When to Get Married in the Island Paradise
You know it is a beautiful and romantic destination for a wedding, but when is the best time of year for a Key West wedding? The answer depends on a few factors, including your budget, your desired weather conditions, and the availability of your dream venue.
Seasons in Key West – An Overview
Key West is known for warm, tropical weather year-round but there are definitely some considerations for the time of year as each brings their own unique challenges.
Weather: Key West has a tropical climate, with average temperatures ranging from 72 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to 82 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. For a more detailed overview with statistics and historical information, here is a link to Weather Spark.
Summer – June, July, August
Expect summers to be hot, humid, and rainy. Summers are also the start of hurricane season and while summer hurricanes are less common, it is always a possibility.
The heat doesn’t keep people away though – summer is super busy, especially with families on break from school.
Fall – September, October, November
Fall starts out super muggy and in prime hurricane season but by November, the temperatures have gotten more appealing and, as November winds down, the threat of hurricanes lessens.
September and October are among the least busy times of year but the island starts to pick up again at the end of October with Fantasy Fest. By November, it will be busy again.
Winter – December, January, February
For the best weather, usually warm but not overly hot, winter is always a great choice. It is, however, much busier as this is the prime tourist season.
Spring – March, April, May
As the temperatures warm up, so do the crowds. While historically, this used to be a slower season, anymore, it really isn’t. Spring break in March brings in a lot of crowds and while April and May are slightly slower, they aren’t significantly so.
Best Time of Year for a Key West Wedding
Now that you understand the difference in the Key West seasons, it is important to see how this factors into your wedding plans.
Budget
As with any location, high season equals higher rates.
If budget is a consideration, you may want to consider getting married during the slow season which is September to October and (sort of) April to May. You’ll find the lowest hotel rates and venue rates during this time. Plus, the island is less busy.
If you choose to get married in the off-season, you should have a backup plan in case of bad weather or, worst-case scenario, a hurricane. Always get wedding insurance and always make sure you are open to your venue’s weather plan — whether that be an indoor wedding or renting a tent.
Busy-ness
If you want to get married during a busier season, especially in the winter season, you need to make sure you plan ahead. Key West gets busy, busy, busy and it is a small island. In order to make sure you have your dream wedding, you need to book your venue, lodging, and your vendors well in advance.
You’ll also need to plan early so that your guests have adequate time to find a place to stay. Make sure you get blocks of rooms at hotels in order to help them offset some of the cost.
Weather
You can see the weather overview above but basically, December to March is the best time in terms of milder weather and less chance of rain. What it basically becomes is a decision between spending more money and having a better chance of good weather or spending less money and chancing the weather a bit more.
Obviously, there is always a chance of rain no matter where you get married. You just have to make the decision that feels the most aligned for you.
Your Guests Availability
Another factor for when to host your Key West wedding is in thinking about your guests and their lifestyles.
If most of your guests have school-age children then it may make more sense for you to plan a summer wedding. If your guests have more flexibility in their travel schedule, then a winter wedding, or even one in the slow season, may make more sense.
Tips for Planning a Key West Wedding
Here are a few tips for planning a Key West wedding:
- Start planning early. As mentioned above, many of the most popular venues in Key West book up months or even years in advance.
- Choose a wedding date that fits your budget and your desired weather conditions.
- Consider the crowds when choosing your wedding date. The peak season is from December to March when the weather is warm and sunny but not too overly hot and humid.
- Book your venue and vendors as early as possible.
- Create a wedding budget and stick to it.
- Relax and enjoy the planning process! Getting married in Key West is a dream come true for many couples. By following these tips, you can make sure that your wedding day is everything you’ve ever dreamed of and will be confident about what the best time of year for a Key West wedding will be.
Would you like to read more about planning your Key West wedding?
