Our West Martello Tower Wedding — Why We Chose It

When you fall in love with Key West the way we did, it becomes more than a vacation spot. It becomes a place that feels like home even when you’re hundreds of miles away. So when Dion and I decided to get married, there was never really a question of where. We knew our wedding belonged in the Keys—specifically at West Martello Tower, the first place on the island that completely stole our hearts.

We had visited West Martello during our early trips together, long before marriage was even a conversation. But every time we walked through its brick archways and winding garden paths, we felt something. Maybe it was the history of the old Civil War-era fort. Maybe it was the way the Atlantic breeze drifted through the open ruins. Or maybe it was simply that the place felt peaceful, intimate, and alive—especially for someone like Dion, who loves plants more than anyone I’ve ever known. The entire site is overflowing with tropical life thanks to the Key West Garden Club, making it feel like a hidden sanctuary right on the beach.

Whatever the reason, it became our spot. So when we looked at the guest list (24 people), the budget (not extravagant), and the vision (simple, beautiful, meaningful), West Martello Tower fit perfectly.

The Sun, The Ocean, and 22 of Our Favorite Humans

Getting 22 friends and family members across the country for a Key West wedding is… a feat. A logistical miracle. And thanks to the Keys being the Keys, it was also an adventure from the moment they arrived.

We wanted our guests to experience why we loved the island so much, so instead of traditional pre‑wedding festivities, we took everyone on an all‑day water adventure. Snorkeling, jet skis, a little sunburn, a little too much enthusiasm for the complimentary drinks—exactly the chaotic fun you'd expect when your entire wedding party spends the day on the ocean together.

Then came the sunset sail, originally a simple cruise but later upgraded to the Commotion on the Ocean. More free drinks. More sun. More music. More chaos. If you put 22 people on a boat with unlimited alcohol after a full day on the water… well, some stories won’t ever make it into the blog. But our wedding weekend earned its own legendary status among our friends, and people still talk about those two days like it was one giant reality‑TV episode with better views.

The Wedding Planner Who Made It Effortless

We were lucky enough to work with a local wedding planner named Stan, who I recently learned still works on the island and he and his team at Big Day in Key West might be able to help you make your big day as effortless and perfect as he made our, he really deserves a whole chapter in our story. I still can’t believe how easy he made everything. I sent him $500, filled out a questionnaire, and he told us, “Just show up. I’ll take care of the rest.”

And he did, checkout his listing in the Local Legends section.

He secured West Martello Tower for the ceremony, booked a post‑wedding dinner at Salute! On The Beach, arranged for a private photo session inside the Key West Butterfly House and Conservatory, and found a talented photographer who captured every moment without making the day feel staged.

The only thing I had to personally order was our two‑tier wedding cake from Cakes by Carol—a local gem—and it ended up being absolutely perfect.

The Ceremony Itself

There’s something indescribable about standing inside the old fort, surrounded by tropical gardens, ocean air, the soft sound of waves in the distance, and the people who matter most to you. It wasn’t dramatic or elaborate. It didn’t need to be. It felt honest. Warm. Exactly like us.

West Martello offered everything big venues try to manufacture: intimacy, beauty, character. And because it’s such a naturally stunning location, we didn’t need elaborate décor or huge budgets. Just a handful of the people we love, standing with us in a place that already felt like part of our relationship.

Afterward, dinner at Salute, the photos in the Butterfly Conservatory, and one more walk through the gardens sealed the day as one of the best memories of my life.

Tips for LGBTQ+ Couples Considering a Key West Wedding

If you’re thinking about getting married in Key West, here’s what I’d pass along:

• The island is deeply LGBTQ+ friendly. Your love won’t feel like an exception—it feels normal, celebrated, welcomed.
• West Martello Tower is gorgeous and affordable. Perfect for weddings under about 30–40 people.
• Book a coordinator or planner. Even a small wedding becomes effortless with local help.
• Keep the schedule relaxed. Most of the magic of Key West comes from letting the island set the pace.
• Plan a group activity. Whether it’s a sunset sail or a water adventure, it’ll be what guests remember most.
• Embrace the weather. Wind happens. Humidity happens. That’s part of the charm.

Our wedding wasn’t perfect in the traditional sense—things went a little sideways, guests got sun‑drunk, and the schedule was more “island time” than real time. But it was perfect for us. And it’s one of the reasons we return to West Martello nearly every time we visit.

It’s where our story shifted from “us” to “forever us.”
And that’s why we chose it.