The Rusty Pelican is Miami's most iconic waterfront restaurant, perched at the southern tip of Virginia Key with unobstructed views of the Miami skyline, Biscayne Bay, and the cruise-ship channel. Its event deck and private dining rooms have been hosting waterfront weddings and rehearsal dinners for decades, drawing couples who want a front-row seat to one of Florida's most dramatic cityscapes. The outdoor event terrace accommodates cocktail receptions for up to 200 guests with the glittering downtown skyline as a backdrop, while private dining rooms seat up to 120 for seated dinners. The award-winning seafood menu and full-service bar are managed by an experienced team.
Best seasons to marry here
Plan your day here
When are you getting married?
Pick a day and I'll work out the light for it — sunset here, when golden hour opens, and the ceremony time that puts you inside it.
Planning your timeline
| Month | Sunset | Ceremony | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5:51 PM | 3:51 PM | 2.4″ |
| February | 6:13 PM | 4:13 PM | 2.0″ |
| March | 7:29 PM | 5:29 PM | 2.4″ |
| April | 7:43 PM | 5:43 PM | 3.2″ |
| May | 7:58 PM | 5:58 PM | 5.7″ |
| June | 8:13 PM | 6:13 PM | 7.4″ |
| July | 8:14 PM | 6:14 PM | 5.6″ |
| August | 7:56 PM | 5:56 PM | 7.0″ |
| September | 7:25 PM | 5:25 PM | 7.5″ |
| October | 6:53 PM | 4:53 PM | 6.3″ |
| November | 5:32 PM | 3:32 PM | 3.5″ |
| December | 5:32 PM | 3:32 PM | 2.2″ |
Sunset times are calculated for this venue's coordinates, shown in EDT for the 15th of each month in 2026. Golden hour is the 60 minutes before sunset. The ceremony start is my rule of thumb — about 2 hours before sunset, so a short ceremony and family photos still leave the two of you in golden light. Adjust it to your own timeline. Average temperatures and rainfall are NOAA 1991–2020 normals from CAPE FLORIDA, 2.3 miles away.
Amenities & Inclusions
Catering
In-house catering only
Bar / Alcohol
Full in-house bar service
Music Curfew
11:00 PM
Rental Hours
5 hrs included
Vendors
Preferred vendor list applies
Rain Backup Plan
Fully enclosed indoor private dining rooms
Hurricane Season Note
June–November; bayfront and causeway location; monitor storm surge and wind advisories
Verify Before You Book
Confirm private event room capacities and current minimum spend
Rob Craven
Lead Photographer
Sunset Direction
West-facing over Biscayne Bay toward Miami skyline
Shade Coverage
Indoor and covered terrace sections
Best Shots & Hidden Gems
Full Miami skyline panorama from the water, Biscayne Bay reflections, outdoor dock ceremony, golden hour cityscape, bayfront terrace with downtown backdrop
3201 Rickenbacker Causeway
Key Biscayne, FL
Parking
On-site large lot; causeway access
Nearest Airport
Miami International Airport (MIA) · 12 mi
Guest Hotels
Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Crandon Park area hotels, Four Seasons Brickell
