Planning Your Wedding at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota
Five-Star Luxury, Gulf Coast Beauty — and a Planning Team That Knows Every Detail
The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota is the benchmark for luxury wedding venues on Florida's Gulf Coast. With nearly 60,000 square feet of event space, a private Beach Club on Lido Key, a Grand Ballroom with iron chandeliers and Italian fabric walls, a rooftop Sunset Terrace with sweeping Gulf views, and a Healing Garden overlooking Sarasota Bay, this is a venue where every corner was designed for celebration.
For couples who want a flawlessly executed, truly five-star wedding experience, The Ritz delivers on every level. And for couples who want a planning team that knows how to work alongside The Ritz's world-class event staff, amplify their in-house capabilities, and bring an independent creative vision to the process and JMEP is the partner you need.
Preferred luxury wedding planner at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota for couples who want a flawlessly executed, truly five-star and unforgettable wedding experience
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Why Couples Choose The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota
The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota offers something rare: the full spectrum of luxury wedding settings in a single property. Exchange vows barefoot on the private white-sand beach at the Beach Club on Lido Key, celebrate cocktail hour on the rooftop Sunset Terrace as the Gulf turns gold at dusk, and dance the night away in the Grand Ballroom beneath iron chandeliers and soaring coffered ceilings. The versatility of this property means your wedding weekend — rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, and morning-after brunch — can all unfold within the Ritz's world.
Couples also consistently praise the quality of the Ritz's in-house catering team, the flawless service from arrival to departure, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing every guest is being cared for at a five-star level throughout the entire stay.
JMEP's Experience at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota
The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota has an exceptional in-house event team — and JMEP loves working alongside them. Our role is to serve as your independent advocate: making sure your personal vision comes to life within the Ritz's framework, coordinating external vendors (florals, entertainment, custom décor, specialty catering additions), managing your personal timeline and guest experience details, and being your point of contact on the day so you never have to think about a single logistical question.
We've found that couples who hire JMEP alongside The Ritz's event team have the most seamless, personalized experience. The Ritz handles the property and its services beautifully. JMEP handles your story.
What to Know Before You Book The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota
Venue spaces:
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Grand Ballroom — Stunning 5-star ballroom with coffered ceilings, iron chandeliers, Italian fabric walls, and an adjacent terrace. Seats up to 600 guests. Includes a glamorous prefunction space with baby grand piano and large paneled windows.
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Sunset Terrace (Rooftop) — Panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico. Ideal for ceremonies or sunset cocktail hours.
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Beach Club (Lido Key) — Private beachfront setting for ceremonies and receptions. Outdoor deck seats up to 200 guests. The most sought-after setting for a true Florida beach wedding with five-star service.
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Healing Garden — A lush bayfront garden space for intimate ceremonies and outdoor celebrations.
Up to 1,000 guests across all spaces; intimate packages available.
The Ritz's full-service wedding packages include hors d'oeuvres, plated dinner or buffet, wedding cake or dessert station, wine service, open bar, and dedicated event staff.
Luxury hotel accommodations for guests, complimentary suite for the couple on their wedding night, full-service spa, and multiple dining options on property.
The Ritz is a year-round venue. Peak season is November through April (Florida's dry season). Summer months offer more availability and often better pricing.
Love Notes
Jenn's creativity and eye for design are incredible, but what stands out most is her warmth and grace. Working with Jenn is effortless because she leads with compassion, professionalism, and a genuine love for what she does. She has an incredible gift.
Frequently Asked Questions: Weddings at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota
The Ritz offers a complete luxury resort experience under one roof — beachfront ceremonies, ballroom receptions, five-star catering, a full-service spa, and hotel accommodations for every guest. Very few venues in Sarasota can match both the scale and the service level of the Ritz-Carlton.
Yes — The Ritz-Carlton's private Beach Club on Lido Key is one of the most beautiful beach ceremony settings in Southwest Florida. JMEP coordinates all logistics between the main hotel and the Beach Club location.
Yes. The Ritz-Carlton is one of the most weather-flexible venues in Sarasota, with multiple indoor and outdoor backup options. This is one of the reasons JMEP recommends it highly for couples who are anxious about Florida's afternoon weather patterns.
The Ritz's event team is exceptional at managing the venue's services and logistics. JMEP's role is different: we're your personal advocates, creative directors, and independent coordinators, making sure your vision is realized, your outside vendors are seamlessly integrated, and your personal experience is exactly what you dreamed of. Most Ritz couples find having both teams creates the most complete experience.
Absolutely — this is one of the Ritz's greatest strengths. With hundreds of beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, on-site dining, a spa, and a beach club, The Ritz functions as a complete destination resort for out-of-town guests. JMEP can coordinate guest room blocks and multi-day programming.