As Florida elopements are becoming more popular, we’ve had quite a few questions come through from our future newlyweds on what to expect and to plan for. To make things easier for all of you considering eloping in Florida, we’ve answered the top 10 questions our couples ask. See them all below! 

Do I have to elope on the beach in Florida?

Absolutely not! Though Florida’s beaches are beautiful, there’s a variety of stunning rooftops, hotels and estates to consider for your ceremony or reception. We’ve even had a couple get married inside a plant nursery turned wedding venue, and it made for some magical photos! Looking for some more inspiration? Check out the locations tab on our website and our recent blog post, The 10 Best Places to Elope in Tampa Bay.

What kind of dress should I wear for a Florida elopement?

Any style that makes you feel beautiful! Since dress rentals are not as common as suit/tuxedo rentals and multiple fittings may be needed, we recommend our brides purchase a dress beforehand. Usually wedding dresses from bridal stores start at $1,000 and sometimes take 6-8 months to arrive depending on where they are coming from. For all of our brides on a budget or time crunch, we put together a list of 12 Places to Buy a Wedding Dress for Your Elopement on our blog. Be sure to take a peek! 

When is the best time to get married in Florida?

They don’t call it the “sunshine state” for no reason! The average temperatures in Florida range from the low 70s to the low 90s with the warmest weather in July and August, and cooler months being January and February. Hurricane season is typically from June to November each year, so there is a possibility of rain for outdoor locations.

How do I obtain a marriage license?

To get married in Florida, visiting couples should go together to the nearest clerk of the circuit court office to obtain a marriage license. Florida marriage licenses are good for 60 days. The standard fee is around $90, which can be reduced to around $60 for Florida residents who have completed a premarital preparation course. Florida residents must wait three days to get a license. However residents who can provide documentation showing they completed a state-approved marriage preparation course within the year won’t have to wait three days.

Do I need a witness in Florida for my ceremony?

Although the marriage certificate has two spaces for witnesses to sign, they are not required by Florida law. The officiant’s signature on the certificate is required.

Is there a day of the week that is best to elope?

While there isn’t one particular day that is better to elope, it’s important to consider the location for your ceremony and if crowds are a possibility. In most cases. wedding venues, beaches and hotels will be less busy on non-weekend dates. If you are considering a Florida beach wedding, we recommend planning for a weekday as the beaches can be crowded by tourists and locals on sunny weekends (especially during spring break and holiday timeframes).

What do couples normally do after their elopement?

The options are endless! Florida offers newlyweds their pick of luxury, all-inclusive golf and spa resorts, cozy cottages, bed and breakfasts and private bungalows. Take a stroll down Beach Drive or around Hyde Park Village for upscale boutiques, delicious dining options and outdoor entertainment. Stay at any of our Top 10 Places to Stay During Your Tampa Bay Elopement and enjoy the chance to relax and unwind while sipping a yummy cocktail. Adventurous honeymooners can even camp and canoe around Florida’s parks including Crystal River and the Everglades. There’s truly activities for everyone! 

What is the difference between an elopement and micro-wedding?

A microwedding, like its name suggests, will typically include a guest list of up to 50 guests— often immediate family and close friends. Many couples who throw microweddings will end up splurging on the details, including top-shelf bars, elaborate floral displays and multi-course sit-down dinners. Microweddings are perfect for couples who want to spend most of their budget on the details of their day, which becomes much easier with a smaller guest list. Elopements have changed so much over the last decade! What used to be secret, unplanned weddings are now being completely personalized to each couple’s style. While some elopements are still planned just for the couple, others are now involving their close friends and family for both the ceremony and reception. The beauty of elopements is that they can be planned to fit any budget!

What if it rains on my wedding day? 

Since most of our elopement locations are outdoors, we have a rain or shine policy. Under the rare instances where rain is in the forecast, we require our couples to make a decision two days before the wedding on whether or not they wish to move locations (additional charges may occur with alternate locations). We always keep large, clear umbrellas on hand in case there is a light rain—it makes for some fun photos, too! We also try to be as flexible as possible with timing on rainy days and will “wait out” the storm so we can proceed with an outdoor ceremony. 

How do we even begin to start planning an elopement in Florida and Tampa Bay? 

That’s what we’re here for! We’re all about making things easy for our elopement couples from start to finish. We offer amazing all-inclusive packages that cover everything from the cake to fine art photography. You can learn more about all of our packages on our website here!