10 Unique Non-Beach Elopement Ideas in Florida
If you’ve been scouring the internet for the best non-beach elopement ideas in Florida, you’ve come to the right place. When it comes to eloping in Florida, most people think quick beach ceremony and cheesy portraits. But you’re here because your elopement vision and sandy beaches just don’t mix. You want to elope in Florida, but the beach is giving you the ick. What else can you do?
Luckily, Florida offers a ton of epic non-beach elopement locations that are perfect for couples seeking something adventurous and unique. As a Florida elopement photographer, I’ve had the honor of capturing elopements all over the state with many of them NOT being at the beach. So here are my favorite unique elopement location ideas that do not feature the beach.
➡ And if you need help planning and capturing your non-beach Florida elopement, I’m here to help as your Florida elopement photographer!
Quick Recap: 10 Non-Beach Elopement Ideas in Florida
- Botanical Gardens
- Historical Landmarks
- Natural Springs
- Breweries
- Urban Landmarks
- Rooftops
- Venues
- State Parks
- Art Museums
- Boats
Botanical Gardens for a Lush, Tropical Elopement
If a lush, tropical backdrop sounds like your dream, a botanical garden elopement is perfect. Imagine saying your vows in a secret garden, surrounded by tropical blooms and foliage. This location is great for couples wanting a serene backdrop and a private setting. Here are some of my top picks:
🌿 McKee Botanical Garden (Vero Beach) – Laid-back, secluded, and full of stunning tropical plants.
🌿 Bok Tower Gardens (Lake Wales) – A peaceful, storybook setting with a historic carillon tower.
🌿 Bonnet House Museum and Gardens (Fort Lauderdale) – A mix of art, architecture, and tropical beauty.
🌿 Ca’ d’Zan Mansion (Sarasota) – For couples who love a touch of Old Hollywood glamour.
➡ If that sounds like your dream, let’s start planning your perfect botanical garden elopement. I’ll help you find the most magical spot and handle all the details.
“Anna was great from beginning to end! My fiancé and I reached out to her late August to see if she’d be available for an end-of-the-year elopement (just a few days after Christmas), and despite that already being a crazy time of year, Anna came through and made herself available just so we could have such a special day!
She was super-fun to hang around, and VERY accommodating! She listened and took to heart every request, and indulged our dumb jokes and general awkwardness. She took stellar photos that made us shine, which we will cherish forever!”
Amanda + Justin
View A+J’s Botanical Garden Elopement
Historic Landmarks for a Charming Elopement
Florida has some seriously charming historic spots that make for a stunning elopement setting. Think cobblestone streets, grand mansions, and old-world architecture. With so many historic cities within Florida to choose from, here are some of my favorite spots:
🏛 St. Augustine’s Historic District – Cobblestone streets, Spanish-style buildings, and endless charm.
🏛 Lightner Museum (St. Augustine) – Castle walls surround a quant garden with a gorgeous turquoise pond. Read my resource to learn how to elope at the Lightner Museum!
🏛 Ybor City (Tampa) – A mix of Cuban culture, brick streets, and historic charm.
🏛 Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (Miami) – European-style gardens and elegant waterfront views.
🏛 Ringling Museum (Sarasota) – A stunning mansion with an artsy, grand feel.
➡ If you love history, old-world charm, and stunning architecture, a historic landmark elopement is so for you. From the cobblestone streets of St. Augustine to the grandeur of Vizcaya, I’ll help you find the perfect spot and make planning a breeze.
Historic Elopement Inspiration
Florida Springs for an Elopement Immersed in Nature
Florida has over 1,000 natural springs, each offering crystal-clear waters and lush scenery—perfect for an adventurous elopement. Imagine saying “I do” surrounded by crystal-clear waters and lush vegetation and then spending the rest of the afternoon kayaking, paddle boarding, or swimming in the cold spring water. Here are my top picks:
✔ Kelly Park Rock Springs (Apopka) – My absolute fave! Crystal-clear water, lush greenery, and tons of privacy.
✔ Blue Springs State Park (Orange City) – Perfect for a winter elopement with manatees; however, this spot doesn’t have a super scenic option for your vows.
✔ Ichetucknee Springs State Park (Fort White) – Ideal for adventurous couples who want to swim or paddle after saying “I do. And like Blue Springs State Park, this spot doesn’t have the best spot for vows.
➡ If an intimate, nature-filled elopement sounds perfect, I’ll help you pick the best spring (plus handle all the logistics like permits, timing, and vendors). You just focus on soaking up the moment.
Florida Spring Elopement Inspiration
Breweries for a Laid-Back Elopement
For beer-loving couples, eloping at a brewery in Florida just hits right! Many breweries offer stylish taprooms or outdoor spaces that can be transformed into an intimate wedding setting like Coppertail Brewing Company in Tampa. Consider breweries like Cigar City Brewing in Tampa, Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park, or Sailfish Brewing Co. in Fort Pierce, where you can enjoys tons of amazing local beers in a laid-back atmosphere. Fun fact – I’m a self-proclaimed beer connoisseur and help all my couples find the best spots in their elopement location!
➡ Good vibes, great beer, and zero stress—if that’s your kinda day, a brewery elopement is it. Whether you want a private rooftop toast or a relaxed beer garden ceremony, I’ll find all the best spots. Let’s create a wedding day that’s as chill and fun as your love story!
Brewery Elopement Inspiration
Urban Landmarks for an Upbeat, Swanky Elopement
For couples who want those urban vibes, Florida’s cities offer iconic landmarks as epic backdrops to your elopement. From historic theaters, art districts, downtown streets, and huge murals, we got it all. My favorite cities for those urban (yet Florida-esque) vibes are downtown Miami, Tampa, Orlando, West Palm Beach, and St. Augustine!
➡ City lights, skyline views, and the perfect mix of modern + romantic—if you love that electric city energy, an urban elopement is calling your name. I know all the best hidden-gem locations for an unforgettable day in the city.
“I can’t say enough about Anna. She literally knocked it out of the park. If you’re contemplating an elopement, do it! If you’re contemplating Anna as your photographer, don’t even think twice, do it. I promise you won’t regret it! I don’t warm up to people quickly and as soon as I met Anna I felt like I had known her for years. Anna is so down to earth and easy to work with. Her ability to make you feel like you and your spouse are the only people that exist in a crowded room is impeccable. Nothing about the day was awkward or felt staged. We just did our thing, had fun and Anna was there to capture all of it. We truly had the time of our life. I love looking back on our photos and being reminded of how much fun that we had.“
Tami + Mason
View T+M’s urban Tampa Elopement
City Elopement Inspiration
Rooftops for Epic Views
For couples who want those urban vibes and zero sand between your toes, check out some of Florida’s rooftop venues and bars. Rooftop bars offer amazing views of downtown (or even tropical towns like Key West) views. You’ll have a bird’s eye view of the city as you exchange your vows!
➡ If you love the idea of exchanging vows with an epic skyline backdrop, a rooftop elopement is such a vibe. From sleek city rooftops to tropical terrace hideaways, I’ll help you find the perfect spot and take care of all the details. You just focus on the breathtaking views (and each other).
“Where do I begin?! I came across Anna’s profile on Instagram and immediately loved her style. She captured REAL emotions and personalities of her clients! I couldn’t wait to talk to her about my vision for our elopement in Key West! Once meeting her, I could tell she was a great time and would fit perfectly with my husband and me. She took my vision of re-creating our “firsts” of our first dates all over Key West ( How many people can make a photo by the dumpster of our first kiss look AMAZING??!?!) and absolutely NAILED it. I look at them almost every day. She then planned our Itinerary for the elopement and knocked it out of the park. I cry almost every time because she captured all the love and emotions through her photos and I can not thank her enough! Thank you, Anna! We can’t wait for you to visit us in Massachusetts!”
Krista + Mike
View K+M’s Duval Street Intimate Wedding
Rooftop Elopement Inspiration
Venues for Easy-To-Plan Elopements
With the rise in popularity of elopements and micro weddings, many wedding venues offer elopement options! Typically venues will rent out their locations during the week for elopements. This allows you to have a gorgeous backdrop at a popular venue without inviting 100+ people to your wedding! #winwin
➡ Want a gorgeous elopement with zero stress? Many venues offer elopement-friendly options that give you a stunning backdrop without the big-wedding chaos. I’ll help you find the perfect one and make planning stupid easy. Sound good?
State Parks for Nature-Loving Couples
Immerse yourselves in Florida’s state parks with views that only Florida is known for. From the Everglades National Park to the Myakka River State Park or Ocala National Forest, these natural sanctuaries provide the perfect backdrop for nature-loving couples.
➡ If towering trees, open skies, and total privacy sound like the perfect way to say “I do,” a state park elopement is so for you. Whether you want to explore the beaches of Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine or say your vows in a tucked away cypress forest, I’ll help you find the perfect spot!
State Park Elopement Inspiration
Art Museums for Modern Elopements
Add some art to your elopement by eloping at one of Florida’s renowned art museums. The Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg showcases surrealist masterpieces, while the Pérez Art Museum Miami boasts contemporary art against the backdrop of Biscayne Bay. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota offers an exquisite blend of art, architecture, and botanical gardens. Maybe the museum part isn’t your vibe? Florida has tons of art districts with murals that bring that pop of art right into your Florida elopement!
➡ For couples who love bold backdrops, unique architecture, and a touch of culture, an art museum elopement is chef’s kiss perfect. Whether it’s the surreal vibes of the Dalí Museum or a colorful mural district of Miami, let’s make your wedding day a work of art!
Boats for Adventure Elopements
Okay hear me out – you get the views of the ocean WITHOUT the beach with a Florida boat elopement! This is Florida’s version of an adventure elopement and one of my favorites. Whether it’s a sailboat, a luxury yacht, or a charter boat, exchanging your vows surrounded by the serene waters of Florida adds a touch of adventure and intimacy you can’t get on land. Consider eloping aboard in locations like the Jupiter, the Florida Keys, the scenic St. Johns River in Jacksonville, or the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale.
➡ Ocean views without the sand? YES, PLEASE. A boat elopement gives you privacy, adventure, and killer sunset vibes. Whether it’s a luxury yacht or a chill sailboat, I’ll help you find the perfect option and plan an unforgettable day.
“It is so hard to put into words how amazing Anna is. As a person, she is so down to earth and kind-hearted. As a photographer, she is out of this world! I never like photos of myself but I cannot stop looking at photos from our wedding day. She not only took the most gorgeous photos I have ever seen, she also helped us plan the perfect day. Not once did it feel awkward. She knew when to let us have our moment and she knew when to direct us to get the best shot and those were some of my favorite moments because she made it so fun! I am forever grateful to her. She delivered on everything I could possibly have asked for in a photographer and a planner. She captured and preserved our day perfectly. Don’t hesitate to book her!”
Vanessa + Harry
View K+H’s Key West Catamaran Elopement
Boat Elopement Inspiration
Ready to start planning your non-beach Florida elopement?
If you’re starting to plan your elopement and feeling super overwhelmed, I’m here to help. Part of my elopement experience is guiding couples throughout the elopement planning process by providing guides, vendor recommendations, location assistance, planning guidance, and all the help to make this as stress-free as possible.
What Happens Next? Here’s How I Can Help Make This Easy:
📖 1. Explore your options – Check out my Florida elopement photography packages to see what’s included, what to expect, and how I make this process effortless for you.
🚀 2. Reach out – Fill out my quick inquiry form at the bottom of the photography packages webpage and tell me about your dream elopement!
📞 3. Let’s chat – We’ll hop on a laid-back Zoom call to go over your vision, answer any questions, and start brainstorming the perfect plan.
📍 4. I do the heavy lifting – From location scouting to vendor recommendations, I’ll handle the details so you don’t have to stress.
🎉 5. You elope & have the best day ever – You show up, have an absolute blast, and get epic photos to relive it all forever.
Meet Your Florida Elopement Photographer
I’m Anna, your Florida elopement photographer and good-time guide to make it all happen.
I’m all about helping couples ditch the stress, skip the traditional wedding chaos, and have a day that’s actually about them. Whether that means saying your vows under a canopy of trees, on a rooftop overlooking the city, or booze cruisin’ on a yacht—I’m here to make it happen.
I geek out over finding the perfect elopement spots, uncovering hidden gems, and crafting an experience that feels exactly like you. Just tell me what you want your day to feel like, and I’ll take it from there.
💡 Dreaming of an epic, stress-free elopement in Florida? Let’s start planning!
