National Hotel Wedding Guide

If you’re looking to host a wedding at the National Hotel Miami Beach, you’re in the right place. This Art Deco landmark is one of my favorite Miami venues—and once you see why, you’ll understand.

Built in 1939 by architect Roy France, the National Hotel sits right in the heart of South Beach with direct beach access, an iconic infinity-edge pool (the longest in South Beach), and that unmistakable vintage Miami glamour. It’s perfect for couples who want a destination wedding vibe where guests can stay on property, enjoy the beach, and celebrate in true South Beach style.

Let me walk you through everything you need to know about planning your National Hotel wedding.

About the author of this post:

Hi, I’m Carolina Guzik, a Miami wedding photographer with 15+ years of experience creating natural, stylish images while helping couples feel comfortable & confident in front of the camera. If you’re planning a wedding in South Florida, get in touch! I’d love to hear from you!


Why the National Hotel is Perfect for Miami Beach Weddings:

The National Hotel Miami Beach isn’t just another beachfront venue—it’s a piece of Miami history with modern amenities and a location that can’t be beat.

What makes the National Hotel special:

Art Deco Architecture: The building itself is stunning—classic 1939 design with that South Beach aesthetic you see in movies. It photographs beautifully both inside and out.

All-in-One Venue: Your guests can stay where you’re getting married. This eliminates transportation logistics and means your celebration can feel like a multi-day experience, not just a single event.

Direct Beach Access: You can have your ceremony right on Miami Beach without coordinating off-site transportation. The hotel handles the beach permit and setup.

The Iconic Pool: That infinity-edge pool surrounded by palm trees and gardens? It’s one of the most photographed spots in South Beach and makes a gorgeous ceremony or reception backdrop.

South Beach Location: You’re in the heart of South Beach, surrounded by restaurants, nightlife, and that electric Miami Beach energy. Out-of-town guests have plenty to do beyond your wedding.

Adults-Only Hotel: The National is an adults-only property, which creates a more sophisticated atmosphere for your celebration.

National Hotel Wedding Location & Access:

Address: 1677 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

The National Hotel sits on Collins Avenue in South Beach, making it incredibly accessible for guests traveling from anywhere.

20 minutes from Miami International Airport (MIA)
10 minutes from South Beach’s restaurant and nightlife scene
Walking distance to Ocean Drive and the beach boardwalk
Easy access from I-95 for guests coming from Fort Lauderdale or Palm Beach

Your guests get that destination wedding feel—tropical, glamorous, Miami Beach—without actually having to travel far or deal with complicated logistics.

National Hotel Wedding Pricing & What’s Included:

The National Hotel offers all-inclusive wedding packages starting at $195 per person for plated dinner receptions. Packages include catering, bar service, a custom wedding cake, tables, linens, setup, and your complimentary wedding suite for the night.

Here’s something important: The hotel only hosts one wedding at a time, so you can count on having the peace of mind that your celebration will be the only focus of the hotel team.

Ceremony fees are separate: Beach ceremonies start at $2,000 + tax, poolside ceremonies at $2,500 + tax. Both include setup, chairs, and all required permits.

All packages include:

  • Five-hour private event with full dinner service
  • Open bar (4-5 hours)
  • Passed hors d’oeuvres and sparkling wine toast
  • Custom wedding cake
  • Complete setup and breakdown
  • Complimentary tasting for the couple

Important to know:

  • Catering is exclusive to the hotel
  • All pricing is subject to 24% service charge and applicable taxes
  • Packages can be customized for your needs

For detailed pricing, package options, and current availability, contact the National Hotel’s wedding team—they’ll walk you through what works best for your guest count and vision.

It’s important to point out that the hotel only hosts one wedding at a time, so you can count on having the peace of mind that your celebration will be the only focus of the hotel team.

National Hotel Wedding Capacity:

Maximum Capacity: 150 guests

The National Hotel works beautifully for intimate weddings of 30-50 guests or larger celebrations up to 150. The poolside and indoor spaces adapt to different guest counts while maintaining that sophisticated, elegant atmosphere.

Wedding Party portrait at the National Hotel in Miami

Can You Have a Beach Wedding at the National Hotel?

Yes! One of the biggest advantages of choosing the National Hotel is the ability to have your ceremony right on Miami Beach.

The hotel is located directly on the beach with boardwalk access, and they handle the entire beach ceremony setup:

  • Miami Beach ceremony permit (included in your beach ceremony fee)
  • Chair setup and breakdown
  • Ceremony coordination

Important to know: Miami Beach is public, so you won’t have the beach entirely to yourselves.

Wedding Ceremony & Reception Spaces at the National Hotel

The National Hotel offers multiple spaces depending on your vision and guest count.

The Pool Patio (My Favorite!): The poolside area is absolutely stunning for outdoor receptions. The iconic infinity-edge pool surrounded by palm trees and lush gardens creates an unforgettable atmosphere, especially as the sun sets and the string lights come on.

Indoor Ballroom: The hotel also has an elegant indoor ballroom that works perfectly as a weather backup or for couples who prefer climate-controlled celebrations.

Beach Ceremony Site: Your ceremony can take place right on the sand with the ocean as your backdrop. The hotel handles all logistics, setup, and the required Miami Beach permit.

Getting Ready at the National Hotel

Complimentary Wedding Suite: All wedding packages include a complimentary wedding suite for your wedding night, so you can enjoy the celebration and then retreat to your room without worrying about driving anywhere.

Hair and Makeup: Your vendors can come directly to your hotel room for hair and makeup, making the morning relaxed and convenient.

Photography Tips for Your National Hotel Wedding

Having photographed at the National Hotel, here’s what I tell couples:

The Pool is Your Star Location: That infinity-edge pool with palm trees and the Art Deco building as your backdrop? Absolutely iconic.

Art Deco Details Everywhere: The building’s 1939 architecture gives you gorgeous detail shots: vintage elevators, geometric patterns, classic Miami Beach design elements. These add character and context to your gallery.

Beach Portraits: You have direct beach access, so use it! Even if you’re not having a beach ceremony, plan 20-30 minutes for beach portraits. The combination of sand, ocean, and that South Beach skyline in the background is stunning.

Vendor Requirements at the National Hotel

You’re welcome to bring in your own photographers, videographers, florists, DJs, musicians, wedding planners, and other vendors.

All outside vendors must:

  • Provide proof of insurance
  • Sign the venue’s vendor agreement

Exclusive Services:

  • Catering: Provided exclusively by the National Hotel
  • Bar service: Provided exclusively by the National Hotel

Everything else—photography, flowers, music, planning, décor—you can choose your own trusted vendors or use the hotel’s preferred vendor list.

Looking for a National Hotel wedding photographer?

I’ve photographed multiple celebrations here and know this venue intimately—the best locations, lighting, timing, and how to make the most of every space. I’d love to talk about your National Hotel wedding.

National Hotel Wedding Catering:

Exclusive In-House Catering:

The National Hotel provides all catering exclusively through its in-house culinary team. This isn’t a limitation—it’s actually an advantage. Their team knows the venue inside and out, understands timing and flow, and consistently delivers exceptional food and service.

Package Options:

  • Plated dinner service with multiple-course menus
  • Buffet-style service with various stations
  • Luxury packages with action stations, premium bars, and enhanced options

The hotel offers extensive menu selections, including:

  • Diverse appetizer options
  • Multiple salad choices
  • Pasta displays
  • Various entrée selections (seafood, beef, chicken, vegetarian)
  • Custom wedding cake included in all packages

Kosher Catering: Available through the hotel’s trusted Kosher catering partner for couples planning Kosher celebrations.

Tasting: Every couple gets a complimentary tasting to finalize menu selection.

Photo of a wedding party at The National Hotel

Best Time of Year for a National Hotel Wedding

Peak Season: November – May

Most couples choose these months for:

  • Comfortable temperatures (70s-80s°F)
  • Lower humidity
  • Gorgeous weather for outdoor celebrations by the pool or beach

Summer Season: June – October

Summer National Hotel weddings are beautiful, but come with Miami weather considerations:

  • Higher heat and humidity
  • Afternoon thunderstorms common
  • However, Indoor spaces are climate-controlled, and summer can mean better availability and potentially more flexibility

The hotel’s covered areas and indoor ballroom mean weather doesn’t have to ruin your plans—you just need backup options built into your timeline.

(For comprehensive Miami wedding weather details, read my complete guide to the best time to host a wedding in Miami.)

At What Time Does The Party End?

If you are hosting your wedding at The National Hotel, the party can go on until 1:30 am

What About Guest Rooms and Group Rates?

Group Room Blocks: The National Hotel requires a minimum of 10 rooms per night with a two-night minimum for wedding room blocks.

Group Rate Benefits:

  • Discounted room rates for your guests
  • Reduced or waived resort fees
  • Convenient for out-of-town guests (they’re staying where the party is)

Why this matters: Having your guests stay on property transforms your wedding from a single-day event into a weekend celebration. Guests can enjoy the pool, beach, and hotel amenities before and after your wedding.

Is a National Hotel Wedding Right for You?

The National Hotel is perfect if you want:

  • South Beach location with beach access
  • Art Deco, vintage Miami Beach aesthetic
  • Destination wedding where guests stay on the property
  • Iconic pool setting for photos and celebrations
  • Late-night celebrations (1:30 AM end time)
  • All-inclusive venue with in-house catering

The National Hotel might not be ideal if:

  • You want a large wedding with over 150 guests
  • You need complete vendor flexibility (catering is exclusive)
  • You prefer ultra-modern or minimalist venues
  • You want a completely private beach (Miami Beach is public)

Every venue serves different visions. If you love Art Deco architecture, South Beach energy, and the convenience of an all-in-one beachfront hotel, the National Hotel is an exceptional choice.

Ready To Get More Information?

Contact Ivette Davalos at idavalos@nationalhotel.com, contact number 305.423.7227


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