Navarre Beach is the quiet stretch of Santa Rosa Island between Pensacola Beach and Okaloosa Island, with the same white sand and far fewer people. For a small ceremony it’s also one of the easiest places on the coast to get married. Navarre Beach Marine Park has no ceremony permit for a small, simple wedding, and pavilions rent through Santa Rosa County. Private beach houses like the Navarre Beach Wedding House handle the rest. Below: where to marry, the rules, the timing, and two real Navarre weddings.
I’m Korbin, the photographer and videographer behind KDH Weddings, based in Pace, 20 minutes from Navarre. Navarre is personal for me. My brother-in-law Caleb proposed to Jordan on the Navarre Beach pier at sunrise,, and later married her in Navarre.
Also useful: Navarre wedding photography · Pensacola Beach wedding venues · Florida marriage license guide
Where to get married in Navarre
Google ratings and review counts were pulled on 26 September 2026.
| Place | What it is | Google rating | Permit or booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navarre Beach Wedding House | Private beachfront wedding house | See Pensacola Beach venues guide | Book through the house |
| Navarre Beach Marine Park | County park with Gulf beach and pavilions | 4.8 (4,039) | No ceremony permit for a small, simple wedding; pavilions via Santa Rosa County Parks |
| Navarre Beach Fishing Pier area | Public beach beside the pier | 4.8 (9,033) | Public beach; confirm setup rules with the county |
| Navarre Park | Soundside park on the mainland | 4.7 (1,524) | Santa Rosa County Parks |
| Opal Beach | National Seashore beach, west of Navarre | 4.8 (399) | National Park Service special use permit |
| Rented beach house | Your own stretch of sand | – | The owner’s permission |
Navarre Beach Wedding House
A private beachfront house built for weddings, about 30 minutes east of Pensacola. Alex and Shawna married here. We arrived early to photograph the setup in the yard, then their personal vows, family photos with their three children, and portraits in the golden light before the reception. Alex & Shawna’s Navarre Beach Wedding House wedding
Navarre Beach Marine Park
The county park at the east end of the beach, open dawn to dusk. You don’t need a ceremony permit for a small, simple wedding here. The park’s pavilions rent through Santa Rosa County Parks & Recreation (850-981-8900), which makes a covered backup and a place for a cake and a toast. For anything larger, or with a big setup, check with the county first.
The pier
The Navarre Beach Fishing Pier runs about a quarter of a mile into the Gulf and gives you leading lines, shade underneath and the best sunrise spot in Navarre. Caleb proposed to Jordan at sunrise here while I hid in a hammock under the pier. Caleb & Jordan’s pier proposal
Opal Beach
The undeveloped National Seashore beach between Navarre and Pensacola Beach. It’s beautiful and often nearly empty, but every wedding there needs a National Park Service special use permit, applied for at least two weeks ahead, and there’s a $25 per car entrance fee.
A real Navarre wedding: Caleb and Jordan
Caleb and Jordan’s day in Navarre had a bit of everything I’d recommend to any Navarre couple:
- a morning with the bridesmaids and a bridesmaid first look
- a private first look, where Caleb teared up
- a ceremony officiated by Caleb’s dad
- sunset portraits against the Navarre sky between the entrance and the dancing
- a sparkler exit to end the night
Caleb & Jordan’s Navarre wedding
Navarre Beach rules to know
- Sea turtle nesting season runs 1 May to 31 October. Navarre is home to the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center, and the county takes it seriously. Setups come down before dark, holes get filled, and flashlights and bright lights stay off the beach at night. Sparklers belong in the parking lot or at the reception, not on the sand.
- Stay off the dunes, and use the marked walkovers.
- Leave nothing behind: no petals, confetti or balloons on the sand.
- Opal Beach and anywhere in Gulf Islands National Seashore need a National Park Service permit.
Couples apply for their own permits and pavilion bookings. I’ll help you choose the spot and the time.
Marriage license for a Navarre wedding
Navarre is in Santa Rosa County. You can get a Florida license from any Florida county clerk. Santa Rosa’s South Santa Rosa County Service Center is at 5841 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, by appointment. The fee is $86, or about $61 with a state-approved premarital course. Florida residents wait three days unless they take the course, and non-residents don’t wait. The license is valid for 60 days. My Florida marriage license guide
When to get married in Navarre
| Month | Sunset (Navarre, mid-month) | Why |
|---|---|---|
| March | about 6:55 pm | Spring break crowds, cooler water |
| April | about 7:15 pm | One of the best months |
| May | about 7:35 pm | Warm and mostly dry |
| June–August | about 7:30–7:52 pm | Hot, with afternoon storms |
| September | about 6:53 pm | Peak hurricane season, quieter beaches |
| October | about 6:17 pm | My favorite: warm water, lower humidity |
| November | about 4:51 pm | Cool evenings, empty beaches |
Plan the ceremony so couple portraits fall in the last 30 minutes before sunset. From June to September, have a covered backup, like a pavilion or the house’s deck. How I build a beach wedding rain plan
What a Navarre beach wedding costs
A small beach ceremony at the Marine Park can cost little more than the license, a pavilion and your vendors. A house wedding adds the site fee, rentals and catering. For the full line-by-line picture, see how much a Florida beach wedding costs.
My photography packages are 3 hours $1,500, 6 hours $3,000 and 9 hours $4,500, with a second shooter on 6 and 9 hours. Videography is the same price, and booking both for the same hours takes 10% off. There’s no travel fee to Navarre. See pricing · Navarre wedding photography
FAQ: Navarre Beach weddings
Can you get married on Navarre Beach?
Yes. Navarre Beach Marine Park has no ceremony permit for a small, simple wedding, and you can rent a pavilion from Santa Rosa County. Private houses like the Navarre Beach Wedding House and rented beach homes are the other main options.
Can I get married on the beach for free in Florida?
Nearly. On beaches like Navarre Beach Marine Park, small, simple ceremonies don’t need a paid permit. You’ll still need a Florida marriage license ($86, or about $61 with a premarital course) and an officiant.
Where is the cheapest place to have a beach wedding near Navarre?
Navarre Beach Marine Park, with a rented pavilion as your backup. Keep it to a small group and a simple setup, and hold the reception at home or a restaurant.
Can I get my marriage license and get married the same day in Florida?
If neither of you is a Florida resident, yes: there’s no waiting period. Florida residents wait three days unless they’ve completed a state-approved premarital course.
What’s the best month for a Navarre Beach wedding?
April, May and October give you warm water, lower humidity and fewer storms. November is cooler and quieter, with sunset before 5 pm.
Is Navarre Beach part of the National Seashore?
The town beach and the Marine Park are run by Santa Rosa County. Opal Beach, just west, is part of Gulf Islands National Seashore and needs a National Park Service permit.
