Florida Keys weddings have there own unique vibe that is like no other place on earth! They’re full of excitement and romance, and they provide a unique and memorable experience for couples who choose to tie the knot with an island vibe. And if you’re researching how to get married in Florida Keys, you’ve come to the right place!
I'll walk you through the process of getting hitched in the Florida Keys step-by-step, from obtaining a marriage license to choosing the perfect venue. I’ll also provide some tips on what to expect on your big day. But most importantly, I'll share with you some of my secrets on how to get married in the Florida Keys in the most memorable way possible!
HOW TO GET MARRIED IN Florida Keys:
THE COMPLETE GUIDE
There are several things you need to do to get married in the Florida Keys.
Thankfully, they’re all pretty easy to do. Let’s start with making it official!
#1 – MAKING IT OFFICIAL
The first and probably the most important step in any guide on how to get married in Florida Keys is getting a Florida County marriage license. There are three court houses in the Florida Keys that you can visit; Tavernier, Marathon, and Key West. You can do this by visiting one of these offices at least three (3) days before your big day if you are a Florida resident or up to the day of your wedding for out of state couples. The court houses are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 PM and I like to suggest you call a few days a head of time to make an appointment.
One Florida county, Saint Lucie, is still offering virtual appointment for marriage license. This is a great way for out of state couples to grab their marriage license before they travel to the Florida Keys.
Once you’ve figured out if you meet all of the requirements, you can proceed with getting your license. Thankfully, even though this sounds really official, it’s actually pretty easy too. You just need to fill out an application form, and you’re done! You can do this online or offline.
Both of you must be present when claiming the license, and you’ll need to provide identification again. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
Here’s what you need to bring when you go to the court house:
Federal or state identification card showing your name and date of birth, such as a driver license or passport (birth certificates are not accepted)
Social Security number
Cost: $86 cash or credit card
Now that you know how to get married in Florida Keys legally, it’s time to start planning the rest of your beach wedding!
#2 – CHOOSING THE PERFECT VENUE
If you’re looking for information on how to get married with your toes in the sand, choosing a venue for your wedding is probably the most IMPORTANT decision you’ll make! There are two major choices here in the Florida Keys: either in a resort or private vacation home. And both come with their own unique characteristics.
WATER FRONT RESORTS
If you’re asking how to get married in the Florida Keys in a stress-free place, then getting hitched in a full service resort is probably your best bet. If you and your guest are planning on staying in a hotel room, then getting married at one of these venues will save you both time and money on transportation.
Most of these hotels offer top-notch services and great amenities. In a lot of cases, the luxury and ease of these waterfront resorts is what got couples asking how to get married in the Florida Keys in the first place. Just look at these fabulous Marathon Florida Keys resorts
Most resorts will charge you a service fee on top of the wedding charges so make sure you ask what this is and calculate this into your budget.
PRIVATE BEACH VACATION HOMES
If, on the other hand, you’re on the hunt for how to get married in the Keys on a completely private beach and turn your destination wedding into a vacation, then you might want to consider getting married in a beach vacation rental. You can shock your guests with a unique Florida Keys wedding that you might have thought would be only for the very rich.
Vacation homes are rented for a minimum of 3-7 nights and are more affordable than you think. Some homes for destination weddings can be 4-12 bedroom estates, sleeping 10- 24 guests. If you and your guests were looking to spend several nights in a fine hotel or resort, than you can transform your destination wedding into a romantic celebration where you are the only guests.
Some surprise pros of a private vacation home wedding include having your accommodations and site all in one cost. You can stretch your wedding budget to host multiple wedding events and even BYOB. Start off with a bachelor/bachelorette day during your stay and end with a farewell brunch.
Not all vacation rentals in the Florida Keys allows for weddings and events. Make sure you do your research or connect with an expert before committing your wedding to a beach home.
WHAT ABOUT THE RECEPTION?
I offer personal reception or post-ceremony celebration recommendations to all of my clients. Most resorts will offer a reception option with dinner and bar services priced per person. Vacation beach estates offer the option to personalize dinner from intimate chef catered to more relaxed island vibe. Beach homes also offer the cost savings to BYOB your own bar.
For smaller wedding reception ideals, look for a private to semi-private dinning area at a local restaurant. Most Florida Keys restaurants will not take reservations for large parties so connect with an expert to help find you the right fit.
#3 – FINDING THE RIGHT VENDORS
If you’re asking how to get married in the Florida Keys while minimizing all the wedding stress, then the answer is simple: work with the right vendors!
Your wedding vendors are going to be the back bone of your wedding. They’ll be responsible for major parts of your wedding so, you absolutely have to take the time to find vendors you can trust.
Review sites and websites are a great way to start your vendor research. Connecting with a wedding planner early on is one of the best ways to gain local insight that can help you avoid major mistakes that can cost you money.
Even better yet, choosing all-inclusive wedding packages provide you with all the vendors you need without all the time and hassle of doing that research yourself.
STILL NOT SURE ABOUT GETTING MARRIED
IN THE FLORIDA KEYS?
Warm winters and amazing trade winds that regulate the air temperature year round, rarely getting over 90 degrees, it's no surprise the Florida Keys is the US #1 spot for destination weddings.
There is also so much to do in Marathon and the Florida Keys outside of getting married! From deep sea fishing to snorkeling, cable parks, beaches, waterfront restaurants, and so much more.
Now that you know how to get married in the Keys all that’s left to do is start planning! So, why wait?
Get in touch with me, and I’ll get started on what you need right away!