Key West was somewhat unknown to me until recently. I knew it was WAY down there in Florida (the southernmost point in the continental United States) but other than thinking there were some beaches, it really wasn’t on my radar either personally or for weddings – but all of that has changed now!
Key West has all the trappings of an absolutely epic destination wedding location. It’s one of those places you don’t ever want to leave… you start checking apartment listings and dreaming up ways to ‘make it happen’ while walking around its charming streets and ducking into the kitschy bars, historic homes, unique attractions, and one-of-a-kind cafes.
My boyfriend and I recently had the pleasure of not only visiting Key West for the very first time, but also staying at one of the Historic Key West Inns which frankly, I fell in love with as soon as we pulled up to it.
Key West is a tropical island that you can drive to, fly to, or sail to and it’s a miracle that the whole island hasn’t sunk under the weight of its own charm. Picket fences, tin roofs, gingerbread trim, louvered shutters, rocking chairs, and wraparound porches set the scene as lofty trees shade the sidewalks and sea breezes cool the amiable streets.
The innkeeper at Historic Key West Inns, Julie Fondriest, puts it best – “It doesn’t take long from your first visit to decide that you need to live here. That migration has been going on since the discovery of Key West. It struck me in 1987 when I sailed in on my way to the Bahamas on a 27-foot sloop. The only thing that slowed me down was a lack of funds, supplies, and the curiosity to discover anything interesting along the way. I eventually made it to the Bahamas for a summer of sailing, but otherwise, I have spent the last thirty years in the Florida Keys.”
Short of living there (a girl can dream…) the next best thing would be to get married in Key West. Erika Delgado Photography sent the images you see here of Cori and Chris’s wedding at Key West Historic Inns and aren’t they adorable?! The best thing though (aside from the fact that these two couldn’t stop kissing each other – Key West does that to you), is that they’re clearly having a blast, as you should on your wedding day!
Julie Fondriest eventually came to own 6 historic homes in Key West that she renovated and converted into charmingly chic and stylish guesthouses, each with their own history and personalities and each perfect for housing your wedding guests (you’d have the run of the place!) or hosting your vows, rehearsal dinner, or honeymoon. Set amongst their own lush tropical gardens with pools and picket fences, these inns are definitely Key West. Take a peek at each of them and it is easy to imagine the possibilities from bachelorette getaways to I DO:
Merlin Guest House
Key Lime Inn
Albury Court House
Chelsea House Hotel
Lighthouse Court Hotel
Cypress House Hotel
When my boyfriend and I think about our weekend in Key West at the Chelsea House Hotel it feels like a magical little bubble of time; it truly was the perfect getaway from our gorgeously appointed 2nd story room (complete with wraparound porch – see it on my instagram here) to the hours we spent goofing around in the pool, the leisurely walks around the historic district, visiting the 6-toed cats at the Hemingway House, bar hopping along Duval street, enjoying crepes at the Banana Cafe, walking amongst butterflies at the conservatory, watching the sunset at Mallory Square, and enjoying live music underneath bistro lights while eating our weight in tacos at Garbo’s Grill – we simply can’t wait to go back!
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While Historic Key West Inns sponsored our accommodations, I am not required to do anything in return. This review is a good one because I would never bother to write about or promote a destination or experience I didn’t care for. All opinions are my own.
Cori & Chris wedding photos by Erika Delgado.
