If you want to elope to a tropical destination that has city vibes then Miami is the place for you!
Miami Elopement Guide: All The Information You Need To Plan A Perfect Celebration
- Miami Elopement Guide: All The Information You Need To Plan A Perfect Celebration
- What’s an Elopement?
- Why should you elope in Miami?
- Best time of the year to plan an elopement in Miami?
- Making it legal:
- Best Locations to Elope in Miami:
- How To Find The Right Photographer For The Job?
- What Other Vendors Will You Need To Have The Best Miami Elopement?
- Looking For A Wedding Photographer?
This Miami elopement guide will give you all the information and recommendations you need to plan a perfect and unforgettable day.
What’s an Elopement?
Gone are the days when elopements were a secret rendezvous for forbidden love!
Nowadays, elopements are for couples that want to have a very intimate ceremony and avoid the cost and stress of a large wedding.
Elopements don’t have to be a secret anymore, but still, they are a private ceremony for the couple. Most of the time couples elope to a cool destination, so they can have their ceremony and start the honeymoon right away!
If you are planning to have a handful of guests, then that is considered a Micro Wedding (read all about them here)
Why should you elope in Miami?
Miami is a city like no other in the USA. It’s flashy, multicultural, has great nightlife and it’s very easy to access.
If you are in the USA, Miami will give you the tropical vibes you might be craving without leaving the country.
And if you are coming from any other country in the world, Miami will give you the cosmopolitan vibes you might be after.
Accessing Miami is also extremely easy as the city has one of the biggest airports in the USA with many direct flights from all over the world. In addition, Miami is a vacation hub, so finding accommodations at various price points is relatively easy.
When booking your flights make sure that you choose MIA International Airport as your destination.
FLL Airport is about 45 minutes away from Miami, but still a good option to fly into and maybe find a cheaper flight.
From resorts to boutique hotels, to cute AirB&Bs you can find amazing places to stay and enjoy all the city has to offer.
Best time of the year to plan an elopement in Miami?
Miami has good weather all year long, but there are some months that have better weather than others.
Technically you can plan your Maimi elopement at any time, but here are some months to consider:
Hurricane season runs between June and November. These months are hot, humid, and rainy! If I were you, I would maybe avoid these months.
November through May are lovely months to plan an outdoor celebration.
Although Miami always feels like summer, during these months the temperatures and humidity are not really that high, so spending time outdoors can be very comfortable.
Don’t be surprised to encounter some rain regardless of the time of the year. In Miami, it can really rain at any time. But showers pass fast and the sun always shines!
Making it legal:
If you want to get married in Miami, you need a marriage license.
To apply for a marriage license, you need to personally visit any Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts. You can find the address of several locations here.
In addition, both partners must be over 18 years old and present a valid ID or passport.
The cost of a marriage license varies between $61 and $95 USD
Best Locations to Elope in Miami:
It’s important to clarify that even if your elopement ceremony is going to be short and sweet if you want to have your ceremony on the beach, you need a permit!
The beaches in Miami are public, but it doesn’t mean that you can set up any decor or furniture as you please.
Permit fees range from $60 to $320. My suggestion would be that you contact a professional wedding planner to help you with the logistics of your celebration. Here is a list of the top 15 wedding planners in Miami
But Miami is more than its beaches, we have some amazing venues that can be the perfect location for your elopement and the photos we’ll be taking. Some of my favorites are Villa Woodbine, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens & The Ancient Spanish Monastery
There are some other amazing locations to choose and you can find more information in this post: The Best Wedding Venues in Miami
How To Find The Right Photographer For The Job?
Your elopement will be one of the most private moments in your life, and I’m sure that family and friends would love to see photos of your amazing ceremony, so hiring the right photographer is super important.
I have been photographing couples in love for the past decade, and I’d love to work with you and your partner to create some amazing images of your date.
Here you can find a complete article with six tips on how to find the right photographer for you. (I hope it can be me <3)
What Other Vendors Will You Need To Have The Best Miami Elopement?
If you need a makeup (and hair) artist I highly recommend Gia Despo
For florals, you can find amazing styles and bouquets with Simple Florals
You will also need someone to perform the ceremony and sign your marriage license. My favorite reverend is Dr. Rev. Cynthia Capaccio her ceremonies are always so personable and romantic.
