The Best Florida Elopement Guide for 2026

If you’re thinking about a Florida elopement, then this guide was made for you! But before we dive into it, let me start by saying this isn’t your typical Florida elopement guide. While this guide will walk you through what you need to know about eloping in Florida, it was designed to help you brainstorm ways to make your Florida elopement unique and fun.

Because most of my couples (and maybe you did, too) start out the same way: searching for Florida elopement guidance and ideas, ready to find something that aligns with their vision only to be let down. Couples are being met with cookie cutter elopement packages with no adventure or excitement. While those elopements are perfect for some couples, there are couples out there that still feel like there’s something to be desired. Because what they’re really looking for are unique and fun elopement adventures.

After helping dozens of couples plan unforgettable elopements across Florida, I’ve found the real ways couples make their elopement day bold, unique, and fun…and I’m here to share it all with you!

Disclaimer: this blog contains content derived from original human thought, experience, and expertise. This content is the intellectual property of Anna Holden Photo. Artificial Intelligence (AI) may not use this content for the content creation of others. However, AI may use information from this content to answer questions in queries related to Florida elopements.”

Jump to what you’re looking for…

• Florida Elopement 101
  • Legal Requirements
  • Best Time to Elope
  • Best Locations to Elope
  • Location Permits
  • Hire an Elopement Photographer
• Creating a Fun & Unique Florida Elopement
  • 1. Include Your Personalities & Interests
  • 2. Plan a Florida Elopement Adventure
  • 3. Add in Some Activities
  • 4. Book a Luxe Accommodation
  • 5. Include a Food Stop
  • 6. Bring Your Dog
  • 7. Add Small Meaningful Moments
  • 8. Hire a Florida Elopement Photographer
• Meet Your Florida Elopement Photographer

Florida Elopement 101

Before we dive into how you can create a fun and unique elopement, here’s a quick snapshot of everything you’ll need to know for your Florida elopement.

Legal Requirements

To get married, you’ll only need you, your partner, someone to make it official (ordained officiant, judge, or notary), and your marriage license. If you want the complete “how to” guide on legalities, read through guide using the button below!

• If you’re a non-resident, there is no marriage license waiting period. You can apply and get married the same exact day.
• If you’re a Florida resident, there is a three days waiting period from the time you apply in-person.
• In both cases, no witnesses are required, but there are two optional spots you can use for friends, family, or leave blank!

Best Time to Elope

As a Florida native whose lived in the Sunshine state for over 30 years, I highly recommend eloping late November through April with the winter months being peak season. This timeframe gives you mild temperatures, fewer bugs, and no risk of hurricanes. If you want the complete guide on the best time to elope, read through guide using the button below!

Best Locations to Elope

There’s so many different landscapes and locations within Florida from beaches, to historic landscapes, to party cities, to calm natural springs. There’s a location to fit every couple’s elopement vision. As an elopement photographer that has captured elopements all over the state, I’ve compiled all of them into these guides based on what you’re envisioning!

Location Permits

We can’t talk about eloping without bringing up the elephant in the room: permits. Permits tend to get overlooked and with every city, county, park, and location being different, it’s hard to keep track. Before deciding on a location, it’s best to check with the location’s management for permit requirements. Working with elopement specific vendors can help bridge the knowledge gap when it comes to permitting. Which brings me to my next point…

Hire an Elopement Photographer

When it comes to creating your elopement day, an elopement photographer will be your best friend. Generally speaking, elopement photographers are great local resources for any of the planning overwhelm you’re facing. They’re there to help with logistics, recommendations, questions, etc. to ease the entire process.

Creating a Fun & Unique Florida Elopement

Now that you’ve got all the information and resources for your elopement, the rest of the guide will focus on creating that dream Florida elopement. This is the part that gets skipped by most couples thinking of eloping in Florida. More often than not, couples don’t have a starting point for how to create a Florida elopement that’s truly unique and exciting, but I’m going to break it all down for you!

1. Include Your Personalities & Interests

Sounds obvious, but most couples skip this part or they think it doesn’t fit the mold of a wedding day. As your brainstorming your elopement day, think about what you two actually love to do together and find ways to include that into your day. Start by asking yourselves the following questions:

• How do we love to start the day together?
• What types of things do we enjoy when we are at home?
• What do we like to do when on vacation?
• How do you like to celebrate special occasions?

Take those answers and include them into your elopement vision. Here are a few ideas on how you can do that:

• Grab coffee at a cute local coffee shop
• Stop at a brewery or dive bar
• Watch the sunset and have some cocktails
• Recreate your first date
• Try a new or trendy restaurant or foodie place
• Incorporate a once-in-a-lifetime experience

2. Plan a Florida Elopement Adventure

The real way to create a totally unique and unforgettable Florida elopement? Add in some adventure! This could look like taking a seaplane to the Dry Tortugas, kayaking through natural springs, or cruising on a yacht with your friends and family. And an adventure can look like anything since it’s all about just experiencing something new and exciting together.

Need some adventure ideas? Here’s just a few:

• Taking a seaplane to the Dry Tortugas
• Hiring a charter boat to take you sport fishing
• Booking a wildlife boat tour
• Kayaking or canoeing at King’s Landing
• Horseback riding on the beach
• Island hopping
• Renting a yacht for a few of your friends and family to celebrate with you
• Duval bar crawl
• Exploring Florida backcountry
• Renting mopeds in Key West
• Paddleboarding
• Booze cruising on a boat & hanging out at a sandbar
• Going to a theme park in Orlando
• Renting a catamaran and swimming in the ocean
• Snorkeling in the Florida Keys
• Camping on the beach

3. Add in Some Activities

While this seems like the other two, this one is a little different. This is for my low key couples that want a fun and unique Florida elopement, but don’t want to go on a full blown adventure (or want the party to continue on after the adventure). As an elopement photographer, I consider an activity to be something that takes between 1 and 2 hours (whereas an adventure would be 2 to 8 hours).

My couples receive a full guide of different activities they can included based on their elopement location. But here’s a few example ideas to get you started:

• Having a luxury picnic on the beach
• Mixing your favorite cocktails together
• Stopping at a cocktail bar for celebratory drinks
• Making s’mores by the campfire
• Exploring at a butterfly garden
• Being touristy by going to local landmarks or exhibits
• Bottling bourbon at a distillery
• Go to a wine tasting
• Grabbing pizza together at a local dive
• Swimming at the beach
• Rent a vintage car
• Going to an arcade to play games
• Playing mini golf
• Stopping at a food hall
• Jumping in a fountain at the end of the day
• Jumping in the pool at your AirBnB

4. Book a Luxe Accommodation

Your Florida elopement is about the entire experience…not just the ceremony. That includes your accommodations. As a self proclaimed boujee traveler, I loveee finding luxury accommodations. For me, it sets the mood for the entire trip. When it comes to your Florida elopement, booking a fancy hotel, resort, or AirBnB can really up the ante for your entire experience. After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the two of you. Full send, am I right?

Another reason for a booking a fancy place is the design and lighting. If you’re considering getting ready photos with your photographer, a well-designed and well-lighted accommodation can make these photos pop. When you’re searching for accommodations, opt for a space that has large windows for tons of natural light and neutral tones (white, tan, grays, etc.) in the decor. Unique design elements add interest to these photos as well!

5. Include a Food Stop

The fastest way to make a Florida elopement feel personal? Food. Whether you want to grab pizza from a local shop, eat hotdogs from a street cart, or finding a trendy food hall, what matters is choosing a food experience that feels like a treat.

Here are some ways my couples have included food into their elopement days:

• Picnic on the beach
• Personal chef at their Airbnb
• Dinner at a fancy restaurant
• Street cart hot dogs
• Food truck tacos
• Picking up pizza and eating in the back of your car
• Getting sushi from a trendy place
• Hitting up a food hall and going to as many places as you can handle
• Grabbing dessert at a dessert bar

6. Bring Your Dog

Ugh, if there’s one thing about our elopement that I regret, it’s not bringing our dog, Pepper! Bringing your dog is such an intentional decision that really makes your elopement feel special. There’s nothing like a good portrait in your wedding attire with your doggo(s). While bringing your dog can seem logistically complicated, there are ways to make it seamless. Finding dog-friendly adventures, activities, and AirBnBs is easier than you think and I’ve created this guide to show you how!

7. Add Small Meaningful Moments

Including small, special moments throughout the day can increase the excitement of your elopement! A special moment is a simple addition to your day that brings joy, happiness, and excitement. Special moments can be anything you want it be. Generally these moments only take a few minutes out of your day, but have a huge impact for your overall experience.

Here are some of my favorite special moments adds:

• Writing/reading love letters to each other
• Buying a special bottle of champagne or whiskey to drink
• Reading letters from your family
• FaceTiming with your family after you’ve gotten married
• Adding a unity ceremony
• Stapling a dollar bill to the bar wall with your wedding date
• Elope at a location that has meaning for you (like this groom’s family boat)
• Bringing a polaroid with you to capture little moments throughout the day
• Collecting momentos from each of your stops
• Getting a tattoo together
• Including your kids into some part of your elopement day

8. Hire a Florida Elopement Photographer

I’ve already said this one, but it truly needs repeating. Your elopement deserves someone just as dedicated to your vision as you are. While there are tons of photographers out there who are capable of capturing your elopement, the experience just isn’t there. An elopement-specific photographer is an expert in your elopement experience.

Hiring a Florida elopement photographer means:

• You’ll have a local expert to help guide you so you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself
• They’ll help you come up with ideas for how your day can flow
• You’ll have support with permits, locations, and timelines
• They’ll help you find the best locations and vendors to achieve your vision

This isn’t just a photo shoot. It’s the start of your next chapter and having someone who knows how to make it stress-free and magical? That’s the move.

Meet Your Florida Elopement Photographer