Complete Wedding Guide
Getting Married in Florida: Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about marriage licenses, requirements, costs, and planning your wedding in Florida. Florida is a year-round wedding destination with tropical beaches, Art Deco glamour in Miami, Spanish-moss draped venues in the north, and Walt Disney World for fairy-tale celebrations.
Florida divides neatly into two wedding seasons: the cooler, drier winter (November through April) which is the prime season for most of the state, and the summer months that Gulf Coast and central Florida couples use for off-peak savings. Non-Florida-resident couples get a notable advantage: the state's 3-day waiting period is waived for out-of-state applicants, making Florida a practical destination elopement choice. Beachfront venues from the Florida Keys through Amelia Island require county beach permits for ceremonies, which must be secured weeks in advance.
Florida Marriage License Requirements
Florida residents who complete a premarital preparation course get a discount on the license fee and have the 3-day waiting period waived. Non-residents have no waiting period at all.
Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Florida?
Ordained ministers, elders, and other clergy. Judges and clerks of the circuit court. Notaries public with active commissions can also officiate weddings in Florida.
Wedding Costs in Florida
Average Wedding Cost
$33,500
This includes venue, catering, photography, attire, and other typical wedding expenses in Florida.
Average Guest Count
135
The typical Florida wedding hosts 135 guests. Plan your seating, catering, and photo sharing accordingly.
Best Seasons
Winter, Spring
The most popular seasons to get married in Florida. Book venues early during peak season.
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Coastal Wedding Tips for Florida
Secure your beach or waterfront permit early
Many coastal and beach ceremony sites in Florida require permits from the county parks department, the National Park Service, or the state coastal commission. Permit availability is limited and often opens months in advance. Apply as soon as your date is confirmed.
Always plan a weather backup
Coastal weather in Florida can shift quickly. Even if the forecast looks clear, have an indoor or tented backup venue confirmed before you send invitations. Many beachfront venues include a backup space in the contract.
Time the tide and the sun
For a beach ceremony, check both the tide table and the sunset time for your specific date. A low tide gives you more sand space, and a ceremony that ends 30 to 45 minutes before sunset positions you perfectly for golden-hour portraits with your photographer.
Protect your guests from wind and glare
Coastal ceremonies in Florida frequently deal with ocean wind that disrupts officiant scripts and guests' comfort. Provide printed ceremony programs so guests can follow along, and orient seating so the sun is behind the couple rather than in guests' eyes.
Popular Wedding Regions in Florida
South Florida
Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach offer glamorous waterfront venues, Art Deco architecture, and vibrant nightlife.
Gulf Coast
Naples, Sarasota, and Tampa feature white-sand beaches, botanical gardens, and laid-back coastal elegance.
Central Florida
Orlando and the surrounding area are home to Disney weddings, lakefront resorts, and themed venues.
Northeast Florida
St. Augustine and Jacksonville offer historic charm, Spanish colonial architecture, and Atlantic Ocean views.
Top Wedding Venues in Florida
First dance
You guys!!
Planning a Florida wedding? Collect every guest photo in one album
Free QR photo album your guests use without an app. 20 uploads free, no card.
From Mom
Scan to join the album
No app, no account
UPLOADING
Saving your moment
THE ALBUM
Emma & Jack
June 21, 2026
647 photos · 95 guests
SCAN TO TRY
pix.wedding/
your-wedding
How to Get Married in Florida: Step by Step
Apply for Your Marriage License
Visit the County Clerk of the Circuit Court in Florida with your partner. Bring valid photo ID (driver's license or passport), proof of age, and the license fee of $86. Both partners must appear in person.
Wait 3 days for Florida residents, none for non-residents
After receiving your license, you must wait 3 days for Florida residents, none for non-residents before the ceremony. Your license is valid for 60 days after issuance, so plan your ceremony date within that window.
Choose Your Officiant
In Florida, your wedding can be officiated by ordained ministers, elders, and other clergy. Make sure your officiant is properly authorized before the ceremony.
Hold Your Ceremony
Have your ceremony at your chosen Florida venue. Florida does not require witnesses, though many couples still choose to have them.
File Your Marriage Certificate
After the ceremony, your officiant will sign the marriage license and return it to the County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Once filed, you will receive your official marriage certificate. This is your legal proof of marriage.
Florida Wedding Planning Tips
December through April is peak season with the best weather and lowest humidity
Hurricane season runs June through November so consider wedding insurance if booking summer dates
Florida has no state income tax but vendor costs in Miami and Palm Beach rival New York prices
Out-of-state couples marrying in Florida have the 3-day waiting period automatically waived, making Florida one of the most destination-wedding-friendly states for license logistics.
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Explore Florida Wedding Venues
Browse our guide to the best wedding venues across Florida.
Wedding Photo Sharing in Florida
Learn how to collect every guest photo at your Florida wedding.
What Makes Getting Married in Florida Unique
Florida wedding geography splits cleanly into coastal sub-markets, each with its own dominant aesthetic. The Florida Keys deliver bohemian island ceremonies and snorkel-day guest itineraries. South Beach Miami leans into nightlife-energy receptions. Naples and Sarasota offer Gulf Coast resort weddings with calmer water and pink sunset light. Orlando and Central Florida concentrate on hotel and theme park ceremonies. The Panhandle's emerald coast around Destin and 30A runs a beach wedding pipeline at high volume. Non-Florida-resident couples get a meaningful perk: the 3 day waiting period is waived for out-of-state applicants, which makes Florida a uniquely practical destination elopement state. Beach permits are required for most public-beach ceremonies and must be locked in weeks in advance.
Florida Marriage Law: What You Need to Know
Florida's marriage license process has a meaningful benefit for out-of-state couples: the standard 3-day waiting period is completely waived for non-Florida residents. Florida residents who want to waive the 3-day wait can do so by completing a state-approved premarital preparation course, which is widely available online at relatively low cost and also reduces the license fee from $86 to $61. Florida's notaries public hold legal authority to officiate weddings, which combined with the strong notary infrastructure in Florida, makes civil ceremony options very accessible. Florida clerk of court offices are well-staffed and can often process same-day license applications for out-of-state couples. Beach wedding permits from county parks or state parks are separate from the marriage license and must be applied for independently.
Signature Florida Wedding Angles
Florida Wedding Season: What Locals Know
Florida's wedding peak runs November through April when humidity drops and afternoon thunderstorms become rare. May and October are strong shoulder months. June through September brings daily afternoon thunderstorms statewide and is the official hurricane season, when most coastal venues require a guaranteed indoor backup space.
Florida-Specific Wedding Questions
How does Florida's out-of-state license waiver work for destination weddings?
Florida's standard 3 day waiting period after license issuance does not apply to out-of-state residents. Both applicants must appear in person at any Florida Clerk of Court, pay the $86 fee, and present valid ID. The license is then valid immediately and good for 60 days. Florida residents pay $61 and either take the 3 day wait or complete a state-approved premarital prep course to waive it.
Do I need a beach permit for a Florida public beach wedding?
Yes for nearly every public beach. Permits are issued at the county level, with fees ranging $50 to $300 depending on guest count and the specific beach. Florida State Parks, Walton County beaches along 30A, the Florida Keys, and Sarasota County all have specific application processes. Submit at least 30 to 60 days in advance for peak season weekends.
What is Florida's hurricane season planning advice for weddings?
Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 through November 30 with the highest risk window August through early October. Wedding insurance with a named-storm clause is the standard recommendation for any date in that window. Most coastal Florida venues now offer relocation policies, and several major hotel chains will reschedule without penalty if a named hurricane impacts the wedding date.
How much does the Florida premarital course discount save and where can couples take it?
Florida residents who complete a state-approved premarital preparation course of at least 4 hours receive a $25 reduction in the license fee from $86 to $61 and have the 3-day waiting period automatically waived. The courses are available online through several providers and typically cost $25 to $40, so the net financial effect is roughly neutral, but the waiting-period waiver has real logistical value. Non-Florida residents pay $86 and have no waiting period regardless of whether they complete the course. The premarital course must be taken within 1 year before the license application.
Popular Wedding Searches in Florida
Wedding Guides for Other States
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Marriage laws and requirements can change. Always verify current requirements with your local County Clerk of the Circuit Court in Florida before making plans. Last reviewed: 2026.
Florida Marriage & Wedding FAQ
Everything you need to know about our free tools and how they help your wedding day.
A marriage license in Florida costs $86. You can apply at the County Clerk of the Circuit Court. No residency requirement, so out-of-state couples can apply as well.
Florida has a 3 days for Florida residents, none for non-residents waiting period after the marriage license is issued before the ceremony can take place. The license is valid for 60 days after issuance.
Ordained ministers, elders, and other clergy. Judges and clerks of the circuit court. Notaries public with active commissions can also officiate weddings in Florida.
The minimum age to marry without parental consent in Florida is 18. With parental consent, individuals as young as 17 may marry.
The most popular wedding seasons in Florida are Winter and Spring. During these windows, top venues in regions like South Florida and Gulf Coast book out months in advance. Booking 10 to 14 months ahead for peak-season Saturdays is strongly recommended.
The average wedding in Florida costs $33,500 with an average guest count of 135. Winter and Spring are the most popular seasons for weddings in Florida. Popular wedding regions include South Florida, Gulf Coast, Central Florida.
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