How to Elope in Florida: A Complete Guide for 2025

You and your partner are dreaming of sun-soaked days, salty breezes, and a no-stress, unforgettable elopement adventure in Florida, but first things first, how do you elope in Florida?

As a Florida elopement photographer, I’ve helped dozens of couples create their perfect Florida elopement adventure and the number one thing that overwhelms couples is figuring out exactly what they need to do to elope in Florida.

This resource will not only walk you through how to elope in Florida, but will guide you through the best times to elope in Florida, where to elope in Florida, activities and ideas for your Florida elopement, example timelines, and frequently asked questions surrounding Florida elopements.

Let’s dive in! ⤵️

How to Elope in Florida

Getting legally married in Florida is super simple—here’s what you need:

📄 Marriage License Requirements

• Apply at any Florida Clerk of Court (some offer online applications)
• Non-Florida residents: No waiting period
• Florida residents: 3-day waiting period unless you take a premarital course (the waiting period doesn’t start until you’ve come into the Clerk of Court)
• Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days from issue.
• Marriage licenses cost around $80.
• No blood test required.
• Marriage licenses must be returned within 10 days of signing to the original Clerk of Court.

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 You Need Witnesses?

Nope! Florida doesn’t require witnesses. But there’s space for two witnesses on your marriage license. You can either leave this blank, have two of your best friends (or random strangers), or even paw print your pup.

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. Once they’ve signed it, you just need to return the marriage license back to the original Clerk of Court within 10 days for it to be official.

Best Time to Elope in Florida

Florida is pretty dreamy all year—but there are some key things to know depending on when you plan to elope.

📅 By Season

• Spring (March through May): Warm, sunny, and colorful. Perfect for beaches and springs. Just expect some wind and rain by late May. Keep in mind that March is spring break season so prices tend to be more expensive and there’s lot more people around.
• Summer (June through August): HOT and humid. Afternoon storms are like clockwork, which makes planning afternoon elopements more difficult. If you’re eloping in the summer, consider sunrise since the rain chances are much lower.
• Fall (September through November): Great temps with less rain after October. But keep an eye on hurricane season as the number of storms pick up starting in August and running into November.
• Winter (December through February): Cooler, fewer bugs, minimal rain chances, and earlier sunsets. This is the most ideal time for a Florida elopement.

🌀 Hurricane Season Reminder

Hurricane season runs from June through November, with the peak from mid-August to late October. If you’re planning to elope during these months, I always recommend getting travel insurance and having a backup plan—just in case! If you want to avoid hurricanes all together, opt for an elopement date between December and June.

🦟 Bug Warnings

While around typically all year long, Florida mosquitos and no-see-ums are most brutal in the summer. If you’re not about that itchy life, shoot for a late fall/winter elopement (Nov–Feb). But if your elopement falls into bug season, consider that these bugs are worst at dawn/dusk. No-see-ums prefer sandy, coastal locations, whereas and mosquitos are everywhere. You can keep the no-see-ums at bay using Skin So Soft.

👥 Want to Avoid Crowds?

If you want to avoid crowds, choose an elopement date within off-season months (April through November), elope on a weekday, or get an early start at sunrise. Since Florida is a popular tourist destination, avoid major holidays and weekends.

Where to Elope in Florida

Now that you know how to legally elope in Florida and you’ve picked a date, the next step is choosing where to elope in Florida! Whether you’re envisioning a laid-back beach day, adventuring in crystal clear blue springs, or exploring popular cities, Florida has something for everyone.

✨ Best Places to Elope in Florida by Vibe

• Springs + clear water: Apopka, Rock Springs, Deland
• White sand beaches: Clearwater, St. Pete Beach, Panhandle
• Tropical paradise: Key West, Islamorada
• Historic charm: Saint Augustine, Key West
• Big city energy: Tampa, Orlando, Miami
• Hidden local gems: Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, Stuart, Jupiter
• Brewery & foodie lovers: Tampa, St. Augustine, Orlando
• Epic boating days: Florida Keys, Key West, Fort Pierce

No matter where you choose, don’t forget that some spots might require permits for weddings or photography. This is where working with a local Florida elopement photographer comes in handy. I can help you navigate any permit requirements and recommend locations that align perfectly with your elopement vision.

Can You Elope on a Florida Beach?

Yes! You can absolutely elope on the beach in Florida—and it’s one of the most popular options. With hundreds of miles of coastline, you have endless possibilities for your beach elopement, from the laid-back Gulf Coast to the vibrant Atlantic side. Read through the list of top beaches for your Florida elopement!

Are There Any Locations That Aren’t The Beach?

Of course! There’s tons of spots that don’t involve sand or waves (and between you and me they’re severely underrated). I’ve complied a list of unique Florida elopement locations (that don’t involve the beach)!

Unique Florida Elopement Ideas

Now that you’ve got a good game plan for your Florida elopement, it’s time to think of ways to up the ante and bring the adventure! With a never ending supply of warm weather and sunshining days, adventuring comes easy in this state. While you can read through my full guide on 50+ Florida Elopement Ideas and 8 Unique Ways to Make Your Florida Elopement Fun, here are a few of my favorites:

• Get married at a spring head and kayak down the Emerald Cut
• Explore downtown Orlando and grab cocktails at a swanky bar
• Relive your first date and vacation together in Key West
• Go horseback riding on the beach followed by a luxury picnic
• Horsesback ride the Florida Cracker Trail ending the night campfire side playing card games and drinking hot toddies
• Visit some breweries, eat some sushi, and run through fountains
• Sunrise ceremony over the ocean followed by outfit change into swimsuits for fishing and shotgunning
• Rent a charter boat, pop champagne, then meet friends and family for brunch
• Visit Night of Lights during Christmas and drink martinis
• Play video games, eat pizza, and jump in a pool
• Island hop, mix cocktails, eat PubSubs, and jump in the water

There’s endless opportunities to make your Florida elopement exactly how you want it with YOUR kind of adventure!

Sound like a total dream? Let’s create something epic together!

Example Florida Elopement Timelines

You now know the who, what, where, when, why, and how of eloping in Florida! Your next step is to figure how how the day will flow. Since your Florida elopement can be as epic as you want, you need to know how exactly does that look time wise? Below are three options to give you an idea!

Mini Adventure Timeline

Hour 1: Getting ready, details, & first look
Hour 2-3: Ceremony & one short adventure like celebratory cocktails
Hour 4: Portraits at golden hour

Half Day Adventure Timeline

Hour 1: Getting ready, details, & first look
Hour 2-5: Ceremony & two short adventures brewery hopping and stopping for pizza
Hour 6: Portraits at golden hour

Full Day Adventure Timeline

Hour 1: Getting ready, details, & first look
Hour 2-6: Ceremony and long adventure like renting a yacht and island hopping
Hour 6-10: Short Adventure & portraits at second location

And at this point, you might be wondering how long do you need a photographer? I’ve created this quick resource to walk you through how long you should book your elopement photographer!

Florida Elopement Packages

If you’ve read through this and got excited about creating a Florida adventure elopement, but started feeling a little overwhelmed by all the options, I’ve got you.

As a Florida elopement photographer, I’m there for you from helping find the perfect location for your ceremony to giving you a complete guide on what to do and how to do it – I handle it all. That way, you can focus on being present and having the time of your life with your person.

Which means that all my Florida elopement packages include:

• Planning + location help
• Photography coverage
• Timeline building
• Signing your marriage license (yep, I’m a notary too!)
• Permit guidance
• Location recommendations
• Recommendations for florals, food, hair/makeup, and more

Sound like exactly what you need? 👇🏻

Meet Your Florida Elopement Photographer