Finding the perfect venue to suit your big day is the key to a fun affair for all. Whether you’re looking for a special place for your ceremony or a cool location to throw a reception after you say your I-do’s, this list includes Miami's grandest, most beautiful, and unique wedding venues.
The Alfred I. duPont Building
169 E. Flagler St., Miami305-777-1637
thedupontbuilding.com
This historic art deco skyscraper in the heart of downtown Miami is the perfect place for a couple who loves the decadence of the 1920s. Pose for photos with the duPont Building’s intricate architectural details as stunning backdrops. Maybe you'll walk down hundreds of feet of Tennessee marble to recite your vows and then dance the night away under the hand-painted ceilings. Guests can even pop into the duPont’s famed original bank vault to mingle before heading to the hand-wrought bank-teller windows for a vintage mixed drink from the open bar.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables305-667-1651
fairchildgarden.org
Fairchild’s lush oasis is a tranquil wedding setting for nature lovers. Say "I do" amid thriving flora on 83 acres of land. Surrounded by orchids, you can kiss for the first time as a married couple while the sun sets in the background. Guests can head to the indoor reception areas for dancing and refreshments or even take a private tram tour of the sprawling estate.
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
3251 S. Miami Ave., Miami305-860-8448
vizcaya.org
This romantic Miami icon is a unique venue for history buffs. Built in the early 1900s by industrialist James Deering, the national historic landmark is more than 100 years old. Plan a nighttime wedding with all of your family and friends accommodated in the intricately designed main house, the east terrace overlooking Biscayne Bay, or the exquisite gardens. If you’re more of a morning person, you can plan an intimate daytime garden ceremony. Yes, events here can be pricy, but your guests will never forget a wedding at one of the city's most famous landmarks.
Faena Forum
3300-3398 Collins Ave., Miami Beach305-534-8800
faena.com
Looking for something modern? The Faena Forum in Miami Beach is architectural eye candy for the design-savvy duo. Designed by Rem Koolhaas’ architecture firm, OMA, this venue is a one-stop shop for your contemporary wedding. The two-story venue can accommodate up to 1,000 people and has onsite catering staffed by the Faena’s acclaimed culinary team. Guests will be mesmerized by the 40-foot dome with a glazed oculus and the spiral walkway that leads from street level to the top of the dome. The Forum is located directly across from the Faena Hotel Miami Beach, where your out-of-town guests can stay during the festivities.
Miami Beach Botanical Garden
2000 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach305-673-7526, ext 202
mbgarden.org
The couple obsessed with everything floral is destined to have a wedding at Miami Beach Botanical Garden, where the scent of jasmine, ylang-ylang, and frangipani perfumes the air. Guests will be surrounded by native plants, a koi pond, and a monumental fountain designed by renowned architect Morris Lapidus. By day, the garden functions as a serene getaway from the frenzied pace of South Beach. By night, lit with thousands of tiny string lights, the garden transforms into a wedding setting fit for a fairy tale.
Monty’s Raw Bar
2550 S. Bayshore Dr., Coconut Grove305-856-3992
montysrawbar.com
Longtime Miamians have made countless memories at Monty’s Raw Bar in Coconut Grove. In addition to accommodating casual get-togethers, the restaurant and bar can be transformed into a cozy, elegant venue. Overlooking Biscayne Bay and adjacent to Prime Marina, Monty’s can be the perfect place for weddings ranging from Key West-casual to black-tie. You can say your vows at the dockside marina for a waterfront ceremony and then stroll over to the tiki area for a tropical reception.
Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science
1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami305-434-9600
frostscience.org
Science lovers can dream of immersive nuptials at the Frost. Imagine kissing while the cosmos swirls behind you in a planetarium filled with loved ones. How about walking down the aisle to a 31-foot oculus lens of a massive aquarium where stingrays and hammerhead sharks glide above? After your ceremony, you can boogie all night on the responsive LED dance floor.
Jungle Island
1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami305-400-7230
jungleisland.com
So you want a wedding that's literally wild? Jungle Island is the perfect venue for the couple who loves adventure. For your ceremony, have your pick of outdoor locations such as the Lakeside Terrace, where guests can watch flamingos lounge, or Lover’s Perch Waterfalls, where you can recite your vows in front of a tranquil rush of water. Afterward, head inside to the Bloom Ballroom for an extravagant reception.
Pérez Art Museum Miami
1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami786-345-5612
pamm.org/weddings
You might've spent some time on PAMM's scenic patio while dining at Verde or partying at the museum's monthly events. But there's more to weddings here than the view. On your special day, guests can peruse artwork or marvel at the spectacular architecture of the Herzog & de Meuron-designed building and its hanging gardens. You’ll need to rent out the entire museum for five hours, so be prepared to spend. But, hey, if you're going to break the bank anyway, let your creativity run wild and use all of the event spaces and galleries to create the artistic wedding of your dreams.
The Biltmore
1200 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables305-445-8066, ext. 4301
biltmorehotel.com/weddings
This historic site is the ultimate classic Miami venue. The five-star hotel was designed by the renowned architecture firm Schultze & Weaver in the 1920s and became the choice getaway for socialites escaping the cold winters up North. Last year, the hotel completed a $25 million renovation that refreshed the property's grandeur, including the championship golf course. You can hold your event under the stars or indoors, surrounded by architectural marvels such as Gothic arches and hand-painted ceilings. From hosting the ceremony and reception to planning an entire wedding weekend, the Biltmore does it all.
