While we retreat into the cold and snowy winter, we also start to daydream of a tropical wedding on a beach with white sand. Enter Key West, Florida – With its turquoise water and charming Spanish colonial architecture, Key West is one of the dreamiest locations in the U.S. for a wedding.
We’ve put together this ultimate guide for planning a Key West Wedding in the hopes that we might be invited to one of these tropical parties (wink, wink). Find gorgeous historic wedding venues below and recommendations for photographers, planners, and florists. Before jet-setting off to Key West, you’ll also find all the information you need.
Why get married in Key West, Florida
Some locations are more accessible than others for destination weddings. Key West is a great place to host a wedding, not just because it is a laid-back island but also because many vendors will make your special day as simple as Key Lim Pie. Key lime pie is a famous dessert in Key West, and it should be on any dessert table. With the incredible number of excursions available, you will have a wedding weekend that will last a lifetime.
How to get there
Rent a car at Miami International Airport and drive from Key Largo to Key West. The seven-mile bridge is one of the longest bridges in the world. It takes two and a half hours to drive across it.
You can also fly into Key West International Airport and take an Uber or taxi to downtown Key West.
Where to stay & where to get married
It can be challenging to decide which venue to visit in Key West. We have worked hard by hand-picking some of our favorite venues to make your wedding day a breeze.
Key West is just 95 miles away from Cuba. How fun would it be to have a wedding in the traditional Cuban style? The boutique hotel Havana Cabana offers everything to make your dream wedding a reality, from authentic Cuban cuisine to hand-rolled Cuban Cigars to a getaway ride in a 1957 Chevy. Uh, yes, please!
The Margaritaville Key West Resort & Marina brings Jimmy BBuffett’s classic song to life. The waterfront location makes it ideal for dancing under the stars. ).
Audubon House & Tropical Gardens voted “est Outdoor Location,” would make a perfect place to exchange vows. You won’t need to decorate much with its lush tropical foliage!
All cat and literature lovers are invited! Rent out the Spanish colonial house where Ernest Hemingway wrote many of his greatest novels to add romantic nostalgia to your special day. The property is home to 60 cats, descendants of a six-toed cat that was given to Hemingway as a gift by a captain at sea.
The grounds of Casa Marina exude romance and grandeur. This elegant Waldorf Astoria Resort, built in 1920, is the perfect place to say “do.” Your toes will be in the sand, and the Atlantic Ocean is in your back.
Vendors
Vendors are your best friends when it comes to destination weddings. Key West is a fun place to visit, so why stress yourself out with a DIY wedding? Your big day will be a breeze with these professionals.
Wedding Planners
Hire a wedding planner if you are new to Key West. They will take care of all the details while you can relax and enjoy the magic. These are our award-winning favorites, hand-picked by us:
Masi Events
JJessica’sEvents
Destination Wedding Studio
Blue Orchid Events and Design
DD’AsignerEvents
Key West Wedding Day
Photographers
A photographer is a must-have when planning a wedding in a place as beautiful as Key West. Hire one of the renowned local photographers (some are featured in this post!) They’ll know where to take those fantastic bragging photos.
Care Studios
Erika T.
Troy Huynh
Merari Photography
Christopher Ramos
Floral Designers
With a backdrop as stunning as Key West, it’s easy to get away with minimal décor. Just add some florals. The best way to get the most beautiful, fresh designs is by hiring a local florist.
Julia Rohde Designs
Anthology Floristry
Kitanim Flowers
La Feterie By Juliana Schiffer
Duarte Floral Design
Rose Coloured Floral
Simple Florals
Other Vendors
You’ll also want to find other vendors if you are DIYing your wedding planning. We’ve compiled a list of vendors who can help you with everything from rentals to music and catering. Our favorite is desserts.
Simple Rustic and Florals Gorgeous vintage & farm rentals.
Create your custom wedding menu using Great Event.
Studio Marie Pierre offers hair & make-up services for you & your girls.
Bay Kings Band will keep you dancing all night long. Or, create your playlist with DJ Buggy.
Cut your Key West cake masterpiece to end the night (we hope it will be accompanied by key lime pie!)
What to do
Outside of wedding celebrations, there are many ways to have fun in Key West. Spend a few days together after the wedding, making memories.
A romantic sunset cruise is the perfect way to celebrate your marriage bliss. Fury has several packages available, but we are most interested in the Rum and Reggae Snorkel Sunset Combo.
Kayaking or snorkeling tours are a great way to explore the wildlife and waterways in Key West. Clear kayaks from Clearly Unique Charters are available to see the fish below you!
Seaplanes are the best way to reach Dry Tortugas National Park in North America. This park is one of the least accessible in North America and has a 19th-century fort and a rich biodiversity.
Duval Street, a world-renowned street in New Orleans, is a must for a night out. The mile-long stretch of Duval Street is filled with funky shops, excellent restaurants, and hole-in-the-wall bars. (Sloppy JJoe’swas a favorite hangout of Hemingway.