Venue Files: Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, for an Iconic Private Island Wedding

Planning a destination wedding weekend is all about creating an experience that feels like a true escape, whether it’s a short drive or a trip halfway around the world — as destination wedding planners, we’ve helped couples consider the best of the best. If you’re dreaming of a tropical paradise that offers both luxury and seclusion, Little Palm Island Resort & Spa should be on your short list. Located on a private island in the Florida Keys, this stunning resort is a standout among US wedding destinations. With its breathtaking beauty, exclusivity, and impeccable service, Little Palm Island is one of those rare places where the reality is even better than the dream.

Why Little Palm Island Resort & Spa?

Little Palm Island is in a class of its own when it comes to luxury resorts in the United States. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the resort offers an unparalleled sense of seclusion and intimacy, making it the perfect setting for a wedding that feels both epic and personal. With its soft sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, lush verdant gardens, and thatched-roof bungalows, the resort captures the essence of a private island paradise. Combine this with world-class service, and you have a destination that promises to make your wedding not just special, but extraordinary.

Secluded and Exclusive

One of the most appealing aspects of Little Palm Island is its sense of privacy and exclusivity. The resort is designed to feel like your own private oasis, and it absolutely does. The entire island can be reserved exclusively for your wedding weekend, ensuring a truly intimate celebration. With only 30 bungalows on the property, Little Palm Island is perfect for hosting a small to mid-sized wedding weekend that allows you to spend quality time with each of your guests.

Imagine exchanging vows on a secluded beach with the ocean as your backdrop, with no one else around but your closest family and friends. This level of privacy is hard to come by, making Little Palm Island a dream location for couples seeking a truly unique and personal wedding experience.

Luxury Accommodations

The resort’s 30 thatched-roof bungalows are peak barefoot luxury. These private suites are designed with both comfort and elegance in mind, offering gorgeous ocean views, outdoor showers, soaking tubs, and private outdoor spaces where you can relax and unwind. While wifi is provided, there are no TVs or phones in the guest accommodations, encouraging guests to unplug and fully immerse themselves in what the island has to offer.

A Signature Spa Experience

If you ask us, no wedding weekend is complete without a bit of pampering, and SpaTerre at Little Palm Island is the perfect place for you and your guests to unwind before or after the wedding. The spa offers a range of luxurious treatments inspired by global healing traditions, from Balinese massages to Thai body rituals. The serene setting and expert therapists ensure that you’ll leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

In addition to individual treatments, the spa can arrange group wellness activities such as yoga sessions on the beach or guided meditation in the gardens. These activities add an extra layer of core memories to your guests’ experience, making their stay on the island even more unforgettable. Whether you’re looking to calm pre-wedding jitters or simply want to indulge in some self-care, SpaTerre is an essential part of the Little Palm Island experience.

Exclusive Activities

Little Palm Island offers a wealth of activities that make the most of its stunning location. For ocean lovers, there are endless opportunities to explore the surrounding waters, whether through snorkeling, paddleboarding, or a relaxing sunset sail on the resort’s private yacht. What better way to experience the natural beauty of the Florida Keys?

For those who prefer to stay on land, the resort offers a variety of activities ranging from cooking classes to guided nature walks. These activities not only provide entertainment but also create opportunities for your guests to bond and create memories that extend beyond the wedding day. Whether they’re exploring the island’s natural beauty or simply lounging by the pool with a cocktail in hand, your guests will leave Little Palm Island feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and content.

Destination Weddings at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa

Choosing Little Palm Island as your wedding venue means you’re selecting a place where every detail is designed to enhance the overall experience you and your guests enjoy. From the ceremony to the reception, the resort offers stunning locations that can be tailored to your aesthetic. Whether you’re dreaming of an elaborate beachfront party or a cozy evening with your favorite people, Little Palm Island has the perfect setting for your wedding.

Ceremony Locales

For couples dreaming of a classic beach wedding, the resort’s Ocean Front Beach is picture-perfect. The soft white sand, clear waters, and painted sunset views create a naturally romantic backdrop for your vows. The beach can be customized to match your aesthetic, whether that means a simple arch adorned with tropical flowers or a more elaborate setup with custom-built decor and creative seating for your guests.

If you’re looking for something a bit different, the Sunset Dock offers jetliner views of the ocean and is perfect for couples who want to immerse themselves in the island’s natural beauty — it’s the perfect location for couples who want to feel surrounded by the ocean waves. For smaller, more intimate weddings of 10-15 guests, the open-air uncovered terraces of the Great Room offer a cozy yet elegant setting that’s perfect for a smaller celebration of your nearest and dearest.

Reception Vibes

Once the ceremony is over, it’s time to party — and Little Palm Island offers multiple charming options for your reception.

If you want to keep the beach vibes going, we certainly won’t stop you. Imagine your guests dining under the stars, with their toes in the sand and the soft sound of the waves in the background. The beach can be set up with a mix of table shapes and sizes or one large dramatic table, depending on your preferences. And of course, a dance floor can be added so you and your guests can get loose.

If you prefer an indoor setting, the Great Room is the perfect place. With its open-air design and panoramic views of the ocean, the Great Room offers an elegant yet low-key atmosphere that’s perfect for a wedding reception. The space is furnished to feel like a thoughtfully curated living room, but the resort’s team welcomes customization and creativity to ensure the design reflects your aesthetic and personal style.

No matter which location you choose, the food and beverage experience at Little Palm Island is guaranteed to be outstanding. The resort’s culinary team is known for creating dishes that are as visually stunning as they are delicious, using the freshest local ingredients to craft a menu that celebrates the flavors of the Florida Keys. The menu is entirely customizable, allowing you to design a culinary experience that aligns with the tastes and preferences of you and your guests. The Executive Chef and team promise “an amazing culinary adventure” no matter what you decide.

Our Favorite Details

We’ll be very honest: we have sky-high standards when it comes to recommending wedding venues, and Little Palm Island Resort & Spa checks all of our boxes. The resort underwent a full renovation in 2020, touching everything from accommodations to amenities, and it shows. Little Palm Island consistently makes the short lists of our favorite travel publications, and the experience is every bit as luxurious as you’d expect from a five-star resort.

One of the things we love most about Little Palm Island is its exclusivity. The fact that the resort is accessible only by boat or seaplane adds to the sense of adventure and escape. Your guests will feel like they’re being whisked away to a secret paradise, and the experience begins the moment they step onto their chosen means of transportation. The resort’s attentive and experienced staff ensures that every detail is taken care of, from the moment you arrive until the last guest departs.

Finally, we have to mention: you’re welcome to arrive in your own personal yacht. It doesn’t get much better than that. 

TL;DR

Venue
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa

Location
Little Torch Key, Florida, United States

Accommodations
30 Suites

Recent Accolades
- Travel + Leisure - #1 Resort in Florida (2023)
- Condé Nast Traveler - Reader’s Choice Awards, Top 10 Resorts in the Florida Keys (2023)
- Forbes Travel Guide - Gold Award Winner (2023)

Vibes
- Tropical Luxury
- Adults Only
- Buyout-Perfect

At Davis Row, we leverage our hospitality and travel expertise to help you create a wedding weekend that will have you asking your partner questions like, “is this real life?” and have your guests declaring your wedding as the best they’ve ever been to. Sourcing the right venue is key, so we keep a list of hotels, resorts, and locations worldwide that could serve as the perfect setting. In short: we do the research so you don’t have to. And we’re ready when you are.

Allison Davis