who are you and exactly do you do?

destination weddings of orlando, lCC is a husband and wife owned and operated small company. we are not wedding planners or coordinators; we are your ceremony team. we specialize in officiating (getting your married), photography, videography and beach wedding decorations; that's all we do!

when we package our pre-arranged ceremony services, we create affordable alternatives to expensive wedding planning services.

how our beach weddings work:

You've decided to get married or renew your vows at a beautiful beach in central florida; what's next?

• tell us where and when you want to get married and find out if our team is available
• secure our services with a paid deposit. balance is due a month prior the ceremony.
• after a deposit payment is received, We will discuss:
  • the best beach site to hold your ceremony
  • the best start time
  • ceremony service & vows
  • ceremony flow
• you and your attendees will meet our team at the designated location and time for the ceremony.
• after the ceremony, you will spend an additional 30 - 45 minutes with the photographer taking pictures on the beach
• You will receive your marriage certificate (not applicable for vows renewals or weddings) and/or your photo disk by mail a few weeks later
• simple, romantic, & hassle free!

Where are your garden locations?
In the Orlando Metro Area. We use downtown lake eola, leu gardens and winter park chapel with our garden packages. Please, if you have no intention of reserving our packages as listed, do not call us requesting information on these locations; contact them directly instead. You can find these location's contact information through the Yellow Pages or the Internet.

we do not customize the garden packages because the only profit we make from these packages is from the officiant and photography services only. we do not charge coordinate fees with the garden packages. if you do not need the officiant and photography included with the garden packages, we are not able to assist with your wedding.

for more details about the botanical garden intimate/elopement package, please click here.

for more details about the botanical garden small wedding package, please click here.

Which Florida beach locations you go to?
We are located in Orlando, however, Orlando is not a coastal town (there are NO beaches in Orlando). Cocoa Beach IS THE closest one to Orlando- about 1 hour and 15 minutes away.

our local area includes Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, Melbourne Beach, Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach, and all beach locations between clearwater beach and st. Pete beach.

How do you select a beach location?
we do not have/own a beach location. if the couple doesn't have a beach location arranged, we will suggest a suitable public beach location. 99% of all weddings we do are done at public beaches. most people are respectful and will not interfere with your ceremony.

which beach is the best or the prettier?
all beach towns are different and beauty is on the eye of the beholder! we cannot tell you which one is prettier, but we would gladly make suggestions based on your specific needs and expectations.

Can you suggest a "private" or "secluded" beach?
All beaches in the State of Florida (even "private" ones) are required to be open to the general public and even with an event permit we are NOT allowed to "secure" or "rope-off" any space on the beach or request anyone to be removed from the beach.

again, Most people are respectful and will not disrupt any ceremony-related service. Some will even move out of the way if they feel their presence interferes with your view.

are there any permit fees to hold my wedding on the beach?
most beach locations we service do not charge a permit fee for small weddings with the exception of clearwater beach.

there MIGHT BE an additional $160.50 permit fee to hold your ceremony in clearwater beach. beach permit fees are not included with our prices. for clearwater beach weddings, we will request the permit to the county for you, however, you are responsible to sending the payment once the permit comes through.

What happens if it rains during my beach ceremony?
if it rains during the ceremony, we will try to complete our services the best we can up to that point. the majority of the time we just wait a few minutes for the weather to clear out and continue with our services.

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT WE DO NOT PROVIDE A backup or indoor location. our services are limited to the actual ceremony services listed on your package's description. it is the couple's responsibility to arrange a backup indoor location we can use in case of bad weather. suggestions include an indoor event room at your hotel, the restaurant you plan to go to after the ceremony or your reception place.

be flexible! if the day before your wedding there is a forecast of more than a 50% chance of rain on your wedding day, We will give you the option of changing the date or move up/down the start time subject to our calendar availability. We cannot guarantee a "next day" wedding because we schedule weddings every day at various locations and might not have availability. we can be flexible, but you must also be flexible and work with our schedule.

We do not issue refunds if you cancel your wedding due to inclement weather as you will be given options, it is expected that you have a backup location arranged and we have no control over the weather. it is highly recommended you purchase wedding insurance when planning a destination or outdoor wedding.

couples that do not feel comfortable with the uncertainty of good weather are advised to reserve one of the botanical garden packages instead. the botanical garden is a beautiful ceremony location and because is a paid venue, they will provide an indoor backup location on site in case of bad weather

What time do you recommend I have my beach ceremony?
depending on the package, about 1 to 2 hours before the sun goes down which give us plenty of time for ceremony AND pictures before the beach closes AND IT GESTS PITCH DARK. ALSO, LATE PM CEREMONIES ARE THE BEST WAY TO AVOID CROWDS OF PEOPLE AND THE TEMPERATURE IS COOLER AND MANAGEBLE DURING OUR WARM SUMMER AND FALL MONTHS. We do NOT schedule sunrise or morning beach weddings.

Morey would be happy to suggest the BEST start time based on your ceremony location, package and actual sun down/set time for your wedding date.

can i have photos taken while the sun sets?
only if you book an elopement package. unfortunately, when you reserve a small beach wedding package with decorations and chairs, the ceremony must be completed before sunset because we need about 1 hour to pack up and clean up the beach as required by the city, and all beaches close at sundown.

sunsets are not visible every day! please, do not plan your wedding around the possibility of a sunset or you may be disappointed. beach weddings should be for couples that enjoy the beauty of the beach regardless of a sunset. daytime photos are just as beautiful. click here to view daytime photo at clearwater and here for cocoa beach.

How is the weather like in Central Florida?
Average temperatures and precipitation tables: click here for Cocoa Beach, click here for Clearwater Beach and here for Orlando.

when is the best time to get married in central florida?
when it works best for you! our rain and hurricane season are the summer months, but rain usually doesn't last too long and is never a major issue when everything is planned correctly.

yes, there are some days more hot and humid than others, but again, there are many ways to get around itt (like choosing a good start time, etc,) and manage to enjoy from a beautiful ceremony. in summary, we can perform outdoor ceremonies year round with some modifications.

What time is sunset/sun down?
It depends on the month and location! Click here to view Clearwater Beach sunset times, click here to view Cocoa Beach sundown times. Don't forget to select appropriate dates because the time varies depending on the date.

What should I wear for my beach ceremony?
With the exception of the months of January and February, you should wear comfortable/light clothing when planning an outdoor ceremony in Central Florida. Not only you will be comfortable during the service, but you will avoid the typical "sweaty & shiny face" in your pictures!

Grooms: avoid jackets, blazers, long sleeves, dark clothing and tuxedos. We highly recommend you wear flip-flops instead of shoes and socks. Not only they look appropriate for the beach and better in pictures but it would be much easier when taking photos by the water.

Brides: Please, please, please - DO NOT wear a veil regardless of length, don't leave your hair down, avoid bangs or hair strings of the side of your face. It is always breezy on the beach and you will spend most of your time pulling those away from your face; you will also look like you never "brushed" your hair in your pictures and depending on the wind direction, a "flying" veil might be the only thing everyone will see instead of your face. Veils do NOT work on the beach! Again, veils do NOT work on the beach!

If you want romantic and fun pictures of the groom carrying you, lifting you for a kiss or sitting on the sand, avoid those heavy and puffy dresses! Also, avoid liquid-based makeup. The sunshine and flash photography can really accentuate shine of your face. A light layer of powder-based foundation works best.

Brides should NOT wear shoes with heels of any kind, no matter how short or solid they might be or look to you, walking on the sand with heels is uncomfortable and it always looks "odd". We call it the "ET" look :-)

about winter weddings: florida gets "cold spells" the first two months of the year. this means that the temperature will not be consistently cold as northern states, but we might get a day or two of cold weather and it could be the day of your wedding.

brides, if you booked a winter wedding, please make sure you bring a nice "cover up". you don't need a winter coat, but it might get chilly and windy on the beach. a nice cover up will look glamorous and you'll still look like a florida bride. just be prepared for both: a warm or cold wedding day and you'll have nothing to worry about.

Finally, stay away from the sun and always use LOTS of sunscreen while in Florida; even when is cloudy! NEVER underestimate the power of the sun. Remember, photos normally accentuate the redness of your skin.

Do you offer reception packages?
No, however, You will receive a list of suggested reception venues with your initial paid deposit.

Are bridal flowers included or possible?
please read your package description carefully. if bridal flowers are not listed, then they are not included but may be added for an additional fee. we can only arrange flowers with beach elopements and garden weddings. couples will receive a list of referrals with their paid deposit.

Are your prices lower for weekdays than for weekends?
BEACH WEDDING PACKAGES ARE PRICED THE SAME, HOWEVER, OTHER PACKAGES MIGHT BE PRICED DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON THE VENUE. READ YOUR PREFERRED PACKAGE DESCRIPTION CAREFULLY TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL FEE FOR WEEKEND WEDDINGS.

Do you assist with hotel or travel arrangements?
although we are not travel agents and cannot give you direct recommendations, You will receive a list of suggested hotels and other wedding-related vendors with your paid deposit.

Can you give me a list of vendors, hotels, etc.?
Once you submit your paid deposit, you will have access to a secure web page where you'll have a list of suggested vendors and other ceremony details.

I have Marriage License Questions
Click here to read everything about getting a Florida Marriage License

Can we meet to discuss our ceremony?
In an effort to keep our prices affordable and because we service a large territorial area, all arrangements are done over the phone and e-mail. We do not meet until a few minutes prior the ceremony at the ceremony location. Our packages and services are prearranged; there are only a few decisions to be made and they can be made over the phone and e-mail. Our services are designed and priced so that all you really need to do is "show up" and get married!

who will get me married?
we work with a wonderful team of officiants including florida notaries and non-denominational christian ministers and any of them could be assigned to service your wedding.

if you have a preference in regards to the type of ceremony you want (non-religious vs. religious), please let us know and we will accommodate you the best we can.

if you have a gender or type of officiant (notary vs. minister) preference, we will try to accommodate you but we cannot guarantee this type of request as our officiant availability varies considerably. if you "must" have certain type of officiant, then it is best if you bring your own officiant instead.

Can i bring my own officiant?
as long as he/she is authorize to legalize marriages in florida, yes you can, but we must be notified of your intentions at the time of the booking. contact the clerk of the courts office directly with any questions regarding the validity of your officiant.

also, ceremonies must be kept under 15 minutes long. our packages are priced for a short 1 hour service including photography, therefore, if you extend your ceremony beyond the suggested time, you will have a lot less photos.

Can i write and read/recite my own vows?
of course you can! you should be free to express how you feel about each other on your own way!

Can i include my children into the ceremony?
of course you can! you may write vows for your children, include them into the sand ceremony and present them with small gifts after the ring exchange as a token of your love.

What's included with your ceremony photography?
A photographer will start taking pictures when the ceremony starts until the ceremony ends. If time and weather permits, he/she will take a group photo, the couple with their immediate families (if applicable) and lastly couple-only photos. you will receive a cd with your high resolution photos including print rights.

All photos are taken at the ceremony location only and must be completed within 1 hour to the photographer's discretion. a second location, bridal preparations or reception coverage are not included with our packages unless is listed on the package's description. you may extend photography coverage for an additional fee.

please be advised of other "cheap" sites that offer you a ceremony and "photo cd" dirt cheap. those offers are not professional photos! outdoor photography is challenging and requires additional lighting and equipment or your photos will be dark even with sunlight! check out our blog for a sample of what customers receive, compare with other and you be the judge!

how many photos will i receive?
we do not promise any specific number of photos nor penalize you by giving you a few and keeping the rest to sell them later on. we give you everything that is up to our quality standards. on average, we give the couple between 75-100 photos and sometimes even more!

are the photos edited?
Yes, they are slightly edited for color correction, exposure, composition, etc. extensive editing, for example, changing people's physical appearance, deleting people from photos, etc. is not included but possible for an added fee. again, please browse our blog to view samples of the quality of our photography.

are black & white and/or special effects included?
we might include a few unique poses in b&W or with a special coloring effect, subject to the photographer's discretion.

Can i bring my own photographer?
No. The purposes of our packages is to sell our photography! If you don't need a photographer, then our services are not for you. sorry, we do not rent our decorations out. our decorations are for the benefit of our customers only.

Do you offer video service?
Yes, we do. Our standard ceremony video service is priced between $250-$450 depending on the ceremony package you choose and it includes ceremony and photo session footage; a wireless microphone is placed on the Officiant or Groom for quality sound.

How long does the ceremony last?
The ceremony lasts an average of 1 hour including photography.

Is a rehearsal included?
No. Rehearsals can be arranged for a $400.00 fee subject to our calendar availability. When you book a package it does not guarantee that the day before your wedding will be available for a rehearsal even if you are paying for this service. If you plan to book a paid rehearsal, please do so before you book your wedding date so that you can check at that time if both dates (rehearsal and wedding) are available.

Do you perform vows renewals or commitment ceremonies?
YES. All packages are available and priced the same.

Do you perform same sex commitment ceremonies?
YES. All packages are available and priced the same.

Are ceremonies possible any day of the week?
Yes, we schedule ceremonies 7 days a week with the exception of a few US Holidays including 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Mother's Day and Father's Day. We DO schedule ceremonies on Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's, etc. Contact us with your date to check if we can schedule your ceremony.

I'm ready to reserve; what's my next step.
Contact us first to find out if your date is available. Once you've confirmed availability with us, click here to read our service terms and conditions and submit your reservations request with a paid deposit.

What is your cancellation policy?
Deposits are NOT refundable and are NOT transferable under ANY circumstances - no exceptions - if you cancel your reservation you do not get your deposit back.

What happens if I need to postpone my ceremony?
You may postpone your event once with advanced notification for a future date no more than 6 months away from the original date. All payments (except the marriage license fee) will be applied towards your future date and some restrictions apply.

How far in advanced can I reserve your services or a package?
We take reservations for ceremonies up to a year away.

Last minute elopements: although we prefer at least 3-weeks notice, we may accommodate you with as little as 1 week notice as long as we have availability, you obtain the marriage license in person instead, and you pay in full ahead of time.

Can you send me a brochure or more information?
We don't have brochures and all information we can possibly give you is already listed on this page. Please, continue reading this page for "more information" and if you cannot find answers to your questions here, then send us an e-mail with your specific questions. When contacting us by e-mail, please be specific and include your wedding date, package you are interested and beach location if applicable.

why should we pick you instead of any of your competitors?
I'm glad you asked:

• experience - we have been in business longer than the majority of our competitors. you want to make sure that your wedding vendor will show up for your wedding! if you see another company selling similar services for a lot less money, they might not have the resources to be in business a year from now; be careful!
• reputation & honesty - we are members of the bbb with a clear record. we don't sell high expectations to under-deliver - we prefer the other way around! we are honest and if it can't be done, we'll let you know ahead of time.
• photography - our photos speak for themselves and one of the main reasons couples book our services. visit our blog and compare our photography to our competitors. we use state of the art equipment, external lighting, and we enhanced every sing photo you get with professional software. not even ONE of our competitors go to that extend for the same amount of money.
• because you like us better :-) -