The 6 Best 30A Wedding Venues | 30A Wedding Photographer
You’ve heard of Orlando, you know Miami is the party city, and maybe you’ve heard of the Florida Keys – but have you ever heard of 30A?! It’s one of the most underrated parts of Florida, in my opinion, and most people who aren’t Florida locals have no clue that it exists. Probably because it’s literally just a number and a letter and doesn’t really sound like a real place😅But I’m here today to tell you alllll about this gorgeous stretch of the Northwest Florida coastline, and WHY you should consider getting married here. Plus of course I’ve gotta give you a few ideas of places to get married so that you don’t have to spend all your time doing endless research – so I’ve compiled a list of the 6 best 30A wedding venues for your special day! I’ve got all the deets for you, from guest capacities to pricing to the highlights of each venue & more. Let’s find you the perfect destination for your 30A wedding today, yeah?!
Where is 30A?
Before we dive into all the gorgeous wedding venues on 30A, let’s talk about where the heck 30A even is – and WHAT it is. 30A is basically an area of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico coastline in Northwest Florida, part of Walton County if you wanna get technical with it. It sits between Destin and Panama City Beach, if you’re familiar with either of those!
I know what you’re thinking: why the hell did somebody name this area “30A” (and who thought it would sound cool)? It actually comes from the name of the local road in South Walton County, County Road 30A (also known as Scenic Highway 30A), which runs along 24 miles of the coast. People started showing up at beaches along the highway and realizing how much of a gem this area is, and it just became more popular from there!! You can literally hop from one beach to the next and explore all the little towns along the highway, with to-die-for coastal scenery everywhere you look. It’s a hidden gem of Florida for sureee!
How to get to 30A
Okay, sooo how do you actually get to 30A? If you’ll be flying in from out of state, the closest airport is the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), which is about a 30-minute drive away. You can also fly into the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS), which is just under an hour’s drive. I recommend renting a car so you have total freedom to drive around wherever, whenever!!
Why Get Married on 30A?
Once you see all these stunning venues you DEF won’t need any more convincing ;) But in case you’re not quite sure right now whether 30A is the right place for your Florida wedding, here are a few of the top reasons why 30A makes for a fabulous wedding destination!
The lifestyle is super laid-back & slow-paced
The vibrant turquoise water and spacious white sand beaches – need I say more?!
There are 25,000 acres of forests + coastal dune lakes to explore, along with all the beaches
It’s got that classic Southern charm
It’s been nicknamed both the “Hamptons of the South” as well as the “Emerald Coast” for its charm & beauty
The little beach towns are adorable & fun to explore
It’s often less crowded than other parts of Florida (Orlando/Miami/Keys/Everglades, I’m lookin’ at you)
There are a variety of upscale hotels & resorts to stay in, some even with luxury spas!
6 Best 30A Wedding Venues
Now let’s get to whatcha came here for: the best wedding venues on 30A!
1. The Pearl Hotel
First up is a venue that I’m COMPLETELY obsessed with: the Pearl Hotel on Rosemary Beach!! Located on, well, Rosemary Beach, this luxury hotel is every beach-lover’s dream come true. You’ve got easy access to one of the most beautiful beaches on 30A, which you can admire from the sun-drenched terraces of each room or via a quick walk down a ramp that takes you right to the warm white sand. I personally looove wedding venues that double as a place to stay, because it saves you a LOT of time having to travel back to your hotel at night, as well as money since hotels often offer discounted rates for wedding parties!
Now let’s talk about what the Pearl Hotel has to offer in terms of weddings – honestly, you might not even need to go through the rest of the venues on this list because the Pearl has it ALLLL! When you get married at the Pearl, you’ll have access to four different indoor & outdoor venues, custom-tailored wedding planning, customized catering menus & delish gourmet cuisine, luxurious spa treatments, and, of course, the stunning, European-style architecture of the hotel itself. And did I mention that the beach is literally RIGHT there? ;)
Guest capacity: 125
Venue highlights:
Access to a variety of sites to use throughout the day:
Pearl Foyer – perfect for receptions
Hemingway Room – best for a formal dinner
Pearl Ballroom – great for receptions
Havana Beach Lounge – gorg for cocktail hours & small receptions
Havana Rooftop Deck – amazing for cocktail hours
Stunning views of the coast
Delicious cuisine
Beautiful architecture & cozy rooms
Idyllic beach setting
Golf course
Pool
Outdoor excursions available
Pearl Hotel wedding packages: Starting at $250 plus taxes/fees per person
Packages include:
Expert team of service professionals
Ceremony rehearsal
Indoor backup space in case of bad weather
Chairs & tables
Four-hour bar
Hors d’oeuvres for cocktail hour
Custom wedding cake
Complimentary menu tasting
2. The Pointe on 30A
The Pointe on 30A is a DREAMY af beachside community on 30A filled with peaceful beaches, modern architecture, incredible cuisine, spectacular sunset views, and even a state-of-the-art fitness center. It’s literally heaven on Earth (well, on 30A) for couples who are looking for a relaxing, laid-back celebration and the chance to escape from the stress of daily life for a bit! The white sand beaches & clear blue waters are pretty dang hard to beat, whether you want to go for a swim or just lounge around in the sun. And there’s even a stunning pool you can take advantage of when you don’t feel like being around other tourists on the beach, or when you want to sip on a cool drink right at your hotel!
Whether you want to host a large ceremony out on The Green with a reception on the Rooftop Sanctuary, or an intimate celebration in the Woodland Tent, the Pointe has SO much to offer for anyyyy kind of wedding. The Green is a spacious lawn filled with tropical greenery, whereas the Woodland Tent is a charming open-air pavilion surrounded by lush foliage, tucked away in a bit more of a private space. And the Rooftop Sanctuary is THE place to host if you want to treat your guests to some phenomenal views of the coast, complete with a built-in bar, plenty of lounge furniture, and even a fire pit! Yes pleeease.
Guest capacity: 180
Venue highlights:
Multiple sites to choose from for your ceremony, cocktail hour, & reception
Phenomenal views of the coast
Easy access to nearby restaurants, shops, & cafes
Cozy overnight accommodations
Large resort-style pool
The Pointe on 30A wedding packages: Starting at $3,500
3. Monet Monet
If you dream of getting married in the north of France, in the middle of a whimsical little garden surrounded by twinkle lights & lush greenery, then look no further – because you can do just that without having to leave the state of Florida ;) Monet Monet is a unique 30A wedding venue, as it’s not a beachside venue like most of the others on this list, and it was actually inspired by Claude Monet’s home in Giverny, France! I am in LOVE with this venue and have been dying to shoot here – it is probably one of the most magical venues I’ve ever seen photos of. Stepping into the gardens at Monet Monet feels like you’ve stepped into an entirely different era, surrounded by lush greenery, vibrant florals, fresh seasonal fruits, sparkling bistro lights, and even a few little fountains & other water features! THIS is the place to tie the knot if you love all things romance, whimsy, and just plain magic!
With space to host all your loved ones in the gorgeous boutique gardens, Monet Monet is owned by Grayton Beach Catering and Events, so you’ll get to enjoy an absolutely delicious variety of food on your big day as well as the help of event professionals. Whether you’re hosting an intimate wedding under the trees or a big party with all your fave people, Monet Monet is THE ultimate garden wedding venue on 30A that just oozes romance every step of the way!
Guest capacity: N/A on website
Venue highlights:
Gorgeous bistro lighting
Vibrant greenery, seasonal florals, & fruit trees
Charming tables with light brown wicker chairs
Delicious catering
Lily pond & fountains
Monet Monet wedding packages: Contact venue for pricing
Packages include:
Bar & catering services
Setup & cleanup
Event planning
Rentals
Lighting & sound
4. Rosemary Beach
If Rosemary Beach sounds familiar to you, that’s because it’s the beach where the Pearl Hotel is located!! But this stunning beach has even more to offer than just the glorious Pearl Hotel – it’s actually got a variety of wedding venues for you to choose from, including the charming Town Hall, spacious St. Augustine Green, ocean view Eastern Green, beachside Western Green, multiple pools, and the beach (duh)! The best part about Rosemary Beach is that all of the different ceremony & reception sites are super versatile, so you can really customize each space to fit your unique day depending on how many guests you have + what kind of atmosphere you’re envisioning!! There’s even a few “welcome party venues” on the beach and at the pools, perfect for a little bonfire on the beach or a nighttime swim to welcome all your guests to this idyllic setting & get the party started🤩
Guest capacity: 250
Venue highlights:
Variety of spaces to choose from:
Town Hall – ceremonies & receptions
Western Green – ceremonies & receptions
Eastern Green – ceremonies & receptions
St. Augustine Green – ceremonies & receptions
The Beach – ceremonies
Pools – welcome parties
Beach bonfire – welcome parties
Versatile spaces to customize
Exclusive collection of rental houses for you & your guests to stay in (including cottages and beachfront estates!)
Handpicked selection of exclusive vendors
Eclectic architecture
Vibrant landscapes
Rosemary Beach wedding packages: Starting at $6,270
Packages include: Varies by site – see wedding guide for full info
5. Vue on 30A
All you need to know about Vue on 30A is that it was voted the “Best Place to Watch a Sunset” by Destin Magazine – count me in! ;) Vue on 30A is a STUNNING venue right on the water, boasting some of the most spectacular sunsets in the area and wide-open views of the Gulf of Mexico, no matter what part of the venue you’re at. Whether you’re celebrating inside the restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows, on the beach, or up on a terrace, every corner of Vue on 30A is charming, spacious, and beautifully designed. And with an executive chef who brings an array of Jamaican cooking techniques & flavors to all of his dishes, you can bet that every single bite you take during your time at Vue on 30A is going to be ohhh so mouthwateringly-delicious🤤P.S. I forgot to mention that “Vue” is French for “view” – so you KNOW those views will notttt disappoint!!
Guest capacity: 200
Venue highlights:
Beachfront ceremony space
Fine dining inspired by the coastal landscape
Indoor & outdoor spaces
Panoramic coastal views
Perfect spot for rehearsal dinners
Ability to rent out entire club
Bridal suite available to rent
Vue on 30A wedding packages: Contact venue for pricing
Packages include: N/A on website
6. The Chapel at Seaside
Last but definitely not least is the Chapel at Seaside, a gorgeous chapel just steps from the water on 30A! The architecture of this building is so so charming, with a nearly 70-foot bell tower and a stunning indoor space with tons of natural light + large white walls. With space to host 175 people inside the chapel for your ceremony, the Chapel is the perfect place to say “I do” if you’re looking for a modern & minimalist space for your ceremony, and then plan to have your reception elsewhere!
Guest capacity: 175
Venue highlights:
Iconic bell tower
Open & airy vaulted ceilings
Charming architecture
Abundance of natural light inside the chapel
3 hours for ceremony & 2 hours for rehearsal
Chapel at Seaside wedding packages: Starting at $4,500
Packages include: N/A on website
30A Wedding Photographer
Oh heyyyy – you made it to the end!! I hope that this list of the best 30A wedding venues helped you find the perfect space to host your dream day, whether that looks like a huge ceremony on the beach and a pool party back at your resort or an intimate gathering in a whimsical little garden that feels like it was pulled straight out of a French fairytale, I would loveee to be there to help make all of your 30A wedding venue dreams come true ;) I’m obsessed with any couple who’s in love and working hard to plan a day that feels unique + authentic to them, so if that sounds like you, then let’s talk! Take a peek at my 30A wedding packages & pricing, and then fill out my contact form so I can hear about all the MAGIC you’re dreaming up!!