Everything You Need to Know to Plan Your Day in the Sunshine State
Jonas Balili and Tatjana Pantic | Updated May 9, 2026
The Florida Elopement Guide
Florida doesn't get nearly enough credit for how extraordinary it is as an elopement destination. Most people picture crowded resort beaches and think it's not the vibe they're after. And then they see golden light pouring over the coquina rocks of St. Augustine at sunrise, or the turquoise water stretching to the horizon from a quiet Key West cove, and they understand immediately.
We're based in Jacksonville, which means northeast Florida is our backyard. And the more we've explored this state, the more we've fallen for what it offers couples who want something genuinely intimate and beautiful — without having to fly across the country.
This guide covers three of our favorite Florida regions for elopements: St. Augustine, the Tampa Bay and Clearwater area, and the Florida Keys and Key West. Whether you're flying in or driving down, we'll give you everything you need to plan a day that actually feels like you.
Before Anything Else: How to Get Legally Married in Florida
Florida is genuinely one of the easiest states to get married in. Here's the short version:
Your marriage license: Both of you must appear in person at any Florida County Clerk of Court office. You don't need to be a Florida resident — couples from anywhere in the world can marry here. Bring a valid photo ID (driver's license or passport) and your Social Security number if you're a U.S. citizen.
The license fee is approximately $86 in most counties and is valid for 60 days statewide. That means you can get your license in Jacksonville and use it for a ceremony in Key West — it works anywhere in Florida.
The waiting period: If neither of you is a Florida resident, there is no waiting period. You can get your license and get married the same day. If one or both of you are Florida residents, there's a three-day waiting period — unless you complete a state-approved premarital course, which waives it entirely.
Your officiant: Florida does not allow self-solemnization, so you'll need someone authorized to officiate. The good news is that the list is broad. Ordained ministers, judges, and Florida notary publics can all perform legally binding ceremonies. That means a trusted friend who gets ordained online is completely valid — and so is a photographer or guide who happens to hold a notary license (we can help you find one).
Your witnesses: Florida law has spaces for witness signatures on the marriage license, but witnesses are not legally required by the state. You can elope with truly just the two of you and your officiant, and it's 100% legal.
After the ceremony: The completed marriage license must be returned to the Clerk of Court within 10 days of the ceremony. Your officiant handles this.
Where to Elope in Florida: Three Very Different, All Wonderful Options
1. St. Augustine — America's Oldest City
St. Augustine is the kind of place that surprises people who've never been. They expect a cute historic town, and what they find is something more — cobblestone streets lit by gas lamps, centuries-old Spanish colonial architecture draped in Spanish moss, forty-two miles of Atlantic coastline, and light that turns gold in a way that makes every single photo look like it was planned.
It's also forty-five minutes from our home base in Jacksonville. So this is genuinely the place we know best.
What makes it special?
St. Augustine isn't trying to be a wedding destination. It just is one. The history is layered and tangible — you're exchanging vows in a city that has been continuously inhabited since 1565. The backdrop is never generic. And unlike resort beach towns, there are quiet pockets all over the city where you can feel genuinely alone together even in the middle of the day. Below are fantastic locations to elope.
St. Augustine Beach and Vilano Beach
Both are beautiful for sunrise or sunset ceremonies. Beach elopement permits are required through St. Johns County Parks and Recreation and are generally straightforward to obtain. Permit fees typically run $100–$200, depending on your setup, and the permit covers up to 45 guests. Important note: sea turtle nesting season runs May 1 through October 31, which restricts lighting and setup on the beach after dark. No alcohol, fireworks, confetti, or fires on county beaches.
Vilano Beach Jetty
Just north of downtown, Vilano Beach has a stunning rock jetty perfect for sunset ceremonies with the lighthouse visible in the background. Quieter than the main beach and one of the most photographed coastal spots in northeast Florida.
Anastasia State Park
Just across the Bridge of Lions from downtown, Anastasia offers a mixture of natural dunes, beach, and maritime forest. A permit is required from the park for ceremonies. It's a gorgeous contrast between wild Florida nature and a charming city, minutes away.
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
South of St. Augustine, this hidden gem offers two completely different ceremony settings: a formal rose garden or a beachside location lined with coquina rock formations. Chairs, decor, and acoustic music are welcome. A permit is required. No alcohol or pets.
Castillo de San Marcos
The 17th-century Spanish fort overlooking Matanzas Bay is one of the most iconic images in Florida. Ceremonies aren't held inside the fort itself, but the nearby waterfront and overlooks provide an extraordinary backdrop with those ancient coquina walls in the frame.
The Lightner Museum Courtyard
A European-style courtyard in the heart of downtown with a reflection pool, arched walkways, and lush greenery. Photo permits are required through the City of St. Augustine Department of Public Affairs. This is one of the most beautiful indoor-outdoor settings in the city for couples seeking an elegant, architectural setting.
Peña-Peck House Garden
A historic garden in the heart of downtown, built in 1750, shaded by mature oak trees. Up to 8 guests are welcome, alcohol is allowed, and it is walkable from most accommodations. Intimate and genuinely lovely.
Marriage license in St. Augustine
Apply at the St. Johns County Clerk of Court, 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084. Open Monday–Friday 8 am–4:30 pm. No waiting period for non-Florida residents.
Best time to visit
October through early November is the sweet spot — fewer tourists than summer, softer light, and the city glows in amber tones. Winter (December–February) is magical if you're in town for Nights of Lights, when millions of tiny white lights adorn the entire downtown and make the cobblestone streets feel like something from another century. Spring is beautiful but busier. Summer is hot and humid — sunrise ceremonies only if you're visiting between June and August.
One thing nobody tells you
The sun rises from the ocean side in St. Augustine, which means beach sunrises are spectacular, but sunsets photograph beautifully from the bay side and downtown streets. If you want both, plan a sunrise beach ceremony and end your evening wandering the lit streets of the historic district during blue hour. It's worth it.
2. Tampa Bay & Clearwater — Gulf Coast Sunsets, Crystal Clear Water
The Gulf Coast around Tampa Bay gives you something the Atlantic side of Florida simply can't: west-facing beaches where the sun sets directly into the water. The color that hits the Gulf at golden hour — warm amber, deep coral, pure gold — is genuinely one of the most beautiful things you'll photograph anywhere in Florida.
Clearwater Beach consistently ranks as one of the top beaches in the country, and for good reason. But the area around it has quieter, more private options that work beautifully for intimate elopements.
Where to get married in the Tampa Bay area:
Clearwater Beach
The most popular option in the area, and for good reason: wide white sand, calm Gulf water, and a lively post-ceremony atmosphere with restaurants and bars walkable from the beach. A wedding permit is required through the City of Clearwater ($250 permit fee) for any ceremony setup. Your permit includes a four-hour time window for setup, ceremony, and breakdown. No overnight setups.
Sand Key Park
Just south of Clearwater Beach, Sand Key is quieter and more park-like, with dunes, greenery, and a scenic rock jetty. A great alternative if you want the same Gulf sunset without the tourist crowd of the main beach.
Honeymoon Island State Park
One of the most unspoiled stretches of Gulf Coast beach accessible by car. Ospreys nest here. The name alone makes it a sentimental favorite. Tiered permits starting at $300 are required for ceremonies. Worth it for the privacy and the setting.
Caladesi Island State Park
Accessible only by ferry from Honeymoon Island or by private boat, Caladesi is one of the few truly undeveloped barrier islands on Florida's Gulf Coast. Consistently rated one of the best beaches in the country. If you want somewhere that feels genuinely remote — no crowds, no hotels, no road noise — this is it. Permit required; plan the ferry timing carefully.
Fort De Soto Park
A Pinellas County park at the southernmost tip of the barrier island chain, Fort De Soto offers historic fort ruins, multiple beach areas, and mangrove-lined trails. Less visited than Clearwater, with beautiful light and a strong permitting infrastructure that makes planning easier.
Important 2026 update
Fred Howard Park in Pinellas County is no longer accepting beach wedding and event applications as of April 1, 2026, due to parking and occupancy constraints. If you had this location in mind, redirect to Fort De Soto, Sand Key, or Honeymoon Island instead.
Marriage License in Tampa Bay/Clearwater
Clearwater is in Pinellas County. Apply at the Pinellas County Clerk of Courts. Tampa couples can use the Hillsborough County Clerk. A Florida marriage license issued in any county is valid statewide for 60 days.
Best Time To Visit
December through April is peak season for a reason — warm days, low humidity, and the most spectacular, long-lasting sunsets of the year. Summer is hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms; if you want Gulf Coast light, go late in the year. Hurricane season runs from June through November — not a dealbreaker, but have a backup plan and check forecasts closely in September and October.
What Makes The Gulf Coast Different as a Photography Location?
The Gulf of Mexico runs warmer and calmer than the Atlantic, which means flatter water, better reflections, and couples who are actually comfortable standing in it. The white quartz sand also reflects light upward, giving your photos that soft, lit-from-below quality that photographers spend thousands of dollars trying to recreate in a studio. It's just there, naturally, for your elopement.
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3. Florida Keys & Key West — The End of the Road, in the Best Way
There is nowhere else in the continental United States that looks like the Florida Keys. The Overseas Highway stretches 113 miles across bridges and barrier islands with ocean on both sides, turquoise water underneath, and the feeling that the further south you drive, the further you get from the rest of the world. By the time you reach Key West, you've arrived somewhere that genuinely operates by its own rules.
It's dramatic. It's romantic. And it's one of the most extraordinary places you can choose to start a marriage.
Where to get married in the Florida Keys:
Smathers Beach, Key West
The most accessible elopement beach in the Keys: half a mile of white sand with Atlantic views, easy parking, no permit required for small ceremonies, and no setup fee. First-come, first-served on-site, which means sunrise ceremonies offer the most privacy and the best light. A genuinely beautiful and logistics-simple option.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
At the western tip of Key West, Fort Zach (as locals call it) offers historic Civil War-era ruins, a beach, and nature trails in a state park setting. A permit is required for ceremonies. The light here at golden hour, with the Gulf of Mexico in the background, is extraordinary.
The south rim of the Keys (Islamorada, Marathon)
The Middle Keys have a completely different character from Key West — quieter, more residential, with access to some of the most beautiful water in Florida. Sombrero Beach in Marathon is a local favorite with calm, shallow turquoise water perfect for barefoot ceremonies. Permits vary by location; contact Monroe County Parks directly.
Overseas Highway bridges
Some of the most cinematic photography locations in all of Florida aren't on a beach at all — they're on or near the old Overseas Highway bridges. The Seven Mile Bridge view is iconic. These are public locations and work beautifully for portrait sessions before or after your ceremony.
Key West's Historic District
For couples who want architecture and atmosphere over sand, Key West's streets — Duval, Whitehead, Simonton — are full of Victorian Conch houses, lush tropical gardens, and the kind of color that looks painted. West Martello Tower, surrounded by Key West Garden Club gardens with ocean views, is one of the most distinctive ceremony locations in the Keys.
Hemingway House and private venues
For couples who want a fully private, curated setting, several Key West properties (including the Hemingway House gardens) offer access for ceremonies by advance booking. These require planning well ahead.
Hemingway House and private venues
The Florida Keys are in Monroe County. Courthouse locations:
Key West: 500 Whitehead Street
305-292-3458 - Monday–Friday 8:30 am–5 pm
Marathon: 3117 Overseas Highway, Mile Marker 48.5 (305)289-6027
Upper Keys: 88820 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, Mile Marker 88.5 (305) 852-7145
If you're driving down from Miami or the mainland, the Upper Keys office is a practical stop before heading further south. Pre-application is available online through the Monroe County Clerk's website. Non-Florida residents: no waiting period. Florida residents: three-day wait unless you complete a premarital course. The license costs approximately $80 and is valid for 60 days.
Best time to visit
December through April is universally the best — lower humidity, clearer water, calmer seas, and the most comfortable temperatures. The Keys are genuinely beautiful year-round, but summer means heat, humidity, and the beginning of hurricane season. October can be stunning with dramatic skies and fewer crowds if you're willing to watch the weather closely.
One practical note
Key West is a long drive from most Florida airports. Miami is about three and a half hours. Tampa is closer to five. If you're flying in, build a day into your trip for the drive — it's part of the experience — and plan to pick up your marriage license at a Keys courthouse rather than back in Miami.
Things Nobody Tells You About Eloping in Florida
Humidity is real and worth planning for.
Florida summer mornings go from comfortable to genuinely oppressive within a couple of hours of sunrise. If you're visiting between May and September, start early — before 9 am if possible. Your photographer, your hair, and your comfort will all thank you.
The light here is some of the best in the country.
Florida's flat geography and proximity to water mean sunrise and sunset light spreads wide and lingers. Golden hour in Key West or on the Gulf Coast genuinely lasts longer than you'd expect, and the colors are extraordinary. Build your ceremony time around it.
Beach permits exist for a reason — get them.
Florida takes its beach and state park permit requirements seriously. Showing up without one can mean being asked to stop your ceremony mid-vow. It's not worth the stress. A good photographer or planner will help you navigate this — we include permit guidance in every package.
Sunrise beaches vs. sunset beaches.
On the Atlantic side (St. Augustine), the sun rises from the ocean and sets behind the land. On the Gulf Coast (Clearwater, Tampa Bay), the sun rises from behind the land and sets into the water. This changes everything about when and where you want to be for your ceremony and portraits. Know which coast you're on before you plan your timeline.
Florida's wildlife is part of the magic — not a problem.
Sea turtles nesting on St. Augustine beaches. Ospreys at Honeymoon Island. Tarpon rolling in the channels near Key West. Dolphins following boats through the Keys. Florida's wildlife regularly shows up during elopements, and it's one of the things that make this state genuinely extraordinary for photography. We've seen it change a couple's entire day.
Why Couples Choose Us for Their Florida Elopement
We're based in Jacksonville — northeast Florida is home for us. We know the First Coast, we know St. Augustine intimately, and we've been exploring the rest of this extraordinary state with the same curiosity that took us to 42 national parks on our Google photography contract.
We don't just photograph your ceremony. We help you figure out where to go, how to time it, what permits you need, which vendors to trust, and how to build a day that feels like an adventure — not a checklist. Whether you're exchanging vows at sunrise on Vilano Beach, on a quiet Gulf Coast shore with the water turning gold behind you, or at the end of the road in Key West, we're there for the whole thing.
Our packages start at $6,200 for 4–6 hours, $8,200 for 7–9 hours, with no travel fees anywhere in Florida. Every package includes expert timeline consultation, permit guidance, vendor recommendations, and the kind of hands-on support that means you spend your elopement day actually present — not managing logistics.
Ready to Start Planning?
If you've made it this far, you already know Florida is the right choice. The only question is which corner of it speaks to you.
Tell us about your dream day — even if it's just a feeling, a landscape you keep coming back to, or a season that sounds right. We'll take it from there. We respond to every inquiry personally, and we'd love to get to know you.
If we could give more than 5 stars we would. Capture Your Legacy truly went above and beyond for us and we are so lucky to have found them. So down to earth and kind, yet super professional and definitely know what they’re doing. Very easy to work with. Outstanding communication throughout. We are so excited for our photos.
-Sabrina & Cory
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