Thinking about eloping in Florida but don’t know where to start? Here’s my list of 10+ things to know about eloping in Florida before you start planning!

1. You’re not limited to eloping on the beach!

The hard truth is that when people think about eloping in Florida, their mind automatically goes to a quick ceremony on the beach and cheesy portraits. And I’m here to tell you that there’s so much more to Florida than the beach! While the beach is a HUGE perk of coming to Florida to elope, there’s tons of adventures that you can do to celebrate your wedding! Some ideas include renting a boat, playing vintage video games, going sport fishing, going off roading, having a picnic on the beach, going island hopping, going brewery tasting, going horseback riding, and so much more! Here’s a list of 50+ things you can do on your Florida elopement!

2. You can spend all day adventuring around!

Speaking of a quick ceremony on the beach…that’s seriously not enough time to celebrate your marriage! One of the common misconceptions about eloping is that you only need two hours and you’re all set, but what if I told you that you can spend 8+ hours adventuring around Florida and having the best time of your life!? Just imagine:

• Getting ready with your fiance and drinking coffee in the morning
• Spending the morning getting pampered and drinking mimosas
• Having a first look with a picturesque background
• Taking a boat ride out into the ocean to exchange vows
• Snapping portraits on the boat at sunrise
• Booze cruising around some islands and taking in the scenery
• Changing into swimsuits and getting into the water
• Heading back to the dock for a low-key dinner at a local restaurant
• Catching sunset for an epic end to an epic day

And that’s just an example! Why stop right after a quick ceremony when you can make the day your literal oyster?!

3. Bikinis & bouquets are a thing (or at least it should be)!

I’m really trying to start a movement here for #bikinisandbouquets! You know how brides have outfit changes during the reception, let’s ditch the reception, but keep the outfit change! If you’re wanting a boat or beach elopement, consider adding a bikini to the mix. It’ll add variation and give you an even bigger adventure! You can be a part of the movement too 😉

4. Every part of Florida has a different vibe!

Florida is a melting pot of culture from the backwoods of central Florida to the island vibes of Key West to the hispanic culture of South Florida (and everything in between), there’s something for everyone! If you’re wanting a historic vibe, we got you covered in Saint Augustine. If you’re wanting island vibes with a night life, Key West is the place to be. If you’re wanting to off-road and take in the Florida cracker lifestyle, Lake Wales has it! Make sure you find yourself a Florida elopement photographer to help you navigate all the different vibes of Florida.

5. It’s humid AF here.

It’s sad, but true. It’s humid here. On summer days it can feel like you just got out of the shower. This means that your dreams of luscious curls that hold all day with your pin-straight hair or being comfortable in the middle of the summer are…well…just a dream! It’s important to consider this when picking out your hair style and your wedding attire. You don’t want to be caught in a full tux in the middle of July sweating your ass off!

6. Try to avoid hurricane season.

Hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th with more activity closer to fall. While there is more activity closer to the fall, there’s tons of afternoon thunderstorms in the summer. If you want to plan a Florida elopement during hurricane season, your best bet is to plan a sunrise elopement (less chance of rain/thunderstorms) and get travel insurance to cover you in the event you need to postpone your plans!

7. Your dog can be your witness.

In Florida, there’s a spot on your marriage license for two witnesses that are not legally required. This means that your fur baby can totally be your witness! There’s also tons of dog-friendly cities to help keep your babe part of all the action!

8. Speaking of marriage licenses…

If you’re from out of state, you can pick up and sign your marriage license on the same day. This is a huge benefit for out-of-towners especially if you’re wanting to elope during hurricane season. If you’re from Florida, sorry fellow Floridians, but you need to wait three days.

9. Sunscreen will be your best friend.

Ya’ll, it’s not called the sunshine state for nothing! Having sunscreen on deck is a must for your Florida elopement if you plan on being outside all day – especially if you’re planning a day on the water. Depending on how fair you are, I would recommend at least 30 SPF! Pro tip – get a sunscreen that’s reef-safe to keep Florida thriving!

10. Permitting is pretty chill.

Many couples don’t know that certain locations require permits. Essentially you have to pay the location a fee to either take photos or hold your wedding ceremony there. Unlike the crazy permitting process out west (6 months in advance and setting timers for when permitting goes live), Florida is pretty chill when it comes to permits. Most beach locations don’t require it and if they do require a permit, there’s about a one month permitting timeline. If you want a super cool venue (like Vizcaya Museum), then there’s a hefty permitting price; however, there’s equally as cool places (like Le Meridien) that are 100% free.

11. The weather is like a box of chocolates…

…you never know what you’re going to get! That’s kinda sorta true. Florida has seasons (a little hot with sporadic cold fronts, hot, super fkn hot, and mildly hot). Within each of those hot seasons there’s slight variations. For example, in the winter you can expect little to no rain, a nice temperature in the evening (sometimes a cold front), and some wind (okay maybe a lot of wind). In the spring, you can expect hotter temperatures and more afternoon showers. In the summer, you can always expect afternoon thunderstorms. In the fall, it will clear up a bit, but it will still be really hot. Fun fact – with Florida rain, it could be 3 minutes long or 3 hours long…you’ll never know.

Need some help?

I got you covered! My name is Anna Holden and I’m a Florida elopement photographer. I’ll help create and capture an epic elopement that you’ll call your best fkn day. Need help navigating the above list? Let me help you!