Welcome Back! What to Expect When Planning Your Florida Keys Wedding

The future is looking a bit brighter for our wedding and event celebrations here in the sunny Florida Keys! With an opening date to tourism on June 1st, we’ve been brainstorming ideas with our fellow vendors on the best way to transition back into weddings and events! Together, we’ve compiled the things that you can expect when finalizing details with each of your vendors. ​
​All photography by La Vie Studios

Florida Keys Beach Wedding

Officiants:​ Being Presentable

Kat Newman, owner of Ceremonies by Kat, brings good news: you do not need to worry about your wedding officiant wearing a surgical mask during your ceremony! Could you even imagine those wedding photos? Rather, expect your officiant to keep 6’ away from you and your bridal party during the ceremony.  

With distancing in place, we want to make sure your guests can hear every magical moment! Unfortunately, microphones have always been subject to germs. For that reason, your wedding officiant will likely request a personal lavaliere (aka clip on) microphone. “I will be using my wireless lavaliere mics for all officiants so they never have to touch it”, says Florida Keys wedding DJ, Russ Ginsberg of Florida Keys Wedding DJ.  

In addition, Kat Newman strongly suggested against the ‘exit detail’. Throwing dried petals, confetti, beach balls or blowing bubbles will need to be placed on hold to avoid a cloud of germs around our beloved couple’s ceremony finale. Instead, may we suggest elegant satin streamers with wedding bells like these? ​

DJs: The Show Will Go On

Russ Ginsberg may also be implementing a new way to request songs; Offering the guests a special phone number or portal to text their favorite tunes will reduce the amount of face-to-face contact and still keep everyone out on the dance floor. Russ also intends to have at least two microphones, one for Master of Ceremonies and one for guests’ speeches.  
Another way to collect wedding song requests will likely be in the form of request cards. 

Florida Keys wedding DJ, Shawn Stazzone of Aries Entertainment explains that the cards would be placed at the guest tables, and can be collected throughout the night (while wearing gloves) to keep everyone’s favorites on the playlist!  

A wedding song request book (similar to a guest book), where guests could write in their preferences could be placed in a convenient area for the DJ to reference. Some DJ’s have also been seen with plexiglass facades, and even LED masks! The point? No matter which options you choose, you can be sure that the Florida Keys wedding celebration will go on! ​

Beauty:​ Close & Personal

Florida Keys Bridal Team owner Linda Schonning gave us insight into how her team will operate. She wanted to be clear that their make up & hair kits have always been sterilized before and after every wedding, and they will continue to do so.  

As Florida Keys wedding hair and beauty stylists, it’s part of their job to lean in close and create the perfect bridal look you’ve always envisioned. The lips, the lashes, the curls! So to continue with social distancing while still creating a flawless look, their team will have face shields, masks and gloves for the safety of both parties. In addition, they will be limiting services to no more than two ladies at a time. And as always, Linda works closely with your Florida Keys wedding planner to ensure the timeline remains smooth and stress free! 

Something we loved to hear that is so important is how they are avoiding a ‘double dipping’ situation with their products. Linda ensured that each bridal party member will have a unique set of brushes. In addition, items like wax paper, spatulas, and disposable brushes will assist in the effort as well.  

And for our favorite part! Florida Keys Bridal Team is now offering custom make up brush sets for your leading ladies! What a great way to make your gals feel extra special while getting ready! It’s little touches like these that will create silver linings during the transition! ​

Photographers: Smiling is Contagious & Necessary!

Your Florida Keys wedding photographer is with you almost all day, from getting ready to the grand farewell. Most photography teams are made up of 2-6 shooters so it’s important to know you are safe while working with them.  
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So what to expect? Florida Keys wedding photographer, Claudia Rios Photography informs us that she will be using a stronger camera lens so that she can zoom in close enough for those intimate ceremony & sunset moments and still keep to the required 6’ distancing standard.  

And when it is required to be in the bridal suite or other contained areas, a mask will be worn. Knowing that photography is often of the highest importance at weddings, Claudia reassures her couples: “I will also be taking precautions such as sanitizing my hands and my photography equipment throughout the day. I will ensure that the environment my guests are photographed in is safe and comfortable. My clients are a priority.”  ​

Wedding Cakes: Love is Still Sweet

Let’s keep things sweet! We spoke with Florida Keys wedding cake maker Nancy Davila at Unique D’Lites Custom Cakes to see what ideas she’s been baking up for her clients. With the restrictions on travel, she is offering the option to ship Tasting Boxes to the customer for larger events (weddings, quinces, etc.) for a package price. Nancy explains “Since travel is going to be limited for now, this would be something customers can look forward to. Especially couples planning on their wedding for next year.”  

She has also updated her website to make browsing designs and flavors, and even ordering cakes (yes, wedding cakes too) online possible.

Lastly, Unique D’Lites is not requiring deposits as a way of showing empathy to her customers. As planners, we always suggest putting some type of deposit down when booking any vendor, but knowing that your vendor has a warm heart is worth it’s weight in cupcakes. ​

Catering Teams:​ Hands-On with Masks On

The Florid Keys wedding vendor on everyone’s mind? Food & beverage services. Elena of Green Turtle Catering confirms that yes, they will be wearing masks and gloves when in the presence of your food, service items & your attendees. We suggest offering them comfortable masks that fit your wedding theme to keep the situation as light as possible. There are so many options for custom designs via Etsy, we love trendy printed ones like these. 

As wedding planners, if you intend to have stations or a buffet, we like to invite your guests as a personal touch and to limit the line. This is especially important now, and we plan to limit this to 10 persons at a time in a steady flow. We will also be ensuring that the wedding catering service staff is assisting on buffet (wearing masks and gloves) so that guests will not be handling serving utensils.  

With everyone trying to keep safe, it seems like disposable items are currently at war with sustainable living. We suggest using biodegradable items wherever it seems reasonable, especially at your bar. These cups are the perfect way to show your guests you are thinking of them and our planet. ​

Planners:​ It's Still Your Best Day Ever

At Key Destination Weddings & Events, it’s our job is to ensure that your wedding runs smoothly. What does that mean exactly?  

We are in constant communication with your wedding team in several ways. Whether it’s detailing your wedding, hosting vendor events, supervising & delegating at your event, or connecting on Zoom to brainstorm the latest wedding trends – we care keeping in touch so that everyone continues a strong relationship.  

We are also keeping up with the latest industry trends and thinking up creative solutions to any obstacles our couples may encounter (health related or otherwise). We want to make sure that the design and elements reflect your style and personality as a couple, no matter what the world climate is.  

That being said, we’d like to share our current wedding favor favorite: infused hand sanitizer. Oh but it’s not what you think! In fact, the idea is to incorporate a signature scent throughout your entire wedding experience to delicately enhance your event. Here are a few examples: 

• Lavender or eucalyptus essential oil can be placed on cooling cloths, sprigs can be added to cocktails, and floral arrangements can be made with these fragrant botanicals. 
• Tropical citrus, cucumber, or herbs can infuse your welcome water, and can also be found in some of the most delicious menu items! 
• Vanilla bean or nutty fragrances can be incorporated into candles, desserts, and pair well with other scents.  

At your event, we plan to keep to the outskirt- aka ‘behind the scenes’ - as we usually would. And we’ll be sure to wear a mask in confined spaces such as the bridal suite.  

Lastly, as way to help financially we are offering payment plans to brides who are ready to start the planning process without the stress of a fifty percent deposit.  

So what does it all mean?

It means that your Florida Keys wedding day will still be magical and filled with wonderful memories! Your wedding ceremony will be the sea-side fairy-tale you dreamed of, and the reception will be an epic celebration of you and your partner!  

Overall, the most common response from our teams was heartwarming: the importance of empathy. We truly understand and respect your perspective because we’ve handled similar situations before. Things will certainly be bit different, for example: while we’re used to greeting with hugs, we will now offer warm smiles. Just because a few slight details will be tweaked doesn’t mean you can’t have the time of your life.  

We as a vendor family of the Florida Keys will continue to learn new ways to incorporate convenient communication, share creative event ideas, and implement delicate health & safety policies to make your experience enjoyable. We hope this information helps you move forward with your planning, and we are looking forward to working together with you on making your wedding day the best of your life! 

XO & Cheers!
​Carin Hunt & Wendy Cole

Key Destination Weddings & Events
and Vendor Family!