PALM BEACH COUNTY SMALL WEDDINGS.
Where Can You Have a Small Wedding With 20 Guests in Palm Beach County?
Twenty guests is enough to make it feel like a wedding.
It is also small enough that you do not need a ballroom, a huge venue package or a space designed for 150 people.
What you do need is a location that actually works for a small group.
Palm Beach County has beaches, gardens, restaurants, hotels and outdoor ceremony locations that can be beautiful for an intimate wedding.
But a place looking good in photos is only part of the decision.
Parking matters. Privacy matters. Permits matter. Seating, accessibility, weather and what everyone does after the ceremony matter too.
This guide is about the locations that make sense for a small wedding in real life — not just the ones that look pretty online.
BEFORE YOU CHOOSE A LOCATION
What actually works for a wedding with 20 guests?
A 20-person wedding sounds simple — and it can be. But small does not automatically mean easy.
The best location is not necessarily the prettiest one. It is the one that can comfortably handle your guests, your ceremony, your photos and whatever happens next without creating unnecessary complications.
Before choosing a location, these are the things worth checking.
Parking and access
Can 20 people arrive without confusion? Check parking, walking distance, accessibility and whether older guests or anyone in heels will have a difficult time getting to the ceremony spot.
Privacy
A beautiful public location can still feel very public. Find out whether other visitors, beachgoers or events will be nearby and whether there is enough space for your group to feel gathered rather than scattered.
Permits and Rules
Some locations require permits, reservations or advance approval for ceremonies, photography, chairs, arches or amplified sound. Know the rules before you make plans around the space.
Weather and Comfort
South Florida weather matters. Think about shade, heat, wind, rain backup and the time of day — especially if guests will be standing outside for more than a few minutes.
What Happens Afterward
A small wedding usually flows better when the ceremony location and the celebration afterward make sense together. Consider where everyone will go for dinner, drinks or photos once the ceremony is over.
PALM BEACH COUNTY LOCATIONS
Small wedding locations that actually work for 20 guests
There is no single “best” small wedding venue in Palm Beach County.
A couple who wants a quiet garden ceremony needs something very different from a couple who wants to get married barefoot on the beach and walk to dinner afterward.
These are some of the Palm Beach County locations worth considering for a wedding of around 20 guests — along with the practical details that can make one location a much better fit than another.
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
Best for: A beautiful garden ceremony that already feels special without adding much décor.
Morikami is one of the strongest options in Palm Beach County for a true intimate wedding.
Daytime garden ceremonies can accommodate up to 35 guests, and couples can choose from several ceremony locations throughout the Japanese gardens. The setting already provides the landscaping, architecture and photography backdrop, so a small wedding can feel complete without bringing in a large amount of décor.
This is a particularly good fit for couples who care about beautiful photographs and want a ceremony location that feels like an actual destination rather than simply a place to stand and exchange vows.
What to Know
Morikami is a managed venue, so the ceremony must be reserved through its Facility Rental Department. Daytime ceremonies take place while the museum and gardens are open to the public.
Pop-Up Vows has worked with couples here, and for a guest list around 20 people, it is one of the Palm Beach County locations we would look at first.
Delray Beach
Best for: A simple oceanfront ceremony with very little setup.
For couples who want the ceremony to be the focus, Delray Beach can work well for a small group. The City allows beach weddings with no more than 25 people in attendance, between 8:00 a.m. and sunset. Count the couple, guests and everyone working at the ceremony when planning around that limit. The beach remains open to the public.
What to know
Keep the setup simple: the City prohibits chairs, tents, arches and tables on the beach. If your guests need seating, choose a different permitted setting.
Plan parking and the walk to your ceremony spot. Atlantic Dunes offers metered parking and public restrooms, but confirm the exact location, access needs and current rules before finalizing your plans.
Red Reef Park - Boca Raton
Best for: Ocean views with a designated ceremony site and more structure than an open beach wedding.
Red Reef Park is a useful middle ground for couples who want the ocean in the background but do not want everyone standing directly on the sand.
Boca Raton has a designated oceanfront wedding site at Red Reef Park. The ceremony area is on the boardwalk at the south pavilion rather than on the beach itself.
What to know:
The defined ceremony site, restrooms, parking and ocean views make Red Reef worth considering for a small group. Weddings take place on the south-pavilion boardwalk; ceremonies are not permitted on the sand or shoreline.
Apply through Boca Raton in advance and confirm the permit, insurance and setup requirements. Guest parking costs are separate, and a prepaid parking pass does not guarantee a space.
Plaza Real North Gazebo at Mizner Park
Best for: A small ceremony followed by dinner in downtown Boca Raton.
This is one of the most practical options in Palm Beach County for a guest list around 20.
The gazebo sits inside Mizner Park and is specifically available for wedding ceremonies. Up to 30 guests are permitted under the gazebo, which makes the scale much better suited to a small wedding than a large traditional venue.
Street parking and parking garages are available nearby, and because the ceremony takes place in downtown Boca Raton, your guests can move directly to dinner afterward without creating a separate reception from scratch.
What to Know
Mizner Park is an active downtown area, so other visitors may be nearby. Reserve your ceremony through Boca Raton and confirm the permit, insurance and vendor requirements. Coordinate any restaurant celebration separately.
Nearby garages and metered street parking give guests options. Check the walk between the gazebo, parking and your dinner location before choosing it.
Mounts Botanical Garden
Best for: A garden ceremony surrounded by established landscaping.
Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach offers wedding settings including the Gazebo, Rainbow Garden and Great Lawn. For a group around 20, ask the events team which space best fits your ceremony, seating and photography plans.
The established gardens provide a natural backdrop. Confirm the available rental spaces, guest limit and any décor restrictions before booking.
What to Know:
Tour before deciding. Shade, walking distance and guest comfort can matter as much as the backdrop. Mounts lists paved pathways, accessible restrooms and accessible parking near the main entrance; discuss the exact route to your ceremony area with the venue.
Explore Mounts wedding spaces · Visitor and accessibility information
Spanish River Library
Best for: A lakeside ceremony with a practical indoor backup option.
Spanish River Library in Boca Raton is one of the less obvious choices on this list, but that is part of what makes it useful.
The property has a lakeside setting and is available for weddings and private events. For couples who want something outdoors without committing completely to a beach or garden ceremony, it can be a very practical option.
It also gives you access to indoor event space, which can matter in South Florida when weather is part of the planning conversation.
What to Know:
Confirm your ceremony space, seating, parking and indoor rain plan with the library events coordinator. City guidelines designate the Mezzanine as the inclement-weather backup and require notice to the coordinator within 24 hours of the event start time if you need to move indoors.
Library events use their own booking process. Make sure the agreed spaces and backup arrangements are included in your reservation.
Lake Worth Beach Casino & Beach Complex
Best for: An oceanfront ceremony with more structure than a simple public beach wedding.
Lake Worth Beach Casino & Beach Complex gives couples several ways to have an oceanfront ceremony without treating the day like a completely DIY beach setup.
You can hold the ceremony directly on the beach or use the elevated Ocean Terrace overlooking the water. That makes it a good option for couples who want the ocean in the background but also want access to a more organized event setting.
For a wedding of around 20 guests, the biggest advantage is flexibility. You can keep the ceremony small and simple while still having the option to add more structure if you need it.
What to Know
The beach and Ocean Terrace are outdoor settings, and other visitors may be nearby. Agree on a weather plan before booking.
The City lists 100 white resin folding chairs with beach wedding rentals. Confirm the inclusions for the specific space you choose, along with insurance, setup, parking and current fees. A 20-guest wedding may not need the same rental setup as a larger event.
Advance reservations and a signed agreement are required. Review the current deposit and cancellation terms before paying.
Wedding rules, fees, availability and permit requirements can change. Always confirm current requirements with the venue or municipality before making nonrefundable plans.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SETTING
Beach, garden, restaurant or hotel?
For a wedding with around 20 guests, the type of location matters almost as much as the specific venue.
Each option creates a different kind of day, and the best choice usually comes down to privacy, comfort, logistics and what you want to do after the ceremony.
Beach Weddings
Best for couples who want the ceremony to feel simple, relaxed and naturally beautiful.
The tradeoff is usually privacy, weather and setup restrictions. Beaches can work extremely well for a short ceremony with a small group, especially when the couple is comfortable keeping things minimal.
Restaurant Weddings
Best for couples who care just as much about the meal and guest experience as the ceremony itself.
For 20 people, a private room, courtyard or restaurant patio can sometimes replace the need for a traditional reception entirely.
Garden Weddings
Best for couples who want a more defined ceremony setting without needing much décor.
Gardens usually give you built-in scenery and strong photo opportunities, but admission, walking distance, shade and public access should all be considered.
Hotel Weddings
Best for couples who want the ceremony, overnight accommodations and celebration to stay in one place.
Hotels can make the logistics easier for out-of-town guests, but they may also come with higher minimums, food-and-beverage requirements or event fees.
Let’s Find the Right Place for Your Small Wedding
Tell me your date, preferred area and approximate guest count. I’m Lauren, the officiant behind Pop-Up Vows, based in Delray Beach. I’ll help you explore a setting that suits your ceremony and the people joining you.
You don’t need a venue booked before reaching out. We can talk through your ceremony, photography and planning-support options, then confirm what is included in your proposal. Venue rentals, permits and dinner arrangements are separate unless expressly included.
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Prefer to text? Send your date, area and guest count to 516-474-5404.