If you love museums, history, cats, plants, and tropical weather, a Key West wedding at The Hemingway House is exactly your vibe. The staff was a mix of friendly and shy….Whoops I mean cats. 60+ cats roam the grounds and buildings of The Hemingway House. I loved the different looks and photos you could take just inside the grounds. There is a pool, garden, paths, multiple porches & decks, secluded little spots and alcoves, lawns, and rooms to explore and photograph portraits.
Logan and Matt had their Key West wedding at the Hemingway House in August. Since it was August in Key West, hot and humid, they chose for an evening ceremony to avoid the high sun. The evening made for a gorgeous glowy and warm light that can be seen in a lot of the photos.
First Look
The first look took place on one of the paths with tall and winding monstrous plants and various kinds of palms. It felt like a little jungle and had the sweetest sleeping kitty. Their portraits followed their first look. I loved how they hyped each other up as they had their individual wedding portraits done. The giggles and smiles stayed put during their couples portraits
Key West Wedding Ceremony
Their ceremony took place in the ceremony garden with cats weaving in and out of the space. This wedding is considered a micro-wedding with only 10 guests invited. They did however stream their ceremony via Zoom for their family and friends back home in Ohio. The groom’s 96 year old grandmother was able to watch, which was so special. If you are planning a larger wedding, you can have a ceremony with up to 100 guests with your reception in the reception garden.
Beach Portraits
Logan and Matt wanted to also include some beach portraits into their day. After their ceremony but before heading to their wedding dinner, they stopped by Fort Zachary Taylor Beach for sunset. This beach is perfect for sunrise photos due to the angle. You do have to pay to get to this spot.
I asked Logan and Matt some questions that may be helpful to someone planning their own Key West wedding or elopement. Read below for their answers.
How did you get your marriage license since you were planning your Key West wedding from out of state?
We used a website: www.floridamarriagelicensebymail.com
I was super anxious about the process, and didn’t just want to research it and hope I got it right. This company gave me a step by step list on the process: what to print, how to fill it out, and who to send what to. They made it really easy! After we did all of the paperwork, got married, and sent in all the paperwork needed, I went to the Florida Department of Health website, and ordered a copy of my marriage certificate there.
What made you choose the Hemingway House?
We went to Key West on our family vacation in the summer 2021. We, of course, visited the infamous Hemingway House and fell in love with the history and THE CATS! Having a polydactyl cat ourselves, we loved seeing all those extra toe bean kitties.
After we decided we wanted to ditch our expensive, big Ohio wedding, we decided to do what we always wanted to do and have a wedding somewhere with beautiful tropical plants as the background and a beach.
We were going to Key West again that summer and decided heck, let’s get married there! It was an easy choice to pick the Hemingway Home because we loved the beautiful, tropical surroundings of the home, it’s the dreamiest Key West home, and to top it off, being married amongst 61 cats.
What was your favorite part about The Hemingway House?
Being able to chill with and pet the cats before, during, and after our wedding. Getting our dream pictures with the beautiful backdrop of tropical plant beauties and now having the memory of marrying the love of my life every time we go back to visit The Hemingway House.
Scroll below to view their gorgeous, tropical, and lush Key West wedding at the Hemingway House in the Florida Keys!
Vendors of Matt & Logan’s Key West wedding.
Photo: Inquire Here
Venue & Florals: The Hemingway House
Beauty: Julie Hill Key Wey West Hair & Makeup
For more information on pricing and availability at the Hemingway House, click here.
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