Tips for Eloping in St. Pete/Clearwater

With romantic settings and the top beaches in the country, St. Pete/Clearwater is the ideal setting for your wedding.

The decision whether to elope or have a traditional wedding is a difficult one for some. Save time, money and stress by eloping? Or, go the traditional route? If you choose to elope, you and and your loved one can create an intimate day to celebrate your love. And, combine your honeymoon with it.

Once you have decided to elope, choosing a destination is easy! The St. Pete/Clearwater area offers wide range of trouble-free and unique alternatives for your wedding and honeymoon.

Before you begin, it's always good to do a bit of planning. Here is an easy checklist and information for those eloping to our area.

Check Marriage Laws and Filing Times

Getting married in St. Pete/Clearwater is easy! Simply obtain a marriage license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court (in the Pinellas County Courthouse), and you're on your way. There is no waiting period for non-residents. Check here for more information.
A simple beach ceremony can save you money and stress.

Establish a Wedding Budget

Arrangements can be made based on whether your budget is limited or extravagant.

If you are tight on funds, a simple beach ceremony can be very cost effective, especially if you arrange it on your own. Most beaches don't charge any fees. Of course, if you want to make it easier on yourself, check out the complete wedding packages listed on our website, starting at only $225.

If money is no object, consider staying at one of our beautiful beach and waterfront resorts, where you can choose from newly built glamour to historic elegance. A wedding officiant can help you coordinate and officiate the exchange of vows in a simple beachfront ceremony for you and your loved one.

Whether you spend a lot or a little, eloping often costs thousands of dollars less than what you would typically spend on a traditional wedding, even including the honeymoon.

Choose Your Wedding Location

St. Pete/Clearwater can accommodate everything from traditional weddings in small, quaint chapels, to weddings at sea, and everything else in between. If you prefer tying the knot on a secluded beach where most of the viewers will be seagulls, consider Caladesi Island State Park or Anclote Key State Park. Both can only be accessed by boat.

If you prefer a garden setting, consider St. Petersburg's oldest living museum, Sunken Gardens, a 100-year-old tropical paradise complete with a butterfly garden and flowers and plants from around the world. Of course, if you prefer a more traditional setting, we have many small, quaint and historic churches to choose from.

Honeymoon Ideas

Choosing the St. Pete/Clearwater area for your wedding and honeymoon means there's an endless variety of things to do while you're in the area.

Art
Art lovers won't want to miss downtown St. Petersburg, home to world renown museums like the Salvador Dali Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, among others. And, be sure to take part in the Second Saturday Gallery Walk. Participating galleries open their doors for extended hours on the second Saturday evening of every month. Oftentimes, there is a special theme to the walk or galleries may have a special opening of new work featuring the artists on-site to meet and greet the public and answer questions about their work.

Spas
Relax, unwind and be pampered. Sharing a spa experience with your new spouse is a great way to connect. Full-service area resort spas offer many packages to choose from throughout the year. Treat yourself to a thatched hut beach massage as you listen to the gentle waves of the Gulf or indulge in a romantic candlelight couple's massage.

You can also sample invigorating and restorative treatments featuring ocean salts and sea vegetation. Some spas also offer a couple's class, teaching partners how to give each other massages, so that your spa experience doesn't have to end when you leave.

Beaches
There's no better place for a beach escape! With 35 miles of white sand beaches and home to America's award-winning beaches like Caladesi Island State Park, America's No. 1 beach in 2008, and Fort De Soto Park, America's No. 1 beach in 2005 and rated as top beach by TripAdvisor's online community in both 2008 and 2009. Our beaches range from secluded natural barrier islands where the two of you can get away from it all, to bustling city beaches like Clearwater Beach, with its new Beach Walk promenade, where you can see and be seen.

Dining and Nightlife
No visit to St. Pete/Clearwater is complete without enjoying a meal with views of the water. Whether you are strolling through sand en route to lunch, or watching the golden sun set into the Gulf of Mexico enjoying a glass of wine and dinner. Be sure to check out the many options for eating by the waters edge.

Our area is famous for fresh seafood, but don't stop there. With our historic Latin ties, you'll find many Cuban and Spanish influenced restaurants serving everything from savory paella to our local "cuban" (sandwiches). Of course, if you are ready to sit back and sip a cocktail or kick up your heels and do some dancing, you will have no problem finding a venue to suit your mood.