St. Petersburg/Clearwater Wedding Venues

With a local state park named Honeymoon Island, all signs point to romance in St. Pete/Clearwater. Whether you want to be barefoot in the surf on the big day or hold court in a ballroom at a grand dame hotel built in the late 1800s, the possibilities are endless for a destination wedding that can accommodate every bride's dream. For a complete list of ceremony locations, click here; for accommodations, click here.

Historic Places
St. Pete/Clearwater was a favorite winter spot for wealthy Northerners in the early 20th century, and thankfully today we continue to enjoy the majestic hotels and architecture they left behind.

Don CeSar Beach Resort – This palace, built in 1928, has been appropriately described as a pink iced wedding cake set on the sugar white sandy beaches of St. Pete Beach. The eight-story resort hosts more than 300 weddings a year for as few as two people and as many as 1,000 guests. Depending on your style, you can choose from a casual beach wedding or a lavish ballroom event and enlist the help of the resort's on-site wedding coordinators.

Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club – Located in downtown St. Petersburg, the Vinoy, as it is simply known, is another 1920s Mediterranean Revival hotel on the National Register of Historic Places. Perched next to Vinoy Park on the waters of Tampa Bay, the Vinoy overlooks the historic downtown. Weddings are held in several ballrooms, as well as an outdoor Tea Garden.

Outdoor Weddings

Hundreds of days of sunshine make St. Pete/Clearwater an ideal location for an outdoor wedding.

The Beaches

Our beaches are by far the area's most popular wedding location. With waves gently lapping at the shore, couples go barefoot at sunset to exchange their vows. In general, the beaches in Florida are open to the public, so the exact location of your ceremony can vary depending on beach traffic. Opt for a hotel or resort with a private beach to ensure a specific spot, or work with coordinators who know the best spots at our public beaches.

Sunken Gardens – Some 100 years ago, a local plumber decided to convert six acres in downtown St. Petersburg into an ornate botanical garden. Today, a small bridge leads to the closeted Wedding Lawn, or you can choose from other garden "rooms" like the Butterfly Garden or Oak Pavilion. The gardens can also host a reception at its banquet facility, a historic 1926 building overlooking the gardens.

On the Water

Set sail on your life together on our tranquil blue Gulf of Mexico waters.

StarLite Cruises – Take your pick between an old-fashioned paddleboat or a modern two-story yacht and get married at sea. Both ships offer a full catering menu and can hold more than 200 guests.

Many other boat charter companies in the St. Pete/Clearwater area also offer wedding services on the water. Check them out here.

Romance in the Courtyard
For Valentine's Day, Pinellas Circuit Judge Jack St. Arnold performs a mass wedding on the steps of the County Courthouse. Couples have to register in advance to participate. Valentine's Day is traditionally the busiest day for weddings at the courthouse. Individual ceremonies are also performed that day.

NOTE: To get married in Florida, you must be 18 years of age and both parties must present photo identification at a clerk of the court's office to obtain a marriage license. No blood tests are required. For additional information about getting a marriage license from the Clerk of the Court (in the Pinellas County Courthouse), click here.