Your small beach wedding at Crandon Park in Miami promises to be a uniquely intimate and romantic affair. With the golden sands, gentle waves, and tropical beauty as your backdrop, it's a picture-perfect setting for exchanging vows. In this guide, we will explore the specifics of hosting a small beach wedding at Crandon Park, covering everything from selecting the perfect spot to planning, permits, and photography. By the end of this article, you'll have all the information you need to create a cherished beach wedding experience.
Background on Crandon Park in Key Biscayne, Miami:
Crandon Park is a picturesque and well-loved public park located on the beautiful island of Key Biscayne, just off the coast of Miami, Florida. This vast and diverse park spans over 800 acres, offering a stunning array of natural landscapes, recreational facilities, and scenic beauty. Crandon Park is a local treasure, known for its captivating combination of lush greenery, pristine beaches, and the gentle waters of Biscayne Bay. It's a place where locals and visitors come to unwind, explore, and celebrate the natural beauty of Miami's coastline.
The park is famous for its serene environment, including the Crandon Park Beach, which stretches along the eastern shoreline and boasts fine white sands and clear, turquoise waters. This beachfront is a haven for relaxation, sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. The park is also home to the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse, which adds a touch of charm to the landscape, creating a picturesque backdrop for any event.
Why Crandon Park is the Ideal Location for a Small, Intimate Beach Wedding
Crandon Park in Key Biscayne, Miami, is the ideal location for a small, intimate beach wedding due to its natural beauty, privacy, flexible permit options, natural shade, and the advantage of a quieter weekday atmosphere. It's a place where couples can create cherished memories in a setting that truly captures the magic of a Miami beach wedding.
Here are some of the top reasons Crandon Park in Key Biscayne is one of our favorite locations for micro weddings in Miami:
Natural Beauty: Crandon Park's beachfront offers a pristine and natural setting for a wedding. The fine white sand, swaying palm trees, and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean create a captivating backdrop for your ceremony. The park's natural beauty makes it ideal for couples seeking a serene and unspoiled beach wedding experience.
Privacy and Seclusion: With its expansive shoreline, Crandon Park provides options for couples to choose a more secluded spot, ensuring an intimate atmosphere for their wedding. This exclusivity is perfect for those who wish to celebrate with their closest friends and family without the crowds often found on more commercialized beaches.
Flexible Permit Options: Crandon Park offers different permit options to suit your wedding plans and budget. Whether you're envisioning a no-frills, simple ceremony or a more elaborate setup with additional guests, the park's permit pricing accommodates various preferences.
Natural Shade: One of the unique advantages of Crandon Park is the presence of palm trees directly on the sand. These palms provide natural shade, which is a valuable asset during the hot months. Shade not only keeps you and your guests comfortable but also enhances the quality of your wedding photos by mitigating the harshness of direct sunlight.
Weekday Advantage: Crandon Park is a well-kept secret among locals. Since many residents work during the week, weekday weddings at the park tend to be less crowded. This translates into a more private and serene celebration for couples who choose to wed in the early part of the week.
Selecting the Perfect Spot at Crandon Park
Crandon Park in Key Biscayne offers a variety of specific locations that are ideal for hosting a small, intimate wedding. Each of these locations has its unique charm and advantages, making it perfect for couples looking for an intimate beach wedding experience. Here are some specific locations within Crandon Park:
Crandon Park Beach
Crandon Park Beach is the crown jewel of the park. With its fine white sands, clear turquoise waters, and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, it provides a naturally beautiful and romantic setting for a beachfront wedding. The sound of the gentle waves and the breathtaking sunset as your backdrop make it a dreamy location for an intimate ceremony.
Cape Florida Lighthouse
The historic Cape Florida Lighthouse, located within the park, adds a touch of timeless charm to your wedding. The lighthouse's iconic structure and the surrounding greenery offer a picturesque backdrop for your ceremony and photographs. It's a unique and memorable location that provides a sense of history and sophistication.
Paradise Cove
For an ideal micro wedding venue, Paradise Cove at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne is your go-to choice. This enchanting location seamlessly combines intimacy and spaciousness, accommodating up to 50 guests. It offers versatile options for your micro wedding, making it perfect for larger groups. Whether you plan to arrange catering, hire a DJ, or set up tables for a memorable dinner right at the venue, Paradise Cove is perfect for small, intimate weddings in Miami.
While not directly on the sand, it provides picturesque surroundings and a stunning beach view, creating a beautiful and secluded setting for your intimate wedding. Additionally, the sheltered area offers shade and a comfortable atmosphere, ensuring a delightful ceremony or reception during Miami's warmer months.
Lush Garden Areas
The park is dotted with lush garden areas and natural vegetation that can be perfect for an intimate wedding. These spots provide a secluded and green setting that offers a contrast to the beach. The gardens create a serene ambiance and a unique backdrop for your ceremony.
Understanding Permits and Regulations
To host your beach wedding at Crandon Park, you'll need to secure a permit. Fortunately, obtaining a wedding permit at Crandon Park is a straightforward process, and you can even leave this task to us.
There are three separate price points for these permits, making it flexible to accommodate your plans. The following fees listed are as of October 23, 2023:
No setup and <25 guests: If you have no setup and fewer than 25 guests, the permit fee is $112.35.
Setup and >25 guests: For those with setups or over 25 guests, the fee is $292.11.
Paradise Cove: Additionally, there's a unique area within Crandon Park called Paradise Cove. This sheltered area offers a beach view, though it's not directly on the sand, making it an ideal choice for larger groups who seek privacy. The permit fee for Paradise Cove is $471.00.
Here are other key considerations when considering permits and regulations at Crandon Park:
Miami-Dade Parks Permit: Contact the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department to obtain a permit for your beach wedding. Ensure you apply well in advance to secure your desired date, especially during peak wedding season.
Guest Count Limit: Be aware of the guest count limit set by the park authorities. Crandon Park often limits the number of attendees to preserve the pristine environment and ensure the intimate nature of smaller weddings.
Leave No Trace: Make it a priority to follow the park's "leave no trace" policy. Clean up thoroughly after the event, and consider engaging professional cleaners to ensure you leave the beach as beautiful as you found it.
Event Liability Insurance: Crandon Park may require event liability insurance, so it's important to have this coverage in place.
Beach Wedding Planning Tips
Planning a small beach wedding at Crandon Park involves unique considerations:
Intimate Guest List: Embrace the intimate atmosphere by inviting a select number of guests, typically close family and friends. Smaller weddings are perfect for fostering deeper connections and meaningful moments.
Beach-Ready Attire: Choose lightweight, beach-appropriate attire for both yourselves and your guests. Flowing dresses, linen suits, and sandals are ideal choices for a beach wedding.
Weather Contingency Plan: Given Miami's tropical climate, have a backup plan in case of rain. Depending on the size of your event, we do offer an indoor penthouse facility in the event of rain.
Tide and Sunset Timings: Plan your ceremony during low tide to maximize the beach space. Additionally, schedule your wedding around sunset for stunning golden-hour photography.
Capturing the Moments: Beach Wedding Photography
Photography is an integral part of capturing the magic of your small beach wedding. Make the most of this picturesque setting with these tips:
Engage a Beach-Experienced Photographer: Hire a photographer like Weddings In Miami who is familiar with beach weddings and can expertly capture the unique lighting and coastal elements.
Golden-Hour Magic: Schedule your photography session during the golden hours of sunrise or sunset. The soft, warm light will infuse your photos with a dreamy, romantic atmosphere.
Candid Moments: Encourage your photographer to capture candid moments. The beach's natural beauty and your genuine emotions will shine through in these unposed shots.
Use the Beach Elements: Incorporate the natural elements of the beach into your photos. Pose near the water's edge, amidst swaying palms, or walk barefoot in the sand. These elements will create a sense of place in your photos.
Your small beach wedding at Crandon Park in Miami promises to be a day filled with love and cherished memories. From choosing the perfect beach spot to securing permits, planning the ceremony, and capturing the magic through photography, hopefully this guide has equipped you with all the information needed to create an unforgettable intimate beach wedding.
Ready to turn your vision into reality? Contact us at Weddings In Miami at (305) 742-8942 or fill out our online form for a free estimate at Weddings In Miami. We're here to make your small beach wedding a beautifully intimate experience, just as it should be.
Your beach wedding is more than an event; it's a cherished memory. Let Crandon Park and Weddings In Miami help you create a day you'll treasure forever.