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Weddings

About

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park offers a one-of-a-kind wedding experience located on the waterfront of tropical paradise in Key West, Florida. Groups enjoy the unique historic scenery as well as the endless ocean views from the best beach in Key West. The Park is full of picturesque backgrounds that adhere to all styles.

Venues

On Fort Zachary Taylor's State Park 54 acre property, we have three premier reserved ceremony locations.

R2 “The Point

Among locals referred to as “The Point”, this location is on the west side of the Park where the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico combine. R2 offers fabulous sunset views year-round. Located at the entry of the Key West Shipping channel R2 is always an active site with sunset boats sailing by, fishing boats coming and going and an occasional cruise ship passing, it is a breathtaking experience. *Accommodates up to 175 guests*

R4 “East Beach”

This spot is nestled on white sand and tropical vegetation on the east side of the Park. The R4 site is in the midst of Jamaican palms and lush sea grapes, which creates a secluded atmosphere for small or large groups. *Accommodates up to 100 guests*

The Fortress

Tie the knot either upstairs or on the main level of the historical Fort Zachary Taylor. Enjoy spectacular views of the ocean and sunset as well as the scenery of the fortress itself. *Accommodates up to 300 guests*

In addition to these ceremony spots, the Park offers two options for exclusive receptions.

Beach Café

The Beach Café is an ideal location for that tropical atmosphere! Bask in the views as you and your guests walk from the ceremony down the park paths through the tall Australian Pines toward this magical area that has been transformed into your vision. Lights will be hung, tables set, dancefloor set in the sand! This is a blank slate for you to create your dream wedding in an absolutely beautiful place.

The Fortress

The Historic Fortress, completed in 1866, was the United States first line of defense protecting South Florida’s coast. The Fort served as a deterrent for Confederacy ships during the Civil War and a stronghold against forces of the Spanish American War. Today visitors can stroll through the impressive brick casements and view the largest collection of Civil War cannons in the U.S.

Wedding Couples are able to host their reception in this historical place. A Fortress reception offers privacy and all the feels of a unique celebration. The setting will transport you back in time while getting to enjoy the company of your wedding guests under the brick archways, or dancing to the music in the courtyard under a canopy of stars.

Services Offered

Rental Equipment

In house we have the following equipment available for rent for your wedding at Fort Zachary Taylor.

  • White Folding Chairs
  • Bamboo Arbor (Based on availability)
  • Generator (for sound at ceremony location)
  • Décor Packages

Planning

Our Team is pleased to offer event planning assistance for any and all of our couple’s needs! We have a handful of coordination packages to choose from depending on the amount of help you desire. The team can assist you as you arrange all the little details of your wedding or become your personal advisor on all wedding plans helping you every step of the way! Let us help you plan an exceptional wedding experience for you and your guests!

We would love to hear from you- contact us for more information and availability.

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  • Woman-owned
illustration popular

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$3,500

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$3,500

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$500

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$500

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$43

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Open Bar
Signature Drink

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

3

Describe your venue:

Beach
Historic Building
Park
Rooftop
Waterfront

What kind of settings are available?

Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Bar Services
Event Planner
Event Rentals
Pet Friendly

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

What event items are available?

Altar/Arch
Chairs
Decor

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Wheelchair Access

Reviews of Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

Powered by AI

Fort Zachary Taylor is a highly recommended wedding venue in Key West, known for its picturesque beachfront and historic fortress setting. Reviewers praised the venue's beauty and versatility for ceremonies and receptions, with special mentions for the stunning sunset views during the cocktail hour. The team, particularly wedding planners Kirsten and Taylor, received high praise for their exceptional communication, organization, and attention to detail in creating dream weddings while alleviating stress for couples, especially for those planning from out of state. Guests were impressed by the seamless execution of events and the memorable overall experience provided by Fort Zachary Taylor.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Fort Zachary Taylor is a highly recommended wedding venue in Key West, known for its picturesque beachfront and historic fortress setting. Reviewers praised the venue's beauty and versatility for ceremonies and receptions, with special mentions for the stunning sunset views during the cocktail hour. The team, particularly wedding planners Kirsten and Taylor, received high praise for their exceptional communication, organization, and attention to detail in creating dream weddings while alleviating stress for couples, especially for those planning from out of state. Guests were impressed by the seamless execution of events and the memorable overall experience provided by Fort Zachary Taylor.

Kelsey
Kelsey Sent on 10/31/2024
5 out of 5 rating

October Key west Wedding

We got married at Fort Zach in October 2024 and it was absolutely perfect! HIGHLY suggest hiring Taylor Richardson as your full service wedding planner. We were living in Michigan and realized planning destination is not easy. She gave us options for all of the best vendors in the keys! Taylor made everything so simple for us and perfect! Down to every last detail, I couldn’t ask for a better day. Our guest raved about how beautiful the fort was for our cocktail hour and reception. Couldn’t ask for anything more perfect!! Thank you Taylor and thank you fort Zach so much!
N
Nicolette Sent on 04/25/2024
5 out of 5 rating

A fairytale

This wedding venue dream come true. The ceremony on the beach was breathtakingly set up. The reception in the fortress was so beyond cool and looked gorgeous all set up. The cocktail hour on top of the fort for sunset was incredible. Working with taylor as my month of coordinator was amazing she was so communicative, her timelines were impeccable and she took care of my every need and dream and took care of us throughout the night.
Kristina
Kristina Sent on 04/17/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect venue for the Best. Day. Ever.

We LOVED the venue, the beachfront and the fort.

The cocktail hour on the rooftop was a perfect location to enjoy a Key West Sunset! Taylor and Kirsten were super easy to work with - I recommend the Month of Coordinator to assist with planning.

I also recommend the golf cart add on for running guests to the restroom. Our 3 day event in Key West ended with the most awesome ceremony on the beach and reception in the Fort! Loved this venue and working with Taylor!
Alyssa
Alyssa Sent on 04/17/2024
5 out of 5 rating

The most perfect day ever

We toured a few places that could hold 100+ guests. Fort Zachary was the first venue we toured, and we left saying “This is going to be hard to beat”. We knew we wanted the sunset as the backdrop and being directly on the beach was an added plus. We were worried about all the spectators being around, but when we were in the moment, it was just us, our families, and friends. It was the absolute perfect spot for us to exchange our vows.
Fort Zach offers a variety of planner options. Since we are out of state, we opted for the Full Service option.Kirsten was so fun to work with! She grasped my vision and ran with it. I was stunned with the design board she created for us months before the wedding, and I can’t believe how she turned that vision into a real-life masterpiece. Myself, my husband, and our guests were blown away when we walked up to our beach reception. The completed tiki hut also added to the atmosphere. She helped keep us organized while we were planning a wedding out of state, which we were thankful for.
The weather was perfect. The sunset was the most beautiful sunset we had ever seen that night (and we visit Key West often). Our vendors were all amazing. We wish could live the night over again!
M
Michael Sent on 04/17/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Excellent in every way

Kirsten and the rest of the FT Zach team are amazing to work with. We were provided exactly what we requested and more. Besides being a wonderful person, she is VERY good at what she does and we felt treated as though we were her only clients. The beach location was immaculate for our wedding ceremony and truly lived up to our hopes and vision.
Dillon
Dillon Sent on 04/16/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Beach Wedding of my DREAMS!

My husband & I got married in January 2024 at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. After a very long engagement, we decided to be adventurous with our wedding plans by inviting our closest friends & family on a cruise. The first stop was in Key West, FL and we decided that everyone's "activity" for the day would be our wedding & reception! Because we had limited time in Key West, I needed to find a flexible venue for both ceremony & reception, easily accessible from the port, affordable, and most importantly... beautiful. Fort Zachary Taylor was the perfect spot!

While I didn't see the venue/park before the wedding, I got a good sense of it based on online materials and from information shared by Kirsten & her team. I requested wedding planning services from Kirsten, and it was the best decision I made during the wedding planning process. She was always available to talk, directed me to the best vendors, and more. She helped put my mind at ease, and made sure that I was thinking about all of the details (for myself, my husband & my guests)!

The day of the wedding was perfect. Not only was the beach BEAUTIFUL, but so was the entire setup that I had been planning for months. Everything came together just as I had imagined it. Even my guests were blown away by how nice everything was. The weather was perfect, the details were well executed, and Kirsten ensured we were on schedule the entire time (which was very helpful).

All of this to say, I highly recommend Fort Zachary Taylor (& Kirsten) if you're looking to have a wedding on the beach in Key West, FL!
E
Emily Sent on 01/23/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Fort Zachary Taylor: Where Dreams Meet Realities!

Choosing Fort Zachary Taylor as our wedding venue was one of the best decisions we made for our special day. From the initial planning stages to the magical moments of our wedding celebration, the team at Fort Zachary Taylor proved to be an invaluable asset in creating a day that exceeded our wildest dreams.

Flexibility was a cornerstone of our experience with the venue. The team went above and beyond to accommodate our requests and preferences, making the entire planning process a breeze. Their willingness to work with us on every detail ensured that our vision for the day was seamlessly translated into reality. It was evident that they genuinely cared about making our wedding uniquely ours.

Communication was another standout aspect of our experience. The team at Fort Zachary Taylor was not only prompt and professional but also incredibly warm and approachable. Their responsiveness and openness to our questions and ideas made us feel confident and supported throughout the entire journey. It's the kind of communication that transforms the stress of wedding planning into a collaborative and enjoyable experience.

The venue itself served as a breathtaking backdrop for our wedding. The historic charm of Fort Zachary Taylor, coupled with its stunning waterfront location, created a romantic and timeless atmosphere. Our guests were captivated by the beauty of the surroundings, and every corner of the venue provided a picturesque setting for our celebration.

In summary, Fort Zachary Taylor is not just a venue; it's a canvas upon which dreams are painted. With a team that is flexible, easy to work with, and exceptional in communication, our wedding day unfolded seamlessly against the backdrop of this historic gem. Our heartfelt thanks to Fort Zachary Taylor for playing a pivotal role in making our wedding an unforgettable and visually stunning experience.
M
Melissa Sent on 11/11/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Dream come true

Fort Zachary was a dream come true! Our wedding planner Kirsten was absolutely incredible. A fairy Godmother who made our wedding more beautiful than we even imagined. We were a little nervous planning a wedding from PA. Kirsten was there for us through every decision which made me feel comfortable and not stressed while planning. When our wedding weekend arrived we finally met face to face after all our conversations it felt like meeting up with a best friend. Starting with our night before party, to the wedding, to a sandbar boat trip the day after Kirsten pulled it all off with perfection. We truly could have never pulled this off without her by our side. A million thank yous would never be enough for making our wedding weekend absolute perfection!
Hayley
Hayley Sent on 10/31/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Absolutely incredible

We were planning a destination wedding and had no idea what we were doing. I contacted Fort Zach and they contacted me within a day. Kirstin reached out to me and we started the planning process. I will say, there is no way I could have done it without her. If you are thinking about hiring a planner, hire her. She is incredible. For example, the day of my wedding was pretty windy, minutes before I was going to walk down the aisle, she noticed my hair was down, she rearranged the wedding party so that the wind wouldn’t blow my hair in my face the entire time. It was such a subtle adjustment but it made such a difference. All of her recommendations were spot on. The only regret I have is that I didn’t let her plan my reception as well (we had our reception somewhere else). Our wedding was absolutely perfect and I owe most of that to her and the staff at Fort Zach. I will recommend them to anyone and everyone, it was the best day of our lives.
L
Laura Sent on 06/01/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing Venue + Planning!

We loved having our wedding here. We had our ceremony at the point, cocktail hour on top of the fort and our reception in the fort. The venue is unique and beautiful and we loved having everything to ourselves after sunset. We also used them for full service planning and truly cannot say enough about how much we enjoyed working with Taylor. She not only planned our wedding, but also our rehearsal dinner and welcome party. She was incredibly organized and patient and helped us think through so many details for the day that we would have never considered but ended up coming together to make the perfect weekend for both us and our guests. The weekend of our wedding knowing that Taylor and Kirsten were taking care of all the details for our welcome party, rehearsal dinner and wedding allowed my husband and I to be fully present and just enjoy the weekend with our friends and family. We have had so many guests mention how well planned and executed our wedding was and this is truly all due to them.
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

103
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2025 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2023 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2020 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2017 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2013 Winner

Professional Network & Endorsements

2 Endorsements
Karrie Porter Photography Karrie Porter Photography Wedding Photographers

This place is so great for weddings, I wish it was my own secret spot! But in all seriousness, the location is great, the staff are so helpful and accommodating, the wedding coordination is very organized and very friendly, and the sunset views, rock jetties, open meadow, wooded trails, and cozy park benches make it a very scenic and special place to get married.

Transier Photography Transier Photography Wedding Photographers

Love shooting weddings at Ft. Zachary Taylor State park...so beautiful....and Kirsten is amazing to work with!!!

Map

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park frequently asked questions

The bar service starting price at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park includes:
  • House Beer
  • House Liquor
  • House Wine
  • Open Bar
  • Signature Drink
The space offered by Fort Zachary Taylor State Park for wedding events is known for:
  • Beach
  • Historic Building
  • Park
  • Rooftop
  • Waterfront
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Bar Services
  • Event Planner
  • Event Rentals
  • Pet Friendly
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Altar/Arch
  • Chairs
  • Decor
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is recommended by 98% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.9 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.9 in quality of service, 4.9 in professionalism, 4.9 in value, 4.8 in average response time and 4.8 in flexibility.
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