Spread a little sunshine at your destination wedding. Florida has a range of chic resorts and world-class venues to suit any and all budgets.
By: Susan MoynihanWith that legendary weather and gorgeous locales on both coasts, your biggest problem might be narrowing down the options. Whether you’re throwing a grand soirée or planning an intimate ceremony, these three great resorts each have their own special appeal.
Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
Florida’s newest luxury resort opened in November 2014, bringing sophisticated glamour to Orlando. Set on lush grounds, the 443-room resort will please guests of all ages. The Four Seasons Orlando has an onsite Disney Planning Center and daily shuttle service to all four Disney parks, but you don’t actually have to leave to have fun. Families will love the lazy river and two 242-foot water slides, as well as the complimentary kids’ camp. Other guests can book a treatment at the 22-room spa or play 18 holes on the Tom Fazio golf course. In the evenings, the rooftop bar at Capa offers craft cocktails, tapas and endless views across the palms. Hold your ceremony outdoors at one of two lakefront lawns, dressed up with a floral canopy or softly glowing lanterns. And invite as many people as you wish: the Grand Ballroom holds up to 895 guests for receptions. Wedding package rates start at $150 per person.
Photos courtesy of the Four Seasons
South Seas Island Resort, Captiva Island
A destination wedding should be about options, and that’s what we love about South Seas Island Resort, spread over 330 acres on Captiva Island on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Frolic on two and a half miles of beach, play everything from tennis to golf and go fishing, sailing, kayaking or paddleboarding. The 471 suites, condos and cottages suit the most diverse guest lists, from budget-friendly hotel rooms overlooking Harbourside Marina to multi-bedroom homes with private swimming pools. The resort has multiple venue options, too, so you can host wedding events at different scenic spots around the property. Secluded Sunset Cove is a favorite for beachfront vows, but for easy breezy nuptials, hold the ceremony on the Kings Crown lawn, then retreat to the whitewashed wooden deck for your reception of up to 150 people. Location fees start at $2,000; reception fees start at $160 per person.
Photos courtesy of South Seas Island Resort
The Palms Hotel & Spa, Miami Beach
Glitz and glamour is what having a wedding in Miami is all about. This 251-room resort is in Mid-Beach, surrounded by Gazebo in the garden at The Palms, Art Deco architecture, hot nightspots and Miami Beach’s vibrant art scene. The garden tucked between The Palms Hotel & Spa and the beach has a lawn edged with giant palms and lush bougainvillea, making it feel like your own private oasis. Ceremonies take place under a two-tiered gazebo bedecked with twinkling lights or ablaze with flowers. After a photo session on the beach, move to the open-air Veranda Terrace that holds up to 146 guests and expands to the airy Royal Palm ballroom if you need more space. Reception menus use local ingredients whenever possible, many sourced from the farms in nearby Homestead. And for the after party, all of Miami is waiting for you. Location fees start at $800.
Photo Credit: Amy Hill
