Helpful Tips for How to Choose a Wedding Venue

Home » 5 Helpful Tips for Choosing a Wedding Venue

Are you thinking of having a Florida Keys Wedding? Well, you’re in luck! We are here to help you out with helpful tips on how to choose your wedding venue.

Most, if not all couples when they get engaged, start looking wedding venues right from the start. Should it be a local gathering, should it be a destination wedding, should it be a simple elopement?

Don’t worry, in this following article, we will specify how to choose the perfect wedding venue right here in the Florida Keys!

1.)Types of Venues

Theoretically, there are 5 different types of Wedding Venues in the Florida Keys.

Private Beach Houses
Beach Resorts
Ceremony & Reception Only
Ceremony Only
Churches

Private Beach Houses are a pretty unique way to have a wedding and sometimes can be alot of fun. A private beach house for a wedding venue is usually rented (stipulated by the owners) between 4-7 nights at a time. Everything has to be built from the Ground up and offers a blank canvas to build yourself a masterpiece. Some pros are you can bring in your own vendors, bring your own alcohol, and really have a wedding week instead of a weekend or just a couple of hours.

Beach Resorts Are similar in a way to private beach houses, except beach resort wedding venues typically require just a 2-3 night stay. These are properties where you and most of your guests can stay directly onsite.

Ceremony and Reception Wedding Venues are locations and venues that don’t require any lodging or accommodations. These venues are typically helpful when you are concerned about where your guests might stay.

Ceremony Only locations are usually great for small weddings and elopements. We have great recommendations for beaches for just doing a ceremony only and having dinner reception at a local restaurant.

2.) Pricing for Each Venue

Private Beach Houses: These homes as mentioned above are week long or long weekend rentals and can range anywhere from $4,000 – $17,000 for the entire week.
Beach Resorts require a site fee only and mandatory that almost all or everyone stays on site and if not, you pay the difference. Beach Resorts run around $2,500 – $7,000 Site Fees
Ceremony and Reception Only: Usually these are at local restaurants locations and have a smaller site fee of around $1,500 – $2,500
Ceremony Only: We have wedding packages that start at $299 for a ceremony only package.

3.) Pros and Cons for each Venue

Each venue, I don’t care what it is, will have a pro and con attached to it. Some are minor and some can be major. My goal is to tell you them and you decide what bothers you and what doesn’t.

Private Beach Homes

Pros:

PRIVACY
Flexible with bringing your own vendors
Week Long Vacation / Destination Wedding
Bring in your own alcohol
Great for DIY Brides
Plan Rehearsal and Brunches on Site

Cons:

Building from the Ground Up
Week Long Rental
No Indoor Space For backup
No Staff Onsite
No where for additional Guests to stay
Food for all guests all days

Beach Resorts

Pros:

All Inclusive
All Guests are on site
Lower Site Fee
Activities on Site

Cons:

Not as Private (Ceremony)
4-5 Hours Long
Cookie Cutter Effect
May have multiple events same day

Ceremony & Reception Only

Pros:

No Guest Accommodations
Budget Friendly
All Inclusive Packages
Cash Bar after certain hour
No Nightly Minimums

Cons:

Not Private
Shorter in Time

Ceremony Only

Pros:

All Inclusive
Very Affordable
No Site Fees
Quick and easy
Beautiful locations on the beach

Cons:

Not Private
Have to find reception dinner
Not Ideal for large guest lists

4.) How to Choose a Wedding Venue

Now that you have an idea of what wedding venues are out there, and you have an idea of costs, and the pros and cons, this should help you make a more informed decision on how to choose a wedding venue. Which one should you choose? We have no idea. Each one is different in their own way and couples should choose based on what they want and their needs for their guests. If booking a beach resort or private home, check out some All inclusive packages to help get you started.

5.) After Choosing a Wedding Venue

I hope that you have made the right choice, and this article has helped you in your decision. After choosing your wedding venue, go celebrate, you’re having a wedding in the Florida Keys. After you celebrate, contact us to secure room blocks and group hotel discounts, as well as packages, wedding vendors, and so much more!