A Winter Wedding in Sunny Florida

The St. Pete/Clearwater area serves as an ideal backdrop for those choosing to marry around the holidays. Here are some ideas to help make your dreams come true.

Many venues are already adorned for the season, so why not have someone else deck the halls for you? Taking advantage of places that are already decorated not only adds to the spirit of the season, it will save you time and money. Make things especially easy by simply adding flowers for the wedding party as your primary personal decorating touch.

Take advantage of seasonal foods, desserts and music that only come around this special time of year. Serve spiked eggnog, mulled wine and festive cocktails in addition to traditional fare such as turkey or ham. Romantic holiday music like "I'll Be Home for Christmas" makes a nice transition between your romantic setting and the holiday theme.

If you want to add more of your own touch to the event, decorating with personalized ornaments with the groom and brides' name are a keepsake for guests. Or, incorporating other traditional holiday decorations as part of your centerpieces can add your personal festive impression to an already decorated room. Glittery wedding favors, bells and candles also lend to the seasonal atmosphere.

Seasonal Events

Planning your destination wedding around the holidays in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area means you and your guests can take advantage of many seasonal events you won't find anywhere else! Here are just a few.

Holiday B&B Christmas Stroll

Get in the holiday spirit by visiting beautifully decorated downtown St. Petersburg B&B's for their Christmas Open House. See colorful holiday decorations, enjoy free refreshments, win gift certificates, get special rates for future stays and more. Each year, a handful of unique Bed & Breakfasts open up their sumptuously decorated establishments for an evening of Open House. This is your chance to check out these unique establishments and choose the right one for your next stay.

Lighted Boat Parades

Being surrounded by water, there are many opportunities to view lighted holiday boat parades. See one or see them all, each parade features uniquely decorated boats of all kinds and sizes. You'll be surprised at the creativity and detail. Some even feature live music on deck. Depending on the location, some parades may be viewed from waterfront restaurants and waterfront parks. Check dates and times for each.

Dunedin Tree Lighting and Boat Parade
Edgewater Park, Dunedin

Memorial Lighted Boat Parade
Island Estates, Coachman Park, Memorial Causeway, Clearwater

Bruce Watters Illuminated Boat Parade
St. Pete Pier, Straub Park, St. Petersburg

Indian Rocks Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Indian Rocks Intracoastal Waterway

Botanical Gardens

Celebrate the season and see how more than 425,000 glittering lights can transform the Florida Botanical Gardens into a holiday wonderland that showcase the beauty of the Gardens' plants and landscapes.

Florida Botanical Gardens
12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo

First Night

Ring in the new year with your new wedding rings. Downtown St. Petersburg hosts an annual New Year's Eve Celebration of the Arts that takes place at multiple venues throughout the city center. Family-oriented festivities with music stages, entertainment, drama, dance, games, art make for a joyous way to bring in the new year. End the night by watching spectacular fireworks over the Vinoy Basin. Many restaurants and bars are open late. Celebrate the new year and your new life together.