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Tampa Named One Of The Best Places To Get Married

The fall months in America are among the most popular for weddings. WalletHub released a report that details the best places to get married and Tampa ranked towards the top. “In…

Wedding beach. A picture frame showing a bride and groom with sand and the ocean.
Stock Photo / Getty Images

The fall months in America are among the most popular for weddings. WalletHub released a report that details the best places to get married and Tampa ranked towards the top. "In order to assist with the planning process, we compared more than 180 U.S. cities to find the cheapest and most convenient wedding destinations that also promise a memorable day," WalletHub explained, after detailing the average expenses of a wedding. To compile this ranking, WalletHub analyzed 26 different topics and assigned a point value to each. Average costs per market, number of wedding chapels, and potential venues were all among the data points gathered.

Tampa Finished 4th

Coming in slightly beneath Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tampa scored highly in Activities, Attractions, Facilities, and Services. Weather obviously was also a category that worked in Tampa's favor.

Miami also made the top 1o here, finishing sixth overall. Miami scored the highest (#1) in the facilities and services topic. Furthermore, this study showed Miami has a great deal of bridal and flower shops per capita.

In total, this deep dive into the best cities in the country to hold a wedding itemized 182 locations. Florida was well represented throughout. In fact, Orlando was #1. Then, after Tampa and Miami, St. Petersburg finished at #32. Fort Lauderdale ranked 33. Jacksonville was #58. Tallahassee made the list at 72. Port St. Lucie ranked #85. Cape Coral was #90. Finally, Hialeah and Pembroke Pines were in the 100's (117, 128, respectively), giving Florida 11 strong spots on this list.

Here Comes The Guide recently detailed eight unique wedding destination spots in Tampa that further highlight how it is one of the best places to get married in the country. " Florida's west coast has so much more to offer than just its renowned beaches," they say. There are hotel, yacht, museum and beachside options to celebrate your big day.

Florida Has 2 Of The Most Beautiful Bridges In The Country

According to Infrastructure Report Card, there are 617,000 bridges in the United States. Outlets such as Attractions of America and Mr. Hudson have each come up with lists of the most beautiful bridges. Two of them call Florida home.

A bridge can be a historical landmark in addition to a pathway that connects communities. Certain bridges, like the Golden Gate in San Francisco, draw thousands of tourists each year. People plan trips around visiting this site and taking in its incredible views. Unsurprisingly, the Golden Gate Bridge is either #1 or #2 on each of the aforementioned lists.

The bridge that it shares the top spot with is famous for its ability to walk or bike over. The Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn Heights to Manhattan via six lanes. Many charity-driven bike rides also cross here as it offers unique perspectives into New York City without any tollways.

Florida Bridges

In Florida, American Road and Transportation lists over 12,000 bridges in the Sunshine State (though not all of them are in functional condition). There are two however, that stand above the rest. One is architecturally astounding. The other feels like a gateway into a mysterious paradise.

"American bridges are often designed with looks to match their engineering ingenuity," Mr. Hudson explains.

What's fascinating about bridges in America, is they are constructed of different materials and serve different purposes. For example, the final and tenth selection in Attractions of America's feature is the Benson Bridge, Multnomah Falls, in Oregon. This is a foot traffic bridge that is only 45 feet long. It allows visitors to walk 105 feet above the Lower Multnomah Falls cascade

Let's take a look at the two most beautiful bridges in Florida.

Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Tampa

Connecting St. Petersburg to Terra Ceia, this bridge is 4.1 miles long. This stunning bridge over Tampa Bay is often lit up with colors that highlight the skyline. Furthermore, since 2018, there has been a Skyway 10K race that closes the bridge each year.

Sunshine Skyway Bridge crossing Tampa Bay in Florida with a beach in the foreground.

Getty Images

Seven Mile Bridge, Florida Keys

This two-lane bridge is technically part of Route 1. It's a magical gateway into the Florida Keys. Mr. Hudson points out, "the Seven Mile Bridge usually has space for sightseers to park up and admire the Florida Keys." In 1982, a heavy renovation made the lanes wider, allowing for a safer and more comfortable drive. The last annual seven-mile bridge run took place this past April.

Overseas Highway Seven Mile Bridge Traffic at Sunrise, Florida Keys
Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.