One of my favorite things about being a South Florida wedding photographer is getting to photograph so many different types of weddings. From historic estates and tropical gardens to waterfront celebrations and elegant Miami venues, there are so many incredible South Florida wedding locations to choose from.

After photographing weddings throughout the area, these are some of the venues I find myself recommending most often. Each one has its own personality, and depending on the kind of wedding you’re planning, one may be a better fit for you than another.

Table of Contents
The Mansion at Tuckahoe
The Cooper Estate
Baker’s Cay Resort
Villa Woodbine
The Cruz Building
The Ancient Spanish Monastery
Deering Estate
Rusty Pelican
Historic Walton House
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

The Mansion at Tuckahoe

Located along the Indian River Lagoon in Jensen Beach, The Mansion at Tuckahoe combines historic architecture with beautiful waterfront views. The restored mansion has a distinctly Old Florida feel. The surrounding palms, terrace, and riverfront setting give couples plenty of room for an outdoor celebration. It also has separate getting-ready spaces, which makes it a great option for a full wedding day on one property.

Best for: Couples who want a historic mansion wedding with waterfront views and a little more room to spread out.
Address: 1707 NE Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957
Website: https://www.martin.fl.us/Mansion

The Cooper Estate

The Cooper Estate is one of my favorite South Florida wedding locations for couples who want a garden setting that feels completely immersed in nature. The Homestead property is filled with mature tropical greenery, winding paths, water features, and historic architecture. It gives you tons of variety for photos without ever having to leave the estate. It feels private and romantic while still having plenty of space for a larger celebration.

Don’t miss our guide to weddings at The Cooper Estate here.

Best for: Couples who love lush gardens, natural surroundings, and a wedding that feels like a private tropical escape.
Address: 14201 SW 248th St., Redland, FL 33032
Website: https://thecooperestate.com/

Baker’s Cay Resort

If your idea of a wedding involves turquoise water, tropical landscaping, and a resort getaway for your guests, Baker’s Cay is worth considering. Located in Key Largo, this waterfront resort sits on 13 acres of private bayfront property and offers several indoor and outdoor event spaces. It also gives your guests the chance to turn the wedding into a full Florida Keys vacation.

Best for: Couples planning a destination wedding where the wedding weekend and tropical getaway are part of the experience.
Address: 97000 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037
Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/kylcuqq-bakers-cay-resort-key-largo

Villa Woodbine

Villa Woodbine is one of those venues that feels distinctly Miami. Tucked into Coconut Grove, this historic Mediterranean-Renaissance estate combines Spanish arches, Cuban-inspired details, courtyards, and lush gardens beneath large oak trees. The property has so much character that it creates a beautiful backdrop without needing to add much to it.

Check out more details on planning a Villa Woodbine wedding here.

Best for: Couples who want an elegant Miami wedding with historic architecture, garden spaces, and Old Miami charm.
Address: 2167 S Bayshore Drive, Miami, FL 33133
Website: https://www.villa-woodbine.com/

The Cruz Building

The Cruz Building is a completely different take on a South Florida wedding. Located in Coconut Grove, this three-level venue is filled with soaring ceilings, stained glass, and marble staircases. It also has antique details, balconies, and outdoor terraces. There are so many distinct spaces throughout the building that the celebration can feel like it is constantly changing as guests move from one area to the next.

Read our guide to weddings at The Cruz Building here!

Best for: Couples who want a glamorous, statement-making wedding with dramatic architecture and plenty of opportunities for a grand entrance.
Address: 3157 Commodore Plaza, Coconut Grove, FL 33133
Website: https://cruzbuildings.com/

The Ancient Spanish Monastery

The Ancient Spanish Monastery is easily one of the most unique wedding venues in South Florida. The monastery was originally built in Spain in the 1100s before being dismantled, shipped to the United States, and eventually reconstructed in North Miami Beach. Between the historic stone architecture, cloisters, courtyards, and gardens, the property feels more like a European destination than a Miami wedding venue.

See our full guide on this venue here!

Best for: Couples who want a wedding with an incredible story, historic architecture, and a setting that feels transported from somewhere completely different.
Address: 16711 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, FL 33160
Website: https://www.spanishmonastery.com/

Deering Estate

Deering Estate offers a beautiful combination of history, nature, and waterfront scenery in Palmetto Bay. The historic estate sits along Biscayne Bay and is surrounded by expansive grounds, mature trees, and natural areas that give couples plenty of options for portraits. It is especially beautiful for couples who want their wedding to feel connected to South Florida’s landscape rather than tucked inside a traditional ballroom.

Best for: Couples who want historic architecture paired with expansive outdoor scenery and a strong sense of place.
Address: 16701 SW 72nd Avenue, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157
Website: https://deeringestate.org/

Rusty Pelican

For couples who want the Miami skyline to be part of their wedding photos, the Rusty Pelican is hard to beat. Located on the water in Key Biscayne, the venue offers multiple indoor and outdoor spaces with views across Biscayne Bay toward the Miami skyline. It can also accommodate everything from smaller celebrations to much larger weddings, making it a flexible option for couples who want a more modern waterfront setting.

Best for: Couples who want waterfront views, a city backdrop, and a wedding with a more modern Miami feel.
Address: 3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Website: https://www.therustypelican.com/

Historic Walton House

Historic Walton House feels like a hidden tropical garden tucked away in Homestead. The five-acre property includes a historic English-style cottage, lush botanical gardens, a lagoon, waterfall, pool, and plenty of unexpected details throughout the grounds. The estate is also home to resident wildlife, including flamingos, macaws, peacocks, tortoises, and monkeys. That adds such a fun and unexpected element to the experience. It is the kind of venue where you can spend an entire wedding day exploring the property and still find new photo opportunities.

Best for: Couples who want a private garden wedding surrounded by tropical greenery, historic details, and plenty of personality.
Address: 28501 SW 187th Avenue, Homestead, FL 33030
Website: https://www.historicwaltonhouse.com/

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Vizcaya is one of Miami’s most recognizable historic properties, and it is easy to see why. The Italian-inspired architecture, formal gardens, water views, and elaborate details create a setting that feels incredibly elegant while still being unmistakably Miami. For couples who love European-inspired architecture and want their wedding photos to feel timeless, this is a particularly beautiful option.

See more information on planning a Vizcaya Museum and Gardens wedding here!

Best for: Couples drawn to formal gardens, European architecture, and a sophisticated wedding with an iconic Miami backdrop.
Address: 3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33129
Website: https://vizcaya.org/

Which South Florida Wedding Location Is Right for You?

There really isn’t one venue that works for every couple, and that’s part of what makes South Florida such a fun place to get married. You can have a waterfront celebration at Baker’s Cay or Rusty Pelican, a lush garden wedding at The Cooper Estate or Historic Walton House, or a historic celebration at places like Vizcaya, Villa Woodbine, or the Ancient Spanish Monastery.

The best venue for you will come down to the experience you want your guests to have and the setting that feels most like you. And from a photography perspective, all of these South Florida wedding locations give us something unique to work with.

As a South Florida wedding photographer and videographer duo, we love getting to document weddings throughout the area. If you’re still searching for your venue or you’ve already found the one, get in touch to learn more about our wedding photography and videography services!