Orlando Offers a Bouquet of Picture-perfect Wedding Options

ORLANDO, Fla.--When it comes to popular vacation spots in the United States, Orlando is the hands-down favorite. But the city' s world-class reputation doesn' t stop there. Known in recent years as a haven for honeymooners, Orlando is now emerging as a premier wedding destination. From the simple to the elegant, from the intimate to the grandiose, Orlando provides a myriad of unique wedding settings just right for the bride and groom' s special day.

While many of the area' s bed & breakfasts, resorts, hotels and restaurants cater to weddings of all shapes and sizes, a variety of non-traditional, unusual and unexpected venues abound in the Orlando area.

Known for its lush landscaping, plants and flowers, Orlando offers a number of colorful garden settings for this most memorable occasion. At the 200-acre (80.7-hectare) Cypress Gardens, the wedding party and guests are treated to more than 8,000 varieties of blooming plants and flowers from 75 different countries. Couples exchange nuptials in a romantic gazebo, set in the heart of this tropical theme park's original botanical gardens
(863-324-2111 or http://www.cypressgardens.com).

Harry P. Leu Gardens boasts more than 50 acres (20.2 hectares) of verdant grounds, including the Southeast's largest camellia collection featuring more than 25 species from throughout the world. The White Garden - a favorite spot for intimate weddings, plus the ever-popular Rose Garden, tropical-like Ravine Garden and the whimsical Butterfly Garden all make perfect backdrops to say "I do" (407-246-3681 or http://www.leugardens.org).

Nestled amid a 55-acre (22.2-hectare) habitat park, the Mead Gardens Amphitheater was designed just for the bride and groom's special day. Up to 400 guests enjoy a perfect view of the ceremony thanks to the Amphitheater' s raised stage that is accented by white wrought-iron and large hanging baskets of flowers bursting with color and fragrance (407-599-3341 or http://www.ci.winter-park.fl.us).

Couples looking to escape the fast-paced world relish the serenity of Bok Tower Gardens, a National Historic Landmark located just one hour west of Orlando. As one of the highest points in Florida, atop Iron Mountain, couples exchange vows amid flowering plants, abundant wildlife and the peacefulness of the 57-bell carillon (863-676-1408 or http://www.boktower.org).

Located nearby, Chalet Suzanne, offers many romantic areas for marriage ceremonies, including the Autograph Garden, Wedding Gazebo or the Swiss Room. Out-of-town guests will also love staying in the 30-room country inn (863-676-6011 or http://www.chaletsuzanne.com).

Art-loving couples ready to tie the knot are "in their element" at such memorable masterpieces as the intimate Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens. The three lush acres (1.2 hectares) and mansion gracing Lake Osceola are filled with more than 200 classical sculptures and paintings created by or belonging to the late Czech-American sculptor (407-647-0283 or http://www.polasek.org).

The Maitland Art Center offers a romantic outdoor setting with its open-air chapel, tranquil fountain, lush foliage and cement carvings resembling Mayan and Aztec culture. The Center's charming outdoor chapel has been a breathtaking backdrop for locals as well as out-of-town wedding parties for more than 30 years (407-539-2181 or http://www.maitartctr.org).

The Orlando Museum of Art, complete with marble floors, high ceilings and elegant décor, offers couples a perfect wedding setting. From the intimate to the large gathering, all ceremonies are treated with the same care that is reserved for the Museum's prestigious permanent collection (407-896-4231, http://www.omart.org).

The area's many sports and recreation complexes serve as perfect venues for saying "I do." The $50 million RDV Sportsplex, training ground for the NBA's Orlando Magic, the WNBA's Orlando Miracle and the Orlando Solar Bears IHL hockey team, provides a great line-up of ceremony and reception options. For die-hard sports fans, arrangements can be made for popular characters like Stuff, the Orlando Magic Mascot, to be on-hand for authentic "slam-dunk" ceremonies and receptions (407-916-2426 or http://www.rdvsportsplex.com).

Golf and tennis enthusiasts choose from a number of ideal wedding venues, including the 625-acre (253-hectare) Mission Inn Golf and Tennis Club. Located approximately 30 minutes west of Orlando, Mission Inn offers casual elegance and world-class recreation and accommodations for couples seeking a relaxing, yet active setting. For a special treat, couples can pamper themselves with a cruise aboard Mission Inn's carefully restored 1930s river yacht, La Reina (352-324-2024, extension 7168 or http://www.missioninnresort.com).

For the "high-flying" bride and groom, check out Orange Blossom Balloons. The standard wedding package includes transportation from a designated local hotel, notary and ground-level wedding ceremony, one-hour balloon flight for two and champagne toast at touch-down. After landing, newlyweds enjoy a full buffet breakfast and wedding cake, plus a certificate to document the fantasy flight (407-239-7677).

Colorful stained-glass windows, sparkling chandeliers and original Victorian artwork are just a few of the exquisite offerings found at downtown Orlando's Church Street Station. In the Victorian-style Orchid Garden, romance flourishes amid a setting of wrought-iron balconies, mellow woodwork, brick floors and stained and beveled glass. The Private Parlour Rooms in the Presidential Ballroom are ideal wedding sites for groups of 10 to 500. The magnificent grand foyer, topped by a vaulted skylight, is the focal point of this breathtaking structure (407-422-2434 or http://www.churchststation.com).

The Tupperware Center is a popular choice for weddings fit for two to 2,000. In addition to a number of indoor options, couples choose from outdoor venues such as a Victorian-styled gazebo surrounded by dozens of delicate, fragrant roses or an elegant lakeside ceremony on a private island adjoining a quaint footbridge. For larger events, the "Gazillion," located near the Rose Garden, is a magnificent outdoor wedding setting (407-826-4462).

Couples looking to exchange vows in the quintessential fairy tale setting find just that at Disney' s Wedding Pavilion. Built on a private island surrounded by the Seven Seas Lagoon, the glass-enclosed pavilion evokes images of a Victorian summer house. The non-denominational pavilion accommodates everything from large-scale fantasy weddings with up to 250 guests to intimate gatherings for two (407-828-3400 or http://asp.disney.go.com/disneyworld/db/seetheworld/ beyondtheparks/weddingsandhoneymoons/weddings.asp).

The Rivership Romance, a 100-foot (30-meter) Great Lake Steamer-style ship, provides a unique wedding experience for sea-faring couples and parties up to 200. Fully licensed and regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard, this charming triple-decked river cruiser offers wedding couples several memorable venues for tieing the knot. Complete onboard banquet facilities and entertainment are included in the charter& one of Central Florida's best-kept secrets for more than 15 years (1-800-423-7401/407-321-5091 or http://www.rivershipromance.com).

For couples interested in a wedding with an international flair, Florida Splendid China offers wedding ceremonies at their Imperial Bells attraction followed by a reception complete with Mandarin, Cantonese, Sichuan and Hunan-style foods. Newlyweds wanting an extra dash of excitement may include acrobats, costume dancers and fireworks to any reception package (407-396-7111 or http://www.floridasplendidchina.com).

Groups of 50-250 people can be accommodated at Wild Jack's Steaks & BBQ -- the perfect setting for a nuptial hoedown. The western-themed restaurant provides a casual atmosphere for couples attired in denim and boots and offers a country-western band to play the marching march (407-351-5015).

Getting married in Florida is easy. Couples can go to any county courthouse with valid identification such as a driver's license, passport or birth certificate and purchase a marriage license for $88.50, payable in cash, money order or credit card. A three-day waiting period exists for Florida residents after the license is issued. The waiting period does not apply to non-Florida residents. The license is good for 60 days, and blood tests are not required (407-836-2067).

For more information about unique wedding options in Orlando, call your travel agent, visit the Orlando Web site at orlandoinfo.com or call 1-800-551-0181 (in the United States and Canada) or 407-363-5872 to receive a complimentary copy of the Official Visitors Guide and information packet.