My brother and his fiance are trying to avoid having a huge, local wedding. So...to make a long story short...they have decided to have a destination wedding somewhere in the U.S.

They are thinking about the keys. Does anyone know of any great places for the wedding/reception/and lodging? I am assuming there will be fewer than 75 guests.

Here is the tricky part - if they are going to do a destination wedding - they have to do it the week after Christmas - so somewhere around December 26th-31st. Yes...this year.

I'm hoping someone can help with ideas.

They are also open to suggestions for other locations. Charleston, Savannah, St. Augustine - those places are out b/c they are too close. It needs to be a really long drive or a plane flight away from south Georgia.

There are tons of places in the Keys - but most are expensive.

I shot a wedding at Cheeca Lodge. It's easy to get to because it's at the north end of the Keys on Islamorada ("eesla"), about 45 minutes from Homestead (where I stayed for a lot less).

http://www.cheeca.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g34340-F...ida-Hotels.html

Thanks - any more ideas anyone?

Hawk's Cay Resort on Duck Key is nice. I only played ping-pong there when I was staying with a friend at a home on the island, but it seemed pretty good. It's a few Keys before Marathon.

I work VERY closely with a destination wedding coordinator...I'd be happy to send her an email...and she'd be happy to spit out the top spots if you would like.

That would be awesome. Is she specific to the keys? The are looking for someone who lives there and works there a lot. Or at least ideas from someone who is very familiar. They spent the entire day yesterday looking up info on the interent - but it is so hard to know what things are really like when looking that way.


thanks!

thanks everyone!

She deal with brides for destination weddings ALL over the world, and has a great deal of knowledge on the top spots to go to...pretty much anywhere! She's been at it for YEARS! I am VERY grateful to have her as a friend, especially considering what she does!

I'm waiting to here back from her now, I'll chime back in when I do!

This one is easy!!! Check this place out:

http://www.littlepalmisland.com/littlepalmisland_home.aspx

Only accessible by ferry boat.
~ Charles

Hi Jill,

If they're still looking for somewhere at Key West I know the Casa Marina Resort is suppose to be very nice since the renovations are complete. Here's the link http://www.casamarinaresort.com/.

Shannon

Jill...Charles is right on.

http://www.littlepalmisland.com/littlepalmisland_home.aspx

She says that is THE spot...but VERY expensive...she has more info for you....hang on...

okey dokey Jill...without knowing how many people, budget, traditional, etc...I copy and pasted what she wrote back....hope this helps you!

Little Palm Island does look fabulous - but they don't allow anyone under 16 on the island so that is definitely out. I'm going to check out some of the other ones listed.

THX