About Fort Lauderdale
Nicknamed the Venice of America for its many canals and waterways, Fort Lauderdale is a tropical retreat for visitors to its sunny shores. Less than an hour north of Miami, the city logs more than 3,000 hours of sunshine each year on its more than 165 miles of waterways. Along with abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, Fort Lauderdale is also home to a thriving performance and visual arts community and many historical sites dating back to around 1838.
With its tropical paradise vibes and laid-back atmosphere, Fort Lauderdale is the perfect place to host a reception. Oceanfront venues and eateries will wow guests, and the city has a wide variety of attractions to appeal to guests of all ages. Dance clubs, cocktail lounges, wine bars, brew pubs and more await those looking for an exciting afternoon or evening reception. And with many local vendors specializing in catering, cakes, décor, and more, you’ll have no problem creating a memorable experience for all your guests.
- Interesting Fact
“Al fresco dining” is an absolute must at one of Fort Lauderdale’s many waterfront restaurants, where you can get the freshest seafood and see the best outdoor entertainment money can buy.
Reception Options in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Quality options for food, décor, equipment, entertainment and more can take the hassle out of planning a reception. Fortunately, numerous local vendors are available in Fort Lauderdale to help you produce your reception event.
- Catering
With its close proximity to Miami, Fort Lauderdale offers a wide array of restaurants and catering services that can provide the perfect menu for your reception. Authentic Cuban food, fresh seafood, fine dining and more can be found lining the city’s streets and beaches, and many services are available to deliver and set-up at your chosen venue.
Douglas K Catering
This licensed and professional catering company has been serving the Greater Fort Lauderdale area for more than 30 years. Experienced chefs whip up everything from Greek gyro buffets to homestyle pot roast and mashed potatoes. If you’re looking for other reception services, the company’s network of local vendors are only a phone call away.
- Reception Equipment Rental
Whether you’re looking for something as simple as table linens or complex as an entire banquet set-up, Fort Lauderdale’s party rental vendors are available to meet your needs. There are also companies specializing in games and inflatables for younger guests.
- Mobile Bar Service
Treat your guests to top-notch margaritas, craft beers or specialty cocktails with one of Fort Lauderdale’s mobile beverage services. With setup and tear-down all taken care of, talented bartenders are available to provide your reception guests with great customer service.
- Reception Photographers
From dinner to dancing to all the special moments in between, photographers can capture memories for you and your guests to look back on for years to come. Fort Lauderdale is home to many award-winning photographers, many of whom have been in the event photography business for more than a decade.
- Live Music
Fort Lauderdale’s live music scene showcases performers from every genre of music, from up-and-coming bands to big name bands. You can find a well known band (or cover band) to perform live at your reception no problem.
Reception Planning Companies in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Black Swan Events Inc.
Offering complete event management services, Black Swan Events promises to allow you to be a guest at your own reception. In business since 2012, Black Swan Events specializes in rentals and decor, catering, audio and visual equipment, last-minute planning, day-of coordination and more. As a full-service event planning company, they strive to be your go-to company for all things events.
- Event Bliss
Founder Emily Sherman started Event Bliss more than a decade ago, and has since coordinated more than 900 weddings and events in south Florida. Her company, Event Bliss, prides itself on staying on top of the latest reception designs and styles and offers a complete coordination experience, from designing floral centerpieces to helping with venue selection.
- Main Event Planners
This talented team of event planners has been working to create the perfect reception events for their clients’ for more than 30 years. From conception through completion, their team of first-rate event planners will work with you to realize (and produce) your unique vision for the event. Whether it’s wrapping party favors or typing up reception-day checklists, the team excels at creating a stress-free environment for both you and your guests.
Pros and Cons of Hosting a Reception in Fort Lauderdale
Pros:
- Incredible beaches
Fort Lauderdale boasts miles of soft, sandy beaches and warm Atlantic waters for your enjoyment.
- Walkable city
Lodging, restaurants, attractions and shopping are located close together, eliminating some common parking frustration.
- Exciting nightlife
Fort Lauderdale is home to more than 120 nightclubs, most of them located in the trendy Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District.
Cons:
- No off-season
An average of 23 million people visit Fort Lauderdale every year, largely due to the tropical climate. As such, there are many tourists who visit the city year-round.
- Unpredictable weather
The Fort Lauderdale area is impacted by hurricanes frequently. Even if it is not directly hit by the storm, the weather can be severe.
- Insects and pests
Because of the humid, warm climate, mosquitoes can ruin an evening outing, and fire ants, which can cause severe allergic reactions, are everywhere. Also, beware of jellyfish.
Famous Reception Locations in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Check out one of these famous Fort Lauderdale attractions while you’re in town for your reception event!
- The Downtown Hollywood Mural Project
One of Fort Lauderdale’s most creative spaces - the city’s Hollywood Mural Project - invites you to stretch your legs and saunter through one of the country’s most ambitious public art displays. The project is home to more than 25 murals in a 12-block area, painted by many regional and national artists. There are plenty of places to stop, sip and snack along the route, and it’s a great way to experience the city’s cultural heritage.
- Flamingo Gardens
Flamingo Gardens gives visitors the opportunity to see some of south Florida’s most unique wildlife, some of which aren’t found anywhere else in the country or the world. Take a stroll through the botanical gardens, which contains more than 3,000 species of rare, exotic and native plants, or visit the Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the largest collection of native Florida wildlife.
- Cruisin’ Tikis
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to have your own private tiki bar, wonder no more. These rental-able floating tiki bars - available at 10 S. New River Drive East Fort Lauderdale - seat 6 adults, come complete with ice cooler for drinks, a bar with a sink, a state-of-the-art bluetooth speaker system, and a captain to serve as your personal tour guide. You can choose from oceanfront or river cruises, and enjoy the evening cocktail hour – or even brunch – tiki style.
