It's every bride and groom's dream: a wedding in paradise. Perhaps you've been to Florida before and fell in love with the warm weather and amazing variety of activities. Or you may know someone who had a Florida destination wedding and hasn't been able to stop talking about it since. Whatever your reasons, you're not alone: Florida destination weddings are more popular than ever, and as a result, more services are becoming available to help you make your dream come true.
If you're debating whether or not a destination wedding in Florida is for you, consider the following:
- It's picturesque. Your wedding album will be all the more beautiful with a backdrop of sandy beaches, cool water and palm trees.
- The weather is good, if you know when to go. Watch out for Florida's hurricane season, which is primarily in August, but can run from July through September and occasionally as late as October. Plan your trip accordingly. During non-hurricane months, Florida's weather is generally quite agreeable to most people. It can get very hot depending upon the time of year, but the coasts receive the benefit of pleasant breezes, and many areas, such as Orlando, get a light, misty rain almost daily, cooling things off a bit.
- You can go as large or small as your wishes-and your budget-dictate. Whether you're inviting a few loved ones and dear friends or envisioning a large-scale extravaganza, it's guaranteed that you'll be able to find a location, service and honeymoon that suit your needs.
So where do you start? First, you should be aware of the technicalities of getting married in the state of Florida, as well as your options for transporting guests there and home again. Then, of course, there's the ceremony itself to consider. Here are a few tips to make sure things go smoothly:
Consider A Travel Agent And/Or Wedding Coordinator
You may think you're saving money by doing things yourself, but agents are often privy to deals you may not know about, and they have the know-how, contacts and experience to avoid any potential pitfalls. If you opt for a wedding coordination service, they will most likely take care of the travel arrangements as well. What seems to be an expense can actually end up saving you money-and headaches. All-inclusive Florida destination wedding packages often combine everything from tuxedo rentals to the officiate to hotel or resort accommodations, with every imaginable wedding need in between. Shop around. The internet is the ideal resource for finding the perfect coordinator to suit your needs.
The Marriage License
The state of Florida requires no blood test prior to issuing a marriage license. Licenses can be obtained in person and are issued immediately. However, some wedding coordination services can send you an application via overnight shipping (for an additional fee) to be filled out by the bride and groom, who must then take it to be notarized. The couple then returns the document immediately. If you're using a coordinator, check to see whether he or she offers this service. Please note that your wedding license will only be valid for 60 days; this may be the one part of your wedding you don't want to do too far in advance!
By Land Or By Sea
You're also saving money simply because the wedding and the honeymoon are all in one basic package. A hotel wedding can be beautiful, but many couples opt to have the service on land, then take a one- or two-day cruise (or longer) from popular locations such as Miami or Port Canaveral. Another option is to have the wedding onboard the ship, thus allowing your guests to enjoy a little honeymoon of their own. Or, if you live on the east coast, there may be a cruise ship that embarks close to home and will take you and your guests directly to the Florida location of your choice. This is a great option for couples (or guests) who don't like to fly.
Flowers, Location, The Officiate and More
If you're a do-it-yourselfer, you will need to coordinate these details, but don't despair: with today's popularity of Florida destinations, you will find options galore. Do your homework; shop around for florists, bakers, officiates and wedding halls that frequently service destination weddings. If you can, pick the location first; the hotel or hall may already have florists and other individuals who they regularly deal with. This can save you the heartache of discovering the florist got lost on the morning of the ceremony, or the baker misread your instructions and sent the cake to a hotel across town.
Timing Is Everything
It's likely that most of the locations you're considering are in high-tourist areas. Find out when the busy season is, and avoid it if you can (unless you love crowds!). For example, Orlando will be packed with adults and children clamoring to get into Disney World at certain times of the year, such as winter or spring break and increasingly, Christmas or other holidays. If you'd like more privacy than that, avoid such times when booking your flight or cruise. If you're uncertain when the most heavily visited times are, check with your travel agent or wedding coordinator, or do some research on your own.
Whatever you decide, be assured that your Florida destination wedding can be the perfect fairytale start to your very own happily-ever-after. With the right planning, all your wedding dreams really can come true.
