Your partner popped the big question. Now, the real adventure begins. Planning a wedding in Greater Fort Lauderdale means choosing between swaying palms or historic mansions, sunset yacht decks or chic urban rooftops. While destination couples are drawn to the year-round sunshine and waterfront charm, locals know the hidden gems that can turn an already special celebration into something extraordinary.
Whether you're planning from across the country or just across town, Greater Fort Lauderdale offers the perfect blend of tropical paradise and sophisticated style for your most memorable day. Ready to say “I do”? Read on for the ultimate wedding guide — from venues to where to host your next-day brunch. Happy planning!
Choosing the Right Venue
Every love story deserves a backdrop that is fitting for you and your partner. Take your pick from some of the area’s most popular venues below.
Waterfront Wonders
With endless miles of white, sandy beaches and gorgeous aqua oceanfront vistas, it’s no surprise many couples wed at Fort Lauderdale beachfront hotels and resorts.
The contemporary Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort promises to provide “your something blue” with its Oceanfront Rotunda and Oceanfront Balcony spaces, which are ideal for saying vows before moving to the Sunrise Terrace or a ballroom with soaring 14-foot ceilings.
The Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale and its spacious Mabel Room and Terramar Room, with panoramic views of the Atlantic, capture the resort’s classic yacht club aesthetics with modern touches.
Other picturesque beachfront properties include the romantic Pelican Grand Beach Resort on Fort Lauderdale beach and the timeless Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood.
Greater Fort Lauderdale doesn't just do beachfront well — the destination abounds with hotels near and along the nearly 300 miles of Intracoastal Waterway that are just as dreamy. Along these scenic waterways, the historic Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Boulevard has been a mainstay for 80 years and is a standout for its tranquil patio setting. Shooters Waterfront and the reimagined Pier Sixty-Six are equally idyllic spots to celebrate with water views.
Take the “waterfront wedding” concept literally by setting sail on Fort Lauderdale's legendary waterways. For grand floating celebrations, the South Beach Lady — a four-story charter yacht docked in Hollywood — accommodates up to 300 guests, though smaller vessels offer similarly memorable backdrops.
Looking for toes-in-the-sand nuptials? Each coastal community has its own permitting process. Discover which Fort Lauderdale beaches welcome barefoot "I dos."
Historic Charm
There’s something special about exchanging vows within venues that have stood the test of time. With gorgeous architecture, private gardens and storied pasts, these historic venues in Greater Fort Lauderdale set the scene for a memorable celebration.
Step through the gates of Bonnet House Museum & Gardens to a world dating back to the 1920s. Host your wedding throughout various spaces, from vibrant art-filled rooms to lush tropical gardens, all just steps from Fort Lauderdale beach.
For an even deeper dive into local history, consider the Stranahan House — the oldest surviving structure in Broward County, dating back to 1901. This charming waterfront setting with wide wraparound porches and Victorian furnishings is ideal for intimate weddings, accommodating up to 100 guests.
Head to Old Davie School for a charming, historic setting with a rustic-meets-vintage atmosphere. The museum’s lush grounds feature a large banyan tree, a restored 1920s-era classroom and an open-air pavilion.
Somewhat of a hidden gem, Hacienda de Las Palmas is a gorgeous private estate set on eight acres tucked away in Fort Lauderdale. Host your ceremony overlooking the pond, enjoy a cocktail hour around the tropical pool and dance the night away under the stars.
Urban Sophistication
For those drawn to city energy, Fort Lauderdale's urban venues are a sophisticated alternative to beachfront affairs.
The Dalmar is a design-forward wedding destination with multiple event spaces to host nuptials, including the show-stopping Sparrow rooftop bar. Ceremonies can unfold against panoramic city views, and receptions continue under the stars, 25 floors above the buzzing streets below.
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts transforms from a performing arts venue to a wedding showstopper with its Porter Riverview Ballroom, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame the New River as your celebration's backdrop. Couples can choose between the rich textures of the Abdo New River Room or the Mediterranean-inspired open-air Peck Courtyard for reception spaces.
Planning Wedding-Related Events
Once you've secured your perfect ceremony and reception venues, planning the festivities leading up to the big day will make your wedding a true destination experience.
Looking to host your wedding shower in Greater Fort Lauderdale? Queens Tea House in Parkland transforms bridal showers into English affairs with bone china cups and three-tiered serving trays featuring tiny tea sandwiches, canapés, and house-made scones.
For couples seeking waterfront shower venues, the newly renovated Boatyard along the Intracoastal offers elegance, coastal charm, and exceptional hospitality.
Consider The Wharf's open-air waterfront setup for welcome drinks with a quintessential Fort Lauderdale backdrop along the New River, or head to the beach at the new Marina Village. The latter is home to The Shorely, a 500-person ferry retrofitted into a multi-level entertainment hub with VIP cabanas and three bars with views that overlook the Intracoastal and Fort Lauderdale beach.
Whether gathering your closest circle before the main event or introducing out-of-town guests to Fort Lauderdale's culinary scene, the welcome dinner or rehearsal sets the tone for your wedding weekend.
The newly opened TIMBR Restaurant & Lounge on Las Olas Boulevard is an excellent option, with three distinct spaces that offer a beautiful, romantic ambiance, especially in the back “flower room” where you’ll be surrounded by colorful blooms. ETARU in Hallandale Beach is a gorgeous waterfront restaurant blending Japanese robatayaki in a sleek setting where fire and water elements mirror the restaurant's menu philosophy.
There’s also YOT Bar & Kitchen in Fort Lauderdale, where arriving guests can watch mega-yachts navigate the Intracoastal while sampling Florida-forward small plates. Their dockside terrace, strung with market lights and cooled by water breezes, creates an instant vacation atmosphere. GG's Waterfront is a Hollywood Beach institution. The Harbor Room, with its panoramic windows overlooking passing yachts, provides an intimate yet sophisticated space for up to 50 guests.
Keeping Your Guests Entertained
Remember that many of your guests are experiencing Greater Fort Lauderdale for the first time. Keep them entertained with a suggestion list for mini-adventures that showcase the destination you've chosen for your wedding celebration.
Fort Lauderdale's Water Taxi network is a great starting point with all-day passes to cruise past mansion-lined canals that earned the city its "Venice of America" nickname. For a curated beach experience beyond the hotel strip, direct them to the village-like charm of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea or south to laidback Hollywood Beach. You can even book a private experience for your crew, with a tailored route, customized itinerary, and onboard amenities such as catered meals.
Keep the adventures going on land with a Segway tour, a fun and easy way to explore scenic neighborhoods and waterfront vistas—no walking required!
Who doesn’t love a little shopping? Las Olas Boulevard delivers with its mix of local boutiques, art galleries, and sidewalk cafés. Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise is the ultimate Greater Fort Lauderdale fashion destination, with more than 350 stores and outlets.
Show off one of the city’s most unique dining and entertainment experiences in the world by bringing them to Mai-Kai, which recently celebrated its grand reopening, complete with Polynesian fare, fire dancers, and quintessential tiki cocktail favorites.
Live music aficionados have plenty to explore with the city’s buzzing nightlife, thanks to options like Tin Roof, Howl at the Moon, and Original Fat Cats on Las Olas. The retro cool Glitch Bar in the MASS District downtown combines arcade games, craft brews, and more in a super laid-back setting.
For culture seekers, NSU Art Museum's impressive collection provides a cool, contemplative break from the sun, while the Broward Center for the Performing Arts features a dynamic selection of live performances, from Broadway shows to concerts to comedy shows.
Weddings in Greater Fort Lauderdale aren’t just events — they’re mini vacations with your favorite people. With sunshine, sea breezes, and a place for everyone under the sun, your big day becomes a celebration that no one will want to leave.