Ultimate Florida Elopement Guide for 2026

Ready to start planning your Florida elopement?! This guide was made for you! But before we dive into it, let me disclaimer by saying this isn’t your typical Florida elopement guide. I’ll walk you through the legalities and what you need to know about eloping in Florida, but this guide was designed to show you how you can make your elopement unique and fun.

Because most of my couples (and maybe you did, too) start out the same way: they’re searching for Florida elopement guidance and ideas, ready to find something that aligns with their vision only to be let down. They’re met with quick one hour beach setups with no adventure or excitement. While those elopement structures have a place, couples felt like it left 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 actual ways people make their day meaningful, exciting, and full of that good-vibes-only energy. This guide will let you in on the key elements that make a Florida elopement bold, adventurous, and fun.

Jump to what you’re looking for…

• Florida Elopement 101
  • Who Can Legally Marry You?
  • Do We Have to Get Married at the Courthouse?
• Ways to Make Your Florida Elopement Unique & Fun
  • 1. Add Your Personalities & Interests
  • 2. Plan an Adventure That’s Fun
  • 3. Add a Wild & Fun Activity (or a Few)
  • 4. Find a Luxe Accommodation
  • 5. Include a Food Experience
  • 6. Bring Your Dog Along for Your Florida Elopement
  • 7. Add Small Meaningful Moments
  • 8. Hire a Florida Elopement Photographer
• Meet Your Florida Elopement Photographer

Florida Elopement 101

Before we dive into the fun stuff, here’s a quick snapshot of everything you’ll need for your Florida elopement.

• Legal requirements: There is no marriage license waiting period for non-residents and three days for Florida residents. There are no required witnesses for your marriage license, but there are two optional spots. You’ll only need you, your partner, someone to make it official, and your marriage license. Read through my complete guide on how to elope in Florida for more legalities!
• Best time to elope: As a Florida elopement photographer and native, I highly Late fall through early spring (November through April) with winter being my all time favorite. This time gives you mild temperatures and fewer bugs without worrying about hurricanes. Read more about the best time to elope in Florida!
• Top locations: There’s so many different landscapes and locations within Florida that I’ve put together a list of the best places to elope around Florida.
• Permits & logistics: Every city, county, park, and location is different. It’s best to check with the particular location’s management for permits and cost. This is why it’s important to work with vendors who understand the requirements of where you’re wanting to elope.
• Hire a Florida Elopement Photographer: When it comes to hiring a photographer for your elopement, there’s so many things to consider. Here are two great resources to help you sort through the noise: How to find the right elopement photographer and how many hours to book an elopement photographer.

Who Can Legally Marry You?

You’ll need an ordained officiant, judge, or notary to legally marry you in Florida. And finding a photographer that can marry you? Jack pot. That’s why I’m a Florida notary – so I can legally marry my couples AND take photos while adventuring around together. One less thing to worry about.

Do We Have to Get Married at the Courthouse?

Not at all. While the Clerk of Court does offer a service to get legally married at the courthouse, you do not need to get married there. You can take your marriage license with you anywhere in the state and get married as long as you have someone that is legally allowed to marry you perform the ceremony. That’s why I recommend my couples to get their marriage license and exchange personal vows in a location that aligns with their vision.

Ways to Make Your Florida Elopement Unique & Fun

Now that we’ve quickly gone over the legal requirements, best places to elope, and the best time to elope, the rest of the guide will focus on the 8 ways you can make your elopement unique and fun. This is the part that gets skipped by most Florida elopements and the reason that so many couples work with me to help them create their dream elopement.

1. Add Your Personalities & Interests

Sounds obvious, but honestly? Most couples skip this part. If you’re planning a Florida elopement, think about what you two actually love to do together and find ways to include that into your day. You can ask 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 plan. 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 an Adventure That’s Fun

The real game-changer for a unique Florida elopement? Add a little adventure. Florida adventure could look like taking a seaplane to the Dry Tortugas, kayaking through clear cold water springs, or renting a yacht for friends and family to celebrate. It’s about doing something new and exciting together that will really make it unforgettable.

Need some help getting started on what’s possible? Here are some more Florida adventure elopement ideas:

• 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 on the Treasure Coast
• 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 a Wild & Fun Activity (or a Few)

While this seems similar to the first and second ways, this is a little different. This is for my low key couples that want fun and unique elopements, but don’t want to go on a full blown adventure (or want the party to continue on after the adventure). As a Florida elopement photographer, I consider an activity to be something that takes between 1 and 4 hours.

My couples receive a full guide of different activities they can included based on their 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. Find a Luxe Accommodation

Your Florida elopement is about the entire experience…not just the vow part. That includes your accommodation. Booking a hotel, resort, or AirBnB that feels like a luxe adventure really ups the ante for your elopement experience.

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 Experience

The fastest way to make a Florida elopement feel personal? Food. Whether you’re all about grabbing pizza from the window, having hotdogs from a street cart, or finding the latest trending restaurant, what matters is choosing a food experience that feels like a treat. There’s no right answer for what you can do for food, but one thing is certain – include a fun food experience that feels memorable!

Here’s some ideas:

• Picnic-style brunch on the beach
• Personal chef at your Airbnb
• Dinner at your favorite local spot
• Street cart hot dogs
• Food truck tacos
• Picking up pizza and eating in the back of your car
• Getting sushi from a new 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 Along for Your Florida Elopement

Ugh, if there’s one thing about our elopement that I regret, it’s not bringing our dog, Pepper! Bringing your fur babies is a huge bonus for making your elopement unique. There’s nothing like a good portrait in your wedding attire with your doggo(s). Bringing your dog makes things a little more complicated, but it doesn’t need to be! Finding dog-friendly adventures, activities, and AirBnBs is easier than you think!

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. Here are some of my favorite special moments:

• 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 swapped vows
• Adding a unity ceremony
• Stapling a dollar bill to the 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

Your elopement deserves someone just as dedicated to your vision as you are. While there are tons of photographers out 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