Frequently Asked Questions

Destination Weddings in Florida

SunQuest Cruises SOLARIS Yacht – Destin Florida

Florida Destination Weddings on the SOLARIS Yacht

With over 18 years experience, our wedding planners know the ins and outs, dos and don’ts of planning destination weddings in Florida. Together we will carefully plan out your perfect destination wedding, without the stress of working with different companies that you don’t know. We will also stay in constant contact to answer any questions or make any changes you want.

Some of the most asked questions about destination weddings on the SOLARIS.

What is the venue capacity for destination weddings or private events?

The SOLARIS yacht venue can accommodate up to 150 guests with three decks of indoor and outdoor elegant spaces. Our event spaces and packages are flexible for any group, from a 2 person elopement to a small group to larger groups up to 150 people. We offer over 5,000 square feet of custom indoor and outdoor spaces.

Can I have a beach wedding in Destin and my reception afterwards on the SOLARIS yacht?

Absolutely! Many of our couples plan the best of both worlds for their Florida Destination Wedding. You can get married on the beach and cruise through the reception onboard the SOLARIS yacht. We offer a “one stop wedding shop on the water” as we can coordinate everything for you, including Destin Beach Weddings. The SOLARIS yacht can serve as a back-up rain plan for your ceremony as well as a reception venue. Our wedding planners can accommodate any requests with our flexible packages.

Can I have both my ceremony and reception on SOLARIS?

There’s nothing more convenient or stress-free for you and your guests than hosting both the wedding and reception in one venue. Our 1,400 square foot open-air sky deck features a bridal platform specifically designed for Destin weddings. Say “I Do” as the sun sets over the bay, and stay onboard as you celebrate on all three indoor and outdoor decks. Our full-service event planning staff will help you with every detail.

Is there an additional cost for the SOLARIS wedding planner?

No, it’s included in our wedding packages as our value to you. Our experienced team will be with you from start to finish for a worry-free experience. The talented team can handle decor, flowers, menus, entertainment, vendor coordination and more.

How can I customize my wedding on the SOLARIS?

Our wedding planners’ ultimate goal is to make each destination wedding as unique as the couple themselves. Every couple is different and therefore their wedding should reflect their personality as a couple and their own personal preferences. The sky’s the limit for customizing your Destin wedding; our wedding planners can execute your vision or brainstorm with you on unique and creative ways to customize your big day. Ideas include specialty decor / flowers / centerpieces, specialty lighting, accent walls, signature menu or cocktail, fireworks, signs, exits, etc.

What can I expect?

The Beginning: After selecting your wedding package and booking the date, you will meet with your wedding planner to discuss your style, your vision and brainstorm everything from themes and colors to linens, chair covers and decor. We’ll consult with you on our preferred vendors, including photographers and videographers , who are not only experienced with SOLARIS weddings but can accommodate any budget. Together we will plan your reception menu from fresh Gulf seafood to specialty drinks. You are not alone…we will stay in constant contact whether you live locally or across the country.

The Big Day: It’s all hands on deck! Your wedding coordinator has been up early to execute every detail of your vision and coordinate with outside vendors. A member of our staff will meet you with a golf cart to escort you to the SOLARIS. Relax and get ready in your private bridal suite with large mirrors, special lighting, restroom and make-up table. Enjoy a champagne toast with your bridesmaids as we set out to sea for your dream wedding. Ascend the staircase to the open-air sky deck for your grand entrance to meet your groom at the bridal platform and say your vows.

The Celebration: Everyone stays together as you immediately cruise into the celebration as husband and wife in the same venue you got married. Capture these serene moments with pictures in a majestic setting. Enjoy 3 decks of memorable fun including a romantic first dance and toasts under the twilight sky, live entertainment, delectable food and refreshing drinks. Your send-off is just as special with options including fireworks, dove or butterfly releases, bubbles, sparklers and even a decorated golf cart. Guests can unwind and enjoy the good times as they stay on-property at one of the resort’s many accommodations.

Can you accommodate special dietary requirements?

In addition to special children’s menus, our Executive Chef can accommodate all special dietary needs for your reception.

Is alcohol served on the yacht?

The 2nd deck of the SOLARIS offers a full-service, mahogany bar featuring domestic and imported beers, an array of wine served by the bottle or the glass, cocktails, and frozen drinks.

Destin wedding packages range from unlimited open bar packages with unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails for your guests, specialty drink bar packages, to guests purchasing their own drinks.

What happens if it rains during my wedding and reception?

The size and stability of our venue provides a comfortable cruise experience even in liquid sunshine. If you are hosting your wedding with us, we can move the ceremony from the open-air sky deck to one of our indoor locations which feature panoramic windows with unlimited views. If you originally choose a beach ceremony, the yacht serves as your rain back up plan.

Rain or shine – we will make your day perfect. The SOLARIS yacht cruises rain or shine, featuring two elegant, enclosed dining areas with panoramic windows that offer the perfect dining and celebration experience regardless of weather. View a variety of Destin wedding themes here.

What are some of the wedding/reception/rehearsal packages?

There are several wedding and reception packages for our venue that are flexible and affordable. These include private sunset charters, private brunch or lunch cruises, semi-private spaces, rehearsal dinners or a group reservation joining other guests on our public cruise. Please email [email protected] to receive information and pricing.

Do I need to arrange for the cake, photographers, flowers and other details of my Destin wedding?

Each SOLARIS wedding is unique and it is up to you to make those personal decisions. Our experienced wedding planners are happy to recommend vendors they have worked with in the past, who are familiar with SOLARIS weddings and can accommodate any budget.

How much does a SOLARIS wedding cost?

Wedding packages vary, depending on the number of guests and the services chosen. Choose from flexible and affordable wedding packages that range from daytime, evening, semi-private, and private events. Please inquire to receive all of our packages and pricing. 

Can you suggest accommodations for our guests?

The SOLARIS is conveniently located within Florida’s all-inclusive resort, the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, with hundreds of accommodation options and property-wide tram service. There are many other options including the Hilton Sandestin on the beach and the nearby Courtyard Marriott.

Can I host a rehearsal dinner on SOLARIS?

The SOLARIS is a very popular option for rehearsal dinners in Destin Florida, offering semi-private or private cruises for 10 to 150 people. Since many of our bridal events are destination weddings, the groom’s family often chooses SOLARIS as a “thank you” to guests who have traveled distances at their own expense to be a part of the celebration.

Cruising year-round, SOLARIS dinner, sunset and dancing cruises are a wonderful way for your guests to really experience Destin Florida and to make the most of the time and money they are investing to share in your special day.

I have older guests in my party. Will they be comfortable on the yacht? Can you accommodate their needs?

We can certainly assist your older or physically challenged guests to the yacht and attend to them while on-board.

What is required to reserve a wedding?

A signed contract and a deposit secure your date. Then we will put you in touch with our wedding planner to begin planning your special day.

What is your cancellation policy?

All deposits are non-refundable. Events are non-cancellable once a date is secured. 

Happy Couples

“We loved everything about our destination wedding and reception!!!! Julie was our wedding planner and she was amazing! She listened, took lots of notes, and had everything like we wanted. Everyone aboard the Solaris enjoyed the food, reception, and cruise in the bay. The servers and captain were awesome as well!! Our flowers, decorations, and centerpieces were beautiful!!!! We are very happy we booked everything with SunQuest Cruises.”

- Aimee

“My husband and I recently got married aboard the Solaris with SunQuest Cruises. There was not one single thing that went wrong (or at least I didn’t know about it!). If anyone is on the fence about using SunQuest, please do yourself a favor and go ahead and book it! Your coordinator literally handles everything for you. Mostly everything is included with your contract, but if you want to add additional items, the coordinator can work any budget! Our coordinator was Julie Fabozzi. Julie was AMAZING throughout the entire process. I kept making change after change to the timeline, and she accommodated my changes with no problem. 
I also want to commend the catering staff for a job well done. The food was amazing and was plated beautifully. I was proud of the food and service at the wedding.”

- Valerie