The infamous little chapels in Las Vegas, NV have made the city the #1 wedding destination in the United States – but did you know that our very own Florida Keys come in at #2 on this distinguished list? We’re not all that surprised. With breathtaking views, beautiful weather, stellar food and friendly accommodations, it is no wonder so many couples choose the Florida Keys for their special day.
Our friends at the Courtyard in Marathon gave us the inside scoop on just what goes into planning and pulling off the perfect Florida Keys wedding and the personal touches they offer to make their couples’ nuptials memorable and unique. Kristy Harvey is the director of weddings and events at the Courtyard in Marathon and helps 30-40 couples a year with their Florida Keys wedding – she also planned her own wedding here as well! Kristy offers a variety of tips and advice for planning your destination wedding, specifically in the Florida Keys.
Embrace the Location:
On her blog, Kristy shared some ideas to make your beach wedding personal and unique. Embracing the Florida Keys location and all it has to offer is a huge part of what Kristy offers in her wedding planning services. Some of her advice: use local fruits and plants for non-traditional, beautiful centerpieces, ditch the cake and opt for Key Lime Pie or another favorite local dessert, and incorporate wood elements into your arch design, floral arrangements and decor. These are all things that you can do to make your beach wedding feel authentically Florida Keys while still showing off your personal style.
Work with the Weather:
When you’re dreaming of your tropical destination wedding, you probably have picture perfect weather in mind. Luckily in the Florida Keys, you have a very good chance of getting just that! But working with a planner who accounts for things like rain, heat and wind will take a ton of stress off your mind if the weather happens to be less than perfect. Having a wedding planner who knows the Keys is invaluable – Kristy thinks of things like which direction the wind is blowing and how it will affect table decor and your hair style so she can help you adjust accordingly!
Make it easy on your guests:
Destination weddings are fun! But they often require travel or additional expenses for guests. One of the best ways to make it worth their while is to consider the schedule of events, accommodations and activities to ensure your guests had an absolute blast making the trip for your special day. For example, the Courtyard Marathon offers on-site accommodations with a wide range of amenities so your guests are comfortable and happy with minimal travel or effort needed once they arrive!
Kristy and the Courtyard Marathon are experts in planning weddings in the Florida Keys and offer customized packages for couples looking to tie the knot in paradise. Their packages are all-inclusive and based on number of guests. A romantic private beach location and island-inspired catering options are the perfect way to embrace all that the Florida Keys has to offer for the destination wedding of your dreams.
Visit the Courtyard Marathon website for more details or reach out to Kristy direct at 305-708-7323 email kharvey@shanercorp.com
