How to Elope in Miami, Florida

South Florida

The ultimate guide for eloping in Miami Florida

Are you searching for a unique wedding ceremony without the hefty price tag and huge celebration? Have you ever considered eloping to somewhere like Miami instead of having a big public event? Every year, more couples realize that eloping reflects them better than the big traditional wedding.

There are many things to consider before eloping in Miami, such as: where you will get married, what type of ceremony you want, how much it will cost you, and how long the elopement needs to last. Luckily for you, I have created an ultimate guide on eloping in Miami that has all the information necessary for making your elopement day perfect!

First off, what is an elopement?

The ideas of elopement have changed quite a lot in the last few years; before, eloping has been associated with couples running away, getting married in secret or last-minute celebrations. However, in modern times eloping does not necessarily stand by that anymore. Now it is all about doing exactly what YOU want and not what others want or think is right; if traditional weddings are not for you, then scrap that!

An elopement differs from a traditional wedding in that it allows you to share a more intimate experience with your other half. It's a popular alternative to traditional weddings because it lets couples enjoy the ambiance of love, unity, and secrecy between each other that you wouldn’t normally be able to.

You don’t have to go to the trouble of organizing a large-scale ceremony with guests and a huge budget. You can enjoy the flexibility which elopement weddings provide, the couple along with their photographer dictate how the day goes and are not held back by anything.

Paperwork and legalities

If you're planning on eloping in Miami you will need to have applied for a marriage license online, you can easily apply for one here and it will cost you around $90. Here are the basics of what you need to apply for a license:

Bride and groom must be present and age 18 or older
Both must present a valid government ID that confirms your name, date of birth, and signature

Pretty simple stuff, there's a little more to it but, you can check that for yourself when you apply.

If the plan is to tie the knot on one of Miami's public beaches, make sure you remember that though the word "public" means the beach is open to everyone, it doesn’t mean you can roll up at any time, block off part of the beach, and hold a ceremony. Most of the time, with some exceptions, you will be required to buy a permit to have a ceremony on the beach. If we're talking about Miami beach, it's around $150.

The officiant you hire must have one of the following titles: a regularly ordained minister of the gospel, an elder in communion with a church, an ordained clergy, a judicial officer, a clerk of the circuit courts, or a notary public. If the officiant doesn't have one of these titles then they are not qualified to officiate the wedding.

Hiring the right photographer

Choosing a photographer for your wedding is different from choosing your other wedding vendors like music, cake, flowers, or suppliers... It's important to make the right decision when picking your photographer because the only things you will have left when it’s all finished are your memories and photographs. With hundreds of different local and abroad photographers, it can become very stressful and hard to make the correct decision.

However, when eloping you must choose someone familiar with the destination, knows all the laws, and can help you through the process of eloping. I make sure that every single one of my clients is over the moon with their elopements, I make them an awesome timeline for the day to make it super fun and exciting! Check out Jenna and Graham’s Elopement at Historic Walton House! We planned every moment of this special day from the getting ready, to the first look, ceremony, portraits, and mini reception!

Ask your photographer about all the different vendors like florists, planners, or officiants. I always give the couple my best recommendations in case they are from overseas or new to the area. The most important thing is that I'm always there for my couples, and whoever you choose as your photographer, make sure they're there for you as well.

Best time for eloping in Miami

What is the best season to elope in Miami you ask? Well, it's warm all year round with December and January being the coldest months of the year, with temperatures as low as 49°F, however, that's not to say I haven't seen a beautiful 77°F in winter!

Spring is probably the best season to have an elopement in Miami; March is usually very dry and sunny and in April and May the days grow longer and warmer, allowing you to enjoy dipping in the ocean next to your beautiful newlywed!

Eloping in Summer is a hit or miss because it's some of the hottest times in the year but also the busiest, with tourists everywhere - it can become unbearable if you're not used to the heat and rush. June is one of the rainiest months of the year so you should try to avoid getting married at that time.

When September comes, and the heat starts to die down a little, you know Fall has started with the crowds beginning to disappear. September, October, and November are amazing months for eloping in Miami since they are still warm and most tourists have left.

Top places to stay in Miami

You and your partner will want your stay in Miami to be as relaxing and enjoyable as any special occasion should be. Well, I’ve devised a list of the best places that Miami can offer for the duration of your elopement!

Biltmore Hotel is a wonderful choice for those of you looking to amp up the luxury in your elopement, with an array of stunning, spacious suites suited to your budget and preferences. I recommend the Terrace or Anastasia Suite which gives you gorgeous views of Coral Gables from the balcony. The airport is only 18 minutes away by car so convenience and luxury are truly a pair with this choice.

Eloping in Miami isn’t done right if you don’t go to the beach at least once. Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club is right on the Surfside beach; for the ultimate Miami experience, book an oceanfront room or an ocean bungalow and wake up to the smell and sound of the waves.

If you’re looking for a more classy, city vibe, I recommend East Miami Hotel. Located in the middle of Downtown Miami, you can immerse yourself in its culture overlooking the city lights from the skyscraper or explore the art in the streets below. Inspired by sunlight, the hotel itself is a hub of art and creativity. Make this place your home for your elopement and leave Miami fresh with love and some inspiration of your own!

Finally, consider an Airbnb, they allow for a cleaner space to get ready at with ample windows! You can find one that matches your style and overall will shine through the photos!

These are only a few of the many places you can stay while eloping in Miami. I'd be so happy to help you choose the best place for you if the number of choices is overwhelming, and you just don’t know what is best for you. I’m always happy to advise my couples!

Exchanging your vows

Because you’re eloping in Miami, I bet you’re excited to make it all official at the beach. But in case that’s not your vibe, of course, you can also exchange your vows at the courthouse. No matter where it happens, it will feel amazing to finally make your union with your significant-other official!

Whatever you do, you must tell your photographer where the elopement is happening and at what time. This is because a photographer will need to consider any conditions that could affect their photos such as sunlight and shadows- this will help your photos come out more beautiful.

Now, speaking of photos (my favorite part!)

Miami is full of stunning spots for a bride and groom photoshoot!

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is one of them- it has 10 acres of gardens and architecture that will make you weep.

You can also have some photos taken at a beach like Miami Beach or Crandon Park, the palms and sand adding a tropical vibe to your elopement. There’s also Deering Estate which has a perfect landscape for memorable elopement photos!

But maybe the most exciting of all is a sunset boat cruise- the photos that come from these shoots are just dreamy! I’ll recommend much more when we’re actually planning your day, and you can take your pick!

How much does eloping in Miami cost?

Most of the time, an elopement doesn't cost anywhere near as much as a traditional wedding with guests. Unless you want to go crazy and spend a ton of cash, it doesn't need to cost over $10,000. Your most expensive cost will usually be the photographer which will run you around $3,000.

Now it depends on how long you will stay and where you stay. Say you picked one of the hotels I recommended above, for example, Biltmore Hotel, this one will cost around $400 a night. Let us say you only stay for 3 days, that's $1,200, if that's out of your range, you can grab hotels for much cheaper, like $100-$200 a night.

Other costs include, transportation, flights, officiant, florist, and any photo permits needed to hold your ceremony.

Eloping in Miami checklist

Pick a photographer FIRST! Your photographer is the most important part of the checklist because they will spend the whole day with you! They are the ones that help create a timeline based off your elopement vision. Having someone that you can trust and overall vibe with is key! You just want to make sure this day is a fun experience and that everything goes better then you have imagined it!
Do the legal stuff... Fill out all the documents beforehand, so that your elopement is bit more stress-free. Go to the legal section in this blog and follow the link to learn more about eloping in Miami and getting your marriage license.
Location and dates - After you've planned out your day with your photographer you should have a decent idea of what area is the best to book a hotel and what season is best for you, knowing your dates and location is critical before the next steps as you will be booking vendors and hotels.
Book other vendors - The easiest way to find the best local vendors is by getting in touch with your photographer, they will be able to recommend the best officiants, florists, and planners. Get these out the way as soon as you've got your dates planned and locations sorted.
Flights and hotels - Pre-booking these are really important as both get more expensive the closer it gets! Don’t risk losing out on your dream location.
Live your picture-perfect elopement - now the day has arrived be sure to enjoy yourself and be in the moment:)

I hope this guide helped you with choosing between having an elopement or a traditional wedding. All I can say is that I love photographing elopements and I think they are an amazing way to celebrate marriage!

If you're planning on eloping in Miami and still don't have a photographer be sure to check out some of my previous elopement shoots and maybe I'll be the right fit for you!

Learn more

Click here to learn about my experience!

Interested in having me as your photographer! Yay!!! Let’s do it!
Fill out my contact form below to get my Elopement Pricing Guide!

Featured