Florida Keys weddings are memorable affairs for a wide variety of people exchanging vows: mainstream couples, golden-age sweethearts, pairs with blended families, and gay and lesbian duos alike.
The naturally romantic, 125-mile-long chain of islands, also known as “America’s Caribbean,” is top U.S. wedding destination with a subtropical climate ideal for ceremonies and honeymoons virtually year-round.
You can marry while diving underwater or on paddleboards, on a beach at sunrise or sunset, backdropped by a Civil War–era fort, or at the historic homes and gardens of former full or part-time residents like legendary author Ernest Hemingway or President Harry S. Truman.
There are lots of cool activities for you and your guests, too, including sailing on a tall ship (Classic Harborline is the most romantic) or commandeering the wheel, chartering a sailboat, (Sunset Sail Key West) planting coral underwater or even mingling with flamingos. A variety of brew, rum and food tours also are growing in popularity for wedding parties.
It’s all in the planning, so for more fun and less stress, following the timetable below.
At least one year (12 months) before desired month of wedding:
• Select Florida Keys venue and wedding date
• Choose alternate backup venue
• Hire full-service or day-of wedding planner
• Research hotels, secure hotel room block
• Research airfares into easily accessible airports: Key West (EYW), Miami (MIA), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Fort Myers (RSW), Naples (APF)
• Review policies for obtaining a Florida marriage license
• Announce engagement, take engagement photos
• Create personal wedding website as information source
Nine months before wedding:
• Visit Florida Keys for tour of venue, food tastings, hair and makeup sessions; meet with wedding planner and vendors
• Choose wedding party (bridesmaids, groomsmen, attendants)
• Create gift registry
• Begin shopping for attire: wedding and bridesmaid dresses, groom and groomsmen or attendant apparel
• Create guest list and gather email and physical addresses
• Send out “save the date” notifications, with location and hotel room block details
Six months before wedding:
• Book travel, discuss details with wedding party
• Coordinate with planner to secure all vendors (photography, catering, cake, flowers, décor, music, officiant, transportation, hair and makeup, etc.)
• Purchase wedding rings
• Create itinerary, including group activities, for guests with details on welcome reception, rehearsal event, wedding and farewell brunch. Include suggestions for individual Florida Keys activities and how to book
• Book group activities with required deposits
• Order invitations
Three months before wedding:
• Mail out invitations
• Confirm all event details (floral arrangements, photography package, song lists, menus, cake, etc.) with vendors
• Order guest favors, welcome bags and thank-you gifts for bridesmaids, groomsmen, attendants and family
• Begin writing vows and choose readings for ceremony
Two months before wedding:
• Confirm documentation, begin process to obtain marriage license
One month before wedding:
• Ship amenities for wedding and reception to venue or wedding planner
• Contact hotel with details on welcome bags for delivery to guests
• Finalize hotel room block and release extra rooms
• Print programs, itineraries, welcome letters
• Finalize last-minute details with vendors
• Finalize wedding timeline and guest itineraries with wedding planner
• Create seating chart and give to wedding venue
• Complete attire fittings; arrange for steaming of wedding attire
Two weeks before wedding:
• Create photo list for photographer
• Plan, confirm details for prenuptial events: bachelor, bachelorette parties
• Share, post contact information with wedding party
At least one week before wedding:
• Pack, travel to the Florida Keys
• Conduct final meetings with wedding planner, venue and hotel
• Pick up marriage license
