With pristine white sand beaches, palm trees that sway in the breeze and picture-perfect sunsets, Florida has always proven itself as an ideal place for couples to say, “I do.”
With more than 2 million partners choosing to tie the knot in the United States each year, having plenty of unique venues to choose from helps lovebirds fulfill their wedding dreams. From an inventor’s homemade Airbnb village and wedding venue named after himself (Danville) to a sternwheeler steamboat on the St. Johns River, the Sunshine State offers plenty of spaces for vows to be made and love stories to unfold.
Danville
“I’ve met 4,000 people from hosting on Airbnb,” said Dan Shaw, 78, who dreamt up his own little venue and village, naming it Danville. “Where else could I meet 4,000 people that come to see me?” Guests can stay in a yurt, a treehouse, a man cave apartment or the Danville Inn, which sits in the middle of a main street facade constructed inside an airplane hangar. This downtown Danville setting makes a unique place to host a wedding reception after an outdoor ceremony on the 30-acre property, which sits between Orlando and New Smyrna Beach. Couples can honeymoon for the night in the Danville Inn, where a king bed and a 12-seat home theater await.
Location: 232 N. Jungle Road in Geneva
Contact: 407-349-5724; stay@danvillebnb.com
Website: danvillebnb.com
Lightner Museum
Sometimes referred to as “America’s Oldest City,” founded in 1565, St. Augustine transports visitors hundreds of years into the past with its Spanish architecture and old-world feel. The Lightner Museum occupies the former Hotel Alcazar, which was built by Henry Flagler in 1889. The historic building is home to exhibitions on art, architecture, history and design, but it also makes for a scenic and storied event space with room for up to 225 guests.
Location: 75 King St. in St. Augustine
Contact: 904-217-0077; info@lightnerweddings.com
Website: weddings.lightnermuseum.org
The Glass Factory
A former factory commissioned by the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, the Glass Factory features an industrial aesthetic with exposed bricks and beams, but plenty of natural light. The 16,000-square-foot historic space can cater to a range of themes and decor and provides enough room for giant weddings and events with hundreds of guests.
Location: 601 Myrtle Ave. N. in Jacksonville
Contact: 904-414-5277; events@theglassfactory.com
Website: theglassfactory.com
The Balcony Orlando
Perched on a rooftop about 11 stories above downtown Orlando, this venue features more than 10,000 square feet of outdoor space and an additional 6,000 square feet of indoor space in the gallery. Guests can enjoy views of Lake Eola and the surrounding skyline as they celebrate the joining of lives together. With room for more than 500 guests on the balcony and more than 250 inside, this venue presents plenty of photo ops in a modern setting.
Location: 189 S. Orange Ave., #1120, in Orlando
Contact: 407-730-9547; hello@thebalconyorlando.com
Website: thebalconyorlando.com
Casa Feliz
Casa Feliz, or “Happy House,” is a historic work of art by Winter Park architect James Gamble Rogers II, who designed the building to resemble a Spanish farmhouse in the 1930s. A state historic marker honors the site, which is open to the public for tours and available for private events. Rich textures and character found in Spanish roof tiles, whitewashed bricks, bell tower, landscaping and oak trees add to this venue’s charm.
Location: 656 N. Park Ave. in Winter Park
Contact: 407-628-0230; Betsy@casafeliz.us
Website: casafeliz.us
St. Johns Rivership Co.
The St. Johns Rivership Co. invites tourists and locals aboard the Barbara-Lee, a sternwheeler built in 1986 and refurbished in 2012. Driven by massive wooden paddle wheels, the ship harkens back to the 1800s when steamboats would regularly be seen traveling the 310-mile St. Johns. Enjoy the beauty of natural Florida while exchanging rings or dancing into the night at a riverboat reception with a capacity for up to 176 people.
Location: 433 N. Palmetto Ave. in Sanford
Contact: 321-441-3030; info@stjohnsrivershipco.com
Website: stjohnsrivershipco.com
Hemingway Home
During a visit to Key West, explore the former residence of legendary writer Ernest Hemingway, which is now home to dozens of polydactyl (six-toed) cats. The gardens and grounds present a look into life in the 1930s, which for Hemingway included a luxurious in-ground pool — something that was considered rare in the Florida Keys at that time. Three outdoor spaces are set up for weddings with up to 100 guests: the ceremony garden, the pool for cocktail hour and the reception garden.
Location: 907 Whitehead St. in Key West
Contact: 305-393-2444; hemingwayhomeweddings@gmail.com
Website: hemingwayhome.com
Secret Gardens
This six-acre paradise outside of Miami features flowing waterfalls, koi ponds and lush flora, making it the perfect backdrop for events and photoshoots. This venue stands out from others in that it’s not open to the public, providing a private oasis for the moment when couples exchange rings and vows. Packages are available for up to 150 guests. A honeymoon villa gives the newlyweds a place to stay after the reception is over.
Location: 14450 S.W. 248th St. in Homestead
Contact: 305-507-7405; events@secretgardensmiami.com
Website: secretgardensmiami.com
Ragtops Palm Beach
A vintage car museum by day, Ragtops near Palm Beach is home to an array of antique cars, many of which are for sale. These also provide a backdrop for private events and weddings, which can incorporate the cars as a focal point in photo ops. Ragtops can also furnish vintage vehicles for photo shoots, off-premise gatherings and weddings. It’s always fun to have the ability to create a special memory on a special day.
Location: 701 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth Beach
Contact: 561-379-6500; ty@ragtopsmotorcars.com
Website: ragtopspalmbeach.com
Don CeSar
The self-proclaimed “crown jewel of Florida’s Gulf Coast” presents a picture-perfect place for an overnight stay atop the windswept dunes of St. Pete Beach. Open since 1928, the “Pink Palace” luxury resort has survived numerous hurricanes and stood the test of time. The Don CeSar offers a space for beach weddings and receptions with views of the Gulf.
Location: 3400 Gulf Blvd. in St. Pete Beach
Contact: 844-338-1501; info@doncesar.com
Website: doncesar.com
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
With historic architecture, tropical flora and sweeping views of Sarasota Bay, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art has plenty for public visitors to explore, with displays about the circus and fine art offerings. Guests can also see the first floor of Ca’ d’Zan, a 36,000-square-foot mansion that was home to the Ringlings. Couples looking for a place to be wed can pick from the museum’s courtyard, the mansion’s terrace or outdoor areas for micro weddings.
Location: 5401 Bay Shore Road in Sarasota
Contact: 941-359-5700; info@ringling.org
Website: ringling.org
Morean Historic Train Station
Step inside a piece of St. Petersburg history by hosting a wedding within a renovated 1926 railway freight depot. The “urban chic” setting has 5,000 square feet of open event space with exposed brick, steel and wood architecture, and plenty of modern amenities. The station has room for between 200-300 guests when combined with the outside patio space.
Location: 420 22nd Street South in St. Petersburg
Contact: 727-490-9601
Website: udreamevents.com
The Lodge at Wakulla Springs
Visit one of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs, which is teeming with flora and fauna in the form of cypress trees, manatees, alligators and much more. Guests can take a boat tour to learn more about the area’s history — which stretches back thousands of years to early Native Americans and mastodons — or stay overnight in the Wakulla Springs Lodge, which dates back to 1937. This natural setting provides the perfect place to host a wedding, with options from a terrace overlooking the springs to a gazebo or the historic lobby.
Location: 465 Wakulla Park Drive in Wakulla Springs
Contact: 850-421-2000; sales@wakullalodge.com
Website: thelodgeatwakullasprings.com
Palafox Wharf Waterfront
Experience the magic and elegance of Pensacola’s Palafox Wharf, built in 1880. The venue offers modern amenities in a historic setting with in-house wedding planning and management services. Wedding parties can snap photos in front of a waterfront backdrop and celebrate with a ceremony out on the green, then move inside for the reception.
Location: 617 S. Palafox St. in Pensacola
Contact: 850-748-5102; sandypalafoxwharf@gmail.com
Website: 617palafoxwharf.com
Goodwood Museum & Gardens
What was formerly home to a 1,600-acre plantation now serves as a historic event and wedding venue, in addition to its public-facing museum and gardens. The property’s grand oaks, heirloom gardens and historic architecture provide the backdrop for a picture-perfect wedding. The Carriage House reception area can accommodate up to 200 guests seated after celebrating an outdoor ceremony on the front lawn.
Location: 1600 Miccosukee Road in Tallahassee
Contact: 850-877-4202; jabixler@goodwoodmuseum.org
Website: goodwoodmuseum.org
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