14 Springtime Wedding Venues in the Sunshine State

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:                                                         FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Lucille Spann                                                                          March 5, 2015
Public Relations Representative
(850) 312-0052
LSpann@VISITFLORIDA.org

                      14 Springtime Wedding Venues in the Sunshine State

 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 2, 2015) – Sunsets over sandy white beaches, cathedral-style ballrooms –
 whether you’re looking for laid back and low key or over-the-top extravagance for your special day, Florida has
 something to offer everyone.

 In 2013, 24 percent of couples in the U.S. said “I Do” at a destination wedding, and the Number One destination
 wedding location is none other than the Sunshine State. With 825 miles of beaches, a multitude of magnificent
 historic hotels and plenty of quirky options for the couple with eclectic tastes (think: wedding in a hot air balloon),
 Florida holds the key to the destination wedding of your dreams. And for those with a more practical mindset,
 this tropical paradise is ideal because the waiting period can be waived.

 OPULENT & EXTRAVAGANT:

 Naples
 Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too? If your dreams involve a beachfront wedding, but you aren’t
 ready to put your toes in the sand, consider the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club – the only hotel in Southwest
 Florida that has an on-site championship golf course, award-winning tennis center and a ballroom with floor-to-
 ceiling windows that allow for panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico. An added bonus: guests bringing children
 to the wedding will appreciate the resort’s professionally supervised child activity program for those ages 5-12.
 Contact: Karen Lamonica
 Phone: 407-788-7070x208
 Website: http://www.naplesbeachhotel.com/

 Palm Beach
 For a luxurious option rich with history, look no further than the Breakers Palm Beach. This Renaissance-style
 hotel occupies 140 acres of oceanfront property in the heart of Palm Beach, and is one of 13 properties in
 Florida to have earned the coveted AAA Five Diamond award. From its breathtaking palm tree lined entrance to
 the historic venue spaces, modeled after 14th and 16th century Italian palazzos, the views and décor are nothing
 short of spectacular. The Breakers is one of the few hotels that continues to thrive independently of chain
 affiliation – the staff pride themselves on catering to even the most distinctive requests, which allows for the most
 personalized of wedding touches.
 Contact: Kym Bichon

Phone: 561-659-8415
Website: http://weddingsbythebreakers.com/

St. Augustine
Voted as a “Best Destination Weddings Hotel in the U.S." by Fodor's Travel, Casa Monica Hotel has everything
to complete your enchanted wedding, including a horse-drawn carriage getaway. Casa Monica features
charming ballrooms, adorned with gilded mirrors and brass chandeliers, as well as the outdoor Sultan’s Pavilion,
offering blue skies and sparkling pool waters in a Moroccan-inspired setting. For those who firmly believe man’s
best friend must be part of the ceremony, the request will be granted, as dogs may participate in the wedding
service.
Contact: Marina dos Santos
Phone: 904-819-6006
Website: http://www.casamonica.com/weddings/

St. Petersburg
The Loews Don CeSar Hotel in St. Pete Beach is the perfect destination to plan an enchanting beachside
wedding. Renowned as Florida’s legendary “Pink Palace,” the Loews Don CeSar is a treasured landmark
because of its history as the pampered playground for high society – from the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald and
Clarence Darrow to Elton John and Justin Timberlake. Voted the Best of the Best with The Knot Brides, this
location lends itself to the extravagance and elegance of the Great Gatsby era. Their seasoned Wedding
Specialists will attend to every detail, including a personalized cake created by executive pastry chef Tara
Bishop, who has been known to incorporate custom materials into cake décor.
Contact: Lauren Jones
Phone: 727-363-5042
Website: http://www.loewshotels.com/don-cesar/meetings/weddings

Marco Island
For an over-the-top, ultra-luxe experience, the Platinum Package at the Marco Island Marriott is absolute
perfection. This three-day affair admits 175 guests and begins with “Message in a Bottle”-themed invites
followed by a luau reception to welcome attendees. The bridal party will appreciate a full day of spa service and
groomsmen can choose between a WaveRunner tour of the Everglades or a golf outing on the resort’s private
course. The couple can remain completely at ease since two first class round trip tickets, limousine
transportation and food are also included – so enjoy your special day dining on lobster and filet mignon and
dancing the night away with your friends and family.
Contact: Toni Parker
Phone: 305-854-3544
Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotel-weddings/mrkfl-marco-island-marriott-beach-resort-golf-club-and-
spa/modules/weddings/home-page.mi

ELOPEMENT STATE OF MIND:

Orlando
Florida is known for family friendly vacations – so why take your family to Vegas for a wedding when you can
bring them to Orlando? The Central Florida Wedding Group will help put together the perfect last minute
ceremony, which can be carried out anytime between sunrise and sunset. With locations in Cocoa Beach, the
Winter Park Wedding Chapel and Casa Feliz, there are plenty of places to host your special day.
Contact: Heidi Parker
Phone: 407-903-1933
Website: http://centralfloridaweddinggroup.com/

St. Augustine
Looking for a quick getaway with a one-of-a-kind theme? Marineland Dolphin Adventure provides a tropical,
beachy vibe with the perfect backdrop – dolphins. Allow these magnificent mammals to serenade you and your
spouse-to-be as “I Do’s” are shared on a deck surrounding a sparkling 1.3 million gallon dolphin habitat.
Contact: Joan Whittemore
Phone: 904-471-1111x128
Website: http://www.marineland.net/

LAID BACK & LOW KEY:

River Ranch
Picture the charm of a white chapel perched underneath a statuesque old oak tree. The party continues as
people swirl, boots pounding, on the wooden dance floor at a saloon reception. If a wedding tucked away in the
heart of Florida’s cattle country suits you, consider the Westgate Resort. The resort, which recently underwent a
multi-million dollar renovation, is located in Central Florida and offers wedding packages which include
everything from a hayride during the rehearsal dinner, to a singing cowboy for the ceremony. Yeehaw!
Contact: Denise Brookefield
Phone: 863-692-1321
Website: https://www.westgatedestinations.com/florida/lake-wales/westgate-river-ranch/groups-
meetings/weddings/

Englewood
Allow Mother Nature and a small group of friends to oversee your special moment. Phoenix Rising Kayak Tours
will take your party to one of the remote barrier islands in Southwest Florida. Sink your toes into the sugar-white
sand, and with six friends surrounding you, share vows with your betrothed before kayaking off into the sunset.
Contact: Chris Warren
Phone: 941-586-2836
Website: www.prkayak.com

White Springs
For the couple looking for less fuss and more leisure, it can be found way down upon the Suwannee River.
Majestic oaks and the legendary waterway make Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park the perfect
place for an outdoor wedding along the water. The park is often referred to as a hidden gem – with its oak-
shaded sanctuaries and miles of trails, there’s no surprise why. Guests can kick back and relax at the local
campsite, or enjoy the breezes on the wrap-around porches at one of the fully equipped cabins. Close your eyes
and let the sounds of the 97-bell Carillon Tower take you away.
Contact: Andrea Thomas
Phone: 386-397-4478
Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/park-activities/Stephen-Foster#Weddings

THE FAIRLY ECLECTIC COUPLE:

Orlando
Up, up and away! As a certified notary public, Bob of Bob’s Balloon Charters, performs marriage ceremonies for
couples wishing to float away in wedded bliss. Soar over Walt Disney World and catch a glimpse of the castle,
then toast to happiness at a champagne brunch immediately following the flight.
Contact: Bob Wilamoski
Phone: 407-466-6380
Website: http://bobsballoons.com/BobsPromos.html

Harley-lovers can gear up for the ride of their life as they affirm their vows on their prized Harleys at Orlando
Harley-Davidson’s recreated 1903 "Shack", the historic birthplace of the Harley. Additional special Harley
wedding elements include wedding leathers and cowboy hats, Harley-themed wedding cakes, a custom-made
Orlando Harley wedding leather guestbook and temporary tattoos for guests.
Phone: 407-423-0346
Website: http://orlandoharley.com/Corporate-Events.aspx

Say “I Do” among your closest friends and skeletons. That’s right – in March 2015, “SKELETONS: Animals
Unveiled”, will open on International Drive in Orlando. This science museum will have 400 plus animal and
human skeletons posed and composed of real bones in unusual settings. As a place of science, this is for the
couple looking for quirky, not scary, so if you find beauty in osteology, consider this bone-white backdrop for your
wedding ceremony.
Contact: Mark Brisson
Phone: 407-766-5179
Website: http://skeletonmuseum.com/

Fort Lauderdale
For snorkeling enthusiasts, consider an underwater wedding. With an average temperature of 77 degrees and
an estimated 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, Fort Lauderdale is the perfect place for wet-n-wild nuptials. At the

American Dive Center, the dive instructor also serves as a notary public, so whether you want a private scuba
wedding ceremony or a squad of snorkeling friends to oversee your special day, the Dive Center can make it
happen. No need to pay extra for decorations since the colorful underwater world serves at the perfect backdrop.
Phone: 954-346-0174
Website: http://www.americandivecenter.com/underwater_wedding_faqs.html

                                                      ###

             For additional information, contact Lucille Spann at LSpann@VISITFLORIDA.org

                                              or (850) 312-0052

As the Sunshine State’s No. 1 industry, tourism was responsible for welcoming 97.3 million visitors in 2014 who
spent $82 billion, generating 23 percent of the state’s sales tax revenue and employing more than 1.1 million
Floridians. According to the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, for every $1 the state invests in
VISIT FLORIDA – the official tourism marketing corporation for the state of Florida – $3.20 in tax revenue is
generated. VISIT FLORIDA promotes tourism to Florida through sales, advertising, promotions, public relations
and visitor services programs. As a public/private partnership, VISIT FLORIDA serves more than 12,000 tourism
industry businesses, including major strategic alliance partnerships with Disney Destinations, The Hertz
Corporation, LEGOLAND Florida Resort, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Simon Shopping Destinations and
Universal Orlando Resort. To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA, please go to VISITFLORIDA.org or follow us on
our industry social media channels: SunshineMatters.org, Facebook and Twitter @FloridaTourism.