| Florida is one of the most popular wedding | | | | perhaps just the bride and groom, or very small |
| destinations in the world, alongside The Bahamas, | | | | numbers to a wedding and reception of over 500 |
| Thailand, Italy and the Seychelles. But a little | | | | guests. You will find the local network of event |
| known, and unspoiled Island called Anna Maria is | | | | planners, caterers, reception venue hosts, |
| now being heralded as the No.1 Beach Wedding | | | | transport companies, stylists and florists, will look |
| Destination in Florida. We give you the low down | | | | after you so fantastically and do everything they |
| on why this Island, part of Florida's Gulf Coast, is | | | | can to make your personal wedding dreams |
| becoming the wedding destination of choice. | | | | come true! |
| Climate | | | | Location |
| With an average of 361 days of sunshine per | | | | Florida's Gulf Islands is a group of Islands made up |
| year and average temperatures of 26/c, 84/f, | | | | of Anna Maria, Longboat Key, Bradenton and |
| you are almost guaranteed the perfect weather | | | | Longboat Ranch and are easily accessed from |
| for a perfect beach wedding. | | | | Tampa International Airport, the Orlando Airports |
| Romantic Sunsets | | | | and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. |
| This beautiful Island showcases the most | | | | Because Anna Maria is within driveable reach to |
| magnificent sunsets, beautiful enough to rival any | | | | these airports, couples and their guests can take |
| destination in the world. A dusk wedding with the | | | | advantage of all that the wider area of Florida has |
| backdrop across the Gulf exudes romance and will | | | | to offer during the wedding celebrations, including |
| capture the most incredible wedding photographs. | | | | Orlando, no more than a 3 hour drive, where you |
| A local tip - photographs on the City Pier are | | | | can enjoy all that the famous Disney and |
| fabulous! | | | | Universal parks have to offer, and Busch Gardens |
| Beautiful Beaches | | | | in Tampa which is no more than an hour's drive. |
| The 7-mile coastline of the island has a selection | | | | Florida also plays host to some great sporting |
| of some of the most beautiful beaches in the | | | | events, try out some of the amazing golf courses |
| world. With exquisite, almost white sand, the | | | | for yourself, or enjoy a baseball, football or |
| beaches are clean and often quiet, with the more | | | | basketball game while you're here! |
| popular beaches offering plenty of amenities for | | | | Culture |
| families, including picnic tables, playgrounds and | | | | Anna Maria Island has a rustic charm, laid back |
| showers. However, for a truly romantic | | | | Floridian style and unhurried tropical living, |
| ceremony, many beachfront Anna Maria rentals | | | | reminiscent of the old Florida Keys. Steeped in |
| offer beaches almost so secluded, you will feel like | | | | Floridian histor the local residents embrace and |
| you are on your own private Island. | | | | preserve the Island's heritage, which encompasses |
| A Wonderful Choice of Wedding Venues | | | | the charm that is Anna Maria. Properties and |
| It is possible to get married virtually anywhere on | | | | buildings which have celebrated 50 years are |
| Anna Maria Island. Popular choices include The | | | | awarded plaques to be recognised as part of the |
| Sandbar and The Beachhouse Restaurants. But | | | | culture and restaurant owners greet you with |
| becoming increasingly popular are luxury vacation | | | | welcoming smiles, as wide as they were they day |
| rentals. With many beautiful beach front or water | | | | they opened. And, the eclectic mixture of |
| frontage homes, a wedding ceremony is private, | | | | restaurants, and local artists across the island all |
| intimate and completely personal - from an | | | | add to make Anna Maria truly special. |
| elegant, to an informal beach party, or even a | | | | Plenty to Do |
| water lovers dream ceremony on the water, with | | | | Anna Maria is an angler's paradise, so sea and |
| the bride arriving by boat. There is a wonderful | | | | river fishing are popular here. Kayaking through |
| eclectic mix of vacation rentals on Anna Maria, | | | | the canals, bike riding or horse riding along the |
| with varying space to cater for larger events to | | | | beach, setting sail along the coast, trying yoga on |
| the most intimate of ceremonies, making for the | | | | the beach, watching the array of beautiful wildlife; |
| perfect Anna Maria holiday for any group size. | | | | sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins and manatees, or |
| Fabulous Accommodation for you and your | | | | just watching the world go also favoured |
| guests! | | | | pastimes on Anna Maria. As well as enjoying the |
| Due to the building regulations in Anna Maria, no | | | | plentiful number of restaurants around the Island, |
| building can be built more than 2 storeys high. You | | | | offering up a wonderful array of menu's and |
| will therefore, not find any hi-rises or chains | | | | styles, from fine dining on the beach, at the |
| anywhere on the Island. Accommodation is varied, | | | | Beach Bistro, to delicious home style cooking, with |
| but most visitors love the flexibility of rental | | | | mouth watering desserts, in a gorgeous |
| homes that can be found here. Many couples | | | | converted 1912 cottage at The Sign of the |
| choose a vacation home, where the wedding | | | | Mermaid. There is so much to do in Anna Maria |
| ceremony and reception can take place and which | | | | alone, you and your guests will enjoy a fabulous |
| is then suitable as a wonderful and romantic | | | | time! |
| honeymoon home. There are many luxury Anna | | | | A True Essence for Beach Wedding Chic |
| Maria villas to choose from, with fabulous | | | | From decorated wedding Surrey Bikes complete |
| beachfront locations and beautifully designed | | | | with Champagne bucket on the handlebars, to |
| interiors. Try to look for property managers that | | | | Siesta Trolleys to transport the bride and groom |
| can offer a selection of homes within close | | | | and guests, talented photographers, luxurious |
| proximity to each other, and perhaps benefit | | | | beach front venues, beautiful local flowers and |
| from a discounted group booking! | | | | decorations, fresh, delicious and locally caught |
| An Established Wedding Network | | | | seafood catering, petal toss ceremonies, sand |
| With over 1,000 Anna Maria Island weddings | | | | ceremonies and even barefoot sandals, Anna |
| happening each year, the Island has a fantastic | | | | Maria Island knows how to do Beach Wedding |
| network of local business, to cater for your | | | | Chic! Visit the Anna Maria Island Wedding |
| every wedding need. Be it a very private affair | | | | Directory for more information. |