Expert Advice Best Tampa Bay Wedding Venues for a Waterfront Ceremony
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9 Best Tampa Bay Wedding Venues for a Waterfront Ceremony

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Home to some of the best wedding venues in Florida, the Tampa Bay/Sarasota area hosts a variety of event venues with stunning waterfront backdrops. Whether you’re looking for a toes-in-the-sand beach wedding venue, private yacht, or rooftop ceremony with sweeping water views, these 9 wedding venues are our top picks for a waterfront Tampa Bay wedding.


Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach

The Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach offers multiple outdoor balcony ceremony sites overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and two newly renovated ballrooms, making it a versatile venue for intimate destination weddings as well as larger events.

With its 16th-floor Sky Terrace boasting near 360-degree views of the ocean and Intracoastal, over 200 of your closest family and friends can watch you say “I do” while enjoying the panoramic scenery of Clearwater Beach, America’s Best Beach, according to TripAdvisor. Reception options include three chic ballroom spaces with unique features like private terraces, high ceilings, modern chandeliers, and unobstructed views.

The property is ideal for destination weddings or out-of-town guests, with 287 hotel rooms, 256 of which are suites that include full kitchens. Hyatt Regency all-inclusive wedding packages include a dance floor, floor-length table linens, chairs, butler passed hors d’oeuvres, a custom wedding cake, a four-hour unlimited bar, champagne toast, plated dinner or buffet, special room rates for guests, and a complimentary hotel night for the couple.

Marry Me Tampa Bay readers enjoy a complimentary upgrade to a one-bedroom suite for the length of their stay
*Offer available for new bookings only


The Don CeSar Hotel

Serving almost 100 years of luxurious hospitality, The legendary Don CeSar Hotel is the perfect setting to create oceanfront memories for up to 300 guests. The iconic “Pink Palace” hotel features 38,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, plus 277 guest rooms (including 36 suites), a variety of culinary experiences among their four restaurants, two resort-style pools, and an 11,000 square foot onsite spa, all nestled directly on the white sugar sands of St. Pete Beach.

The Don CeSar offers multiple breathtaking ceremony backdrops, from lush gardenscapes to white-sand beaches, as well as elegant ballroom reception spaces featuring historical architecture and stunning water or city views. The Don’s award-winning culinary team offers coastal-inspired cuisine infused with locally-sourced ingredients for their customized menus. All
wedding packages include a 4-hour open bar, cocktail hour hors d’oeuvres, and a champagne toast.

Marry Me Tampa Bay readers receive: a complimentary menu tasting,* a discounted guest room rate for the couple, and a bridal getting ready room

*for events of $10,000++ or more


Isla Del Sol Yacht and Country Club

Located near St. Pete Beach, Isla del Sol Yacht and Country Club is a secluded private club overlooking Boca Ciega Bay with a private beachfront, providing an exclusive tropical environment. The neutral paved walkway to the gazebo allows for a beach wedding without having to walk in the sand. Couples can enjoy a romantic sail from the marina for an unforgettable ceremony exit while guests partake in a poolside cocktail hour. The Boca Ciega Ballroom offers floor-to-ceiling windows with unobstructed views of the water for up to 250 guests.

The details in this waterfront wedding venue are endless, with an oversized dance floor, certified wedding planner, complimentary wedding cake cutting and serving, and custom-designed chef-driven menu courtesy of an award-winning culinary team under the direction of an Executive Chef who has over 30 years of experience in the catering/restaurant industry.

Mention Marry Me Tampa Bay at the time of booking for $500 off the non-member usage fee


The Resort at Longboat Key Club

Just minutes from Sarasota, the Resort at Longboat Key Club offers multiple indoor and outdoor event spaces spanning their 400+ acre property of lush lawns and pristine beach. The private venue offers seven unique and beautiful ceremony sites and three indoor event spaces. The outdoor areas feature manicured lawns, sandy beaches, a charming marina, tented lawn, and Italian courtyard wedding packages include an open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, sparkling toast, dinner, customized cake, and a dance floor.

The property boasts newly renovated on-site accommodations with resort amenities, including miles of white-sand beach, a heated gulf-front pool and Jacuzzi, five on-site restaurants and lounges, in-suite dining, a 291-slip, deepwater marina, sailing and boating charters, watersports, paddleboards and kayak rentals, beach tennis and volleyball, yoga, and a 9.5-mile island path for biking or jogging, making it ideal for a destination Florida wedding!


Yacht StarShip

The Yacht Starship, Florida’s largest fleet of private wedding yachts, is one of the most unique waterfront venues in Tampa Bay. Chartered cruises dock in downtown Tampa or Clearwater Beach, then set sail into open waters for an ever-changing water view.

The rooftop deck offers gorgeous sunset ceremonies officiated by the ship’s captain or magical stargazing from an outdoor dance floor. The private dining rooms offer semi-private or private reception space where all tables are surrounded by windows allowing guests to catch every minute of the stunning Florida sunsets and night-time cityscape as the day transitions into night.

With four luxury yachts available, an on-site event coordinator, in-house catering, DJ, and officiant, the Yacht Starship offers an affordable and stress-free all-inclusive wedding experience for couples seeking an event for up to 250 guests.


Tradewinds Island Resorts on St. Pete Beach

TradeWinds Island Resorts is spread out on 40 acres and sits along 1,600 feet of award-winning St. Pete Beach shoreline. Multi-million dollar renovations include a fresh look for over 700 guest rooms, common spaces, and meeting areas.

TradeWinds offers 50,000 sq. ft. of indoor and 20,000 sq. ft. of outdoor event space and can accommodate weddings of up to 700. Tropical courtyards and beachfront terraces provide an awe-inspiring backdrop.

From intimate sunset ceremonies on the sand to grand celebrations in our elegant ballroom, open-air terraces, or garden courtyard, weddings are more magical at TradeWinds Island Resorts. The premium venues and professional services make everything stress-free, so all you need to worry about is saying “I do.” Rehearsal dinners, receptions, ceremonies, parties, and a good morning brunch — it’s all possible, and our exceptional planning team will walk you through every step.

Marry Me Tampa Bay readers can receive up to 10% OFF their food and beverage


Westshore Yacht Club

The Bay Club at Westshore Yacht Club is a waterfront gem located in South Tampa. With a newly renovated interior reception room and outdoor patio with seating for up to 250, this event space is an ideal backdrop with jaw-dropping sunset views.

The club’s pool deck is popular for outdoor wedding ceremonies, cocktail hour, or reception under the bistro lights. This ample space accommodates up to 250 for a seated dinner or up to 400 for a cocktail-style reception.

A fresh new interior dining space, the Bistro Room offers modern neutral decor with magnificent views of the Marina from the upper level of the clubhouse. The dining room can accommodate up to 100 seated guests and provides a backup ceremony locale in the case of inclement weather.


Hilton Clearwater Beach

Located in the heart of Clearwater Beach next to the famed Pier 60, the Hilton Clearwater Beach is one of the area’s few hotels offering private beachfront walk-out access along a 10-acre stretch of sand. With a multi-million dollar renovation and multiple locations for a waterfront wedding, the hotel showcases the best of what Florida has to offer. Couples can host their celebrations on the beach, on the 10,000-square-foot covered outdoor terrace, or in the Grand Ballroom.

The Hilton is a full-service wedding venue, including a day-of coordinator, officiant, rehearsal, ceremony music, getting ready room, and a complimentary one-night stay on your wedding night as part of its ceremony fee. Wedding packages include four hours of premium open bar, four hors d’oeuvre selections, a three-course meal, a champagne toast, and a custom-designed wedding cake.

The oceanfront hotel is ideal for vacationing out-of-town guests as it features Hibiscus Spa rated #1 on TripAdvisor, and offers on-site hair/makeup, beachside heated pools, cabanas, an on-site gourmet Mexican restaurant, The Spotted Donkey, and an on-site, full-service Starbucks.

Contact Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa for a special MMTB reader offer including double Hilton Honors points, complimentary room upgrades, and more.


Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach

The Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach is the newest AAA 4- Diamond resort lining the scenic Gulf shore. Inspired by the white sands and azure waters of one of America’s best beaches, this modern and chic resort is inspired by coastal views and features the largest ballroom on the beach at 22,000 square feet, which can host up to 500 guests. With 18-foot high ceilings, modern
touches, integrated color-changing lighting, and chandeliers throughout, the Dunes ballroom can be divided to accommodate
weddings of all sizes. Guests can flow in from an outdoor poolside Palm Lawn ceremony (which accommodates up to 100 guests) to the luxurious 5,000-square-foot open foyer perfect for cocktail hour. For couples looking for a more intimate setting, The Pelican Ballroom seats up to 100 guests and features a private outdoor terrace with spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxed beach wedding or a black-tie affair, the Wyndham Grand can transform your wedding day into a weekend getaway for your guests with 343 rooms, including floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views of the Gulf or Intracoastal Waterway. After relaxing at the full-service spa, which includes a couples room, relaxation lounges, eucalyptus steam rooms, massages, and nail services, guests can refuel at the coffee bar, sip drinks at the poolside grille, indulge at the upscale Asian fusion restaurant Ocean Hai, and have a late-night snack through room service.

MMTB Readers receive a complimentary menu tasting* and a complimentary suite for the wedding couple on the night of the wedding. *for events of $7,500++ or more.



Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pros

Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pros are highly respected by our local wedding community and have been personally vetted by our editor.

Feature Credits

Vendors and venues marked with

are Preferred Marry Me Tampa Bay Wedding Pros and have been personally vetted by our editor.

Ceremony and ReceptionTradeWinds Resort
Ceremony and ReceptionWestshore Yacht Club – Bay Club

About the Author

Anna Coats

Marry Me Tampa Bay editor Anna Coats created Marry Me Tampa Bay in 2012 to showcase the area’s best local weddings and vendors. She has been featured as a wedding expert on the national talk show Daytime, Fox13, ABC Action News, Great Day Tampa Bay, and Bay News 9 (now Spectrum).

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