engagement

Best Places To Take Romantic Engagement Photos in Miami 2020

The Ancient Spanish Monastery is one of Miami’s best wedding venues and one of The Bride Candy’s favorite place to do wedding flowers. This picture shows the entrance to the cloisters and the surrounding gardens.

Miami is the perfect place to take your engagement photos. With lots of romantic spots and pretty amazing weather, it’s hard to go wrong! Here are The Bride Candy’s top picks for a romantic and tropical themed engagement photoshoot in Miami. 

Crandon Park Carousel is a cute spot to plan your engagement photoshoot. This picture shows its interior.

Crandon Park Carousel


Once part of a since-abandoned zoo, the restored Crandon Park Carousel is a romantic and sweet spot for a quick engagement shoot. It’s also steps away from a beautiful beach, so you can do double duty with a more traditional beach shoot either before or after. 

Sunrise at the Cape Florida Lighthouse is stunning, and it’s the perfect place for your beach-themed engagement photoshoot. This picture shows the lighthouse at sunrise next to the ocean.

Cape Florida Lighthouse


Did you know there’s a beautiful lighthouse on a natural Miami beach just a few minutes from downtown?  Hidden in Bill Baggs State Park on Key Biscayne, the Cape Florida Lighthouse is a beachy and romantic spot for your engagement photo session. Be sure to wear something light and flowy to take advantage of the sea breeze.

South Pointe Park wraps around the southern tip of Miami Beach. If you want top take photos at one of Miami Beach’s iconic lifeguard stations, this is the place to do it. This picture show the walking and biking path on the south tip of the island.

South Pointe Park


Situated at the southernmost tip of Miami Beach, South Pointe Park is the perfect place to watch the cruise ships go by and take in a stunning Miami Sunset. With views of both the ocean and the skyline of Miami, it also features direct beach and pier access. This is a public park, so you’ll be able to take photographs without limitations or fees. Try going at sunrise for the best shots.

Deering Estate is a stunning Miami wedding venue with a beautiful keystone harbor that’s perfect for any engagement photo session.

Deering Estate

This charming 1920s estate near Cutler Bay is a top Miami wedding venue. But the Deering Estate’s most striking feature is its palm-lined keystone harbor on Biscayne Bay. If you’re looking for romantic tropical vibes without a beach, this is your spot. Photography permits can be purchased at the gate for $100.

Vizcaya is Miami’s most famous luxury wedding venue and is one of The Bride Candy’s top choices. Take you engagement photos in the gardens (pictured) or near the bay.

Vizcaya

This is the larger and more opulent sister property of the Deering Estate, which were owned by brothers. An opulent Gilded Age estate, Vizcaya boasts an incredible bay view and Miami’s best formal gardens that are perfect for photography. Permits are required and will cost you $250-350 depending on the day of the week.

The gardens of the Ancient Spanish Monastery are truly beautiful. There are many nooks and crannies that make for a perfect engagement photo. Pictured are the gardens leading to the entrance of the cloisters.

Ancient Spanish Monastery

Stepping into the Ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach is like stepping back in time. The gardens are lush and verdant, and there are many corners and nooks that make for a beautiful photo backdrop. But the most stunning feature is the 12th century stone cloisters - it’s the closest thing that South Florida has to a castle. If you’re going for a princess theme, this is the perfect place. Note that you’ll need permission and to pay a $200 photo fee to shoot at the Ancient Spanish Monastery.

Miami Beach Botanical Garden is a lush tropical paradise that’s perfect for an elopement, engagement, or wedding. Pictured is its famous koi bridge.

Miami Beach Botanical Garden

This gem is steps away from South Beach but feels like a world away. From Japanese-inspired gardens to orchid-filled corners, this is a prime spot to find your perfect nature backdrop that’s easy to access. Photography is allowed but will set you back $50 an hour.

Fairchild Tropical Gardens is a huge wedding venue with many choices to take engagement photos outdoors. Pictures is a section of its greenhouse exhibit.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

If you need even more gardenscapes for your photography session, check out Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, the largest garden in Miami. Featuring a butterfly exhibit, a hummingbird aviary, and a stunning greenhouse with Chihuly glass art, this is the crown jewel of Miami’s tropical vibes. Photography requires a permit and a fee.

More to consider

Micro weddings: Why we are choosing one and how to stick to it

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I’ve been in the industry for a very long time and for a while I thought I wanted a big wedding. That is until I started to change as a person. I started liking intimate dinners and gatherings. I also noticed the bigger the wedding, the more expensive it gets. For someone like me that’s bad news since I have expensive taste. When Jeremy and I got engaged we were bombarded with the “I better be invited” sayings from loved ones, distant relatives and friends, and even strangers. So let’s talk about the positives of the micro-wedding! Why are they on-trend and how we can stick to our guns if we choose to have one. 

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Why small?

For my thirtieth birthday I had a party. It was wonderful but one thing I regretted was I was too busy playing host. I had to watch my best friends party without me. I was called to all directions. I see that happen way too often at weddings. I had a bride tell me she felt like a ghost at her wedding. With so many photos, traditions, and toasts it can become very overwhelming but most of all it takes so much of your time. You just feel obligated to spend time with everyone. With small weddings you can take your time, have fun and enjoy your wedding. 

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The pros of micro weddings

I think the biggest take away is budget. If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll be able to afford a lot more and if you have a decent budget it will go way further. Talk about being able to afford a mini over-the-top wedding! Let’s not forget more money for the honeymoon and maybe a house! Millennials are now focusing on buying houses rather than hosting the old school big weddings of the past. Which is why micro weddings are becoming more trendy! Not to mention after these crazy pandemic times it’s also safer to have a micro wedding.

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How do I stick to my guns?

This is a decision you have to make with your partner and stick with it. If it weren’t for my fiancé and I holding each other accountable, we would have caved in a long time ago. It’s hard and it can be sad at times. It also becomes complicated when you have a close friend that your partner isn’t close to. You both must decide together what number of guests and who fits into that number. People will try to make you feel guilty, but the truth is if someone loves you, they’d understand. Remember a wedding is for you and your love, and no one else.

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Weddings aren’t just weddings but the beginning of a marriage. It’s about your partner and you. So if a micro wedding is something you desire, go for it with no shame! I’m not! I take solace in the decision my partner and I made together. Our relationship and all relationships should not revolve around one day, while a marriage and true friendships are forever. So go ahead put your love and goals first. Take some financial and planning stress off the wedding checklist. Save some money or use your budget to get a Pinterest-perfect wedding you can afford. Always remember at the end of the day we are here to love and that’s all that matters.