10+ Unique Places to Elope in Florida (That Don’t Include The Beach)

Looking for the best places to elope in Florida, but the beach just isn’t your vibe? You’re not alone. Most people think “Florida elopement” means having a beach ceremony. But if the thought of windblown hair, sand in your shoes, and a crowded beach makes you cringe, then you’re in the right place.

As a Florida elopement photographer, I help couples plan stress-free, unforgettable elopements that are curated to who they are as a couple. This starts by finding couples the BEST places to elope in Florida from my location scouting and research all across the state. Whether you want to say your vows at the first place you met, under ancient oaks, on a rooftop overlooking downtown, or even floating on a boat, Florida has so many non-beach options that still feel like an epic escape.

Here are 10+ truly unique places to elope in Florida that bring all the adventure, beauty, and flexibility you’re dreaming of with none of the sand.

And if you need help finding YOUR place to elope in Florida, I’m here to help!

Quick Recap: 10+ Unique Places to Elope in Florida

• Quick Recap: 10+ Unique Places to Elope in Florida
• Botanical Garden Elopement Places in Florida
• Historic Elopement Places in Florida
• Florida Springs Elopement Locations
• Breweries & Distillery Elopement Places in Florida
• Urban and City Elopement Places in Florida
• Rooftop Locations for Epic Views
• Venues for Easy-To-Plan Elopements
• National & State Park Elopement Locations in Florida
• Art Museums Elopement Locations in Florida
• Boat Elopements for Adventurous Couples
• FAQ about the Best Places to Elope in Florida
• Ready to Find YOUR Place to Elope in Florida?
• Meet Your Florida Elopement Photographer

Botanical Garden Elopement Places in Florida

If a lush, tropical backdrop for your ceremony sounds like your dream, a botanical garden would be the perfect elopement venue. With Florida’s warm tropical climate, there’s so many botanical gardens to choose from! Here are my favorite botanical gardens in Florida:

North Florida Botanical Gardens

• Eden Garden State Park (Santa Rosa Beach)
• Washington Oaks State Park (Palm Coast) – See a real elopement here!

South Florida Botanical Gardens

• McKee Botanical Garden (Vero Beach)
• Port Saint Lucie Botanical Gardens (Port Saint Lucie)
• Mounts Botanical Garden (Palm Beach)
• Bonnet House Museum and Gardens (Fort Lauderdale)
• Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens (Delray Beach)
• Pinecrest Gardens (Miami)
• Vizcaya Museum & Gardens (Miami) – See a real session here!
• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (Coral Gables)

Central Florida Botanical Gardens

• Bok Tower Gardens (Lake Wales)
• Mead Botanical Gardens (Orlando)
• Harry P Leu Gardens (Orlando)

West Florida Botanical Gardens

• Sunken Gardens (St. Petersburg)
• Ca’ d’Zan Mansion (Sarasota)

Florida Keys & Key West Botanical Gardens

• Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory (Key West) – see a real elopement here!
• Key West Garden Club at West Martello Tower (Key West)
• Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden (Key West) – see a real elopement here!

If you love the idea of a Florida botanical garden elopement, but you don’t know where to start with permitting and logistics, then I’m here to help guide you through it ↓

Historic Elopement Places in Florida

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 historic elopement locations in Florida:

North Florida Historic Elopement Locations

• Castillo De San Marcos (St. Augustine)
• St. Augustine’s Historic District (St. Augustine)
• St. Augustine Lighthouse (St. Augustine)
• Lightner Museum (St. Augustine) – See a real elopement here!

South Florida Historic Elopement Locations

• Jupiter Lighthouse (Jupiter)
• Vizcaya Museum & Gardens (Miami) – See a real session here!

Central Florida Historic Elopement Locations

• Bok Tower Gardens (Lake Wales)

West Florida Historic Elopement Locations

• Le Meridien Tampa (Tampa) – See a real elopement here!
• Ybor City (Tampa)
• Ca’ d’Zan Mansion (Sarasota)
• The Ringling Museum (Sarasota)

Florida Keys & Key West Historic Elopement Locations

• Dry Tortugas (Key West) – read the full elopement guide!
• Fort Zachary Taylor State Park (Key West)

Historic Elopement Location Inspiration

Florida Springs Elopement Locations

Florida has over 1,000 natural springs, each offering crystal-clear waters and lush scenery, which make them perfect for an adventurous elopement. If you’ve never been to a Florida spring, imagine your ceremony 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.

While Florida has an abundance of natural springs, there are only a couple that made for elopements based on where the spring is located, how easy it is to get there, and the best photo spots. Here are my top picks for a Florida springs elopement:

• 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.

If you’re dreaming of a wild, adventurous place to elope in Florida, but still want the Insta-worthy pics, Florida springs are it. If you are struggling to find a spring that works for your elopement plans, I can help narrow down the options (plus guide you through all the logistics like permits, timing, and vendors)!

Florida Spring Elopement Location Inspiration

Breweries & Distillery Elopement Places in Florida

For my brewery and cocktail-loving couples, a ceremony at a brewery or distillery makes it one of the best places to elope in Florida! Many breweries and distilleries offer stylish taprooms or outdoor spaces that can be transformed into an intimate wedding setting. And even if the location doesn’t offer the option for a ceremony, you can always make it one of your adventures for your elopement day! Some of my favorite breweries and distilleries for elopements include:

• St. Augustine Distillery (St. Augustine) – see a real elopement here!
• Coppertail Brewing Company (Tampa) – see a real elopement here!
• Cigar City Brewing (Tampa)
• Sailfish Brewing Co. (Fort Pierce)
• 21st Amendment Distillery (Vero Beach)
• Walking Tree Brewery (Vero Beach)
• Hop Life Brewing Company (Port Saint Lucie) – see a real session here!
• Hemingway’s Social Club at Papa Pillar’s (Key West)

Good vibes, great drinks, and zero stress. If that’s your kinda day, a brewery or distillery elopement is it. If you’re needing help to juggle where you can and can’t get married at one of these locations, I’ll help you navigate all the logistics.

Brewery Elopement Location Inspiration

Urban and City Elopement Places in Florida

For couples who want those swanky city vibes, Florida’s metropolitan areas offer iconic landmarks as epic backdrops to your elopement. From historic theaters, art districts, downtown streets, and huge murals, Florida’s got all the best places to elope. Here’s a list of the most iconic cities within Florida:

• St. Augustine
• West Palm Beach
• Tampa
• St. Petersburg
• Sarasota
• Clearwater
• Orlando
• Miami
• Key West

If you’re eloping just the two of you, you’ll be able to elope anywhere within a city location as long as the site management allows it. There’s great locations within each of these cities from the county courthouse steps, to skylined streets and rooftop bars, to iconic landmarks.

If you love that electric city energy and an urban elopement is calling your name, but you’re unsure what the city allows for elopements, I’m here to guide you through the logistics and find all the best hidden-gem locations for an unforgettable day in the city.

City Elopement Location Inspiration

Rooftop Locations for Epic Views

For couples who want those urban vibes, but maybe don’t want to go to a huge city, rooftop locations might be the best place for you to elope! Check out some of Florida’s rooftop venues and bars. 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, but you need some help finding that rooftop spot, 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).

Rooftop Elopement Location Inspiration

Venues for Easy-To-Plan Elopements

With the rise in popularity of elopements and intimate 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

Here’s my complete list of the best Florida elopement venues!

Want a gorgeous venue, but aren’t sure where to start? I’ll help you find the perfect wedding venue and make planning stupid easy. Sound good?

National & State Park Elopement Locations in Florida

Immerse yourselves in Florida’s national and 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 you’re looking for peaceful, nature-y places to elope in Florida, but aren’t sure where the best place to elope would be, then learn more about my elopement experience and how I can help find a location that fits the two of you perfectly.

National & State Park Elopement Location Inspiration

Art Museums Elopement Locations in Florida

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!

Art makes one of the best places to elope in Florida! Need help finding the right museum or art district? Reach out and let me show you how I can make the elopement process easy peasy.

Boat Elopements for Adventurous Couples

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 and Key West, or the Indian River Lagoon. Want to learn more about how you can do this, too? I’ve created an entire guide on how to elope on a boat in Florida!

Ocean views without the sand? YES, PLEASE. A boat elopement gives you privacy, adventure, and killer sunset vibes. Stuck on where to start for finding the right boat or location? I’m here to help! Read through my elopement experience to see how I can help make your elopement smooth sailing (literally all the pun is being intended).

Boat Elopement Location Inspiration

FAQ about the Best Places to Elope in Florida

Ready to Find YOUR Place to Elope in Florida?

If you’re just starting to plan your Florida elopement and are already feeling super overwhelmed and stressed out, I’m here to help. As a Florida elopement photographer, part of my elopement experience is guiding couples throughout the elopement planning process by recommending the best locations for their vision, offering vendor recommendations, providing planning guidance, and all guides and checklists to make this as stress-free as possible!

Meet Your Florida Elopement Photographer