South Carolina vs Florida Keys?

Tina2011

I am getting married next summer and can't decide on a destination yet. I wanted a DW in Mexico but due to my FI and not being sure about their gay policies, we decided against it. I live in Atlanta and want to make sure our familiy and friends can be there. Wherever I decide to host our wedding I want to rent vacation homes and host my reception there and have a small ceremony on the beach. Only thing I am concerned about is that SC won't seem as tropical or romantic as I want. I am also concerned that my fam won't want to drive all the way to the keys(they don't fly) but the keys seems more tropical to me. How would you decide? Where should I start my search?

dew3162

what about some other places in Florida such at St. Petersburg or Clearwater area?

KMJ2010

I haven't been to SC.  

Keywest hands down.  I have been 4 times.  Most recently for Valentines weekend.  Try VRBO.com for private home rentals.  We met a super nice property manager and got a great deal for V-day weekend.  We stayed right off Duval street.  The entertainment and nightlife was within walking distance.  Check out http://www.cruisecritic.com/  for the local hangouts and restaurants.  The seafood is as awesome as the atmosphere.  This was one of our best trips we have taken.  We met some of the locals and plan to go back again soon.  The water is amazing.  It is blue/green and beautiful.  Keywest is more friendly and laid back than clearwater beach.

I have been to Clearwater and St. Pete.  The water is also very pretty.  The sand is what makes that beach.  It is white and soft unlike Daytona beach which is light brown and hard.  Or Keywest some areas of the beach have seaweed.

This is your day and you should do what you want!  I also was undecided because of all the outside opinions.  So, one day I booked everything I wanted and let them all know.  I know not everyone will be able to attend and I am okay with that.   

I may have some pictures I can send you of Keywest.  The weather is finally warming up.  If I make it out toward Clearwater I can take some of the beach.

Kris.

Mistym05

I am getting married at Sand Key Park, Clearwater. It is very beautiful and less of a drive then the keys. It has sugary soft sand and gorgeous! It's on the Gulf of Mexico so it's warm tropical feeling and has the same feel as some place further down south of FL. I am getting married in 2 months so I will have pictures to come REALLY soon! If you need any more information about Clearwater let me know.

captainleela

I vote the Keys, but I may be partial

I would start by researching pricing in both areas for both wedding services and rental homes and go from there. I know when I was looking in KW, I found a TON of really lovely rental homes in KW. But keep in mind that KW can be pricey. So just start doing some research and narrow down what you're looking for and go from there.

Islamorada14

Have you talked to your family about what distance that they are willing to drive?  I would try to get this information first and then look for locations within a comfortable distance for them.  Our wedding was in the Florida Keys and we had a few family members that drove down from Atlanta, so it is certainly do-able (its a 12-15 hour drive depending on which Key you choose). 

Tina2011

Decided on the Florida keys! I am sure my family can make the drive, might actually be fun for everyone. But why does it seem like once you make one decision there is a million more. Now I cant pick which part of the keys to go to.....huh well Im back to my search...thanks everyone for helping me pick.

KLS121212

Look into Kiawah Island - it's beautiful there.  There's a hotel called The Sanctuary that's absolutely gorgeous!  

Romere

If it is important that they come, maybe SC would be the best choice if that is closer. There are some great rentals there and I think they would be less expensive than Key West.  SC is more peaceful, you have the beach if you want or even mountains if you want.  Key West is wild and fun if that is what you are looking for.  As for tropical, both places can be tropical.  SC has a palm for the state tree.  They are very different places.  Key West is busy, small, lots of people while SC could be more private.  If you have a group that loves to party and be crazy and wild, then by all means Key West is it.  If you want something breezy and tropical, you can have that both places.