Sarasota wedding venues offer everything from historic estates and art museums to beachfront resorts and downtown hotels, each with distinct characteristics and capacity ranges. As a South Florida wedding photographer and videographer team, we can’t wait to share the venues that consistently deliver both stunning locations and smooth event planning.
This guide covers our favorite wedding venues in Sarasota that represent different styles and guest capacities, helping you narrow down which locations would align best with your vision.
The Ringling Museum
The Ringling Museum gives you two distinct outdoor venue options on one historic property. The Museum of Art Courtyard features manicured lawns surrounded by classical statuary. Greek, Roman, and Baroque replicas that create a sophisticated backdrop. The Ca’ d’Zan Terrace sits directly on Sarasota Bay with waterfront ceremony space and sunset views over the water.
If you can’t choose between the two, The Ringling offers a combined package that lets you use both locations during your celebration. The sprawling gardens throughout the property provide multiple ceremony and portrait locations, and the venue’s capacity makes it work for both intimate gatherings and larger celebrations.
This is one of the wedding venues in Sarasota, FL that couples choose when they want recognizable architecture and artistic surroundings. Read our complete Ringling Museum wedding guide for detailed pricing and venue requirements.
Capacity: Up to 400 guests
Address: 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota
The Ritz-Carlton delivers the full-service luxury experience you’d expect from the brand. You get a private lawn ceremony space with Sarasota Bay views, followed by elegant ballroom receptions with floor-to-ceiling windows and upscale finishes. The property includes an on-site spa, gourmet catering through their culinary team, and dedicated wedding planning services.
This venue works particularly well for couples who want comprehensive support and prefer working with one property rather than coordinating multiple vendors. The waterfront location provides those Gulf Coast views while maintaining the polished elegance the Ritz-Carlton is known for.
Capacity: Up to 1,200 guests
Address: 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota, FL 34236
The Sarasota Art Museum
The Sarasota Art Museum brings minimalist architecture and contemporary design to your Sarasota wedding. Featuring clean white walls, open-air plaza space, and modern sculpture gardens, you’re essentially using a blank canvas that adapts to your design vision.
This venue is best for design-focused couples who want flexibility in creating their dream wedding. The contemporary art galleries and crisp architectural lines photograph with an editorial quality that stands out from more traditional venues. If you’re drawn to modern spaces with artistic character, this is definitely worth exploring.
Capacity: Up to 300 guests
Address: 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
The Westin Sarasota
The Westin offers something unique with its rooftop ceremony space; panoramic views of Sarasota Bay and the downtown skyline. The hotel’s ballrooms feature oversized windows that bring natural light into reception spaces, and the property includes luxury suites for getting ready.
This is one of the wedding reception venues in Sarasota, FL that works well for couples who want city sophistication with water views. The downtown location makes it convenient for guests staying in the area, and the hotel’s modern aesthetic appeals to couples seeking polished elegance without traditional formality.
Capacity: Up to 520 guests
Address: 100 Marina View Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
Powel Crosley Estate
Built in the 1920s, Powel Crosley Estate brings Mediterranean Revival architecture and historic character to your celebration. The mansion features arched windows, tiled staircases, and Sarasota Bay waterfront positioning. The architecture and landscaping create natural drama throughout the property.
This Sarasota wedding venue suits couples who want outdoor ceremony space with architectural significance. The bay views provide stunning sunset backdrops, and the historic details photograph with a timeless quality. With capacity for up to 800 guests, it accommodates larger celebrations while maintaining the intimate feel of a historic estate.
The property’s age and character make it one of the best wedding venues in Sarasota Florida for couples drawn to historic settings with waterfront access.
Capacity: Up to 800 guests
Address: 8374 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34243
Lido Beach Resort
Lido Beach Resort sits on a 300-foot private sugar sand beach on Lido Key, offering both beachfront and ballroom spaces. The venue’s versatility works for various celebration styles, from casual beach ceremonies to more formal ballroom receptions, and the property’s experienced events team handles coordination details.
This is a great wedding venue in Sarasota for smaller, more intimate celebrations. The 150-guest capacity and beachfront location appeal to couples who want that beach wedding experience without massive crowds. The resort provides planning resources and vendor coordination, simplifying the planning process for couples planning from out of town.
If you’re considering a beach ceremony followed by an indoor reception, or if you want flexibility between indoor and outdoor spaces, this property provides multiple options within one location.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests
Address: 700 Benjamin Franklin Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
The Sarasota Modern
Located in the Rosemary District, The Sarasota Modern brings boutique hotel style with contemporary design elements. The pool deck and palm-lined terrace create trendy, editorial-quality backdrops. The property’s downtown location puts you in the heart of Sarasota’s arts district.
This Sarasota, FL wedding venue appeals to couples who want that effortlessly cool, design-forward aesthetic with high-end service. The architectural details and curated spaces photograph beautifully with a vibe that’s still current and sophisticated. The 200-guest capacity makes it suitable for mid-size celebrations where design impact matters.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests
Address: 1290 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236
Art Ovation Hotel
Art Ovation Hotel combines curated artwork throughout the property with modern architecture and an airy rooftop terrace. The venue features both indoor and outdoor spaces in the heart of downtown Sarasota, plus an in-house catering team that simplifies vendor logistics.
The property’s artistic character appeals to creative couples who want bold, contemporary style. The downtown location provides urban energy, while the rooftop terrace offers outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour space with city views.
Capacity: Up to 500 guests
Address: 1255 N Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Choosing the Right Sarasota Wedding Venue
Wedding venues in Sarasota, FL offer significant variety in style, capacity, and price point. When narrowing your options, it’s important to consider:
Guest Count: Capacity ranges from 150 at Lido Beach Resort to 1,200 at The Ritz-Carlton. Your guest list significantly impacts which wedding venue in Sarasota Florida will work for you.
Style Preference: Are you drawn to historic architecture (Ringling, Powel Crosley), contemporary design (Sarasota Art Museum, Art Ovation), beachfront settings (Lido Beach Resort), or downtown locations (The Westin, The Sarasota Modern)?
Indoor vs. Outdoor: Several of these Sarasota, FL wedding venues are outdoor-focused (Ringling, Powel Crosley), while others provide both options (Lido Beach Resort, Art Ovation, The Westin). Florida weather makes indoor backup space worth considering.
Service Level: Full-service properties like The Ritz-Carlton provide comprehensive planning support, while venues like The Ringling and Sarasota Art Museum give you more vendor flexibility but require more coordination.
Location: Consider where your guests are staying. Downtown venues offer walkability and restaurant access, while properties like Powel Crosley and The Ringling require transportation planning.
Planning Your Sarasota Wedding
As your wedding photographer and videographer, we know first-hand how important it is to visit your top venue choices in person. Photos provide initial impressions, but walking the property helps you understand space flow, backup options, and how the venue actually functions during events.
Ask about vendor requirements. Some venues work with preferred vendor lists, while others require specific caterers or rental companies. Understanding these restrictions upfront prevents surprises later in planning.
Confirm what’s included in your rental fee and what costs extra. Venue pricing structures vary significantly. Some include tables, chairs, and basic elements, while others charge separately for every component.
Finding Your Perfect Sarasota Wedding Venue
Sarasota wedding venues provide options for virtually every celebration style and budget. Whether you’re planning a South Florida wedding for an intimate 50-person gathering or a 500-guest celebration, there’s a wedding venue in Sarasota, FL for everyone.
Start your search by identifying your must-haves: capacity requirements, indoor vs. outdoor preference, service level expectations, and location priorities. Then schedule visits at venues that check those boxes. Trust your initial reaction, you’ll know when you’ve found the right fit.
Capturing Your Sarasota Wedding
When you’re ready to find your dream photography and videography team to capture your Sarasota wedding venue, we would love to connect! We’ve worked in South Florida and beyond and can help you understand what to expect at various South Florida wedding venues, how to plan your timeline, and how to make the most of your chosen location’s unique characteristics.
