So, you’ve put a ring on it. Now’s the time to plan the wedding celebration. For good reasons – like beautiful year-round weather, dreamy venues and pro planners — Greater Miami & Miami Beach is always at the top of lists of the perfect places for a wedding. Plus, a wedding here doubles as a vacation destination for guests and a honeymoon hideout for the couple. Here’s our guide to planning your ideal wedding in Miami.

Choosing the Perfect Season for a Miami Wedding

With our year-round sunshine, it’s always a good time for a wedding in Miami. Many couples looking to tie the knot in the destination choose the winter and early spring months from December to April, when temperatures are mild and days of blue skies and sunshine abound. Keep in mind that those months are peak season, so demand is high and top venues and hotels book up quickly.

Picture-Perfect Places To Get Married In Greater Miami & Miami Beach

Depending on your personal style, Greater Miami & Miami Beach offers a diverse range of romantic wedding venues, including breathtaking beaches, stunning luxury hotels, historic landmarks and unique gems.

Wedding set up with the oceanfront views at Faena Hotel Miami Beach — Take your vows at the oceanfront Faena Hotel Miami Beach

Say “I Do” On The Beach

Choosing a hotel as your venue offers the convenience of getting married and staying with family and friends at the same place. Fall in love with the oceanfront Solé Miami resort hotel in relaxed Sunny Isles Beach, where you’ll say “I do” while reveling in sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. Have a dreamy wedding on the beach or on the oceanfront poolscape, then dance the night away in a beautiful ballroom. Faena Hotel Miami Beach is another luxe hotel option that drips in luxury, over-the-top decor and ocean views.

Ancient Spanish Monastery, with its medieval architecture — Bring a historic flair to your ceremony at The Ancient Spanish Monastery

Make Your Own History At An Historic Venue

Miami has bragging rights to a wide variety of historic places and mansions that are popular with couples for their rich history, architecture and natural beauty. Couples love The Ancient Spanish Monastery, which was built in Spain and moved to North Miami Beach. Thanks to its stunning architecture, three chapels, beautiful gardens and courtyards, your wedding will be one to remember. It books up quickly for weddings, so be sure to plan well ahead.

Majestic banyan tree at Pinecrest Gardens, with its sprawling roots and lush canopy creating a picturesque natural setting — Celebrate your love at Pinecrest Gardens

A Dreamy Location For the Wedding of Your Dreams

If you want to celebrate the best day of your life in the outdoors, Pinecrest Gardens in Pinecrest offers a striking natural backdrop. Think lush, tropical gardens and towering banyan trees, stone walkways, swans drifting in a lake and a grassy meadow where you can dance beneath the starry sky.

Elegant tasting pavilion at Schnebly Redland's Winery, surrounded by lush greenery and adorned with festive lights, perfect for weddings and special events — Toast to forever at Schnebly Redland's Winery

Toast The Love Of Your Life At A Winery

For something unique, how about a winery? Schnebly Redland’s Winery & Brewery is a slice of paradise in Homestead with tropical gardens, gushing waterfalls, tiki huts, and plenty of serene spots for toasting with wines and beer made on the premises.

Tips for a Budget-friendly Wedding

You can have a budget-friendly wedding in Miami. To cut costs, keep the guest list small and host an intimate dinner reception at one of Miami’s most romantic restaurants. For a low-cost but gorgeous venue, get a permit for a wedding on the beach or in a scenic park. Timing is everything, and couples may be able to snag lower prices at hotels and restaurants during the less-busy summer season. Instead of a Saturday wedding, get married on a weekday or host a Sunday morning wedding and reception brunch. You can also look for venues that offer all-inclusive packages.

Dive into Wedding Attire & Jewelry

When it’s time to say “yes” to the dress and outfit the wedding party, Miami has top bridal salons that include boutique shops and the biggest names in weddings. Many wedding parties head to Coral Gables, where Miracle Mile is home to many shops that have earned the street the moniker “Bridal Row.” Ever After in Coconut Grove is another popular choice for finding a fairytale gown. The store has its own couture seamstresses for the perfect fit. Modern brides gravitate to The Bridal Project in Wynwood for top designers and their fairytale wedding gown.

Don’t Stress It! Find the Perfect Wedding Planner

Hiring a wedding planner removes the stress so you can revel in the big day. Couples should look for a wedding planner who’s well-versed in the destination and has strong connections to standout vendors and venues. A top option is Kreativ Myndz Events, a full-service wedding and event company that can take care of every detail from start to finish or assist in partial planning when couples have already done some of the work. If you’re looking to plan a glamorous affair, Lourdes Milian of Lourdes Milian Productions in Coral Gables has orchestrated high-end weddings (even for celebrities and A-listers) in Miami for nearly 20 years. A scroll through the planner’s social media account shows wedding days filled with dramatic floor-to-ceiling florals, lots of romantic lighting and over-the-top touches.

Choosing a Caterer Who’ll Make Your Day Delicious

Another key element of the wedding day is food. From culinary teams that offer a delicious taste of the destination’s diverse cultural flavors to those who tailor the meal to your personal roots, Miami has the right caterer for your big day. Bill Hansen Catering is a local favorite that’s been catering events in the area for more than 40 years. They are pros at crafting mouthwatering wedding feasts and global menus for every taste. Extra benefit: They also offer full-service event planning packages. Another longtime culinary star of the wedding world is award-winning Thierry Isambert Culinary and Event Design, known for designing refined meals and elaborate edible presentations that guests won’t soon forget.

Book A Professional Wedding Photographer

To make sure you don’t miss any epic moments, you’ll need a professional wedding photographer to capture those forever moments. Family-owned Bridges Cinema offers both wedding photography and cinematic-style videography services that portray a couple’s love story like it’s a romance movie. They also make save-the-date videos and offer video booths. Another coveted wedding photographer is Evan Rich of Evan Rich Photography, whose striking wedding photos have been featured in local and national publications. Rich is often praised for his natural yet unobtrusive style and ability to capture authentic moments.

These days, photo booths are an interactive way for wedding guests to capture photos with the couple, friends and family while showing off their silly sides. Esteem 360 Studios specializes in an array of photo booths with fun props and bubble or fog machines so guests can take home their pictures.

Getting A Marriage License 

Before you tie the knot in Greater Miami & Miami Beach, you’ll need to apply for a marriage license in person and be at least 18 years old. (If you’re under 18, you’ll need to meet certain requirements.) Good news: There isn’t a residency or citizenship requirement to apply for a Florida marriage license. You’ll need to fill out an online marriage license pre-application and make an appointment at the Marriage License Bureau or a district court. Keep in mind that both spouses must be present when applying, and you’ll need to bring documentation.

Wherever you decide to get married, Greater Miami & Miami Beach will have a place in your heart as a romantic destination you’ll want to return to for anniversaries and life celebrations.

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