Sayyah.