Best Florida Wedding Venues

It's no secret that couples love Florida weddings. The state is easy to reach, balmy and laid-back, and it's a slice of paradise right in your backyard. What's not so well known is the diversity of Florida wedding venues, from quaint inns and historic hotels to sprawling beach resorts.

Weddings on the beach in Florida seem like a dream come true. Or enjoy a dream fairytale wedding at a Disney resort. The history of Florida is well preserved, and you can even have a Florida wedding at the oldest city in the United States: St. Augustine. Travel down to Key West, too, if you're looking for something more tropical and water-oriented.

No matter your MO, if you're looking for a wedding in Florida, the Sunshine State has the venue you're seeking. Here are our top Florida wedding-venue picks.

Mazes of shell-stone paths and rows of whitewashed villas hug a private, sugar-sand beach on the eastern end of Highway 30A. Hold the rehearsal dinner at Caliza, where guests will feel like they've teleported to an intimate Moroccan Kasbah with an elliptical pool, a Moorish tower and billowing curtains.

With sweeping views of both the Gulf and the community's 20-acre nature preserve from Alys Beach, the lawn of Kelly Green is a favored site for outdoor events (seats 250). The development's walkability means guests are never far from any venue.

This historic resort has been hosting the rich and famous for more than 80 years. After a ceremony in the Mediterranean-inspired Mizner Center, add some colorful entertainment to your reception provided by Boca By Design, the property's event-planning team.

Located in the center of Disney's new urbanist community, this elegant, 115-room property brings back the innocence of Old Florida with its hometown feel. Boutique shops, restaurants, nightly entertainment and nature trails are within a short stroll while the Disney theme parks are just a complimentary five-minute shuttle ride away.

The Lakeside Terrace is a popular spot for vows, and the Sabal Ballroom can accommodate up to 110 guests for a sit-down dinner with lake views.

Old-world charm pervades this circa-1888 landmark in America's oldest city and one of the best wedding venues in Florida. Marry in a tropical, fountain-filled garden at Casa Monica, then hold a fantasy-themed reception (think Arabian Nights) in one of the ballrooms. Make your exit in the property's getaway car: a vintage Model A Ford.

Mexican antiques and modern décor give this 16-suite hotel a tropical yet minimalist touch. Each orchid-laden suite features an outdoor or indoor living area. Intimate affairs can take place at the water's edge, followed by a simple champagne toast.

If you want a blank slate on which to paint your perfect wedding picture, Celebration Hall — with its vaulted ceilings, wrought-iron chandeliers and room for 300 guests — is a classic canvas. Surrounding gardens have ample space for a reception tent. Or hold cocktail hour on the lawn while staff transforms the hall from ceremony site to party place.

If you've got your heart set on a beach wedding, the hall is just a few minutes from the shore and only 50 feet from 30A Suites, a boutique condo hotel, so no one will have to drive after your bash.

The 24 themed rooms at this "forgotten coast" B&B were immaculately decorated by owner and interior designer Lynn Wilson. Gazebo ceremonies take place on the back lawn of Coombs House Inn while receptions for up to 60 are set in Camellia Hall, featuring French doors and a veranda. On your reception menu: oysters on the half shell, direct from Apalachicola Bay (they're considered some of the best in the world).

The directions say Miami Gardens Drive in North Miami Beach, but the old street signs call it NE 183 St. And NE 185 St. And NE 186 St. Maybe they don't want you to discover this former abbey hidden amid Spanish oaks dangling moss as long as a cathedral veil. The 870-year-old building, moved stone by stone from northern Spain, is remarkably versatile.

Opened in 1928, the 277-room Pink Lady was once the stomping grounds of author F. Scott Fitzergarld, baseball star Lou Gehrig and infamous mobster Al Capone. In addition to its prime Gulf Coast beach location, the Don also boasts three restaurants, a pool with an underwater sound system, a host of specialty shops and an 11,000-square-foot spa.

Most nuptials take place in the sand or on the iconic courtyard staircase while receptions occur in indoor-outdoor ballrooms or covered beachside pavilions.

Walt Disney World's theme parks and resorts encompass a surprising number of unique venues (37, to be exact), including the popular Disney's Wedding Pavilion. But our favorite offbeat site is the Living Seas Salon, where 6,000 sea creatures in a 5.7 million-gallon aquarium swim past floor-to-ceiling windows right in the dining room. Serve mahi-mahi to up to 100 guests. Just keep in mind that some Disney venues allow events only before or after park hours.

This Old Florida resort, which dates back to 1913, features 62 rooms and suites with Tempur-Pedic beds and soft, southern décor while 17 individual cottages house private parlors, screened porches and kitchenettes. Pets are welcomed here, too. Ceremony sites include the inn's beach club, the golf-course gazebo (seats 100), the banyan tree shading the fifth hole of the golf course and the inn's spacious living room (buyouts only; seats 300).

An outdoor reception, with seated dinners available poolside or on the Croquet Lawn overlooking the bayou, is a must.

This Victorian-inspired beauty specializes in fairytale fetes. Wed in the chapel-style wedding pavilion overlooking Cinderella Castle, then head to the ball in a carriage. Couples get a free wedding website linking to specially priced theme-park tickets and lodging for guests.

Wed inside the waterfront gazebo, followed by a Tiki torch-lit cocktail hour and a reception dinner at the tranquility pool (seats 200). The property's 200-plus villas feature one to four bedrooms, modern kitchens and private terraces affording water or garden views.

A circa-1849 Old Town estate where Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote for almost a decade now welcomes tour groups and weddings. The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum also shelters about 50 six-toed cats, all named after famous people (continuing a tradition that Hemingway himself started).

"Surrounded by a tall brick wall and a canopy of trees, its garden is a natural for destination weddings," said Kate Bentley of Kate Bentley Events.

A former Travelodge turned trendy, wallet-friendly Gulf hotel, the Postcard Inn earns media praise for its midcentury-modern, surfer vibe. Beach weddings are popular, but there's also a pretty courtyard with hanging lanterns and benches for events.

"It's comfortable and laid-back, making guests feel as if you're hosting your reception at your home," said Zoe Prosser Gallina of Botanica International Design & Décor Studio.

For a party with Italian panache, choose this bellissimo resort. After saying "I do" in the Villa Piazza gazebo, celebrate in the Citrus Piazza courtyard where opera singers can serenade your group. Bonus: Guests staying at the property get express boarding on park rides.

This Naples-area hot spot has recently upped the wow factor with a $200 million makeover. Guests will love the poolside Tiki bar at Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort. Say "I do" sand-side under a Balinese-inspired thatch hut, then throw a classic ballroom reception kicked off with a chic sushi station.

Tucked at the tip of Duval Street within walking distance to the evening sunset celebrations at Mallory Square, this 100-room property is right in the middle of the action. But holed up in a private cabana by the sexy waterfront pool, you'd never know it. Wed waterfront on the ocean terrace, then enjoy a private cocktail party and a reception dinner at Sunset Pier (seats 200). Catering is available via onsite Hot Tin Roof restaurant (seats up to 60), with options like ceviche and Florida spiny lobster.

Choose your view — golf course, freshwater marsh or ocean — at this 404-room stunner, fresh from an $85 million facelift. Think lakes and marshes for fishing, kayaking or paddle boarding and even a nature center for the kids. Welcome guests with a beach bonfire, then hold your event in the chapel, on the sand or in the rustic Walker's Landing event building outfitted with a fieldstone fireplace.

"The Plantation offers a glimpse into the more natural side of Florida," said Heather Canada of First Coast Weddings and Events.

With 250 individually themed rooms located in 10 low-rise buildings, this oceanfront resort still feels like an inn. Events here, from ceremonies to beach-buffet receptions, center around the sand. The inn's rooftop terrace and the surf club's beachfront patio are also popular party spots.

The Mediterranean Revival architecture of this 1920s-era hotel landed the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club on the National Register of Historic Places. For intimate affairs, opt for the tea garden, or go big with a 450-person bash in the grand ballroom, where former Florida governor Charlie Crist celebrated his nuptials.

Overlooking 13 miles of pristine beach, the property's 444 rooms cater to luxury-lovers with plush beds, marble bathrooms and private terraces. Dining options from the bikini-friendly Ocean Bar & Grill to Salt, an award-winning standout with a multi-course tasting menu.

Large weddings are held on the oceanfront lawn or in the grand ballroom; small groups can take over Salt's dining room or the private terrace of an ocean-view suite. Also, the spa is equipped with a 15-seat salon designed for bridal parties.

At this five-star gulf resort, big-city style meets relaxed tropical hideaway. Couples have their pick of party sites: beach, ballroom, courtyard, garden and even a two-story beach house with a peaked roof, wooden floors and loads of windows.

"The Ritz has incredible menus and dinner presentations," said Kelly McWilliams of Weddings by Socialites.

"Whether you want a barefoot beach bash or an over-the-top black-tie affair, the Sandpearl can accommodate," says Zoe Prosser Gallina of Botanica International Design & Décor Studio.

Two lawns — one gulf-front and one between the pool and a two-story waterfall feature — are also options for saying "I do." Standard guest rooms are available at the Sandpearl Resort, but families will go for one- and two-bedroom suites that come with washers, dryers and full gourmet kitchens. Other draws: a zero-entry pool and beachfront fire pits.

Occupying 330 acres on the northern reaches of Captiva Island, this resort village feels more remote than it actually is. Accommodations span from hotel rooms and condos to private homes, and families love kid-centric amenities like a water park and an old-timey ice cream shop. For the ultimate in privacy, opt for the Sunset Cove beach area on the gulf.

"And because it's private to its guests, you don't have to worry about ceremony spectators," said Kelly McWilliams of Weddings by Socialites.

This downtown-events venue is a standout, says Heather Canada of First Coast Weddings and Events.

"Its waterfront location, beautiful outdoor spaces and plentiful parking make it a true gem," Canada said.

Host the ceremony out on the stone terrace alongside the Matanzas River (dolphins sometimes make an appearance). Then, move to the grand ballroom with French doors and a hardwood dance floor. There's even a bridal suite.

This family-run resort on Florida's Nature Coast is ideal for multi-generational I dos. Families can spread out in 50 one- to four-bedroom houses, with amenities like gas fireplaces, Jacuzzi bathtubs, screened-in porches and charcoal grills. Hold your ceremony in the 125-seat Dancing Waters Chapel, with large stained-glass windows and antique wooden pews, or outside at the riverside gazebo.

The conference center, designed with receptions in mind, is much prettier than the name suggests, with a main room for dining (seats 100) and a separate party area, joined by a trellised walkway, for dancing.

This historic inn is situated on a quiet-side street one mile from the Atlantic Ocean. Six individually decorated rooms feature hardwood floors, garden views and patios or balconies, while five one- or two-bedroom suites also have full kitchens, living rooms and dining rooms. Gather 10 guests inside the white wedding gazebo, or marry before up to 140 by the pond. The Sundy House Restaurant caters receptions inside elegant function rooms.

This historic inn is situated on a quiet-side street one mile from the Atlantic Ocean. Six individually decorated rooms feature hardwood floors, garden views and patios or balconies, while five one- or two-bedroom suites also have full kitchens, living rooms and dining rooms. Gather 10 guests inside the white wedding gazebo, or marry before up to 140 by the pond. The Sundy House Restaurant caters receptions inside elegant function rooms.

Don't be fooled by the name: This hotel isn't owned or operated by Disney, and it doesn't fall under the umbrella of Disney's fairytale weddings, either. All of the above are good things for budget-minded brides.

The resort offers more wedding flexibility and similar all-inclusive event packages for less (think $2,810 versus $12,000). And it's still a stop for Disney transportation. It even offers a white-sand-beach ceremony location without having to trek to the coast.

From the 225-foot pool (the equivalent of 25 bouquet tosses) to the lobby's massive cages that house chirping finches, this Coral Gables grand dame delivers outsize fantasy in spades. In fact, the tiered, 275-room property slightly resembles a wedding cake. Coincidence?

Choose from multiple ballrooms and outdoor spaces. The surrounding Donald Ross golf course provides both solitude and stunning vistas, too. Guests can be tempted to visit nearby Miracle Mile, but the pool, golf course, spa and culinary academy keep most close by.

Located 20 miles southeast of Jacksonville, this 66-room, Mediterranean-style boutique offers several event venues with ocean views, from a fountain courtyard and a trellised patio to an oceanfront lawn with a paver aisle.

"With floor-to-ceiling windows in its second-floor ballroom, it feels like you're sitting right on top of the Atlantic Ocean," said Heather Canada of First Coast Weddings and Events.

This beachfront hotel makes a chic statement with bold hues and velvety textures. Make your way down a grassy aisle to wed in the palm-shaded gazebo. Afterward, head to a reception at the Royal Palm Ballroom. Accented with classic white shutters and modern, clean décor, it's anything but stuffy.

Conjure Gatsby at the 1920s-era estate of circus barons John and Mable Ringling. Large groups have ample space to celebrate in its courtyard, graced with replicas of ancient Greek, Roman and Baroque statues. Other venues include a rose garden, a banyan grove and the mansion's bay-front Ca' d'ZanTerrace, where Ringling himself threw countless parties.

"Rich in architecture and history, the facility's U-shaped Museum of Art is stunning," said Zoe Prosser Gallina of Botanica International Design & Décor Studio.

Flanked by gulf beaches and a nature preserve, this 52-acre Destin resort offers plenty of things to do and places to wed. Tennis buffs rejoice at the property's top-50 ranking. Other guests will appreciate nearby Baytowne Wharf, a hub for dining, art and shopping, plus after-party hot spots like Fat Tuesday Daiquiri Bar.

Wed on the pool deck overlooking the coast with glowing afternoon sunlight, or go barefoot on the beach. Both indoor and outdoor covered and uncovered reception venues are available, so there's an option in any weather.

This Orlando hotel shares several of its doppelgänger's most admired restaurants and bars, including Peacock Alley, Bull & Bear and Oscar's. But the New York City original can't boast the Florida outpost's other draws: free transportation to Disney and wedding venues like formal gardens and an inland island the site of Will Smith's California mansion.

Choose from the resort's array of table settings, cakes and menu options, such as a wall of mini desserts and a Manhattan station; the cocktail was invented at the NYC hotel.

This 23-acre property comprises 474 guest rooms and three miles of white-sand coastline. Reserve the private dining room (seats 14) at the strip house for an intimate rehearsal dinner, then wed outdoors on the expansive deck. Follow it up with a reception in the Vista Ballroom with views of the mangroves (seats up to 300).

This acclaimed beach escape on scenic Route 30A has accommodations to suit every need with a 60-room hotel and 125 vacation homes ideal for groups. Complimentary bikes are provided for exploring the 499-acre estate with hidden gardens, woodland walkways, six swimming pools and an inland lake.

Wed on sugar sand, then celebrate alfresco on the Inn Green or Marina Park, a long garden lawn that can accommodate up to 250.

This gleaming giant on the Atlantic houses 998 rooms. For pre-wedding fun, plan a beach-volleyball tourney for guests. After vows on the sand, enjoy private refreshments with your groom (a special touch included in all weddings) before making your entrance in to the ocean-view ballroom.