Florida is one of the most popular wedding destinations in the world, alongside The Bahamas, Thailand, Italy and the Seychelles. But a little known, and unspoiled Island called Anna Maria is now being heralded as the No.1 Beach Wedding Destination in Florida. We give you the low down on why this Island, part of Florida’s Gulf Coast, is becoming the wedding destination of choice.

Climate

With an average of 361 days of sunshine per year and average temperatures of 26/c, 84/f, you are almost guaranteed the perfect weather for a perfect beach wedding.

Romantic Sunsets

This beautiful Island showcases the most magnificent sunsets, beautiful enough to rival any destination in the world. A dusk wedding with the backdrop across the Gulf exudes romance and will capture the most incredible wedding photographs. A local tip – photographs on the City Pier are fabulous!

Beautiful Beaches

The 7-mile coastline of the island has a selection of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With exquisite, almost white sand, the beaches are clean and often quiet, with the more popular beaches offering plenty of amenities for families, including picnic tables, playgrounds and showers. However, for a truly romantic ceremony, many beachfront Anna Maria rentals offer beaches almost so secluded, you will feel like you are on your own private Island.

A Wonderful Choice of Wedding Venues

It is possible to get married virtually anywhere on Anna Maria Island. Popular choices include The Sandbar and The Beachhouse Restaurants. But becoming increasingly popular are luxury vacation rentals. With many beautiful beach front or water frontage homes, a wedding ceremony is private, intimate and completely personal – from an elegant, to an informal beach party, or even a water lovers dream ceremony on the water, with the bride arriving by boat. There is a wonderful eclectic mix of vacation rentals on Anna Maria, with varying space to cater for larger events to the most intimate of ceremonies, making for the perfect Anna Maria holiday for any group size.

Fabulous Accommodation for you and your guests!

Due to the building regulations in Anna Maria, no building can be built more than 2 storeys high. You will therefore, not find any hi-rises or chains anywhere on the Island. Accommodation is varied, but most visitors love the flexibility of rental homes that can be found here. Many couples choose a vacation home, where the wedding ceremony and reception can take place and which is then suitable as a wonderful and romantic honeymoon home. There are many luxury Anna Maria villas to choose from, with fabulous beachfront locations and beautifully designed interiors. Try to look for property managers that can offer a selection of homes within close proximity to each other, and perhaps benefit from a discounted group booking!

An Established Wedding Network

With over 1,000 Anna Maria Island weddings happening each year, the Island has a fantastic network of local business, to cater for your every wedding need. Be it a very private affair perhaps just the bride and groom, or very small numbers to a wedding and reception of over 500 guests. You will find the local network of event planners, caterers, reception venue hosts, transport companies, stylists and florists, will look after you so fantastically and do everything they can to make your personal wedding dreams come true!

Location

Florida’s Gulf Islands is a group of Islands made up of Anna Maria, Longboat Key, Bradenton and Longboat Ranch and are easily accessed from Tampa International Airport, the Orlando Airports and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. Because Anna Maria is within driveable reach to these airports, couples and their guests can take advantage of all that the wider area of Florida has to offer during the wedding celebrations, including Orlando, no more than a 3 hour drive, where you can enjoy all that the famous Disney and Universal parks have to offer, and Busch Gardens in Tampa which is no more than an hour’s drive. Florida also plays host to some great sporting events, try out some of the amazing golf courses for yourself, or enjoy a baseball, football or basketball game while you’re here!

Culture

Anna Maria Island has a rustic charm, laid back Floridian style and unhurried tropical living, reminiscent of the old Florida Keys. Steeped in Floridian histor the local residents embrace and preserve the Island’s heritage, which encompasses the charm that is Anna Maria. Properties and buildings which have celebrated 50 years are awarded plaques to be recognised as part of the culture and restaurant owners greet you with welcoming smiles, as wide as they were they day they opened. And, the eclectic mixture of restaurants, and local artists across the island all add to make Anna Maria truly special.

Plenty to Do

Anna Maria is an angler’s paradise, so sea and river fishing are popular here. Kayaking through the canals, bike riding or horse riding along the beach, setting sail along the coast, trying yoga on the beach, watching the array of beautiful wildlife; sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins and manatees, or just watching the world go also favoured pastimes on Anna Maria. As well as enjoying the plentiful number of restaurants around the Island, offering up a wonderful array of menu’s and styles, from fine dining on the beach, at the Beach Bistro, to delicious home style cooking, with mouth watering desserts, in a gorgeous converted 1912 cottage at The Sign of the Mermaid. There is so much to do in Anna Maria alone, you and your guests will enjoy a fabulous time!

A True Essence for Beach Wedding Chic

From decorated wedding Surrey Bikes complete with Champagne bucket on the handlebars, to Siesta Trolleys to transport the bride and groom and guests, talented photographers, luxurious beach front venues, beautiful local flowers and decorations, fresh, delicious and locally caught seafood catering, petal toss ceremonies, sand ceremonies and even barefoot sandals, Anna Maria Island knows how to do Beach Wedding Chic! Visit the Anna Maria Island Wedding Directory for more information.

So if you’d like to enjoy a lovely Anna Maria holiday with your family or are even looking for a beautiful wedding location Anna Maria island could be the perfect place for you.