Top Destination Wedding Beach Houses Part 1 | Destin, Florida & Emerald Coast

One of the most searched sections of our blog is “Top Destination Wedding Venues” in Destin, FL and the Emerald Coast. We did a 3 part series last year on actual event venues. For our venue posting in the panhandle of Florida this year, we thought we’d do a focus on wedding beach houses. In the panhandle, this is picked quite often by our wedding clients in lieu of the traditional wedding venues with guests counts of 30-80 people. Some of the obvious advantages:

  • If you’re a destination bride or groom bringing in friends and family with you, this usually cuts down the cost of individual rooms per night for you and your guests.
  • A lot of these wedding beach houses have access to a private beach which gives you a chance to steer clear of other sunbathing tourists and make it truly a private event.
  • With some of these venues, you can bring in your own caterer and vendors!
  • No one has to risk driving intoxicated.  If you and your guests are staying at the beach house where the wedding is occurring, it’s just a walk to the room rather than a drive back to a hotel.
  • This can give your event more of a “family” feel since it’s being done at a house. If you’re looking for a little more laid back vibe, this is the way to go.

There’s so many great options out there that this is going to require multiple posts.  Here’s some of our favorites:

Highlands House – Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Highlands House DJ

We are the exclusive entertainment company for this bed and breakfast location. Sherry and Denise are so easy to work with and do a stellar job. Here’s a few of the venue highlights: The B&B can sleep 21 people. If you’re party is larger than that, they recommend putting the family and/or bridal party there. They have 2 beach haven cottages that sleep 10 each for other guests. So perfect for a 40 person wedding! If your party is larger, they have other places they recommend for guests that are close by. This has private beach access for your ceremony! Also, everything is done in-house (one of the few venues like it); from florals to photography to catering to rentals, etc. This gives some brides and grooms peace of mind in not having to source that. They recently added a café and bar in the lower level of the property. They have a 4.9 Wedding Wire Rating and have won the Couples Choice Awards 2 years in row.  To contact them, e-mail Sherry and Denise here.

Palazzo Del Sol House – Destin, FL

Palazzo Del Sol House DJ

By far, this is one of our favorite houses to recommend for those looking to stay in Destin. This is literally the PERFECT wedding event house. It is located within the Holiday Isle community. The house  sleeps 12 within 3 bedrooms and 2 additional bunk rooms. If  you need additional rooms, they manage some condos that are also on holiday isle. A couple of the highlights: They have a tremendous manicured grassy backyard which is great for receptions. This gives you unlimited options for decor with furniture, etc. There’s a pool back there as well (floating votive candles anyone?). They offer private beach access and although the have a list of preferred vendors they recommend, you can bring in whatever vendors you choose. There is a gourmet kitchen inside the house and although it’s not a commercial kitchen per say, they have a double oven which has 6 burners that any caterer can use. They do require a 5 night minimum stay. If you’re looking for a house without the beach, they also manage the Southern Hospitality House which overlooks the bay.  For more information on either of these locations, contact April here.

Atypical House – Grayton Beach, FL

Atypical House Wedding DJ

Grayton Beach is in Walton County, which is about 20 minutes east of Destin. This particular house we’ve DJ’d at quite often. It has 6 bedrooms that can sleep up to 19 people with 7 full bathrooms and 1 half bathroom. The backyard is perfect for receptions with guest counts of up to 75. You can bring in your own vendors and it’s within walking distance to the Red Bar, which is great for rehearsal dinners. Contact Larry and Laurie today.

Anna’s Veranda – Inlet Beach, FL

Anna's Veranda Wedding DJ

A little further east of Grayton Beach is Anna’s Veranda in Inlet Beach. It’s a Victorian Style Home which gives it a real uniqueness compared to other homes in the area. While it doesn’t have private beach access from the property, you can walk to the dunes in less than 90 seconds which is where most couples have their ceremony. This house is a great option for guest counts of up to 75 people. Typically, when we’ve performed here, couples will utilize the front yard for cocktail hour and then the backyard for the reception. They allow you to bring in your own vendors as well.

Villa Capri – Miramar Beach, FL

Villa Capri Wedding DJ

Another favorite of ours is the Villa Capri house located in Miramar Beach (about 5 minutes from Destin proper). The house sleeps 25 and is multi-level but one of the best things about it is the architecture and landscaping (with palm trees and pool) which makes for amazing photos. Again, you can bring in your own vendors and the house has a gourmet kitchen. While there is no private beach access from the home, it’s just a short 2 minute walk. For larger groups of 50-60 people, this house is ideal for a casual reception.

The Seahorse Retreat and Palm Breeze Beach House – Mary Esther, FL

Seahorse Retreat Wedding DJ
These two houses we have experience with as our owners were married at this property with 150 people in attendance. While it may not have the actual pristine white beach sand per say, it is located on the Santa Rosa Sound which has a dock that makes for some amazing pictures. The Seahorse Retreat and The Palm Breeze Beach House are literally right next door to one another and they share the same backyard that boasts an amazing infinity pool. You can rent each one separately or do what we did and rent both together. Private access to the sound makes it ideal for pictures and the sand is still great! However, if you really want the white sandy beach photos, Navarre Beach is less than 5 miles away. One of the big selling points of this venue is that you’re dealing with way less traffic! It’s in between Navarre and Destin so you’re able to avoid the craziness that those two cities can bring in season. You’re also able to bring in your own vendors. Both houses sleep 16 each and they both are outfitted with a gourmet kitchen. The parking can fit anywhere between 6-10 cars on property and you are allowed to line up the street with parking as well. You can also park in an open lot which is just a small walk nearby.

Be on the look-out for part 2 of beach houses next week!