Weddings in WaterColor, Florida: A Luxury Destination Experience
Florida has long been one of the top wedding destinations in the U.S., with cities like Miami and Palm Beach paving the way for high-end events. The destination wedding scene has since expanded. For many of today’s couples, the focus has shifted to wanting something that feels more intimate. The luxury destination experience is now about personalization, attention to detail, and—above all—connection.
Venture to Florida’s Emerald Coast, and there’s an exclusive area of Santa Rosa Beach that caters to private, bespoke celebrations and getaways: WaterColor. Characterized by sugary sand and the beachfront WaterColor Inn & Resort, this community is an idyllic location for a wedding escape that is easily accessible, yet feels worlds away from the ordinary.
About WaterColor, Florida
As a master-planned coastal community that stretches 80 miles along the Gulf of Mexico, WaterColor was intentionally designed to combine modern luxury with the natural beauty of the Emerald Coast. It is located along Highway 30A, and stands out among other 30A beach communities due to its dedication to eco-friendly design and environmental stewardship.
Originally conceived by Cooper, Robertson & Partners for The St. Joe Company, open spaces and nature preserves make up nearly half of WaterColor’s 499 acres. Even the beach weddings in WaterColor are in a league of their own. White sand beaches may be common in Florida, but WaterColor’s sand is made of pure Appalachian quartz. Over thousands of years, these weathered grains of quartz washed down from the mountains, settling on the coastline below. Reflecting the sunlight off the Gulf of Mexico’s shallow surf, the quartz sand creates the most vivid shades of emerald and turquoise. It’s a wild, whimsical, and unexpected place to host a milestone celebration.
WaterColor Inn & Resort
The beachfront WaterColor Inn & Resort is the community’s primary hotel and property, serving as a luxurious yet family-friendly destination for weddings and leisurely getaways alike. Thoughtfully planned to accommodate all visitors, the resort is ADA-accessible, and a memorable guest experience can be expected to begin upon arrival.
Couples can arrange for the concierge team to provide wedding guests with in-room treats to welcome them, such as chocolate-covered strawberries, wine, or cheese platters. There are also complimentary “Treat Suites” available—one of the resort’s signature amenities—that can be accessed by all WaterColor Inn guests 24 hours a day. These Treat Suites are readily stocked with freshly ground coffee, soft drinks, hot cocoa, ice cream, popcorn, and other snacks.
Inspired by Florida’s Gulf Coast, the dining options at WaterColor Inn are filled with fresh, seasonal menus for guests to enjoy throughout their stay. Fish Out Of Water is the property’s signature restaurant where guests can get their seafood fix with fare like Emerald Coast oysters, pan-fried blue crab cakes, Cajun garlic shrimp and grits, black grouper, and swordfish. Other WaterColor restaurants include Gather Kitchen + Bar, WaterColor Grill, and Beach Cow for Southern-style burgers and shakes after spending the day out on the ocean.
The WaterColor Wedding Experience
With WaterColor Inn being a veritable Gulf Coast playground where couples can personalize each detail of their wedding weekend, the WaterColor wedding experience can range from intimate microweddings to large-scale celebrations. For smaller groups, bonfire packages are available year-round for up to 29 guests. With tiki torches, glow sticks, s’mores, and an attendant included, it makes for a fun and casual welcome for couples and the bridal party.
Throughout the weekend, couples and their planners can stage wedding events to flow between WaterColor Inn’s multiple venues. The WaterColor BoatHouse is a charmingly rustic location for up to 160 guests, overlooking Western Lake with “cottagecore” vibes. Western Lake Park provides 3,600 square-feet of beautiful outdoor space where couples can hold ceremonies and receptions for 200 people. For larger guest lists up to 450, Marina Park North and Marina Park South are perfect blank canvases for opulent outdoor ceremony setups and tented receptions. And with its cedar-lined walls, large lake-view windows, and fully equipped catering kitchen, the WaterColor LakeHouse is a gorgeous indoor venue with 3,700 square-feet that can accommodate up to 300 guests.
The WaterColor Lifestyle
Couples who host their weddings in WaterColor have the opportunity to give their guests a luxury destination experience that extends well beyond the wedding itself. It’s a chance to truly unwind, connect with each other, and simply enjoy the best of Gulf Coast beach life. The WaterColor Beach Club boasts three pools, lounge areas, and unobstructed ocean views. Camp WaterColor is the ultimate recreational amenity for families with a lazy river, two pools with slides, a basketball court, and a playground. WaterColor Inn guests may enjoy complimentary bike and kayak rentals, and stand-up paddle boards are available at WaterColor BoatHouse.
Even with the busiest of wedding weekend itineraries, there are countless signature activities couples can include to create a sense of place. Pairing a wedding celebration with a taste of the WaterColor lifestyle is a wonderful memory guests will take away.