WEDDINGS
Start your forever on the coast in an intimate and memorable ceremony
Whether you want to recite your vows while barefoot on our private beach, dance the night away in the magical Zara Zota Ballroom, or party under the stars on our gulf-side event lawn, our enchanting indoor and outdoor venues offer the flexibility to bring your vision to life. Best of all, you’ll enjoy the expertise of our wedding specialists, who are ready to craft specialized menus to your unique specifications, arrange room blocks for your out-of-town guests, and ensure every detail of your wedding day is picture-perfect.
A Sample Wedding Weekend
- THURSDAY
- FRIDAY
- SATURDAY
- SUNDAY
Arriving at Your Beachfront Escape
Crossing the John Ringling Causeway from Sarasota to the 12-mile barrier island of Longboat Key, time starts to melt away. You’re on island time now, which means you can rest and relax before the celebration to come. Once settled into your beachfront-view, one-bedroom suite in the Escalera Tower—pausing to enjoy the Gulf breezes on your private balcony.
Waterfront Dinner
It’s time to toast to forever at Viento Kitchen + Bar, the resort’s wine-focused hideaway. Enjoy “Floribbean” fare, full of Caribbean flavors and Mediterranean influences, such as crab cakes with mango chutney or house-pulled mozzarella with fresh heirloom tomatoes.
Relaxing Poolside
The name Zota comes from a Native American word meaning “blue waters,” and that’s exactly what you’ll find at the resort’s infinity-edge pool and sparkling white-sand beach. Make the most of it all by reserving a poolside cabana complete with a refrigerator, flat-screen TV, towels, water, and food-and-beverage service. Sip a spicy chile margarita, and nibble on jumbo Gulf shrimp with cucumber gazpacho between dips in the pool and leisurely walks along the shore.
Rehearsal Dinner and Welcome Reception
You’re rested and refreshed—now it’s time to greet your nearest and dearest. After a brief ceremony rehearsal down on the beach, settle in for a night to remember under the resort’s lush sea grape tree, which is a species that thrives in coastal Florida’s loamy soil. Tucked between the lapping waves and chic pool deck, this magical space can host a seated dinner for 60 or a cocktail reception for 100.
Preparing for ‘I Do’
You’re preparing for the greatest adventure of your life, so why not set the tone for the day with a little seaside adventure? Gather your girls and guys, and let off some steam by kayaking through the mangroves and lagoons on the southeast side of the island, or rent paddleboards and explore the shallows along the resort’s beachfront. Lunch awaits in a poolside lounger, brought to you by the folks at Cascades Pool Bar. While you’re getting ready in your suite, your guests can relax poolside or beachside, or head inland to explore St. Armands Circle and the new (and impressive!) Sarasota Art Museum.
First Look, Ceremony, and Cocktail Hour
The moment has arrived, and we’ve got the perfect spot for you to set eyes on your spouse-to-be: the alfresco terrace at Viento Kitchen + Bar. Share a blissful moment together and then reunite on the sand, where you’ll say your vows with the glittering Gulf as the backdrop. Then, it’s back to the terrace for a festive cocktail hour that’s served with a side of one of our legendary Longboat Key sunsets—the perfect start to your happily ever after.
Dinner & Dancing
As the sun sinks below the horizon, it’s time to head indoors to the stunning Zara Zota Ballroom for dinner, dancing, and delight. The ballroom’s neutral colors, soaring ceilings, and sculptural chandeliers provide the perfect blank canvas for your dream-come-true reception. Savor local seafood—crab-stuffed grouper, perhaps—or delicious steak, then dance the night away with your loved ones. Should you prefer to spend your first night as a married couple with your toes in the sand, the Sunset Sand Garden beckons, and you can instead retreat to the ballroom for a convivial after-party.
Brunch and Beach
Just because the big day is over doesn’t mean the celebration has to end. Keep the magic going for you and your guests with a festive brunch, held on the breathtaking terrace at Viento Kitchen + Bar. Then, invite your loved ones to unwind together beachside or poolside in the resort’s lush cabanas. The pressure’s off—now you just get to soak it all in.
Stay a While
One of the greatest things about Longboat Key is that it combines the best of the beach with easy access to all Sarasota and the surrounding area has to offer. Encourage your guests to extend their stay so you can experience all that you didn’t have time to do during the wedding weekend, or just use this time to ease into newlywed life while still on island time. Either way, you’ll have plenty of options to add to your to-do list—sunset cruises, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, deep-sea fishing, botanical gardens, museums—or you can choose to do nothing but linger at the resort, lounging hand-in-hand on a beach that will forever hold special meaning to you both.
Gulf-Front Weddings
Say “I Do” on the lush white sand beaches of Longboat Key at Zota Beach Resort an idyllic yet secluded setting on the Gulf of Mexico for your destination wedding. Our artistic, contemporary resort specializes in romantic Gulf Coast weddings for 20 to 150 guests, with custom thoughtful details for each individual couple and their guests.
Tie The Knot On The Shore
Marry barefoot on our private beach, dance through your vows in our magical ballroom, or celebrate under the stars on our gulf-side event lawn. Our enchanting variety of indoor and outdoor venues offer the flexibility to bring your vision to life. Best of all, you’ll enjoy the expertise of our friendly Wedding Specialists, ready to craft specialized menus to your unique specifications, arrange room blocks for your out-of-town guests, and ensure every detail of your wedding day is picture-perfect.
Ready to plan your celebration?
Request for ProposalPhotography Credit: Fallbrook Photography, www.fallbrookstudios.com