Villa weddings combine the trappings of an exclusive resort with the intimacy of a private home, where you and your loved ones can celebrate far from the prying eyes of strangers and every detail—from catering to flowers to where the guestbook should go—is entirely yours to decide. Add a few warm beams of Florida sunshine, and you’ve got the perfect formula for an unforgettable destination wedding. 

From Captiva to the Keys, Miami to Marco Island, most of the best Florida wedding villas are close to the sea. Some are located in luxury resort communities, while other stand alone as the singular vision of their discriminating owners. In Miami, for example, you can choose from a variety of stunning waterfront villas on Fisher Island, Palm Island, or the Venetian Islands, with 3, 5, 10 or more bedrooms, private docks, freeform swimming pools, and views of the city skyline across Biscayne Bay. Villa Woodbine may have a few more restrictions than some others, but this Spanish-Mediterranean mansion in Coconut Grove is a gorgeous nuptial setting with its courtyards and loggias lined with Cuban tile.

If laid-back island culture appeals, the villas of Sunset Key Cottages villas are close enough to Key West to enjoy all the offbeat fun in town while enjoying the peaceful sanctuary of a 27-acre island resort. Better yet, rent an entire island for the ultimate Florida destination wedding: Melody Key features a 3,500-square-foot, three-bedroom villa on a six-acre island with a pool, lounge, and endless water sports activities for your guests to enjoy before and after your wedding.

Written By: Bob Curley

Photography: Sunset Key Cottages, Key West, FL