Top Wedding Venues in Sarasota FL
Top Wedding Venues in Sarasota FL
Many couples turn their dream of having a perfect wedding into a reality by organizing their big day in Sarasota, FL.
After all, Sarasota has it all: a little adventure, phenomenal beaches, a touch of nature, and amazing tropical backdrops.
However, planning a wedding isn't easy, and finding the right venue is even harder.
Worry not, though. We’re here to simplify things for you so that your Sarasota wedding turns out to be everything you’ve ever dreamed of and more.
So, let's get started!
Top Wedding Venues in Sarasota FL
With their bright days and beautiful beach backdrops, Sarasota weddings have a unique appeal.
However, the first step is to choose where you'll take your vows—the wedding venue. And with all the different choices at your disposal, you can go down the rabbit hole of endless confusion.
So we've compiled a list of the top wedding venues in Sarasota to make things easier for you.
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
Combining both beach and city views, this exquisite hotel wedding venue provides a one-of-a-kind setting for your big day.
Ritz-Carlton features everything from the oceanfront to ballrooms, gorgeous lawns, gardens, and terrace locations for your ceremony, reception, and cocktail hour.
The venue can host gatherings of up to 1,000 people, making it ideal for small, private weddings and large, magnificent events.
What’s more, its downtown location makes the venue easy to access, and its proximity to the ocean provides the most magnificent ambiance for your wedding.
2. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
Owning to its spectacular architecture, lush tropical grounds, and breathtaking views of Sarasota Bay, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is another popular choice for Sarasota weddings and receptions.
Besides being a famous Sarasota landmark, it also offers the Ca d'Zan mansion, which is one of the most sought-after wedding sites in the area.
And if you're looking to create an atmosphere of fun and merriment for your party, this venue also houses The Circus Museum, which can help create a joyful and festive atmosphere for your celebration. Your guests can enjoy all the circus attractions by self-touring the miniature circus while dining and drinking outdoors under the Big Top-inspired tent.
3. Seagate, Powel Crosley Estate
For luxury weddings in Sarasota, FL, The Powel Crosley Estate is the place to be.
This historic, Mediterranean-style location is perfectly positioned between Bradenton and Sarasota, making it ideal for couples to hold their special day.
Along with indoor wedding spaces, the venue also has outside settings such as the Patio and Loggia, Bayside Pavilion, and Bayside Lawn.
These different gathering options ensure that you are sure to discover the ideal match for your wedding at this exclusive location.
The Powel Crosley Estate venue can accommodate up to 800 people and provides ample room for dining and dance.
4. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Event Venues
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a natural park with a gorgeous waterfront setting.
With its natural elegance and charm, this magnificent sanctuary is the ideal setting for a modest garden wedding or a modern starlit party.
The Downtown Sarasota campus features seven wedding and event venues (indoors and outdoors) with a capacity of 250 guests. Whereas the Historic Spanish Point campus—located on Little Sarasota Bay and one of the largest preserves containing native Florida plants—has three wedding and event venues.
5. Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection
Art Ovation Hotel hosts luxury weddings in Sarasota, FL.
This venue, located near the Sarasota Opera House, draws inspiration from its surroundings, delivering a brilliant aesthetic flair and creative style.
Their Grand Ballroom, with 6,109 square feet of event space and an elegant and urban look, is a great setting for wedding receptions.
Boasting incredibly picturesque views of the city, this modern space will surely delight you and your guests.
Sarasota Weddings: Hear It Yourself From The Happy Couples
“The Ritz Carlton Sarasota was the absolute best place to have my wedding! It was beyond what I could have imagined. My ceremony took place on the beach at the Ritz Carlton Members Beach Club, and the reception was at the beach club inside at the grill. The location was just perfect.”
“We absolutely loved having our wedding ceremony and reception at Marie Selby Gardens. The backdrop of the North Lawn and the reception hall were amazing…Our guests keep commenting on the beauty of the gardens...”
“The Courtyard was the most gorgeous setting for our wedding. We really wanted a sophisticated and classic ambiance and the Art Museum truly delivered! Our family and friends are still in awe over the gorgeous artwork found in the galleries of the museum and the beautifully manicured grounds of the courtyard!”
“This is the most beautiful venue in Florida. I cannot tell you how many of our guests told us 'It looks like a fairy tale.”
Ways To Make Your Wedding Day Extra Special
Considering that your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, you'd want to make it special for yourself, your spouse, and your guests, right?
Consider these suggestions to make your wedding day even more memorable!
Customized Wedding Decorations
A lot of people trust their vendor’s choice of wedding décor…and it’s perfectly fine if it works for them.
However, if you want everything to appear perfectly tailored to reflect your likes and unique relationship, make sure to carefully select your decorations to greet your guests and make them feel like they are a part of your special day!
Keepsake Guestbook
You can add a sentimental touch to your wedding if you have a keepsake guest book to keep track of who attended.
You can either buy a ready-made one or make your own with sweet pictures of your special day.
Just make sure you have something to keep track of who came, and don't forget to get an address book so you can send out thank you notes to your lovely guests after the wedding.
Make a Hashtag
Create a hashtag to encourage your snap-happy guests to upload their pictures.
This way, after all the wedding hustle and bustle settles, you can calmly enjoy your special day through others’ eyes.
To maximize the pictures shared, you can get the hashtag printed on customized napkins on your wedding table, add it near your photo booth, and even label it on the bus your guests will arrive in.
Unique Wedding Guest Favors
Thank your wedding guests for attending and make them feel a part of your big day with thoughtfully chosen wedding favors.
Let them have a good time by sharing humorous or touching stories or perhaps giving you marital advice.
Make sure to hire a good Sarasota Wedding Videographer and have it all recorded on camera, though!
Guide To Recommended Sarasota Wedding Vendors
Once you have envisioned your perfect Sarasota wedding, take a deep breath and move on to other important things. Here’s a list of wedding vendors you can choose as your dream team:
Wedding Planners
Here's a list of top-rated and experienced wedding planners in Sarasota who can help you with anything from decor to budget analysis to guest list creation and ceremony officiants.
Catering
The uniqueness of your wedding depends on the small details, and a big part of those small details is food!
The experienced and creative culinary teams at the following wedding caterers will provide you and your guests with delicious food and beverages that they will remember for years to come.
Hair & Makeup
Selecting a hair and beauty professional for the bride is another task that needs as much attention in wedding planning as other important factors.
Here's a list of recommended wedding hair and makeup places in Sarasota, FL:
Videographer
We've already talked about significant wedding vendors you should hire to make your special day a breeze. However, a luxury wedding videographer is another important one you cannot afford to overlook.
After all, your wedding video has the power to catch all the minute details that might not reflect in pictures and preserve the precious conversations, laughs, and moments on your big day.
You can go for Labif Filmhouse: a Florida-based Sarasota wedding videographer that specializes in capturing the essence of your wedding day and one that will surely give you sweet memories to cherish for a lifetime.
Tips To Create The Ideal Wedding Budget
Yes, weddings can be expensive. But if you plan and prioritize enough, they can be within your means. For starters, keep in mind the following few tips while doing your wedding planning:
List Your Priorities
First and foremost, make a list of your and your significant other's top priorities. This is where you decide what’s necessary for you, i.e., the venue, the catering, the dreamy cake, the DJ, etc.
Estimate The Number Of Guests And Other Arrangements
Once you've finalized your priority list, it’s time to look at other arrangements.
Calculate the expected number of guests, seating configurations, catering needs, and of course, entertainment essentials.
Make sure to account for special touches you might want to add to your Sarasota wedding; it can be anything from small DIY décor items, bespoke gifts, or customized wedding staff uniforms.
Put Numbers On Your Planning
Once you've decided on your guest lists and other arrangements, it's time to allocate the money between different chores and see if anything needs to go away.
Make a list of the top 5 items you and your partner want for the wedding, along with the money required for each item. Next, take into account all other arrangements and the cost associated with them.
Always keep a little extra cash on hand in case you miss anything and have to act immediately!
Pros And Cons Of A Luxury Wedding Venue In Sarasota, FL
Before making the final decision to hold your special day at a luxury wedding venue in Sarasota, you might want to consider the following pros and cons
Pros
Gorgeous backdrops and dazzling beach views to reminisce forever
Perfect weather for weddings almost all-year-round
A lot of venues (particularly hotels) offer a variety of luxurious deals for couples post-ceremony that promise you your ideal romantic getaway involving beach retreats and nature-filled ventures
Cons
If you’re going for a beach wedding, planning might get a little hectic
Venue prices are higher, and travel delays are common during the busy season, i.e., from February to May
Luxury wedding venues are more expensive, even during the off-season
Parting Thoughts
They say Sarasota’s charm draws those who yearn for a blissful wedding.
Because of its wonderful sunshine, pleasant weather, and exceptional wedding venues. Sarasota is the perfect place to say, "I do."
And while you say those magical words and exchange heartfelt vows, let our luxury wedding videographer record your wedding story so you can treasure it forever!