Florida has some great options to exchange vows just the two of you and makes a great wedding destination! Whether it's a destination elopement or you're a local, you may be looking for an affordable place to elope. Saving money on your wedding location will totally help cut down on the overall expense of your special day.
You might be surprised to learn about all the options for budget-friendly places to get married. I write about this a lot because it was a top priority (and probably one of the hardest parts) for me when planning my wedding. Be sure to check out our blog about small wedding venues in Florida for some more inspiration!
When it's just the two of you (and maybe a few guests), finding cheap wedding venues is easy when you know where to look! These are some of my top recommendations for cheap places to elope in Florida, whether you're looking for a beach elopement, something fun in Orlando, or a classic historical courthouse elopement location.
How To Find Cheap Places to Elope in Florida
We cover this topic in depth in our blog about ideas for cheap wedding venues, but here are a few quick tips:
Look at government and city websites for space to rent (think parks, botanical gardens, art galleries and community centers)
Rent a house through Airbnb or VRBO
Consider off-peak times of the year or choose a weekday wedding date
Choose a local cafe, bar, or restaurant
Find space on an hourly rental site like Peerspace
Plenty of wedding venues in Florida offer elopement services. Because the packages are made for just you and your partner (many with the option to add a few guests), they're often really reasonable. Many places offer all-inclusive packages that include things like a small cake, champagne, photography, and a wedding officiant, making it a really easy way to have a special day with minimal planning stress. Here are a few budget-friendly elopement venues perfect for your elopement ceremony and reception.
Til Death Chapel: This affordable venue is the perfect place for your elopement in Winter Park or Orlando.
The Secret Garden in Orlando offers several all-inclusive and customizable packages for your elopement.
Walk-In Wedding Chapel in Jacksonville allows you to book a date and show up with your marriage license. Enjoy a meaningful ceremony by an experienced chaplain.
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Just Marry offers customizable packages that include many things you'll want on your wedding day. What I love about this particular elopement package is the amazing venue locations!
Up the Creek Farms in Malabar offers all-inclusive elopement packages, and pricing is based on the day of the week and the number of guests.
Small Miami Weddings provides a package for just $1,200, including ceremony planning, location selection and booking, timeline creation, marriage license assistance, and more!
Public Beaches
Choosing one of Florida's beautiful beaches is a great way to have an affordable beach elopement. While there are some things you'll want to consider if you decide to have a beach wedding, beaches generally make a great location for a more intimate ceremony. These locations are usually affordable, with the primary expense being a permit, if required.
One of the hardest parts about finding a cheap place to elope is finding information about getting married at a public site! Uncovering this information requires some detective work and digging on government websites, but it will be worth it! Almost every city, county, and state has information about renting its spaces somewhere on its website, but a lot of times, it's buried, so don't give up if you don't see it right away.
Can You Just Get Married on a Beach In Florida?
Sort of. Occasionally, you'll need to obtain a permit for your elopement. These are typically referred to as special use permits and each location will come with its own set of guidelines for obtaining a permit and what is allowed when it comes to weddings on the beach. To find information on permits, I recommend using a search engine and searching for "beach name special use permit."
Beaches for Your Cheap Florida Elopement
Clearwater Beach is an excellent option if you're looking for crystal-clear blue waters and epic sunsets. However, this popular beach can be busy with tourists, so if you're looking for a more private elopement, you may choose a different location. A beach ceremony permit is not required for events with less than 25 people and no chairs, arches, or music. You can learn more about that here.
Siesta Key Beach is famous for its powdery white sand and turquoise waters, Siesta Key Beach offers a picture-perfect setting. While it can be crowded with tourists, early mornings or weekdays are ideal for more privacy. Wedding permits are required, especially if decorations or equipment are used.
Fort De Soto Park outside of St Petersburg features pristine beaches, nature trails, and a historic fort, providing a mix of natural beauty and history. North Beach is quieter and perfect for a secluded ceremony. Permits are required, so plan ahead to secure your spot.
Canaveral National Seashore, just east of Orlando, is a remote and protected beach with dunes and gorgeous coastal scenery, ideal for couples who love nature. You can have your intimate wedding ceremony at Playalinda Beach and Apollo Beach. A special use permit is required and should be requested in advance.
Amelia Island Beach features golden sands, rolling dunes, and driftwood shores, creating a rustic, romantic atmosphere. Northern Fernandina Beach is incredibly peaceful and scenic for elopements. Wedding permits are required.
Beach Elopement Packages
Florida Keys Weddings: Choose from seven different all-inclusive beach wedding packages for elopements or a micro wedding priced between $200-2000 and enjoy a wedding day at a fraction of the price of a traditional wedding. Packages include everything from filing the marriage license and an officiant to a more comprehensive offering with flowers, photography, and cake.
Tide the Knot Beach Weddings: The perfect package for just the two of you offered on Monday-Thursday mornings with three location options — Madeira Beach, Sunset Beach, or Pass-A-Grille Beach, including photography, flowers, officiant, and coordination.
Elope in a Florida Park
Similar to beach weddings, many public parks require a permit for your ceremony (and occasionally for the photography). Still, they're usually very reasonable, making them an affordable option for a cheap place to elope in Florida. Be sure to apply well in advance of your planned elopement to ensure plenty of time for approval.
Florida's national parks are a great cheap place to elope! Many National Parks have significant restrictions on guest count, making them a better choice for events with small guest lists. Take advantage of the gorgeous landscapes usually found in National Parks to serve as the perfect backdrop for your elopement.
Everglades National Park has the Anhinga Trail, Paurotis Pond, and Shark Valley, offering unique settings with wetland views, peaceful waters, and panoramic overlooks. A particular use permit is required, group sizes are restricted, and decorations that alter the environment are not allowed. Plan for cooler months to avoid heat and mosquitos.
Dry Tortugas National Park, located off Key West, this remote park features crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and historic Fort Jefferson. Ideal spots include the beach near Fort Jefferson and Garden Key's turquoise waters, but access is limited to boats or seaplanes. Permits and simple ceremonies are required, with guest limits to protect the ecosystem.
Biscayne National Park features coral reefs and island views, with Boca Chita Key and Elliott Key as scenic spots. Permits costing $100 are necessary, and access requires travel by boat while adhering to Leave No Trace principles. Enhance your elopement with water activities like kayaking or a private tour.
Big Cypress National Preserve features swamps, prairies, and peaceful elopement spots like Kirby Storter Boardwalk and H.P. Williams Roadside Park. Special use permits are required, and the less-crowded setting is perfect for adventurous couples. It's ideal for those seeking a quiet, natural backdrop for their day.
Public Parks
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami is a historic European-inspired estate with stunning gardens and waterfront views.
Cascades Park in Tallahassee on the Gulf Coast is a vibrant city park with scenic bridges, water features, and a romantic amphitheater.
Lake Eola Park in Orlando is known for its downtown skyline views, swan boats, and iconic fountain.
Phillippi Estate Park in Sarasota is a historic estate park with oak trees, a gazebo, and Intracoastal Waterway views.
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park in Tallahassee offers a stunning mix of blooming gardens, picturesque trails, and reflective pools.
Honeymoon Island State Park is known for its clear waters, soft sands, and shell-strewn shores (and the name makes it perfect for a wedding celebration). It's popular but offers designated areas for wedding ceremonies to ensure privacy. A permit is required, with fees depending on the size of your setup.
Florida Courthouse Elopement
Courthouses are the OG location when it comes to elopements. We've recently seen a resurgence (and modernization) of courthouse weddings, which are trending, and it's no wonder! Courthouses and City Halls provide affordable options for a place to elope. Hire an experienced courthouse elopement photographer like Gracie May Photography to capture your day, and head to a local restaurant to continue the celebration.
No matter where in the world you plan to elope, this will always be a top recommendation for cheap places to elope. Airbnbs and VRBOs are available everywhere and offer the convenience of providing both a location for the ceremony and reception and lodging making them some of the best venues in my opinion!
Florida is a fantastic state for couples looking to elope without breaking the bank. With a wealth of affordable venues ranging from charming chapels to stunning public beaches, there are plenty of options to tie the knot in an intimate setting. By utilizing local resources, considering all-inclusive packages, and thinking outside the box with unique locations, you can create a memorable wedding experience that reflects your love without overspending. Whether you choose a serene beach at sunrise or a cozy chapel in the heart of the city, the most important thing is to focus on what truly matters—celebrating your commitment to each other.
Author Bio
Jennie Swenson is a former micro wedding bride, and she now supports countless couples in planning their own intimate celebrations through her blog, featuring real micro wedding stories and a curated vendor directory. Her practical advice and firsthand experience make her a go-to resource for those seeking to create memorable and meaningful micro weddings.
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