Eloping in Florida: The Ultimate Dos and Don’ts Guide for 2026
Dreaming of an epic and adventurous elopement in Florida? Then this guide is for you! Whether you’re drawn to the sport ocean fishing, vibrant city scenes, or the blue waters, Florida offers a stunning backdrop for your elopement. From water activities to the local craft breweries, there’s no shortage of things to do. But before you dive into planning, let’s explore the main do’s and don’ts to ensure your Florida elopement is everything you’ve ever wanted! From hiring the right vendors to navigating permits and weather considerations, these tips will help you create the perfect, sun-soaked adventure elopement while avoiding common mistakes.
Eloping in Florida Do’s & Don’t’s Summary
Eloping in Florida Do’s
Give Yourself Planning Time
Even though elopements are easier to plan than weddings, it’s still wise to plan ahead to ensure everything you need is in place (such as necessary documents, travel arrangements, and any permits) and you have your pick of vendors (vendors get booked well in advance especially if they still cater to weddings). Give yourself at least 6 months to start planning, but the more time, the better.
Hire Elopement-Specific Vendors
When you’re planning your dream kitchen renovation, you’re most likely not going to hire a jack of all trades. You’ll want to hire an expert that understands your vision and the entire process. That’s why hiring elopement-specific vendors (like a Florida elopement photographer) is so important to ensure your wedding day is seamless and stress-free. These moments are once in a lifetime, and having local elopement experts on your side to bring your vision to life is SO worth it.
Opt for a Weekday
When you’re thinking about the date for eloping in Florida, consider a weekday! Weekdays are perfect for less crowds and better vendor availability since most vendors are booked on weekends for larger weddings. Need some more convincing? Here’s my guide on the 5+ reasons for eloping on a weekday!
Get the Legalities Right
Research the legal requirements for marriage licenses in Florida. Ensure you have a valid Florida marriage license and give yourself plenty of time to obtain a license – especially if you’re a Florida resident. Check the specific Clerk of Court requirements, and factor this into your timeline. If you want some more guidance, check out my resource on how to elope in Florida!
Create an Experience
Elopements don’t stop at the vows. Many of my clients continue the adventure of the day by creating an all day elopement experience (some have called it their most epic date night yet). Write your own vows, include intentional details that reflect your personalities, and incorporate activities into your day for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Want some inspo? Here’s my list of 50+ activities and some examples of fun activities:
Consider Your Outfits
Choose attire that suits the location and vibe of your elopement. It doesn’t have to be traditional, but keep in mind where you’ll be and what you’ll be doing. Florida tends to be hot and humid and most out of state couples should opt for lighter fabrics to keep cool. If you’re thinking about getting married on the beach, swap heels for sandals or go barefoot. If you’re exploring a city, opt for more comfortable shoes to walk in.
Inform Close Friends and Family First
Always, always, always have a plan for sharing the news with your closest friends and family before or shortly after the elopement to avoid hurt feelings. Trust me on this one. Whether that’s FaceTiming your family right after or sending them an announcement card, make sure you’ve got a plan for telling your closest friends and family that doesn’t involve a social media post.
Research Locations
Florida offers diverse settings, from beaches to gardens and historic sites. Research and choose a location that resonates with your elopement vision. Consider factors like where you want to stay, what you want to see, what you want to do, and what types of photos you’ll want captured. Want some ideas that don’t include the beach? Here’s my list of locations that don’t involve the beach!
Plan for Weather
Florida’s weather can be unpredictable especially in the summer months with torrential downpours and thunderstorms throughout the afternoon and evening. Have a backup plan if you’re eloping outdoors (or during hurricane season), and consider the best time of year for eloping in Florida to avoid finicky weather. Here’s a resource to learn more about the best time to elope in Florida.
Incorporate Water Activities
If you’re eloping in Florida near the water, consider adding a fun activity like kayaking or boating to your celebration! I encourage all my couples to get in the water somehow whether it’s jumping into a pool, running through some fountains, or changing into bikinis to swim in the water, it almost feels like a MUST for eloping in Florida. It’s an absolutely iconic end to (or part of) a perfect day. Just see for yourself! ↓
Eloping in Florida Don’t‘s
Neglect Legalities
This might seem obvious since we made this part of the do section, but it’s so important! Make sure you understand and fulfill the legal requirements for marriage in your chosen location to avoid any issues down the line. This includes having all the necessary documents and information for your marriage license ready, location reservations or permits secured, photography permits booked, etc. Nothing ruins a wedding day plan more than a legal hurdle that was missed or being asked to leave your ceremony location because you didn’t have the proper permission ahead of time.
Rush the Process
Give yourself enough time to enjoy the day and have it captured with an elopement photographer. Rushing through the day to adhere to your photography coverage can lead to overlooked details and added stress. One of my biggest regrets when eloping was going with the shortest package based on cost alone. This resulted in feeling like I had to fit my entire experience into a box and left no room for really enjoying they day with my new husband. Need some help picking how many hours you need? Check out my guide for choosing!
Hire Any Old Photographer
As a Florida elopement photographer that also eloped in Colorado, I have perspectives from both sides on this one. As a bride who hired a photographer based solely style and price (and not on expertise or guidance), this was my second biggest regret apart from a short coverage package. Don’t get me wrong – we loved our photos. But there was so much planning and preparation left on the table that it added a ton of stress. I had a vision in my head for mountainscape photos, but because my photographer wasn’t experienced in Colorado hiking elopements, we didn’t get those those iconic photos. I was left figuring out my own timeline and preparation and it added way more stress on to me than what was necessary. If I could go back, I would hire a photographer that specialized in elopements to help me with all the logistics, timeline, planning, and preparation for the day…especially if I wasn’t from the area.
Ignore Hurricane Season
Summer is popular in Florida with many couples having time off, but be aware of hurricane season, which runs June through November. After capturing dozens of summer and hurricane season elopements, I can tell you it’s the least ideal time for elopements. Between the high temperature and humidity, spontaneous thunderstorms, and a hurricane potentially ruining your travel and elopement plans, I urge couples to pick a date outside of hurricane season. If your date isn’t flexible, then I highly recommend travel insurance or having a backup plan if eloping during this time. I’ve seen way too many couples feel the pressure of a hurricane ruining their elopement plans.
Ignore Popular Times
It’s tempting to elope during a long holiday weekend, but these are popular times for tourists to visit aas well. That means popular Florida locations can get crowded fast especially during peak tourist seasons such as spring break, summer, any holiday weekend like Memorial Day or Labor Day, and in between Christmas and New Years. With increased popularity, increased prices for accommodations normally follow.
Skip Sun & Bug Protection
Sunburns and mosquitos bites can ruin your wedding day experience (not to mention making the photos more complicated). Before and during your elopement, ensure you’re lathering up with reef-safe sunscreen like Sun Bum (or check reef-safe guidelines for your own products) to prevent any sunburns and unwanted tan lines. Always wear bug repellent especially during dawn/dusk or night time to keep mosquito bites at bay and use Skin-So-Soft body oil to avoid no-see-um bites.
Rush or Forego Professional Hair and Makeup
Florida’s humidity can affect hair and makeup really badly. Couples who rush or forgo professional hair and makeup usually end up regretting the decision as their hair falls flat or their make up doesn’t come out how they wanted. Unless you’re confident in your hair and make up skills, I highly recommend hiring a professional hair and make up artist to give your beauty the best shot at lasting throughout the day. Not only that, but give your hair and make up artist plenty of time to work their magic. Rushing the process is a recipe for HMU disaster.
Choose Fashion over Comfort
Listen, I totally understand wanting to be cute and fashion forward on your elopement day, but Florida’s temperatures can quickly turn your layered wedding dress or three piece suit into a stifling mess. More often than not, uncomfortable clothing or shoes causes couples to change their plans completely because they’re so hot or in pain. It’s important to choose attire that’s comfortable and suitable for the weather conditions.
Meet Your Florida Elopement Photographer
Hey there! I’m Anna, your Florida elopement photographer, local expert and good vibes specialist.
I’m based in Florida, where the water is always close and the vibes are chill and tropical. Florida is so much more than long stretches of sandy beaches, and I l o v e showing rad folks like you just what makes this place special. From choosing the perfect location to figuring out those pesky permits to ensuring every detail aligns with your vision, I’ve got you covered. There’s a lot to consider ahead of your elopement and I’m here to guide you through those dos and don’ts.
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