Note: This is a sponsored post.
Two years ago, we left our homes in California and set out in search of the world’s most romantic destinations. While we’ve visited 6 continents, stayed in overwater bungalows, and camped on the ocean’s edge, the beaches in our home country of the United States are by far the ultimate place for a destination wedding or romantic rendezvous. That’s why this past Valentine’s Day, we flew to the west coast of Florida to enjoy the azure ocean, white-sand, and palm trees of Longboat Key and relive our own destination wedding.
Destination Wedding Planning
When we married four years ago, we chose a destination wedding for ourselves and that is exactly what we recommend to all of our friends. A destination represents something exotic, unique, exclusive, and most importantly, memorable. We were able to gather all of our closest friends and family in a dreamlike destination – like one massive vacation of love.
Plus, destination weddings come in one beautiful package: the location, wedding planning services, welcome party, catering, activities, and hotel rooms are all taken care of. Having a destination wedding means that the details are taken care of so that we, the bride and groom, could focus on what matters: our love. Destination weddings hit the easy button on planning and maximize the enjoyment for everyone.
The Resort
The Resort at Longboat Key Club is Sarasota’s only AAA 4-diamond beachfront resort, located on a secluded barrier island on the west coast of Florida. The pristine white sand beaches seems to effortlessly flow into the azure ocean as palm trees sway in the refreshing sea breeze. You don’t have to fly all the way down to the Caribbean for the cerulean sea – paradise is on the sandy shores of Florida.
Not only is The Resort at Longboat Key Club perfect for the bride and groom, but it’s also the perfect vacation location for wedding guests. Friends and family have the ability to go to the beach, partake in water sports, go boating, visit onsite restaurants, go golfing, visit the spa, or just sit back and relax. Guests will never have to be bussed anywhere or rent a car because everything anyone could need is right at the resort.
The Wedding
The Resort at Longboat Key Club has multiple indoor and outdoor venues for your wedding and rehearsal needs. The resort is located on the west coast of Florida, which means that you can have a beach wedding as the sun sets over the Gulf of Mexico. If we could do it all over again, we would hire a boat and arrive to the reception in style at the resort’s very own marina!
Amenities
- Golf: While the ladies get dolled up for the big day, let the guy’s head out to the course for a 45 holes of championship golf.
- Spa: After a rowdy rehearsal, relax at the serene spa at The Resort at Longboat Key. Enjoy a tranquil massage and breathe deeply as the sound of soft waves break on the sandy shores.
- Beach: The Resort at Longboat Key Club is known for its unspoiled white sandy beaches. Grab a good book or a great friend and enjoy a day (or week!) of leisure.
- Restaurants: The Resort at Longboat Key has 8 onsite restaurants and lounges including a Northern Italian fine dining experience, amazing Florida-fresh cuisine with a view of the Gulf of Mexico, a tropical cocktail bar, and a tavern bar & grill sporting a collection of whiskies to sample after your day on the golf course.
- Water Sports: Choose from sailing and boat charters, stand up paddleboards, and kayaks for a fit and fun day out on the Gulf of Mexico.
Note: This is a sponsored post by the Resort at Longboat Key Club.
Omg this place looks like a dream!! I love the idea of not having to leave the country to get a beautiful destination wedding.
That’s the best part!
I am in the process of planning my own wedding and, as an expat, it will most likely feel like a destination wedding to my guests from our home countries, as we will have many people flying in to join us where we decided to live. So even though it will not really be a proper destination wedding for me, I am delighted that it will somewhat feel like one to most of my guests, and that is a feeling that I really want my guests to feel on my special day. Like one massive vacation of love, as you put it 🙂
Yes!!! We love that idea. What country will your wedding be in? We wish you the best of luck!
Thank you 🙂 We live in Sweden. We are thinking of having it in Stockholm, as it is closer to the main airport and offers more hotel/airbnb options than our little town more north. Our guests will be arriving from Italy, Poland, Seychelles, Australia and Norway, so it’s going to be quite an interesting mix. I hope they’ll love this little taste of Sweden.
Such a dreamy location for a destination wedding. Be it simple or elaborate, a beach wedding always looks beautiful!
Beach weddings are always so elegant
What a beautiful beach wedding venue! I had my wedding in Florida, too… Most of the guests came from Europe, Asia & other USA states, so it was a destination wedding from them. 🙂
Wow! What part of Florida?
What a beautiful location for a wedding, I’d love to get married on the beach! xo
Definitely keep this spot in mind 🙂
Great recommendations for a destination wedding! Your photos look absolutely divine! Do you have any suggestions for a particular location in SE Asia for a destination wedding? Our family lives in Australia, so would be cheapest for them to fly to.
Bali or Thailand are always so romantic <3
What a romantic location! And, of course, with golfing for family old -and new!- to bond over. My wedding took place at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, with both golfing and Lake Michigan as amenities. It’s an awesome idea, and therefore a wonderful post!
Wow, such fabulous place that I’ve never seen for wedding! My cousin is going to get married and I will definitely suggest them go there to hold a wedding ceremony, so romantic and impressive. Thanks for your sharing, very helpful!
This is such a dream wedding place. I would love to have my wedding here with my future wife. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
I love the elegant feel to this wedding. It’s gorgeous when couples try something different and it gets captured so well. Love the photos. Congratulations!
Perfection lies in the details. Getting to travel in your honeymoon is really a good idea too. Travel and have fun.
Hello Collette, you have shared very amazing blog and place. It really looks like divine. This is the perfect place for a dream wedding. I would love to do my wedding over here. It has very beautiful scenery on beach side. Thank you.
Hello Collette, amazing write-up! Thank you for sharing information about this venue. It’s like divine place and very spacious for wedding, any party or event. It has very beautiful view on beach side. Keep posting!
Hello!Thanks for the Ideas. I loved this Destination wedding location. I’m a huge fan of your’s blog. I’m Shared some ideas in some of my client weddings. if you find some other unique and natural place I have to suggest south lake Tahoe .their are amazing, no matter what season you choose. After all, this is one of the most beautiful destination wedding spots on the globe.
Excellent post about destination weddings, for specifc information about weddings in Phuket Thailand visit https://uniquephuket.com/