Florida weddings are so beautiful and there are so many locations to choose from. You can have a beach wedding, garden wedding, mansion wedding and more! I guess you could say Florida is just showing off with all of its beauty
As someone who lives in Orlando, I love all of the different wedding venues here. I have heard of couples getting married under an enormous oak tree with Spanish moss draping from the branches. Others like to have their weddings in large ballrooms that are so beautiful that no one even remembers to check their phone for text messages. And then there are the ladies who like to get their toes in the sand and watch as the sun sets behind them. And, of course, she doesn’t want any sand in her beautiful wedding dress. Good luck with that.
Finding the perfect wedding venue can be so exciting but overwhelming with all the options!
I tried to compile a list of some beautiful wedding venues that the state of Florida has to offer. Some of them may be pretty obvious choices but there are others that might be a little out of the norm for some of you!
1. Casa Feliz – Winter Park, Florida
Oh, Casa Feliz. You pretty little thing!
I fell in love with Casa Feliz which is a historic Spanish farmhouse in Winter Park, FL. It is a beautiful spot for a romantic Spanish-style wedding with a courtyard and gardens for a reception. It is a totally romantic and unique spot for a wedding.
Casa Feliz is a historic Spanish-style farmhouse that features beautiful brickwork, a bell tower and old Spanish-style roofing as well as stunning gardens. The grounds offer lots of opportunities for romantic wedding photos.
And can we talk about the wedding pictures?
There’s be something especially romantic about the image of a bride in a flowing white gown standing beside the beautiful brickwork of the Casa Feliz and holding a bouquet of soft pink roses. And perhaps newlyweds could steal a quiet kiss under the trees after their ceremony.
Excuse me, I need a tissue.
In addition to it being a romantic and personal spot for a wedding, Casa Feliz offers guests a chance to experience something other than a large resort for their celebration.
The space holds up to 120 guests for outdoor ceremonies and receptions and 80 guests for indoor ceremonies and receptions.
One thing that couples should know is that Casa Feliz has chosen to partner with Arthur’s Creative Events & Catering to be the exclusive caterer of events held at the historic property. Be sure to look at the pricing for the venue and the various pricing tiers and packages that Arthur’s offers for events held at Casa Feliz for the dates for which you are inquiring.
For out-of-town guests of your Winter Park wedding, Park Avenue is a fun little street in one of my favorite towns in Central Florida. They can visit to explore for hours to come and stop in for a cup of coffee to come see where you’re getting married.
2. Bok Tower Gardens – Lake Wales, Florida
Garden wedding? You might fall in love with Bok Tower Gardens’ lovely wedding venues including Tower Lawn, Horseshoe Garden and Round Garden, for a simple yet romantic celebration surrounded by nature.
Bok Tower Gardens are located in Lake Wales, Florida. The property is comprised of beautiful gardens, huge trees, gorgeous flowers and the magnificent Singing Tower.
The 205-foot Singing Tower, an impressive four-grade Levy Count Arco-Anything structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the main feature of Bok Tower Gardens. These beautiful grounds are filled with lush trees, seasonal flowers, and winding paths throughout the several acres of gardens, all awaiting the chosen couple to spend the most memorable day of their lives amidst serene beauty and tranquility of Nature.
And the setting doesn’t need much decoration.
A simple flower arrangement, simple ceremony chairs and a beautiful wedding dress are all you need. Nature has already provided so much beauty that it would be almost “unfair” to add too much more to it!
The ceremonies are held in the Tower Lawn, Horseshoe Garden or Round Garden. Each area can accommodate different sizes of weddings, and therefore there are options for small weddings as well as larger wedding celebrations.
Ceremonies and receptions are held in the various spaces listed above and can be any size depending on the space or spaces booked by the couple.
A note of importance to know: All weddings held at Bok Tower Gardens must be arranged through the venue’s wedding department. This means that, no matter how small, all weddings will need to be booked and paid for through the venue prior to the nuptials taking place. Even a ceremony with twenty relatives and an officiant will need to be booked and paid for through the venue.
I mean, that would make one heck of a family story, but let’s stick with the proper booking process.
If you’re a garden wedding girl, Bok Tower Gardens is a place that will make your heart sing. Situated in beautiful Lake Wales, the property features peaceful gardens, plenty of trees and loads of flowers. Have a look at the Singing Tower too – a 205ft song-o-minogue style tower that will make you feel like you’re in a fairytale.
3. The Ringling – Sarasota, Florida
I have a new love affair with venues for weddings. If you are looking for a wedding venue with lots of drama, then The Ringling in Sarasota may be the perfect place for you and your future spouse.
By the GOOD kind of drama. A wedding at The Ringling’s site of Ca’ d’Zan (Palm Court, and Ca’ d’Zan Mansion) would have to be one of the most beautiful weddings of all time – good drama not the kind of where a relative shows up wearing white.
In addition to beautiful gardens, The Ringling offers historic architecture, including the Museum of Art, and stunning views of Sarasota Bay from the waterfront area.
Ca’ d’Zan is the 60,000 square foot mansion that is Ca’ d’Zan, one of the most stunning pieces of architecture in the country, with incomparable views of Sarasota Bay.
The historic buildings at The Ringling make for a romantic setting to hold a wedding.
Couples can get married at The Ringling at Ca’ d’Zan or at the Museum of Art Courtyard. In addition, smaller garden ceremonies can be held in the gardens and guests can have a reception on the grounds.
As I mentioned earlier, make sure you thoroughly read through your chosen package as some of the garden ceremonies are even held as standing function events and don’t even have the wedding reception held on the premises!
I’d consider The Ringling at a classic black-tuxedoed wedding with long-train-wearing bride and lots of soft candles and flowers of ivory in bouquets and centerpieces throughout the big space.
You know the kind of train that makes everybody stop talking when the bride walks in?
Yep. That one.
In addition to taking lots of pictures of you and your loved ones, your photographer will also want to take many pictures of the stunning venue itself – so don’t forget to give them permission for that before you confirm the venue.
4. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens – Miami, Florida
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is one of those magical places where you could swear you are somewhere else entirely. Instead of Miami, you are in Italy or maybe the south of France.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami is one of those places that makes you wonder whether you’ve somehow landed in Italy.
Located on 50 acres along Biscayne Bay, Vizcaya’s historic grounds feature expansive gardens, imposing architecture, sweeping stone terraces and more than a touch of drama and opulence.
It’s elegant, it’s romantic and oh yeah, it’s over the top.
Yes, more than a tiny bit! But that is all part of the fun!
This historic villa and world-renowned museum offers an elegant setting of formal gardens, courtyards, stone terraces and breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay for couples looking for a classic formal wedding with beautiful flowers and romance.
You can imagine the evening event to feature white roses and candlelit tables, of course, as well as champagne flute centerpieces, and perhaps plenty of strolling through the gardens to locate your table.
I’m pretty sure I’d need comfortable shoes to roam around all of that!
Will I want to wear comfortable shoes to this venue? Yes, but will I want to wear cute heels to it as well? Yes.
Vizcaya is available for evening events, as well as small intimate weddings during the day in the beautiful gardens. Evening events are held in the designated courtyard, terrace and garden spaces of the venue.
This venue is a bit pricy, so it’s good to note the cost of renting Vizcaya. According to their website, the base evening rental fee is $23,000 for up to 120 guests and then there is an additional charge for over 120 guests, as well as for tent rental and for extended hours. (I’ll have to check back with them for current pricing.) And, yes, they require you to use approved caterers and other venue vendors, which your wedding planner can take care of for you.
This venue also has strict requirements as to which approved wedding planners and caterers are allowed to work at the location. Make sure to read the contract carefully before signing.
A venue for an elegant, formal, classic wedding such as Vizcaya is perfect for romantic couples looking for a grand wedding and romantic atmosphere and flowers!
5. The Breakers – Palm Beach, Florida
Okay, luxury wedding lovers, grab your coffee. We need to talk about The Breakers in Palm Beach.
This famous oceanfront resort is absolutely gorgeous.
Talk about a luxurious event space. I’m talking grand ballrooms with chandeliers and ornate details, beautiful gardens and an amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean.
If you think the wedding of your dreams would look like a royal celebration then look no further than The Breakers.
Numerous spaces for weddings of all sizes, including intimate gatherings as well as/and events with hundreds of guests.
The beautiful ballrooms are exquisite for an formal indoor wedding reception.
A gorgeous indoor wedding venue in Florida can be a real relief — no worrying about an afternoon thunderstorm soaking your table linens, guests melting in the heat of summer, or a sudden gust of wind blowing your seating chart to the other side of the county!
There is no worry of an afternoon shower ruining your perfectly laid out tables and linens. Guests will not be suffering from heat exhaustion during your summer time wedding. Should there be an unexpected gust of wind it will not pull your seating chart across the country.
Luxury weddings can cost quite a bit. The Breakers has several different spaces that can hold a wedding of any size, so the number of guests will definitely play a part in how much your wedding costs.
I would love to see a classic white-and-green colored wedding at The Breakers with tall floral arrangements throughout the venue, tons of candlelight and beautiful elegant gold accents throughout.
I would also love to see a soft pink wedding at The Breakers with romantic roses, beautiful bridesmaid dresses and lots of soft candle light throughout the space.
Either would look stunning.
Additional convenience is provided to your guests by the resort’s on- site accommodations.
And enjoying breakfast there the morning after your wedding at that beautiful resort and seeing that wonderful ocean view will be just wonderful too!
Now THAT sounds like a lovely start to married life.
Finding the Florida Wedding Venue That Feels Like You
The prettiest wedding venue isn’t automatically the right one for your wedding.
In addition to being beautiful, a ballroom can also be a venue for a garden ceremony with close family and friends.
The beach is a beautiful place for a wedding, but it can be tricky with the Florida humidity. Work can be done to prevent the hair from becoming one large puffball, but it can happen.
Oh and yes, I am familiar with the hair issue as well. Florida humidity and I have an on again/off again relationship.
As you look for the best wedding venue for your wedding, be sure to ask for the following details to ensure that you will be getting the best wedding venue for you and your loved ones: guest capacity, catering restrictions, where guests will park, what hours you can rent the venue, what type of weather back up plans the venue has, and what is included in the wedding package.
Those little details can make a BIG difference.
Please visit the venues you like for an in person tour before making a final decision.
As wonderful as photos are, there is nothing better than standing in the actual ceremony location, walking through the receptions spaces and getting a feel for the location that can be so different from the online photos.
A venue may look lovely online but fail to live up to your expectations in person.
You might even find the perfect venue is the one you thought of first, after walking through the gates and seeing all the wonderful spaces for the ceremony and for your reception.
I love that part.
Maybe it’s a simple garden in Winter Park, an historic mansion in Sarasota or an upscale resort in Palm Beach. The venues are endless in Florida and one of them is perfect for your first kiss as newlyweds, your family’s tears of joy at your marriage and that relative of yours that insists on taking 400 photos of you with an iPad.
And then somewhere in that place would be the perfect place for your first kiss as newlyweds, your family’s tears of joy, and that one weird relative that you have to take 400 pictures of with their iPad.
You know exactly which relative I’m talking about.
This will be a place that makes you happy, that makes you and your groom smile like a couple of lovesick teenagers. And yes, the linen may turn yellow or perhaps change color in between transporting to and from the venue, but that’s all kinda minor details that you’ll probably forget about years from now. But the fact that you had your first kiss as a newlywed couple at this venue, and that your family members were crying happily, and that crazy aunt and uncle of yours took 400+ pictures of you and your husband with their iPad… yes, that will all come flooding back to you in due time!
