DESTINATION WEDDINGS: Orlando, Florida

Getting married at Orlando Harley Davidson

Unique venues from Harley Davidson
to the Arabian Nights

James Arscott

So you want to get married, eh! You want to get away on the honeymoon you will never forget; something different, something old, something new, something sandy, and something blue. Well, try the peninsula of passion, the place where weather is not a bride's worry, you know, Florida, USA.

On a recent excursion south, my wife and I were privy to a multitude of first class establishments specializing in wedding destinations and honeymoons. Everything from standard fare to the unique and magical are available to anyone wishing to sample Orlando, Florida�s most hospitable and friendly venues.

How about an elaborate all-inclusive Chinese theme reception offering authentic cooking styles from all four regions of China and Taiwan for your party of 400 to 1000 guests including extensive varieties of sushi, fresh Florida seafood, live Maine lobster and many other oriental favorites? These are available at Ming Court in Orlando. Call 1.407.351.9988 extension 24 for Paul Steiner or visit www.ming-court.com.

If you are into something very different, see the Harley wedding cake on the left, why not give Orlando Harley Davidson a try? They have been putting on wedding receptions for years. Imagine a bridal procession thundering down the main street with the entire bridal party all on hogs. Sends a shiver up your spine. Call 1.407.423.0346 extension 221 or visit www.orlandoharley.com.

Another option is a cruise on the Rivership Romance boat where your wedding party can relax, dine, party and enjoy the sights and sounds while cruising the St. John's River. Call toll-free 1.800.423.7401 or visit www.rivershipromance.com.

For those of you into floral splendour, there is the unique and beautiful Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens in Winter Park, Florida, where natural backdrops allow brides the biggest and best FREE flower arrangements one can imagine. The executive director, Debbie Komanski, will be glad to hear from you at 1.407.647.6294 or visit www.polasek.org.

One of our favourite locations for a very different angle on marital bliss was Arabian Nights, near Orlando Arabian Nights is a unique and spectacular dinner theater which has been voted "Most Romantic Restaurant" and where 60 horses and 30 performers combine to dazzle the audience with a magical fairytale of a royal wedding. The possibilities for weddings, receptions or rehearsal dinners are endless.
  For her wedding, the bride can choose to have the private use of the entire Palace, including beautiful horses, a wedding carriage, staging and decor, and special effects, such as falling snow, pyrotechnics and fog. For a reception, what makes it so special here is that the bride and groom may ride in a horse-drawn carriage as part of the show, and they can select upgrades, such as belly dancers, roaming fortune tellers, aerial acrobatics, or a dance party, which will all add up to a fabulous and unforgettable day. Prices start at $49 per person.
  The Arabian Nights staff will work with the bride to create a spectacular event of her dreams. Contact wedding consultant Dawn Roberts by calling toll-free 1.800.553.6116 extension 211 or visit www.arabian-nights.com.

Saving the best for last has been difficult but patience always had its perks. Hyatt Resorts has assembled a crew of professionals who cater to their clients. Hyatt's Villas of Grand Cypress is everything you would expect and more - a beautiful oasis in the land of Disney, where wedding plans and dreams are all in a day's work for people like Nerissa Wachter, wedding coordinator, conference and catering manager. Call toll-free at 1.877.330.7377 or visit www.grandcypress.com. Bride and groom can sit back and listen to planning at its finest, from ceremony site, food, villas, cakes, floral, entertainment, DJs, photographers and videographers, officiants, hair and makeup, limos and of course, beverages. If I could do it all again, this would be the place. My wife Donna (who's been married to me for over 30 years) would agree, if only I could get her to agree to do it all over again!

Until we meet again, may your ceremonies and garters go off without a hitch!

www.WeddingsHoneymoons.com | February 22, 2007