A Wedding in Paradise - Key West
Are you looking for a romantic setting for a wedding? Exotic scenery and wonderfully strange natives? How about getting married in Key West?
Picture it - you and your beloved, alone along a secluded beach with the setting sun sinking into the sea... or the two of you and several dozen of your family and friends on a 60 foot sailing yacht under the clear, blue Caribbean sky... weddings don't get much more romantic than this!
Sunrise or sunset beach weddings are popular," said Janice King, of Island Weddings. "The sunrise weddings are very quiet and very private, and they love it.
It shouldn't really come as a surprise that Key West is a popular wedding location. The weather is nearly perfect, the island is remote yet accessible, and your wedding and honeymoon can all be wrapped together into one!
In fact, getting married in Key West has become so popular there are half a dozen businesses that provide weddings. From a simple, tasteful sunset ceremony on the beach to a full-blown formal affair in one of the island's prestigious resorts, there's something for every style - and budget.
Does simplicity appeal to you? Then try an intimate ceremony on the beach.
"Sunrise or sunset beach weddings are popular," said Janice King, of Island Weddings. "The sunrise weddings are very quiet and very private, and they love it."
A variation of the sunset wedding is the sunset wedding cruise. Usually this is a 3-hour cruise (shades of Gilligan's Island!) for two, that includes champagne, 24 or so pictures, and wedding cake, and are surprisingly affordable.
Mystic Dream Charters offers a Deluxe version of the 3-hour sunset cruise for those who prefer a bit of elegance.
Board their private, luxury motor yacht and be spoiled by the captain and crew... features include the ceremony, marriage certificate, champagne toast, bridal bouquet, boutonniere, 36 photos and negatives, gourmet hor d'oeuvers, a small wedding cake and tropical music!
What if you've brought a few family members or friends to help you celebrate? There are options for that scenario, too.
Island Weddings offers an Island Excursion Wedding for 6, that features a 4-hour trip on a 350 square foot Catamaran. Champagne, imported beer, shrimp and lobster, Hors d' oeuvres, wine and wedding cake are all included.
If you're the adventurous type - and so are your spouse-to-be and guests - you might want to try something truly unique... a wedding aboard the Schooner Western Union. This beautiful schooner - the last built in Key West, in 1939, is also a Registered National Historic Landmark.
But Key West is about individualism, so dream up your own tropical wedding.
Whatever you can imagine, someone will be able to help you make it a reality, just ask Janice King. "Our most unusual wedding? A nudist wedding on a pontoon boat in Marathon!"
So how about it? Want a wedding day you'll
fondly remember, one that'll be the envy of your friends? Then make your
way to Key West, and make your special day - tropically perfect! 
