The Complete Key West Elopement Guide for 2027

Planning a Key West elopement? You’re in the right place! As an elopement photographer who has captured dozens of elopements on the island, I’ve created this guide to help walk you through everything you need to know before you get started.

Most of my couples (and maybe you did, too) start out the same way: searching for Key West elopement guidance and ideas, ready to find something that aligns with their vision only to be disappointed. Couples are being met with cookie cutter beach ceremonies with no adventure or excitement. While those elopements are perfect for some couples, others still feel like there’s something to be desired.

So welcome to your non-traditional, non-cookie cutter Key West elopement guide with absolutely everything you need to know about planning a UNIQUE day that’s aligns with you. No more quick ceremonies with no post-vow celebration and adventure. Let’s create an epic day designed just for the two of you doing celebrating however feels right.

So get ready to have all your Key West elopement questions answered and be inspired along the way!

Disclaimer: this blog contains content derived from original human thought, experience, and expertise – not a robot or AI.

How to elope in Key West

To legally get married in Key West, the only thing you need is the marriage license. Here’s a quick overview on the who, what, where, when, why, and how of getting your Key West marriage license.

Monroe County marriage license & Key West marriage license requirements

You can apply and pick up your Key West marriage license from the Monroe County Clerk of Court. You’ll need to return the marriage license to Monroe County Clerk of Court within 10 days of your elopement date.

Here are some things you’ll want to know before heading to the Clerk of Court:

• Even though it’s easy to get married in Key West, I recommend making an online appointment. It’ll speed up the process and you can make the appointment up to 12 months in advance.
• You can pre-apply online, but you’ll still need to show up in person to finish the application and provide legal documentation.
  • Non-Florida residents: There’s no waiting period. You can apply for and pick up your marriage license and get married the same day.
  • Florida residents: There’s a 3-day waiting period from when you show up at the Clerk of Court unless you take a premarital course. Online applications do not start this waiting period. If you’re a Florida resident, I recommend getting your marriage license locally and bringing it with you to the Keys. It’s the same marriage license in every county, but you just won’t have to deal with waiting IN the Keys.
• You’ll need your partner, state-issued identification, social security numbers, form of payment, and any past marriage dates or name changes.
• Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days from issue.
• Marriage licenses are $86.00. If both applicants are Florida residents and provide proof that they completed a premarital class then the fee is then $61.00.
• Witnesses are not required, but there are two spots for them.

You can read more about the marriage license requirements for Monroe county.

Step by Step Overview: How to get married in Key West

1. Make an appointment up to 12 months in advance through the Monroe County Clerk of Court website.
2. Apply online to make your appointment more efficient.
3. On the day of your appointment, bring with you your state-issued identifications, social security numbers, form of payment, and any past marriage dates or name changes.
4. Once you have your marriage license in hand, you’ll need an ordained officiant, judge, or notary to legally marry you in Florida. You can hire an officiant, get married by the Clerk of Court (there’s a small fee), have a family or friend get ordained, or find an elopement photographer that can legally marry you (hi, that’s me!).
5. While there are two spots for witnesses to sign, they are not required in the State of Florida. You can either leave this blank, have two of your best friends (or random strangers) sign, or even leave a paw print from your pup.
6. You have 60 days to use your marriage license. After your ceremony, you must return it to the same Clerk of Court within 10 days of your wedding date.
7. Once your marriage license has been processed, request a printed and formal digital marriage license for your name change or legal documents you’ll need to update.

And that’s it! You’re not officially married in Key West!

Can I get married at the Key West courthouse?

Yes, you can! The Monroe County Clerk of Court offers wedding ceremonies inside their office. Keep in mind though that the ceremony space isn’t as picture perfect as exchanging vows on Smathers Beach. The ceremony space (pictured below) is roughly 10 feet by 15 feet with standing room for a few guests. Inside the private room, there’s a large beach mural and podium for the officiant. There aren’t any arches or chairs within the room. It’s a good option if it’s just the two of you or you’ve only invited less than a few guests. From a photography standpoint, the room doesn’t have great lighting and there’s not a lot of space to move around for ceremony photos.

For a better elopement experience, many of my couples will pick up their marriage license at the Clerk of Court and bring it with them on their adventure since I’m able to legally marry them as a Florida notary.

When is the best time to get married in Key West?

Short answer – the best time to get married in Key West is late November through April. This timeframe gives you mild temperatures and better weather, fewer bugs, and no risk of hurricanes. Key West has a year-round tropical climate, which makes it the perfect destination for out-of-state couples especially in the winter time. While the weather is generally sunny, there are a few times of the year that can negatively impact your elopement plans.

As a Florida native, my absolute favorite time to visit Key West is December through February when the weather is sunny and 75. There are occasional windy and rainy days, but they’re few and far between.

Between late November and early April, temperatures range from the mid-60s to low 80s Fahrenheit with lower humidity (your wedding day hair will thank you, but keep in mind you’re still on an island) and lower rain chances. This timeframe is great if you don’t want to sweat through your wedding outfits or battle unexpected rain and thunderstorms.

There’s also fewer bugs! Mosquitos and no-see-ums tend to go dormant during this time. Fewer mosquitos and no-see-ums mean a much better elopement day.

Things to Consider During Peak Season

Tourist Season: There’s a reason that this time of year is the most desired! Between Thanksgiving and Easter, we are officially in “snow bird season”. This is where seasonal residents and tourists wanting to escape the cold make their annual trip down to Florida and the Florida Keys. This means more people and higher travel prices. If you want to take advantage of the weather, but still want some privacy on your wedding day, consider eloping on a weekday to avoid crowds.

Permit and Vendor Availability: Since this is a popular time for weddings in general, you’ll need to secure any necessary location/wedding permits and book your vendors early. Reach out to your vendors at least 6 months in advance. Less than six months out? No worries! You can still reach out, but some of your top picks might be booked already. Be flexible with your date (consider a weekday for ultimate flexibility), and you might get lucky! Here’s a resource on how to plan a last-minute elopement!

Local Events & Festivals: Key West hosts several events and festivals during this time of the year. While these can be part of your elopement experience, they also mean more people and higher travel costs. Before picking a date, check the local event calendar to avoid any surprises.

Weather By Season

And if you are thinking about a Key West elopement outside of peak season, here’s what the weather can look like:

Spring (March through May): Spring brings warmer weather, winds, and some showers. March tends to be the windiest month throughout the state. This time of year is good for elopements near water. 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): Summer is HOT, humid, and buggy, which makes summer by far the least comfortable time to elope especially if you’re not used to hot weather. The winds also die down during this time making the heat feel even more unbearable. 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 and adding a water activity to cool off during the day. This is also the start of hurricane season…continue planning with caution.

Fall (September through November): While the fall tends to be romanticized for weddings, it is still pretty hot and humid during this time with increased late season hurricane activity. Temperatures tend to cool closer to late November.

Winter (December through February): Winter is cooler and brings fewer bugs, minimal rain chances, and earlier sunsets. There will be some winds during this time. From a weather point of view, this is the most ideal time for an elopement especially if you want to be outside all day. Winter does bring the beginning of what us Floridians call Snow Bird Season with lots of seasonal residents and tourists making their way down to avoid the colder weather.

Hurricane Season

Hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th with peak hurricane activity from mid-August to early November. If you’re planning to elope during these months, I highly recommend getting travel or wedding insurance and having a backup plan! Even if you don’t have a hurricane, you’re almost always guaranteed afternoon thunderstorms. If you want to avoid hurricanes (and bad weather), opt for an elopement date between late November and early April.

Avoiding Bugs

While bugs are typically around all year long, mosquitos and no-see-ums are most brutal in the summer. If you want to avoid bugs, plan for an elopement between late November and February. But if your elopement falls into bug season, consider that these bugs are worst at dawn and 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 and mosquitos at bay with any bug spray.

Avoiding Crowds

The Florida Keys and Key West are a popular tourist destinations all year long, but there are some rules you can follow to have the least amount of people around:

• Opt for off-season months. Typically the summer and early fall months like September and October (excluding holidays and holiday weekends, festival weekends, and the start of lobster season). The only downside to the off-season is that some places might be closed for the season.
• Elope on a weekday. Even if you’re planning to elope during the tourist season, eloping in Key West during the week can mean that there’s way less people around since most people come out on the weekend. There’s also way more vendor availability since you’re not competing with bigger weddings.
• Start at Sunrise. Again, even if you plan to elope during tourist season, sunrise generally draws way less people. It’s too early for most people so if you’re an early riser, this is the perfect time for you to elope!
• Avoid Major Festivals and Holidays. Long holiday weekends, huge festivals, and the start of lobster season draw thousands of tourists…and that brings with it lots of people around for your elopement. Always double check the elopement location to make sure there’s nothing major going on that weekend that will bring large crowds. You’ll also avoid paying more for travel!

Where to elope in Key West?

There’s so many different ceremony locations around Key West from beaches, to historic sites, to urban backdrops. As a photographer that has captured elopements all over the island, I’ve put together a comprehensive list in this guide.

And remember: some locations may require permits for weddings or photography regardless of guest count. This is where working with a local elopement photographer comes in handy since we can help with navigating these logistics.

Things to know before planning a Key West elopement

1. There’s not beaches like you would expect

Since Key West is on an island, there is a common misconception that it has tonsss of beaches. Don’t expect expansive beaches with pristine white sand – Key West only has a few rocky beaches. The most popular for elopements are Smathers Beach, Higgs Beach, and Fort Zachery Taylor State Park. Since they are the most common (and so few), they tend to be pretty busy. Some resorts have private beaches, but they’ll only allow you to elope there through if you book your ceremony with them.

2. Your celebration can be MORE than a quick ceremony

Key West offers many services for quick beach ceremony packages (it’s kinda like the Vegas of Florida), but in my experience as an elopement photographer, that’s seriously not enough time to celebrate your wedding! Your Key West elopement deserves to be a totally immersive experience where you enjoy everything the island has to offer. Just imagine spending an entire day together, exploring Key West, and having the ultimate Florida adventure. That could look like:

• A yachting adventure with pizza and cocktails downtown
• A beach ceremony followed up with a Duval Bar crawl with friends and family
• An evening going to all your favorite Key West spots
• A courthouse wedding followed by tacos and dive bars
• A spicy, urban adventure along Duval Street
• A date-night inspired evening

And these are just a few of the incredible Key West elopements I’ve had the honor of capturing. Because each of these couples have the idea when creating their elopement vision: “why should the fun stop right after the ceremony?!”

3. Everyone is on island time.

Being on island time is SUPER chill and relaxing…until you’re on the other end of that planning your Key West elopement. You may run into a wedding vendor that’s on island time. It’s not common, but it happens (especially during slow season). I’ve heard from a few couples that it was hard to reach someone, no one ever got back to them, or booked vendors rarely communicated until the day of, etc. Make sure you have clear expectations before booking vendors on when you will hear from them and what to expect so you’re not left guessing if they’ll show up on your elopement day. Always, always, always check reviews on vendors before booking!

4. It’s hot AND humid

It’s hot and humid here 99.9% of the time. Expect it to be hot and humid. PLAN for it to be hot and humid. This means that your hair and makeup may need some extra help and you’ll probably sweat (or feel like you’re sweating). Keep these in mind if you’re on the fence about hiring a hair and make up artist (they can help you create the wedding look of your dreams without it melting off) and selecting your wedding attire (you don’t want to be profusely sweating while saying your vows).

5. The Cuban influence! 😍

Which brings me to one of my favorite parts about the island…the coffee. You should have a Cuban coffee (cortaditos are my favorite, but a cafe con leche is a great place to start!) and a guava cheese pastry or toasted Cuban bread in your hand every single morning while you’re here. It’s the only way to truly experience a Key West morning.

6. There’s a season for seaweed.

Sargassum…and there’s a season for it. This is a seasonal floating algae that affects the shorelines of Florida during the spring and summer months. Once the seaweed washes ashore, it begins to rot causing an unpleasant smell and backdrop for photos. This could put a damper on your experience especially if you planned on a beach ceremony. If you want to avoid it, opt for a date outside of peak sargassum months (November through March). The seaweed peeks in June and July so even opting for a date before or after these months will have less of an impact.

7. There are chickens and iguanas everywhere.

They pretty much mind their business, but you can expect to see them around and sometimes even at a restaurant hanging out with you.

8. Permitting is pretty chill.

You may or may not have heard about getting permits for elopements. This permit allows you to take photos and/or reserve locations. Unlike the crazy permitting process out west (think applying 6+ months in advance and setting timers for when permitting goes live), Key West is pretty chill when it comes to permits. Most beach locations don’t require it or if they do require a permit, there’s about a one month (or less) permitting timeline.

What do you do after your elopement to celebrate?

Since Key West has great weather all year round, being outside is one of the perks of eloping in the sunshine state! I’ve compiled a complete list of all the best activities for your elopement in the below guide. Everything is organized by the type of experience you want to have from water adventures to foodie exploration.

Key West Elopement Inspiration

Now that you’ve got all the information for your Key West elopement, it’s time to get inspired! Scroll through the below images of couples having fun on their elopement day to get your planning started. And if you’re looking for more Key West elopement inspiration, check out the blog and resources page linked below!

Photography Experience for Your Key West Elopement

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. 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 an 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.

Kind Words from Past Key West Couples

Meet the Photographer