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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! 

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