At this romantic time of year, you may be thinking about marriage; you’re ready to tie the knot since getting engaged, and are looking at somewhere abroad. But have you thought about saying “I do” in Orlando?

Florida provides some beautiful backdrops and plenty of sunshine for an outdoor wedding, and there’s something for every taste. Below are some ideas to get you started in your wedding planning, followed by the important legal information you will need to consider as well.

Romantic gardens

• Cypress Grove is one of the more popular wedding venues in Orlando and you can see why, with its vintage elegance and lakeside setting. The early American state house here offers charming and stunning facilities and sits within 80 acres of magnificent grounds, providing plenty of photographic opportunities to capture your special day.

• Leu Gardens is an amazing 50-acre botanical oasis. Discover a wide range of flowers and plants, as you wander through their spectacular gardens and then have cake and champagne on the outside patio; an enchanting place to have a perfect wedding.

Beach wedding

• Paradise Cove is an ideal venue for those wanting a beach-setting wedding but preferring not to travel too far out of Orlando. It’s tucked away in a private corner of Lake Buena Vista, with views over the beautiful and natural Lake Bryan. A small, white sandy beach, swaying palms and cypress trees surrounding the lake give your wedding a relaxing, tropical vibe. It’s a secluded paradise for the happy couple.

• Cocoa Beach is naturally beautiful with its golden sands, blue waters, palm trees and romantic boardwalks, offering a stunning backdrop for a wedding. It also has no shortage of seaside attractions, if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind beach wedding with some extra entertainment for your guests.

• Clearwater Beach is situated on the Gulf Coast and is the best spot for a dazzling sunset wedding. Long stretches of white sand, mangrove trees and the calm, clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico make this a magical location for your special day!

Weddings at Orlando’s top theme parks and attractions

• For a wonderfully unique day, Orlando’s top theme parks have an array of wedding options, from a magical ceremony in front of Cinderella Castle, to an underwater wedding at SeaWorld alongside the turtles. More information can be found through each of the theme park’s websites.

• Hard Rock Cafe offers an extraordinary wedding location for the happy couple to make sweet music together. Exchange your vows on the John Lennon Terrace overlooking CityWalk, or choose an indoor wedding inside the John Lennon Suite with superstar glamour and electrifying entertainment.

• ICON Orlando 360 offers you the chance to get married whilst 400ft in the air, with a unique and amazing backdrop for your wedding day. Love will certainly be in the air as you’ll have your own private capsule to relax and admire the stunning views over Orlando.

Applying for a marriage license in Florida

Once you’ve looked into all the enjoyable parts of planning, your next step will be to apply for a marriage license. Florida law requires all couples wishing to get married here to apply for a license before their wedding day, which will need to be obtained from a courthouse in the area. You will need to allow some time before your wedding to visit a courthouse, but keep in mind that they are only open Monday to Friday. There is also a standard fee to pay of $93.50† for the marriage license.

There are three ways of applying for a marriage license:

• Apply online - This will save you time, as you can complete all the essential documents before you go and you also do not have to worry about carrying any paperwork with you whilst travelling. The website address for each courthouse is displayed below.
• Print the Marriage License Application - Printed versions of the application can be found on the courthouse’s website, if you feel more comfortable filling out a paper copy to take with you.
• At the clerk’s office - You can also fill out the Marriage License Application at the courthouse, however the options above will save you time when you arrive and give you more time to do the things you really want to be doing in Orlando!

Other essential information for international visitors:

This is a general guideline, and we would advise you to double check the information that the courthouse requires before you go.

• Any persons aged 18 and over may apply for a marriage license
• You do not need to be a resident of Florida to apply for a marriage license and no minimum residency applies to overseas couples
• You are not required to be in Florida for a minimum number of days
• You will be required to bring your passport and a copy of your birth certificate to the clerk’s office
• Persons who were previously married and divorced need to bring their decree absolute with them to the courthouse as they will need to supply the date their last marriage ended
• Any other relevant paperwork (such as widowers certificate, change of name etc) will also need to be seen
• Both parties must be present when applying for a marriage license
• Couples are required by law to read a handbook supplied by the Clerk and sign a statement acknowledging that they have read the handbook before applying for the license. This can be done the same day as applying for the license, or some courthouses will have a link for you to read it online before your arrival

Once all is complete at the clerk’s office you will be given the marriage license for your wedding in Florida. There is no waiting period for non-Florida residents, which means you can get married the same day that you receive your license. The marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. It has to be shown to the Notary or Minister prior to the ceremony, so make sure you don’t forget this all important document on your wedding day!

Local courthouses to obtain your license:

Orange County Courthouse (best for International Drive area)

• Address: 425 North Orange Avenue, Suite 355, (3rd floor) Orlando
• Open Mon – Fri (except for Bank Holidays) 8.00am – 4pm
• www.myorangeclerk.com

Osceola/Kissimmee Courthouse (best for Lake Buena Vista, Kissimmee East 192 Areas)

• Address: 2 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, FL 34741
• Open Mon – Fri (except for Bank Holidays) 8am – 4pm
• www.osceolaclerk.com

Lake County/Minneola Courthouse (best for guests staying on Hwy 27 or West 192 areas)

• Address: Minneola City Hall, 800 North Hwy 27, Minneola, Florida
• Open Mon – Fri (except for Bank Holidays) 9am – 4pm (please arrive before 3pm)
• www.lakecountyclerk.org

Your marriage certificate

The Notary or Minister of your wedding is responsible for posting the marriage license back to the courthouse to have it validated. One thing to note about your marriage certificate is that you won’t receive it straight away. The courthouse will post it to your home address, which usually takes 4-6 weeks, although some people have said they received theirs earlier.

Following Florida’s legal marriage process will ensure that your marriage is legal in the UK. For any further information please check the UK government’s website.

We hope this information helps to take some of the stress away from planning your special day in Florida. If you’re looking into accommodation for yourself and your guests, please get in contact with us at Debbie’s Villas as we have a wide range of Orlando villas to suit any party. We also have luxury villas, which are an ideal option for the bride and groom wanting something a bit more exclusive for their stay.

† Taxes may be applied afterwards. Check with the courthouse for full details on prices.