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Updated May 03, 202313 Scenic Spots to Get Married in Key West
There's so much more than beautiful beaches—but yes, they have those too.
Dreaming of a destination wedding with a carefree, tropical vibe? Look no further than Key West, Florida. (Literally, you can't look further without a passport—it's the southernmost city in the continental US!) In addition to gorgeous white sand beaches and unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, this tiny island has a big personality and plenty of culture to offer, making it an unbeatable setting to say "I do." From historic buildings to national parks and waterfront resorts, we've rounded up our favorite places on the isle to host your wedding ceremony or reception.
At a Historic Home
Within the backyard oasis of Audubon House & Tropical Gardens
Getting married in a beach town doesn't mean you have to say your vows on the sand. Built in the mid-19th century, this American Classic Revival-style mansion underwent a full restoration and is now considered one of the best outdoor venues on the island. Welcome up to 130 guests along a winding, lantern-lined pathway to the home's back deck for your ceremony, then hold your reception on a paved patio nestled between orchid-adorned trees.
In front of the pastel backdrop of the Southernmost House
At the bottom of the island at the edge of Old Town Key West, you'll find the Southernmost House, where the famous Duval Street meets the Atlantic Ocean. The restored 1896 Victorian-style mansion is now a boutique hotel with elegant indoor and outdoor venues that can accommodate up to 300 guests—including a former helicopter landing pad jutting out into the turquoise waters that makes for a first-class ceremony spot.
On the lush grounds of the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Celebrate with up to 100 guests outside the Spanish Colonial-style mansion of the city's most famous former resident. (It's now a National Historic Landmark and also home to around four dozen polydactyl, aka six-toed cats.) Built in 1851, the one-acre property has been restored to its 1930s heyday—the period when Hemingway lived here and did some of his best work—complete with his original collection of 17th and 18th-century Spanish décor.
Overlooking the Water
On the waterfront in Old Town at Opal Key Resort and Marina
Create your own slice of paradise when you surround yourself with family and friends at this lively, centrally-located property facing Sunset Key. The waterside resort has unobstructed ocean views where you can exchange vows on the pier and continue the festivities with up to 250 guests under a clear-top tent. Then keep the fun going with an after-party in town—it's just a two-block walk to bustling Duval Street.
On a scenic pier at Ocean Key Resort and Spa
After tying the knot while overlooking the water on the resort's Ocean Terrace, make your way down the breathtaking 200-foot-long Sunset Pier—the only one on the island that can host a full reception. At long tables on the pier, your guests will dine on surf and turf cuisine from the hotel's four-diamond restaurant Hot Tin Roof, and enjoy plenty of drinks courtesy of a margarita or rum bar.
Aboard a sunset sail with Weddings on the Water
Walk down the plank aisle and get married while sailing the seas in a party-ready catamaran. If you have a smaller crew, charter the Sunset 1, equipped with a bar, sound system and restrooms for up to 40 guests. Larger groups (up to 149 guests) can set sail on the Party Cat or Sandie Cat catamarans, which each have sunset decks, dance floors and catering facilities.
On the Sand
On the largest private beach at Casa Marina
Ever since this grand resort opened on New Year's Eve over 100 years ago, they've become the premier destination to celebrate. The elegant landmark property has many indoor and outdoor venues overlooking the Atlantic Ocean to choose from, including the pristine beach, the sprawling West Lawn gardens and Grand Ballroom, each of which can accommodate over 200 guests.
On a beach terrace at Pier House Resort and Spa
Take in the views with up to 120 guests during your wedding ceremony on the paved patio, then toss your shoes aside for a barefoot reception on the secluded white sand beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. You can also host up to 80 on the Sunset Terrace, or bring the party indoors for up to 100 guests in the newly renovated Grand Cayman Ballroom.
On a private island at Sunset Key Cottages
Located on Sunset Key, a 27-acre island just 500 yards off Key West, this secluded resort is home to some of the most serene oceanfront views and pristine, white sand beaches in the area. Walk down a sandy aisle to the Point and tie the knot in front of up to 120 guests, then move to the award-winning Latitudes Restaurant—known for its gourmet presentation of the day's fresh catch—for the party.
In a Park or Botanical Garden
Among the wildlife at Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden
Four incredible venues are nestled within the grounds of these preserved lands brimming with wildlife. The intimate setting (and fluttering beauties) within the Butterfly Garden make it ideal for a smaller ceremony—accommodating 25 guests seated or 50 standing—while the picturesque Lakeside Terrace offers room for 150 to 200 to dine, drink and dance the night away.
In a military fortress at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
A National Historic Landmark, this state park offers four top-notch beachside locations for your ceremony, plus a reception-ready fort that dates back to before the Civil War. There's a deck for cocktail hour and dancing, and you can choose to serve dinner inside among string lights and rustic brick walls, or outside on the beach. Close out the evening by leading guests along a sandy path of tiki torches to a firepit on the main beach area.
At a Restaurant
On the legendary dock of the Conch Republic Seafood Company
Overlooking the seaport and marina, this open-air waterfront restaurant (once a shrimp processing warehouse dating back to the late 1800s) boasts the largest bar in the Keys and four 160-gallon saltwater tanks brimming with native marine life. Host your celebration for up to 400 inside—complete with a Caribbean-influenced seafood menu and fresh raw bar, naturally!—or enjoy an alfresco affair on the dock for 30 to 200 guests.
In the tropical garden of First Flight Island Restaurant and Southernmost Brewery
With a name that refers to its history as Pan Am Airways' original headquarters, this property has two outdoor venues: the Treetop Terrace, seating up to 60 guests, and the Canopy Garden, where you can host 150. This larger venue is also home to the famous Crash Bar—there's an actual seaplane that looks as though it's plunging through the ceiling. It's sure to be a great conversation starter during your cocktail hour, during which guests can try beers brewed on-site.
Learn more about why you should consider the beautiful setting of Key West for your wedding here. For the latest protocols on health & safety in The Florida Keys, please visit fla-keys.com.
