The state of Virginia has trademarked the slogan ‘Virginia is for lovers,’ but it could easily be something that Florida could also lay claim to. We don’t know the actual figures, but it often feels like there are more weddings in the Sunshine State than anywhere else in the world.
It’s a winning combination, of course. With picturesque places like Lovers Key and Honeymoon Island, Florida is just a natural place to tie the knot, and provide the right ambience both before and after the ceremony. It also seemed a natural follow-up to AttractionTickets.com’s blog on 10 great places to propose in January.
Just to start with, there is a dazzling array of venues, from the blissful beaches and scenic gardens to unusual ideas like sky-diving or scuba-diving, all the way up to the epic fantasy of a Walt Disney World wedding at their grand Wedding Pavilion. Florida is also superbly endowed with all the necessary services for a memorable ceremony, from flower arrangers and musicians to cake-makers and caterers. You will be positively spoiled for choice for wedding gowns and suits, hairdressers and makeup artists.
The other key element of getting wed, Florida-style, is that it suits all budgets. You can certainly pay $10,000-plus for that Disney flourish – complete with Cinderella’s Carriage – but a basic wedding licence costs just $93.50, and you can get a local notary to perform the ceremony – the equivalent of a registry office – for as little as $30.
You just need to apply at the tax offices of any of Osceola, Polk, Lake or Orange counties, pay the $93.50 fee, and then you are free to stage the ceremony anywhere in the state. There is no waiting period for overseas visitors once you have the license.
The addresses for the four offices are as follows:
- Osceola County: 2 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, FL 34741, tel. 407 742 3500
- Polk County: 3425 Lake Alfred Road, Winter Haven, FL 33881-1492, tel. 863 534 4000
- Lake County: 290 Citrus Tower Blvd., Suite 116, Clermont, FL 34711, tel. 352 253 4589
- Orange County: 425 N. Orange Ave., Suite 350, Orlando, FL 32801, tel. 407 836 2000
You must make an appointment online in advance, and both applicants must be 18 or older, apply in person and bring a valid passport. In most cases, offices are open from 7:30 or 8am to 4pm Mon-Fri. For the ultimate convenience, each county office can usually provide a clerk to marry you there and then. For those looking for a same-sex wedding, Orlando is fully in step with the federal Supreme Court ruling in January 2015 that legalized same-gender marriages.
Oh, and do remember that Florida is hot in the summer. Make that HOT. If you opt for an outdoor occasion, try to make it a morning one, or risk melting before you get to say “I do!”
Once you have your license, the key question is WHERE to get married.
Beach Weddings
In many cases, this is a bewildering choice as the options are truly extensive. There is a super-abundance of scenic natural backdrops, especially along both coasts, where swaying palms and pure-white sands are a given.
On the Atlantic Coast, early-morning weddings are popular, as they offer the rising sun as the ideal backdrop, while the Gulf Coast features gorgeous sunsets to give your photographs that glorious, picture-perfect glow.
For beach weddings, you definitely need to arrange all the necessary permitting and seating, etc, in advance, and working with a local company is essential here. Many beachfront hotels also provide wedding coordinators, so it pays to shop around online. You can also look up a beach-specific specialist like FloridaBeachWeddings.com.
Orlando Attraction Venues
Of course, many of Orlando’s theme parks and other attractions offer up novel venues for that Something Different wedding occasion and, if you have a favourite place somewhere like International Drive, it is possible you can arrange for that to be your go-to choice, too.
Among the many popular choices for a truly special occasion are the following collection of attractions that all feature their unique style:
- SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove “Swim with dolphins” park
- Leu Gardens, the city’s beautiful location of tropical gardens, lakeside setting, and more
- The lively Hard Rock Café at Universal’s CityWalk entertainment district, which has several truly unique rooms and settings
- The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex also features a variety of venues amid the high-tech backdrop
Private Settings
When you’re looking for a location that features a private hideaway to set the seal on your perfect day, the Orlando area also boasts some utterly beautiful houses and gardens that you won’t find in many tourist brochures. These include:
- Cypress Grove, a vintage 1925 estate in the Holden Heights area of Orlando
- Dr Phillips House on Lake Lucerne, a former private estate and mansion that specialises in occasion weddings in a truly elegant setting
- Imperial Design Banquet Hall, a contemporary event venue located near Ocoee just to the west of Orlando
- And the lakefront splendour and Southern hospitality style of the Luxmore Grande Estate in Winter Springs, just 20 miles north of downtown
Hotels & More
In addition to the attractions and special event venues, there is a dazzling line-up of eye-catching hotels and even golf courses that all offer wedding services that fit right in with the exciting Orlando vibe.
Distinctive hotels that all feature memorable backdrops include the magnificent Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, the gorgeous, art-centric Alfond Inn in Winter Park, and the chic Castle Hotel on Universal Boulevard, while for golf courses, it’s hard to beat the exclusive confines of Isleworth Country Club.
Other excellent choices include the Grande Lakes Resort, The Waldorf Astoria, the Wyndham Orlando Resort (on International Drive), and the B Resort & Spa close to Disney Springs, as well as the distinguished Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Golf Club & Lodge.
In downtown Orlando, you can even hire the iconic Orange County Regional History Center, the Orlando Museum of Art, the Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts or the artsy Grand Bohemian Hotel. The choice really is astounding! You can also look up more choice from the Visit Orlando website here: www.visitorlando.com/plan/weddings.
A Disney Fairytale Wedding
Of course, it’s hard to overlook the true magic and charm of a Disney wedding. Here, the purpose-designed and secluded Disney’s Wedding Pavilion provides a genuine fairytale setting, on the shore of Seven Seas Lagoon, with views across to the Magic Kingdom. This dazzling location has just about everything you could possibly want in a wedding venue, with graceful spires, arched windows, vaulted ceilings and beautifully landscaped grounds. Throw in an array of additional touches, like themed entertainers or even a visit from Mickey himself, and you have the recipe for an unforgettable experience.
The Wedding Pavilion can accommodate up to 250 guests (!), but there are also several dozen more locations around Walt Disney World that can all be had, for a price, including Crescent Cove Beach in front of the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, the Place de Remy at EPCOT, on a Disney Cruise Line ship and even in front of the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
If you’re looking for a one-stop shop for all your wedding needs and requirements, be sure to look up Orlando-based and British-owned Get Married in Florida for an excellent bespoke service that specialises in ceremonies for international visitors, with all-inclusive prices from $850.
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