10 Best Places to Elope in Florida (Elopement Guide 2024)
Everyone wants to pick the perfect location in Florida. Still, it’s up to you to decide whether you want a stunning beach location or would like to elope in a beautiful castle in Saint Augustine Style or even the theme parks in Orlando. Our research has cracked the bustle and found the best places to elope in Florida for you.
Let’s begin!
Best Places to Elope in Florida
1. Key West, FL
The continental United States Southernmost Subtropical Paradise, Key West Florida, attracts millions yearly.
It’s no wonder the beautiful climate, landscape, architecture, and unique history are unlike anywhere else in the States at only four miles long by two miles wide.
Key West is a small island and is considered the #1 best place to elope in Florida because of its island attraction, beauty, and charm.
If it’s your first time in Key West and you are anything, you might expect the most beautiful stretches of white, soft, sandy beaches. But that is not the case here due to the Coral Reef that extends from Key Largo to dry Tortuga’s National Park. The Reef provides natural beach formation because waves do not crash on shore here like in Mainland Florida. So, if you are looking for the best beaches as the best places to elope in Florida, Key West has three main beaches.
Also Read: Coral Reef Bleaching
Smathers Beach: The Largest public and long stretcher beach on the side of the Island. It is best for the couple with no crowd of family and friends when they are eloping.
Higgs Beach: A little bit smaller in length but rich in beauty and attractions with picturesque scenes. It is similar in that the water is calm and has palms, a playground pier, and a restaurant. It is the best place for couples who want their elopement photographs perfect on their wedding day.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park: There is an admission fee to get in here since it’s a state park; the Beach here is rougher, with more giant waves, and less sandy than the first two. There are rocks and shells under the water. The sunset view between brick staircases, archways, woodsy trails, and grassy fields makes it the best place to picture the elopement shoot.
2. Bramble Tree Estate, FL
Bramble Tree Estate is a sanctuary for young couples or those looking for the best place to elope in the beautiful landscapes of Sunshine State, Florida.
Related: Best Places to Live in Florida for Young Adults
It has the vibes to offer natural beauty; it is just an ideal place for those who want their elopement vows in a completely scenic area.
Between gardens lush with lively blooms, palm trees, and a fantastic pond scene with stunning sky views loaded with the shade of oak trees, Bramble Tree Estate proffers a romantic atmosphere for couples, letting them unveil their love to their candid life partners.
Whether it’s a private elopement only with the team or a small crowd of loved ones, Bramble Tree Estate has an ambiance of intimacy and charm to make it one of the best-kept secrets for couples striving for a fantastic elopement experience in excellent venues in Florida.
3. Miami Beach, FL
You can get to Miami Beach by taking the 120 bus from Miami for a little over $2. It is the fast and affordable way to get to the Island of Miami Beach.
Once here, you will have to take a stroll up and down the famous Miami Beach boardwalk. This walkway runs nearly 8 miles along Miami Beach’s oceanfront.
We recommend starting on 5th Street and walking down towards 23rd Street. It enables you to fully take in all the pretty palms and public areas that makeup Miami Beach.
It is lively with volleyball courts and outdoor gyms where you can lift weights or at least watch locals raise puppies. Along the walkway are plenty of cut-ins for you to walk onto the fantastic white sand beaches Miami Beach is known for.
If you are looking for somewhere to put on your elopement suit, there are public restrooms at 6th Street and 14th Street where you can change into beach attire.
The beaches are immaculate, with great sand and clear, warm waters. Chairs, umbrellas, a daybed, or something that interests you are available for rent for your elopement photographs if required.
4. Destin Florida, FL
Destin is a Gulf Coast City in Florida’s Western Panhandle between Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach to the west and Panama City to the East. This city offers visitors optimal weather conditions year-round and many fantastic sightseeing excursions.
Also Read: Best Places to Live in Florida Panhandle
Destin’s unique charm distinguishes it from other places to get elopements in Florida’s best locations. So plan your elopement occasion in Destin and experience all the exciting attractions and activities this beautiful city offers.
Destin, FL, is such a beautiful place to visit, get married, or honeymoon. If you are looking for where to get married in Destin, Florida, a beach house is a great place to start.
Crab Island has a family-friendly atmosphere and can easily be navigated by foot.
Crab Island is one of the most popular attractions and best elopement places in Destin on Florida’s Emerald Coast. During high tide, the salt water covers the Island to produce a tropical oasis.
Locals and tourists flock to this shallow sandbar on pontoons, wave runners, fishing boats, and even shuttle services. The obstacle courses, shallow emerald green waters, and floating bars are the reasons behind this most popular elopement places on the Gulf Coast.
The water depth is about 1-4 ft. in most areas on Crab Island. It’s the perfect place to anchor your boat and have a good time in the sun with your life partner!
6 Best places to elope in Destin, Florida
- Big Kahuna’s Water Park
- Henderson Beach State Park
- Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
- Destin Commons & Crystal Beach
- James Lee Park
- Dolphin Sunset Cruise
5. Amelia Island, FL
You are looking for a peaceful, warm tropical elopement gateway. Do you love the Florida Beach but not the busy tourist scene? You can have the best Florida and Tranquil when you elope in Amelia Island.
Located four and a half hours from Atlanta, just one hour outside Jacksonville, Amelia Island is part of the Barrier Islands Sea island chain off the northern edge of Florida’s Atlantic Coast.
It offers 13 miles of uncrowded, pristine white sandy beaches, outdoor recreation, and the best photography spots for elopement, history, shopping, dining, and the arts.
Named after Princess Amelia, the daughter of Great Britain’s George II, Amelia Island is one of the most historic places in Florida. So, Amelia Island will be their best pick for history lovers who want their elopement in a history-rich destination.
It is the only place in the United States where eight flags have flown throughout history: French, Spanish, British, Patriots, Green Cross, Mexican, Confederate, and the U.S. flag. All of those cultural influences helped to make what the Island is today.
The Island also boasts several of the oldest places in Florida: the oldest bar, oldest inn, oldest newspaper, and oldest lighthouse.
6. Naples, FL
Coasts can split up Florida: the Gulf Coast, Space Coast, and the Emerald Coast, but there is one area in southwest Florida that lives up to its moniker, the paradise coast of Naples, Florida.
Naples boasts 280 days of sunshine each year, and it’s one of the best places in the country to elope. It’s also a top honeymoon vacation spot. It has also been ranked the nation’s happiest city year after year, and it’s not hard to see why.
There are gorgeous beaches, multiple wildlife sanctuaries, quality shopping and restaurants, and a bustling arts scene. There’s a lot here to feed your soul and your mind.
Florida is blessed with the best beaches to elope, and the beaches in Naples easily get added to that list. There are 16 miles of shoreline and plenty of beaches where the elopement can be done with a memorable spot in a day.
They offer soft white sand and calm, warm gulf waters to make the elopement more impressive and unforgettable.
Naples is quiet and the best place to elope in Florida, especially during the sunset. You might glimpse the green flash, an occurrence unique to southwest Florida. It’s a brief flash that happens just seconds before the sun disappears, and it will surely make your elopement photographs the best of the best.
The recommended places to get elopement in Naples, Florida, are the Delnor Pass State Park, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, and Koroshan State Park.
7. St. Augustine, FL
St. Augustine is located in Northeast Florida, convenient to Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, and Orlando.
St. Augustine prides itself on being the nation’s oldest city, founded in 1565; it is known for its history. But you will find more than history here. The ancient city also boasts fantastic shopping, great food, and 42 miles of beautiful beaches, the best places to elope in Florida.
Located on the Atlantic Coast, St. Augustine has plenty of beaches, including Vilano, Crescent, North, and St. Augustine Beach, to choose from to pursue your recreational, elopement, and leisurely activities.
8. Siesta Key, FL
In Siesta Key, the sand is soft, the waters are blue, and a charming beach village awaits the couple looking for their elopement destination.
About a 20-minute drive south of downtown Sarasota, Siesta Key is home to the famous Siesta Key Beach, which draws couples to elope from far and wide. This gorgeous Beach has been rated the #1 beach in the United States for couples wishing to get elopement.
This long, wide Beach is unique because of its white powder-like sand made almost entirely of crushed quartz crystal. It practically sparkles in the sun and remains cool even on the hottest days, offering beachgoers a unique experience.
The surface is calm and shallow, and the clear gulf waters glisten with brilliant blues and greens. Crossing over the bridge onto Siesta Key from Route 41 via Stickney Point Road, about one and a half miles past, beautiful hotels, rental homes, and condo buildings are there before arriving at Siesta Key Beach. There are plenty of places to stay on Siesta Key.
The Siesta Key Beach Pavilion Area has restrooms, shower stations, and a large new playground. Concessions and a café serve all tastes in foods with an elevated patio overlooking the Beach.
Related: Best Outdoor Furniture for Florida
9. Clearwater Beach, FL
The Beach is repeatedly voted one of the best beaches in the U.S. by multiple travel industry leaders. About a 40-minute drive from downtown Tampa on Florida’s stunning Gulf Coast, it is easy to see why Clearwater Beach is a popular best year-round elopement destination in Florida.
Clearwater Beach has white powder-soft sand and crystal clear warm waters, making it a perfect family and wedding destination. The Beach is wide and uncrowded, making it an ideal spot for beachcombing, swimming, and sunbathing.
If you want a quieter and more secluded beach elopement experience, visit Sand Key Park in Clearwater Beach.
Sand Key Park is a beautiful, tranquil nature preserve located south of Clearwater Beach. This pristine park features white sand beaches, clear blue waters, and plenty of natural beauty during an elopement ceremony.
To relax, enjoy, and soak up the sun area’s natural wonders, the park has a variety of amenities, including restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and grills.
In addition to its natural beauty, Sand Key Park is also known for its stunning sunsets. The sky lights up as the sun dips below the horizon, making for a picture-perfect moment for the best couple shoot when eloping into vows.
Caladesi Island is an elopement destination for nature lovers and beachgoers alike. This enchanting barrier island offers various captivating features that will delight married couples. With its pristine shoreline, adorned soft white sand, and clear turquoise waters, Caladesi Island invites couples and young adults to unwind and immerse themselves in the natural beauty that surrounds them. Its peaceful ambiance sets Caladesi Island apart, as it can only be reached by boat. Away from the crowds, couples can connect to elopement vows with nature in this unspoiled paradise.
10. Sanibel Island, FL
Sanibel Island has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and despite being a vacation destination, it does not have that spring break feel that many Florida Beaches do.
The beaches are quiet, unblemished, and pristine, and during the busiest times, they are filled mostly with families and love birds. Bowman’s Beach is one of the most popular beaches, which offers a stunning view with perfect picnic areas.
Two little islands are part of the Causeway Island Park and are popular beach destinations on windy days. It’s a gathering spot for both windsurfers and kite surfers.
The Causeway Bridge is the official gateway into Island Paradise over sunny blue skies and sparkling blue seas. Here are some of the best things to do and see during your elopement time on Sanibel and Captiva Islands.
The Best Places in Florida to Elope
For Theme Park lovers and for those who want to add magic to an elopement with a laid-back atmosphere, vibrant culture, and iconic beauty, here are the other best-recommended places for elopement location in Florida to tie the knot, including:
- Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, Florida
- Craft Azalea Park, Florida
- Lake Louisa State Park, Florida
- Washington Oaks Garden State Park, Florida
- Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, Florida
- Saint Augustine Beach, Florida
- Anastasia State Park, Florida
- Lido Beach, Florida
- Bahia Honda State Park, Florida
- Pena-Peck House, Florida
- Yacht Starship, Florida
- Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
- Sunken Gardens, Florida
- Up the Creek Farms, Florida
- The Garden Villa, Florida
- Harry Leu Gardens, Florida
- Kraft Azalea Gardens, Florida
- Anna Maria Island, Florida
- The Beach, Florida
- Celebration Golf Club, Florida
- Victoria 1883, Florida
- Vero Beach, Florida
- West Martello Gardens, Key West, Florida
- Danger Charters, Key West, Florida
- Postcard Inn, Islamorada, Florida
- Pelican Cove, Islamorada, Florida
- Cheeca Lodge, Islamorada, Florida
- Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida
- South Pointe Park Beach, Miami, Florida
- Historic Walton House, Homestead, Florida
- Cooper Estate, Redland, Florida
- Stuart, Florida, Florida
- Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Miami, Florida
- Matheson Hammock Park, Coral Gables, Florida
- Morikami Museum and Gardens, Delray Beach, Florida
- Deerfield Beach, Florida
- Sunken Garden, Florida
- Coral Cove, Jupiter, Florida
- Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum, Jupiter, Florida
- Riverbend Park, Jupiter, Florida
- House of Refuge, Stuart, Florida
- Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Florida
- Twisted Oak Farm, Vero Beach, Florida
- The Acre Orlando, Orlando, Florida
- Lake Louisa State Park, Clermont, Florida
- Rock Springs, Apopka, Florida
- Pass-a-Grille Beach, St. Pete Beach, Florida
One of those locations may have stood out to you.
Marriage License for Elopement in Florida
You can apply for a marriage license in person at a county clerk’s office, or you can do it online. And it depends on what country you are getting married in. So, choose which area and County you will elope. Then, it will be easy to figure out how to get your marriage license.
When applying for a marriage license in Florida, you will need a government-issued ID such as your driving license or passport and your social security number.
The fees for a marriage license differ in the country. Usually range from $86 to $93. When you apply for a marriage license, you have a three-day waiting period unless you take an online premarital course.
Marriage vendors are going to be the next thing that’s going to affect your intimate elopement. It’s essential to find a team that you are comfortable with that is very professional and fun and knows what they are doing regarding elopement.
Many wedding vendors will do elopements, but it’s vital to get elopement-specific vendors so that you know what their pricing is, how it goes, and their experience in all this.
Conclusion
The places we have covered above in this article are the best ones, and we picked them after the hard work of research. These places are budget-friendly and stress-free to make your elopement ceremony the best occasion for life.
Some of these places are public that require permits for your elopement. Research and check the updated info on the official websites for these locations to meet the requirements and get the elopement permits from the clerk of the circuit courts.
Always keep in touch with your witnesses and ensure their presence during elopement for the legal ceremonies. Have a great experience with your elopement ceremonies.
