Why You Should Add a Sailboat to Your Florida Elopement

So you’re eloping in Florida, and you want your day to be more than just a ceremony and some photos? What if I told you there’s a way to have an epic adventure, totally relax, AND get some of the most stunning photos of your life… all at the same time? Enter: the sailboat elopement.

I am a huge fan of adding a sailboat experience to your Florida elopement day, and after reading about Alexis and Noah’s incredible day, I think you’ll see exactly why.

Alexis and Noah were already heading to Florida for a cruise, so they decided to turn the beginning of their trip into their wedding day. They wanted something relaxed, adventurous, and very Florida, and we ended up creating a day that included a driftwood beach ceremony followed by sailing along the northeast Florida coast.

Alexis and Noah’s Florida Sailboat Elopement

One of my favorite parts of being an elopement photographer is helping couples figure out what their day could actually look like.

Alexis and Noah had never planned a traditional wedding day around a venue or a strict schedule. They were leaving on a cruise from Florida and decided that getting married before their trip made the whole thing even more special.

For their ceremony, I helped them choose a driftwood beach in North Florida because they wanted somewhere that looked a little different from the classic wide-open Florida beach. The huge pieces of weathered driftwood gave the shoreline this wild, unique look.

After the ceremony, they rinsed off at the beach shower (because yes, the sand gets everywhere and that’s part of the beach elopement experience!). From there, they grabbed pizza from First Love Brewing, picked up their wedding cake from Publix, and then headed out for their sailboat adventure with Windward Sailing. They cut their Publix cake on the deck, took selfies, and soaked in the most gorgeous sunset views of the coastline.

This day was the perfect example of what an elopement can be when you stop trying to make it look like a mini wedding and start making it feel like YOUR kind of adventure.

HMUA: Maureen at The Parlor

Why a Sailboat Is Perfect for a Florida Elopement

I am a big believer that your elopement day is about so much more than just getting married! It’s about celebrating love in a way that feels uniquely you. In my opinion, a sailboat might be one of the best ways to do that in Florida. Here’s why I recommend it:

Florida and the Water Just Go Together

Florida and the water are inseparable. This state is practically surrounded by it! It has thousands of miles of coastline, rivers, islands, springs, bays, and Intracoastal waterways. Water is already such a huge part of the experience of being here, so adding a sailboat makes sense to your experience.

Depending on where you’re eloping, sailing can take you past historic sites, small islands, wildlife habitats, sandbars, waterfront towns, and parts of the coastline that you simply wouldn’t experience from land.

On Alexis and Noah’s sail, we were up near the Florida-Georgia border, which meant they got to see an entirely different side of North Florida. We passed Fort Clinch and even saw the wild horses on Cumberland Island.

It Gives You Something to Actually DO Together

Photos are obviously a huge part of your wedding day, but your elopement shouldn’t feel like an eight-hour photoshoot. That’s why I encourage my couples to include activities they would genuinely enjoy doing together.

On a sailboat, you aren’t standing around waiting for me to tell you what to do with your hands. You’re watching the water, sitting together, moving around the boat, cutting your cake, sharing drinks, and pointing out things to each other. Those real interactions give me so much more to photograph, and more importantly, they give you an actual experience to remember.

Plus, it’s the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, which is honestly the sweet spot for an elopement day.

Total Privacy Without a Crazy Hike

One of the biggest challenges with some Florida elopement locations is privacy. A sailboat gives you that. Once you’re out on the water, there are no tourists walking through your ceremony, no one awkwardly watching from a park bench. It’s just you, your partner, the captain, and your photographer. And depending on the charter, you can even anchor at a secluded sandbar if you want to hop in the water for a swim or some snorkeling. All that privacy without having to hike miles into the wilderness to find it!

Sailing Can Also Give You Alone Time If Family Is Included

I also LOVE the idea of using the sailboat portion of your day as a transition if you’re including loved ones in your elopement. You could have your ceremony on the beach with your loved ones, then set sail for some private couple time on the water before meeting everyone for dinner later.

Or your guests could potentially come sailing too. Depending on the size and type of charter, some sailboats can accommodate a small group, so you can decide whether the boat feels more like private newlywed time or part of the celebration with your favorite people.

How Much Does a Sailboat Elopement Cost in Florida?

Private sailboat charters in Florida typically range from about $300–$800+ for a 2-3 hour sail, depending on the location, time of day, size of the boat, and what’s included (some charters offer champagne, snacks, or even a captain who can officiate!).

When you’re reaching out to charter companies, make sure to ask what is included in the rate, how many people the boat can accommodate, whether outside food and drinks are allowed, how long the charter lasts, and what happens if the weather turns. As your Florida elopement photographer, this is something I help my couples with in the planning process.

For Alexis and Noah’s elopement, we worked with Windward Sailing, and their private charter was such a fun way to wrap up the day.

 

My Florida Elopement Packages

If adding a sailboat to your Florida elopement sounds like THE move, let’s make it happen!

My Florida Elopement Packages include unlimited planning assistance, location recommendations, permit guidance, vendor referrals, and even complimentary officiant services —so you can focus on the fun and forget about the stress. You’ll also get a fully customized elopement timeline, sneak peeks within 24 hours, and an online gallery with all your high-resolution images. No additional travel fees, no hidden costs—just a freaking amazing adventure that you’ll remember forever.

Ready to start planning? Let’s chat and build your perfect Florida elopement day… perhaps with a sailboat?!

More Florida Sailboat Elopement Inspiration

If you’re now dreaming of saying “I do” on the water (I don’t blame you!), check out some of my other sailboat and boat elopements in Florida:

• St. Augustine Sailboat Elopement
• Florida Boat Elopement
• Florida Sailboat Elopement
• Yacht Elopement in Southwest Florida