Elope to Miami
Dreaming of how to Elope to Miami? Make it Reality with My Elopement Guide.
Miami is a dream destination for elopements of any kind. Find out where this local photographer thinks you should tie the knot.
It is a city famous for its food, nightlife, and all-year-round sunshine. Miami is synonymous with good times, which makes this party town the ultimate destination to elope to. By day, this city is a sizzling pot of cultures all soaking up the endless sun on beautiful sandy beaches, or sipping cocktails outside pastel-colored bars. Come night, the fiesta is all around you, spilling out from fancy drinking holes and fanning out across the strip. A day and a night spent in Miami are unforgettable, and to elope to this place is a dream. As an elopement photographer in Miami, I love to shoot here, because it offers vibrancy at every turn. I cannot fail to bring the very best out of my eloping couples when the backdrop is this good.
But where are the best places to elope to in Miami? How do I legalize my marriage in Florida? These questions and more will be answered in my guide to eloping in Miami.
How to Elope to Miami
The city of Miami ticks so many boxes for the eloping couple. Iconic art deco buildings. Paradise-like beaches. And all-year-round good weather. Miami is that destination wedding location, that does not require a passport and feels like the ultimate summer vacation. Me as an elopement photographer based in Florida, I feel blessed to be able to visit Miami whenever I choose, and I always encourage my eloping couples to push it up to their prospective location list.
Where to Elope to in Miami
When planning to elope to Miami, it can be hard to look past the incredible beaches. But this city is also home to some truly astonishing architecture, gardens, and estates that are all wonderfully romantic places to exchange your vows.
Deering Estate
One such place is Deering Estate, a beautiful setting in South Florida with over 450 acres of natural charm and history. To elope to the Deering Estate is to choose the ultra-elegant side of Miami. An escape from the busy city, and a tranquil way to intimately celebrate your nuptials. This is one of the most idyllic places to elope to in Miami; with a choice of equally romantic indoor or outdoor ceremony spaces available. And a waterfront location that is beyond stunning.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
One of the jewels of greater Miami is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, a breathtaking ceremony backdrop and ranked as one of the top 10 beaches in the US. For an elopement photographer like me, this Miami beach not only offers amazing views of Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean to frame my couples with. But it also has an ancient lighthouse dating back to 1825. A most uniquely pretty feature, and one that will ‘light up’ the background of your wedding photography so elegantly.
Freehand Miami
Freehand Miami is a laid-back eloping couples' dream location. It is a boutique hotel that focuses as much on its celebrations, as it does on its accommodation. With wonderful gardens on-site, a vibrant craft cocktail bar, and a delightful seasonal restaurant. This is a Miami hotspot for those hipster couples who want to wed and celebrate all in one place.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens is one of the most enchanting places to elope to in Miami. This unique location is full of a wonderfully diverse selection of plants, palms, and trees that come together to create a multitude of beautiful big-day backdrops. The gardens offer a variety of ceremony spaces to its couples, many of which are exclusively available for eloping couples or micro-wedding parties. They are also blessed with an amazing selection of reception venues for you to choose from, each of which more stunning than the last!
Mid-Beach
If you’re not a South Beach kinda couple, then maybe Miami’s chicest hotspot, Mid-Beach is more your style. The location of some of the trendiest hotels in the city, such as Fontainebleau, Soho Beach House, and Faena. Mid-Beach has fast become one of the most luxurious places to elope to in Miami. A pristine raised boardwalk hugs the length of this beautiful beach, gifting couples the perfect spot to shoot candid elopement photography, or modern portraits back-dropped by the ocean. This trendy spot may be a hidden gem, but it’s still best to plan your beach ceremony for sunrise, in order to avoid the crowds and maybe unwanted onlookers.
When is the Best Time to Elope to Miami?
The tourist season in Miami is generally from October through to May, with the peak visitor numbers being in January, February, and March. For eloping couples, March to May is probably the best time to visit Miami, as it is when the temperature is at its most pleasant and the crowds have died down. You’ll also miss out on hurricane season, meaning much less chance of rain.
Obviously, weekends are a more popular and expensive time to marry in Miami. So try and plan your nuptials for mid-week and avoid any over-crowding.
How to Legally Elope in Miami
In order to obtain your Florida marriage license, there are certain documents you must present at the clerk’s office. You must bring your driver’s license, state ID card/passport, and also your social security number if you’re a U.S. citizen. If you have been married before, you’ll also need to show proof that the marriage has now legally ended. Assuming that you have presented all of the required identification, you will then be presented with your Florida marriage license. The cost of this license is $93.50. However, if you’re a Florida resident this can be reduced to $61.00 if you attend a local marriage preparation course. You can also speed up the process by doing a pre-application online via the county clerk’s website. Please use this license within 60 days, otherwise, it will be voided.
If you're planning to elope to Miami, and are looking for an elopement photographer, I would love to join you on your wedding journey. My style is a modern combination of photojournalism and relaxed posing. Overall, I produce wedding photography that is contemporary, clean, and fresh. I would love the opportunity to discuss your elopement or micro-wedding plans in Florida and beyond. Feel free to get in touch via my contact page and also browse my portfolio of past couples.
Thank you for reading. Let me know if you have any questions. I am happy to help. If you are interested in working with me, please use the contact form below. I will get back to you within 24 hours.
Wedding and Elopement Photography Cinematography Packages start at $800
If your wedding, elopement, or micro wedding is out of state or international please let me know I have packages that include the travel cost.