I don’t know if my perfect venue exists and it’s bumming me out (FL)

Hi! I have been embarking on the journey of wedding planning for the past few months since getting engaged. My fiance and I plan to have the wedding all the way out in 2027 so we can take time to plan and make things perfect.

I have been really discouraged looking for venues as of late. We just visited some last weekend, and none were very good… which is really bumming me out because I’m worried Florida just doesn’t have what I’m looking for. But all our family is here (a large amount being older or elderly), so we have to have it in this state.

We live in Florida, and are pretty much okay with getting married anywhere in FL except for South FL/Miami due to the big city chaos, and all the venues there are wayyyy more expensive.

Our budget is about $20k, and our guest list is only about 55 people at the moment. Maybe less.

Since were shooting for January, we want it to be a bit cold so we can do an outdoor wedding, but are okay with outdoor ceremony + indoor reception.

I have a nature specific aesthetic in mind, I want to get married somewhere very woodsy (by Florida standards…) and be able to have a whimsical theme with lots of flowers, fairy lights, etc.. very fairytale/magical/natural.

I am just really bummed cause venues out of state seem to be way more in my ballpark with the woodsy aesthetic, meanwhile Florida feels like it just has lots of just barns (and I am not a farm girl) and beach weddings. I might just have to accept I’m not going to get married exactly where I want to.

(Also if anyone suggests Bok Tower please don’t. Everyone seems to suggest it but it is not what I’m looking for)