Key West: Wedding Dream Team
To say: “I do!” in Key West is to get married in a decidedly casual manner, free of pomp and pretense. It is also likely one of the only places where qualifying that one’s planning, floral, catering or photography services are ‘gay wedding friendly,’ is not a requisite. Key West is where weddings are neither hetero nor homo. They are just… weddings! And whether your wedding is in front of hundreds of your nearest and dearest for a long, destination wedding weekend, or a handful of friends and family for a quick day-trip, Key West has it all for the wedding of your dreams.
While there are countless wedding experts in Key West (and infinitely more if you look north to Miami and beyond), we’ve selected a handful of local wedding partners who can turn your “Key West Dream Wedding” Pinterest board into the best day of your life.
Wedding Venues
Alexander’s Guest House: This adults-only, LGBTQ and allies only, 1900s B&B is beloved by locals and its scores of returning guests. Listed on the Key West Historical Society, Alexander’s is decidedly contemporary in its approach to hospitality: open, ‘you-be-you’, and chic. Able to host weddings of up to 50-people, starting at about $500, start your married life here with easy intimacy and a lot of fun.
Southernmost Beach Resort: You and 180 of your beloved friends and family, will experience a
secluded tropical island at this resort, while still being in the throes of Old Town. Have your wedding and reception at the water’s edge starting at $3000, and host all your guests in the resort’s chic guestrooms or guest houses.
Fort East Martello Museum & Gardens: Take in the ocean from this Civil War era’s observation platform. Exchange vows and dance moves in its walled courtyard. Host and revel with up to 400 guests under the stars. This is a hidden gem in Key West offering the best of its natural and historic wonders.
Wedding Planners:
Southernmost Weddings: While we said Key West is a spot where qualifying the type of couples a planner works with is unnecessary, Southernmost Weddings is explicit in their support of gay weddings. Offering a wide-range of wedding packages and services, Southernmost has got your planning covered.
Family Affair Wedding & Event Planning: If yours is to be an elegant Key West wedding, we are big fans of Family Affair. Like many elegant affairs, Family Affair focuses on seamless service, so couples stay focused on their big day.
Florists:
Milan Event Floral: More than just flowers, Milan brings your vision for your wedding aesthetics to life with furniture, tents, lighting, linens and more. But it’s the flowers that dazzle at Milan Event with their contemporary and creative lean.
Petals & Vines: This old town Key West florist brings romance to life through its petals and vines. We are fans of their classic and colorful approach and for how it makes any wedding more of a fantasy brought to life.
Cakes:
Key West Cakes: A staple of Key West and a frequent ‘best in weddings’ award-winner, Key West Cakes makes wedding cakes that dazzle with creativity. But their incredible flavors are what make these bakers best in class.
Cakes by Karol: The closest you’ll come to having your cake made by a best friend. Karol’s cakes are gorgeous, delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser among guests, and locals alike.
Photographers:
Janette de Llanos Photography: Both a wedding and a children and families photographer, Janette’s style might be described as ‘romantically documentary.’ There’s an incredible intimacy and artistry to her images, making you feel like you’re still in the very moment her photo was taken.
Poem of Us: Elvira and Meru, the photographer and videographer duo behind this operation are all about airy, elegant, and authentic imagery. To us, Poem of Us is as close to fashion editorial as you can get without being shot for an actual magazine!
Caterers:
Catered Affairs of Key West: An extension of one of Key West’s restaurant institutions, La Trattoria, Catered Affairs brings the world of cuisine to your wedding, with a focus on all food southern: southern Italian, Mexican, BBQ, Cajun and southwestern. From the bar to the table, everything you need to ‘feed your celebration’, Catered Affairs thrives in one more southern way: hospitality.
Great Events Catering: Well, as its name says, yours will be a Great Event working with this team. They can whip up an exceptional bite of mac-n-cheese just as deliciously as they can caviar tapenade. They work with any number of Key West’s top wedding venues and can always make their way to your off-the-beaten-path reception.
N.B: Many venues work with a selection of caterers. Up to you to decide if your choice of food should point you in the direction of a venue, or vice versa!
Entertainment:
While there are countless talented musicians and DJs in Key West, we say the best way to learn about them is to be out and about in town. Hear first-hand which DJs or acts you love as you make your way down Duval or let any of the folks and venues above point you in the right direction.
Key West is a year-round wedding destination. Were it to identify a high season it would be spring to early summer but fall in Key West cannot be beat.
Each of the partners highlighted above—again, but a handful of all available in Key West—is truly from and of Key West. Your wedding, in their hands, will be everything your Pinterest board promised it would be… and more.
