Weddings in Key West

Key West is one of the most wedding-friendly destinations in Florida — small enough to be personal, photogenic enough that your photos look like you spent more than you did, and with enough infrastructure that a destination wedding here doesn't require a miracle to pull off. Here's what you need to know.

Legal Requirements in Florida

Florida's marriage laws are straightforward but have specific requirements:

Marriage license: Apply at any county clerk of court — Monroe County Clerk is in Key West at 500 Whitehead St. Both parties must appear in person with valid government-issued photo ID. There's a 3-day waiting period for non-residents unless you complete a state-approved premarital course (adds cost but eliminates the wait). The license costs roughly $90.

Officiant: Florida allows any ordained minister, judicial officer, or notary to perform marriages. Most wedding planners have relationships with local officiants — confirm credentials well in advance.

Return the license: The officiant must return the signed license to the Monroe County Clerk within 10 days of the ceremony. Your planner usually handles this.

Beach Ceremony Locations

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park — The most popular beach ceremony location on the island. Requires a park permit ($500–$1,000 depending on group size), has a maximum capacity of about 50 for ceremonies, and offers the best water views on the island. The beach is sandy, the water is clean, and the park has a covered area for cocktail hour. Book 6–12 months ahead for peak season.

Higgs Beach — More accessible than Fort Zach, adjacent to the Westin resort. Requires a city permit ($200–$500). Less dramatic water view but more centrally located for guests coming from Duval Street hotels.

Sunset Key — The most exclusive option. The private island off Key West's west side requires boat access via the Sunset Key guest services. Capacity is limited, the beach is private, and the setting is genuinely hard to replicate. Book through the SSTYK (Sunset Key) management — wedding packages start around $10,000 for 30 guests.

Private venue rooftops — Several Old Town buildings (The Perry Hotel, The Santa Maria) have rooftop spaces with harbor views that work for ceremonies and receptions when you want a more urban feel.

Reception Venues

The Audubon House — Historic garden setting in Old Town, capacity ~75 for seated dinner. One of the most photographed venues on the island, consistently excellent for small-to-medium weddings.

Sunset Key (again) — Reception on the island is the full experience: private, beautiful, all logistics managed. It's expensive but works seamlessly.

The Westin Key West Resort — The largest hotel venue on the island. Works for 75–150 person receptions. The waterfront location is good, the rooms are solid, and the infrastructure handles volume.

The Reach Resort — More intimate than the Westin, the Reach has a private beach and a smaller property that works well for 30–80 person weddings.

Louie's Backyard — For a smaller rehearsal dinner or intimate reception (under 40), Louie's upper deck is hard to beat for the sunset view and the food is consistently excellent.

Working with a Wedding Planner

Key West has several experienced destination wedding planners who know the island's quirks — the ferry schedule, the permit offices, the officiants, the flower import logistics. Hiring one is the move that separates a smooth Key West wedding from a stressful one. They handle the things that would otherwise require a lot of back-and-forth: park permits, vendor coordination, vendor arrival timing (vendors miss ferries, it happens).

Find wedding planners and venues on Viator →

What It Actually Costs

Here's a realistic budget range for a Key West wedding, based on 30–50 guests:

• Venue/ceremony: $2,000–$8,000 (park permit + reception venue, or full venue rental)
• Catering: $3,000–$10,000 ($100–$250/person for plated or buffet dinner with open bar)
• Photography: $3,000–$7,000 (full-day coverage, island-experienced photographers book 9–12 months out)
• Flowers: $1,500–$5,000 (flowers are imported — plan for a 20–30% premium over mainland pricing)
• Music/DJ: $800–$2,500
• Officiant + marriage license: $500–$1,000
• Planner: $2,000–$5,000 (worth it)

Total realistic range: $15,000–$35,000 for a 30–50 person wedding. Off-season (June–November) drops catering and venue costs by 20–30%. January and February are peak — if you want that, book 12+ months ahead.

The Off-Season Case

Key West's wedding off-season (June–November) overlaps with hurricane season and the hottest months — but the deals are real. Venue pricing drops 20–30%, vendors have more availability, and the island has a quieter, more personal feel that some couples prefer. September Key West is nearly empty, gorgeous in a different way, and if you're comfortable with the weather risk, it's the best value in the Florida Keys.

Full wedding planning guide, venue directory, and vendor links — keywestondemand.com →