Florida Holiday Elopement: How UK Couples Can Get Married in Orlando
Top Elopement Spots in Orlando for UK Couples
So, you’re planning that epic holiday in Orlando. You’ve got your theme park tickets, maybe a villa booked, and a serious tan line on the horizon. But what if, while you’re here, you added a little “I do” to your itinerary? I’ve photographed hundreds of Orlando elopements and a large percentage of those couples come from the UK.
People from the UK tell me that they chose to get married while on their Orlando holiday because it’s so much easier to get married in Florida than in the UK.
The cool thing about eloping in Orlando, especially when you step away from the usual tourist spots, is that you get to see a different side of our city. Getting away from the tourist areas, you can experience the charming neighborhoods, the local hangouts, and the stunning natural beauty that most tourists completely miss out on.
Forget the big, stressful wedding planning and red tape bureaucracy of getting married in the UK. Eloping here is all about intimacy, ease, and making your wedding day genuinely yours. Ready to see how simple it can be?
Beyond the Mouse Ears: Your Top 3 Orlando Elopement Options
While everyone thinks of Orlando as “that Disney place,” my favorite elopement spots will actually show you the true heart of our city. Here are the three most popular ways my UK couples tie the knot:
1. The Courthouse: High Energy, Super Fun, & Oh-So-Orlando
This is hands-down the most common way my UK couples get hitched here. And for good reason! It’s a blast – high energy, super efficient, and genuinely fun. The most popular ones for elopements are in Downtown Orlando and Winter Park but we’ve got a few different courthouses around Central Florida, and you can view my playlist of courthouse reviews here on YouTube.
Choosing the courthouse means you get to experience what our city is actually like. You’ll be right in the middle of our downtown buzz or the charming and bougie tree-lined streets of Winter Park. It’s a fantastic way to quickly get married and then have the rest of your day to celebrate and explore.
2. Disney Springs: Your £500-ish Disney Wedding Hack
Alright, this one doesn’t exactly get you out of the tourist areas, but it’s my absolute favorite lifehack for an affordable Disney wedding. We’re talking around $650 (£500 or so) to get married right there in the magic!
If you want that Disney touch without the Disney price tag or the big fuss, getting married at Disney Springs is a vibrant and super convenient way. It’s lively, has great vibes, and gives you that magical feel without breaking the bank.
3. Orlando’s Gardens & Natural Spots: Hidden Gems of Beauty
Orlando is surrounded by some seriously stunning nature. If you’re dreaming of a more serene, picturesque backdrop for your “I do,” our local gardens and natural springs are incredible. My UK couples often fall in love with places like:
- Leu Gardens: A gorgeous botanical oasis right in the city.
- Kraft Azalea Garden: A truly picturesque spot with big, beautiful cypress trees right on the lake.
- Kelly Park / Rock Springs: Imagine saying your vows by crystal-clear, natural springs. It’s truly unique Florida.
These spots offer a completely different, often unexpected, side of Orlando and make for some truly beautiful and intimate ceremonies.
How to make your Orlando marriage official
If you choose the courthouse, you will get your marriage license and official certificate all in one appointment. if you choose a garden or natural spots instead of the courthouse, you don’t have to worry about finding someone to marry you. As a photographer officiant I can actually officiate your marriage right there during our photo session! I do it all the time, which makes everything seamless and stress-free for you.
If you opt for me to marry you, the only thing you’ll need to sort out beforehand is your marriage license. You can get it at any of the local Orange County Clerk of Courts offices. The downtown Orlando location isn’t the only place to get your marriage license, but it’s the only one where you don’t need an appointment. This one in Kissimmee is actually closer to Disney and easier to work with because it’s not in the city and there aren’t parking garages or security checks to go through. You only need to bring your passports. Seriously, it’s that simple. And if you decide to work with me, I can walk you through the entire process, step by step and answer any of your burning questions along the way.
Do you need to register your Florida marriage when you get back to the UK?
The UK legally recognizes marriages that are validly performed overseas, as long as they meet a few basic conditions (like being monogamous, both parties being of legal age, and consenting freely). A marriage performed legally in Florida will be recognized as legal in the UK.
There’s no special register or facility in the UK to “re-register” a marriage that happened abroad. Your official Florida marriage certificate is your proof of marriage in the UK.
What you will need to do back home:
- Keep your original marriage certificate safe! This is your most important document. They will ask if you want additional copies for $3 and I’d recommend getting a couple and keeping them separately just in case.
- Notify relevant UK bodies: You’ll need to inform places like HMRC, your local council, banks, and any other organizations where your marital status is relevant. They’ll likely just need to see your Florida marriage certificate.
- No translation needed: Since your Florida marriage certificate will be in English, you won’t need to get it officially translated for use in the UK, which is a nice bonus.
So, while it’s wise to double-check any super specific personal circumstances with a legal advisor if you have complex affairs (like immigration or specific financial planning), for most couples, your Florida “I do” means you’re officially, legally married back in the UK without any extra steps to “register” it.
