10 Great Places to Get Married in Florida!

Where Will Your Dream Wedding Be?

For the longest time, Florida couples always talked about running away to California, New York, Canada, or another place to get married. Now we can have our marriage licenses signed and our wedding officiated legally right here in the state in which we live. Florida’s “commitment ceremony” business was booming for years, and now it’s going to become a full-fledged wedding industry. How beautiful is that?

Below we’ve given you ten gay-friendly marriage options, ranging from beachside ceremonies to the intimate and quaint chapels and even to The Happiest Place on Earth!

SOUTH FLORIDA

Briza on the Bay

Briza on the Bay has served as a venue for gay ceremonies for many years. They have over 5000 square feet of space right on the waterfront near Miami’s Venetian Causeway for any kind of ceremony and reception you want. They’ll even work with you so you can arrive in style. Want to arrive by limo? They can do that. They can even usher you in by helicopter! That’s a pretty cool way to start married life, right? (786) 350-2220 brizaonthebay.com

The Historic Needham Estate

The historic Needham Estate, with its 1920s elegance, is another beautiful venue for weddings in South Florida. Located on the New River in Fort Lauderdale, the estate routinely marries people right on their front lawn and welcomes the wedding party into the courtyard for a beautiful and intimate reception. If you like the 1920s feel, you can even order a “Great Gatsby” themed wedding package. (561) 988-3900 historicneedhamestate.com

Celebrations Wedding Chapel

Celebrations was one of the first wedding chapels in Fort Lauderdale that would officiate same-sex ceremonies. They offer couples a variety of options, such as an indoor wedding in the chapel or an outdoor wedding with couples reciting their vows in the gazebo for all the wedding party to see. They can even arrange for off-site weddings at Hillcrest Country Club in Hollywood or Plantation Preserve in Plantation. (954) 763-5540 celebrationswedding.com

Fort Lauderdale Beach

A wedding on picturesque Fort Lauderdale Beach is something a lot of people want, so much so that the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau organized a mass wedding there for the day marriage equality was legalized here! Find someone who will officiate, and then after the ceremony, pick one of the many hotels for a reception venue, such as the W Fort Lauderdale or the Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach. (954) 828-7275 sunny.org/weddings/beach-weddings

Kimpton Tideline Ocean Resort and Spa

The Kimpton Tideline is the newest resort development in Palm Beach, first opening its doors just five years ago. Since then, they have offered elegant and upscale weddings at affordable prices. The Ocean Ballroom is available for that special moment; as you exchange vows, you can look out the window and see the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. Their team of wedding planners will make sure your special day is one free from worry. (561) 540-6440 tidelineresort.com

Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden

Key West has always marched to the beat of its own drummer, and with a motto of “One Human Family,” how can you resist tying the knot in America’s Southernmost Point? The tropical forest and botanical garden has hosted same-sex ceremonies for over 15 years and has perfected wedding planning down to a science. Their friendly team can help you select photographers, florists, and can even advise you on the most beautiful spots in the complex so your backdrop will be as beautiful as you. (305) 296-1504 keywestbotanicalgarden.org

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Pass-a-Grille

Pass-a-Grille is located at the southern end of St. Pete Beach, and it’s been the host for many gay marriage ceremonies over the past two decades. Where else can you take a glass-bottomed eco boat tour the day of your wedding, only to hold your ceremony just feet away at any of the quaint beachside beds and breakfasts? Suncoast Weddings can help you plan all the details. (727) 443-0039 suncoastweddings.com

Fort De Soto Park

Fort De Soto Park is located on the mouth of Tampa Bay. With water on every side, this is perhaps one of the most stunning beach wedding spots in the state. The park is spread out a across five different keys, giving you many options to choose from if you want to get the setting “just right.” The county can help you pick out approved wedding vendors to make the most out of your big day. 90 days’ notice is required for weddings. (727) 582-2267 pinellascounty.org/park

Mission Inn Resort

Mission Inn, located in Howey-in-the-Hills just outside Orlando, has been a lavish vacation spot for nearly 100 years. You can hold your ceremony and your reception here; one won’t soon forget a wedding ceremony held in the beautiful Mission-style plaza with picturesque fountain. You can even transform the outside plaza into a reception area, where guests can keep on partying all night long. (352) 324-3916 missioninnresort.com

Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings

Many of the people I know absolutely adore all things Disney, and since 2007 Disney has allowed gay couples to purchase the Fairy Tale Weddings package. You can ride Cinderella’s Coach all the way to the Magic Kingdom if you’re feeling bold and proud! There are also intimate wedding options that include as many as twenty guests. You can plan your dream wedding right now and Disney will take care of the rest. (321) 939-4610 disneyweddings.com

See more wedding destinations from around the country and the world by viewing last year’s Wedding Edition at hotspotsmedia.com.

Mike Halterman

Mike Halterman has been the editor of Hotspots Central since its launch in July 2016. He joined the Hotspots Media Group family as editor of Hotspots' South Florida magazine in June 2013. A former "40 Under 40" honoree in The Advocate magazine, Mike lives in the Tampa Bay area.

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