Proposals and weddings at Amara Cay Resort
Amara Cay Resort can host proposals, elopements, and full weddings on its Islamorada oceanfront property, offering several beachfront and outdoor venues (Lighthouse Beach, Palm Aisle Beach, Lighthouse Tiki, Reef Lawn, and indoor Lobby/Glass Bowl options) and on-site wedding and romance packages. The resort accommodates celebrations of varying size (the property’s wedding program is designed for up to 150 guests) and provides in-house dining at ReelCatch and the Tiki Bar plus event spaces and planning support.
In this guide
Venues and guest capacities
Amara Cay Resort provides multiple outdoor and indoor venues for ceremonies and receptions. Options range from small, sheltered meeting rooms to oceanfront lawns and a thatched Tiki pavilion with a built-in stage.
The resort’s wedding program is described on its events pages with a general maximum of up to 150 guests for resort-hosted weddings. Below are key venue names and the capacity figures listed in the property dossier.
- Lighthouse Tiki Venue — covered thatched pavilion with built-in stage (capacity listed up to 300 by some sources; Cvent lists banquet rounds up to 200/ cocktail up to 250).
- Lighthouse Point Venue — secluded oceanfront point (capacity cited up to 223).
- Lighthouse Beach Venue — private elevated sunning beach used for ceremonies and rehearsal dinners (capacity up to 200).
- Palm Aisle Beach Venue — beachfront ceremony space framed by twin palms between the pool and ocean edge (capacity up to 200).
- Reef Lawn — central courtyard lawn with fire pits and lawn games (listed capacity 150–200).
- Back Pool Deck — poolside venue with Tiki Bar service (capacity up to 100).
- Lobby Venue — contemporary indoor space with Coastal Cup & Lounge bar service (capacity up to 200).
- Glass Bowl — enclosed all-glass meeting room next to the lobby (capacity ~40–50 depending on setup).
| Venue | Typical use | Capacity (as listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Lighthouse Tiki Venue | Outdoor reception/ceremony with stage | Up to 300 (Cvent lists banquet 200 / cocktail 250) |
| Reef Lawn | Cocktail reception, lawn games, fire pits | 150–200 |
| Glass Bowl | Intimate ceremony, meeting or rehearsal | 40–50 |
Ceremony sites and timing
If you prefer an oceanfront ceremony, Lighthouse Beach and Palm Aisle Beach are the primary beachfront ceremony spaces; both are described as private elevated sunning-beach or sand features with ocean views toward Alligator Reef Lighthouse. The Tiki pavilion provides covered seating and built-in staging with beach access.
Poolside and lawn ceremonies are alternatives when you want proximity to the pool, Tiki Bar service, or the Reef Lawn fire pits. Indoor options (Lobby, Glass Bowl) give a more climate-controlled fallback for weather concerns.
- Typical ceremony times: consider late afternoon for softer light and the daily Happy Hour timing (4:00–6:00 PM) if you want cocktail-hour overlap.
- If you plan beach yoga, massages, or spa services for getting-ready time, the resort lists beach yoga and massages as available experiences.
- Ask event staff about permitted vendor load-in times, ceremony end times, and noise restrictions — some space listings note required end times for events.
| Site | Good for |
|---|---|
| Lighthouse Beach | Private beach ceremony, rehearsal dinner |
| Palm Aisle Beach | Short beachfront aisle framed by twin palms |
| Back Pool Deck | Poolside ceremony with Tiki Bar access |
Rooms and suites for couples and parties
Amara Cay offers a range of rooms and suites that can work for a couple, immediate family, or a small bridal party. For an oceanfront stay, look at Room, Oceanfront; Room, Oceanfront, Lanai; and Suite, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront. Larger suites can sleep more guests and provide separate living areas for getting-ready photos.
If you need multi-bedroom or multi-bed layouts for family blocks, the property lists Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront and Premium Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront among the larger options.
- Good couples options: Standard King Room; Room, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront; Suite, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront.
- Family or small party options: Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront; Premium Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront; Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront Lanai.
- Check room inventory for connecting rooms or sofa-bed layouts if you need extra sleeping space.
| Room name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Standard King Room | King bed; single king or king + sofa bed options noted in the room list |
| Room, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront | King bed plus Double Sofa Bed — ocean views and more living space |
| Suite, Multiple Beds, Oceanfront | Larger suite with multiple beds; suited for families or small parties |
Dining, receptions and catering
On-site dining options can serve rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, or plated and buffet receptions. ReelCatch is the resort’s main restaurant (breakfast and dinner service) and the Tiki Bar provides poolside lunch, dinner, and bar service with outdoor seating.
Both ReelCatch and the Tiki Bar welcome nonspecial-event dining by the public, and the resort’s event team coordinates food and beverage service for private events; ask about plated versus buffet menus and bar options when you request a wedding proposal.
- ReelCatch — serves breakfast (7:00–11:00 AM) and dinner (5:00–10:00 PM); offers indoor and outdoor waterfront seating and a daily Happy Hour at the Lobby Bar (4:00–6:00 PM).
- Tiki Bar at Amara Cay Resort — poolside bar/restaurant with lunch and dinner service (listed 11:30 AM–11:00 PM in some sources); offers casual poolside reception setups and cabana reservations.
- Coastal Cup & Lounge — lobby bar service for cocktail hours and receptions in the Lobby Venue.
- Resort fee guests have access to multiple dining venues across the Islamorada Resort Collection; coordinate menus and service with the events team.
| Venue | Service windows (as listed) |
|---|---|
| ReelCatch | Breakfast 7–11 AM; Dinner 5–10 PM |
| Tiki Bar | Lunch/dinner; commonly listed 11:30 AM–11:00 PM |
| Coastal Cup & Lounge | Lobby bar service (Happy Hour 4–6 PM at Lobby Bar) |
Planning logistics, vendor rules and resort support
Amara Cay provides event-space dimensions, capacities, and an in-house events team that coordinates venue setup, F&B, and vendor access. The property lists total meeting space across multiple rooms and gives Cvent-style capacities for many event spaces.
There is a mandatory resort fee that includes access to select resort amenities; confirm with the events team what is included in your wedding contract (e.g., chairs, tables, A/V, security, parking).
- Request a written event contract that lists hours, setup/tear-down windows, and any noise or curfew rules (some venue listings note required end times).
- Service animals are exempt from pet fees; pet policies otherwise allow up to two dogs per room with a nonrefundable fee — confirm whether you can include pets in your ceremony.
- Vendor access: confirm arrival and load-in times with the events manager; some rooms (Glass Bowl) are smaller and suitable for rehearsal dinners or intimate ceremonies.
- Payment and deposits: the resort posts a deposit and cancellation policy (one night’s rate charged at booking; cancellations typically allowed up to 72 hours before arrival to avoid penalty) — verify wedding-specific deposits and refund terms.
| Topic | What to confirm with events |
|---|---|
| Deposit & payment | Wedding-event deposit schedule and cancellation penalties |
| Permits & noise | Any required permits, event end times, and amplified-music rules |
| Vendor load-in | Authorized times, staging area, and parking for vendors |
Proposals, romance packages and small touches
The resort offers proposal and romance packages in addition to full weddings; these are suitable for private proposals, vow renewals, or intimate anniversary dinners. Event staff can help arrange beachfront setups and coordinate spa or beach-massage appointments through Ooh la la at The Collection.
For proposals, consider timing around sunset or early morning for calmer light and fewer guests on the lawn and beach areas. Book any preferred spa services or private dining well in advance, especially in winter high season.
- Ask events about a private Lighthouse Beach setup, a Tiki Bar cabana reservation, or a Reef Lawn fire-pit moment for proposals.
- Ooh la la at The Collection handles massages, facials, and getting-ready services; a separate booking number is listed for Ooh la la in the research dossier.
- If you plan to reserve a cabana or private space at the Tiki Bar, ask whether food & drink credit is included with the cabana reservation.
| Package element | Typical inclusion to ask about |
|---|---|
| Proposal package | Private set-up, flowers, photographer coordination |
| Romance package | Room amenities, spa add-ons, private dining options |
| Small wedding/elopement | Ceremony fee, officiant coordination, small reception menu |
