Places to get married in central florida

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The Magic Kingdom isn't the only place for out-of-towners to plan a wedding in the Central Florida area. Whether you want a romantic garden wedding, a big traditional church affair or an elegant country club soiree, the communities of Orlando, Kissimmee and St. Cloud offer plenty of options.

1. Gardens

   • Orlando's Harry P. Leu Gardens are in the city, but away from the noise and grit. This garden features the largest collection of Camellia flowers outside of California, butterflies, herbs, vegetables, bamboo and palm trees. The Gardens allow up to 180 guests for the ceremony. Your reservation will also include use of an indoor facility in the event of rain, plus a free membership to the Garden for the bride and groom for good measure.

     For similar options, look to the English Gardens in Winter Park for a lovely outdoor space, a full bar and catered food. Mead Garden in Winter Park, another botanic garden in the area that is available to wedding parties, is abundant with not only roses and other flowers, but also eagles, raccoons and butterflies.

   Hotels

   • For extravagant couples with lots of friends, the Waldorf Astoria Orlando is the best in Central Florida. With a capacity to hold up to 400 guests on nearly 500 acres, the sheer size and diversity of choices can be overwhelming. But the hotel, which is part of the New York-based Waldorf Astoria chain of hotels, offers wedding planning services to help you navigate the hotel's options. Catering and outdoor spaces are also available.

     Try the suburban Heathrow Country Club in Heathrow for a similarly elegant ambiance. If the beautifully crisp white dining area and valet parking don't win you over, their slogan, "We'll do the planning and preparation, you just show up!" might. Also, look to the Walt Disney World Hilton in Lake Buena Vista. Their facilities can accommodate parties over 400 and it's a great option for out-of-town guests.

   Churches

   • A picturesque chapel situated away from the city, this small Christian church is adept at hosting small wedding ceremonies. Its beautiful white exterior and traditional wooden pews inside make it perfect for couples with an old-fashioned sentiment. Unlike hotels, country clubs or gardens, it is difficult to hold both the ceremony and reception in a small chapel, so another venue will still have to be reserved.

     The sanctuary at Christ Church Unity in Orlando gives a similar chapel feel for larger parties of up to 300. Perks include a "wiggle room" for childcare -- it even has a one-way viewing window -- on-site wedding coordinators, ministers and live music. Kissimmee's First Presbyterian Church is over 200 years old and is another great choice for smaller weddings. Most churches offer their facilities to nearly any party for a fee, but be sure to follow up with each coordinator individually to be sure there are no restrictions.

Source: www.ehow.com

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