We’re back with part 3 of our series highlighting our preferred Orlando wedding venues! These are highly rated, tried-and-true venues that we’ve partnered with on numerous occasions. They have proven themselves to be trustworthy, reliable, communicative, and most importantly, they provide an excellent experience for our couples throughout the planning process and on the big day itself. Planning a wedding is stressful, but finding and working with Orlando wedding venues doesn’t have to be!
Before diving into the featured indoor/outdoor venues in this post, check out the first two parts in this series below:
Part 1: 3 Hidden Gem Orlando Wedding Venues
Part 2: Unique Orlando Wedding Venues You Can’t Miss
What to Look for in a Wedding Venue:
With hundreds of Orlando wedding venues out there, where do you begin in making a selection? This is the biggest celebration of your life after all! Not only should the venue aesthetically fit your vibe, but it should also logistically meet your needs. Not to mention, the team should provide you with extraordinary service from the moment you inquire all the way to the big day.
From our decades of experience planning and catering Orlando weddings, we’ve seen firsthand which venues check these boxes. We have partnered with them on the catering side and have taken our couples’ experiences into account as well. We never put our stamp of approval on a venue unless they have been thoroughly vetted like this!
If you’re wondering what qualities to look for in a wedding venue, take a page out of our book! Arguably the most important factor, logistics can make or break an event. Questions that run through our minds when considering a venue include:
- Where is the venue located? How easy is it to get to?
- How many guests can it accommodate?
- If it’s outdoors, what is the rain plan?
- Do they have an onsite catering kitchen?
- How many hours do they allow for events?
- Do they include any rental items in their packages (i.e. tables, chairs, linens etc)?
- Do they have ample parking onsite?
- How accessible is it for guests with mobility challenges?
These are just to name a few! All of the Orlando wedding venues in this series meet (and exceed) our expectations regarding logistics and guest service, so without further ado, let’s dive in!
Orlando Wedding Venues: Harry P. Leu Gardens
If you dream of getting married amongst nature without the hassle of hiking to a remote location, Leu Gardens is the perfect choice! They have 50 acres of botanical gardens, featuring colorful floral landscapes, shaded, paved pathways, and plant varieties from all over the world. It’s hard to believe they’re located in the heart of downtown Orlando!
When you get married here, you’ll have 7 different ceremony sites to choose from. These range from the Butterfly Garden with its 100-year old live oak tree to the Rose Garden with its year-round blooms and pristine fountains to the East Gazebo with its charming white facade and trailing greenery.
Guest capacities range from 25-180, so no matter what size wedding you’re planning, they have a beautiful option that fits your needs! Ceremonies include dedicated parking, ceremony chairs, rehearsal time, a rain backup location, complimentary transport for guests with mobility limitations, and more.
Photography: Sterling Photography
After you tie the knot, you’ll celebrate in one of three reception spaces: The Camellia Room, Magnolia Room or Rose Room. With included tables, chairs, and AV equipment, the stage will be set for your vendor team to bring your wedding vision to life!
Photography: Sterling Photography
John Michael Events is one of only eight exclusive caterers for Leu Gardens! We specialize in knowing the ins and outs of this expansive property in order to provide you with top-notch food and service. Leu Gardens is also often the site of our signature tasting events, “A Taste of John Michael!” This event allows prospective and current clients to sample many of our dishes, meet our team, and get to know our preferred vendors.
Leu Gardens makes the perfect backdrop for our event as well as our couples’ wedding celebrations! Learn more about their packages below:
Orlando Wedding Venues: Paradise Cove
If the beach is more your vibe, Paradise Cove is the spot for you! Conveniently situated right off Disney property, you and your guests will have easy access to the theme parks and surrounding attractions during your wedding weekend. Despite the popularity of the area, Paradise Cove is tucked away so it feels like your own private tropical oasis!
You’ll exchange vows on the shores of Lake Bryan surrounded by palm and cypress trees, enjoy drinks with your loved ones by the palm-thatched cabana bar, and dine and dance under the open-air reception pavilion. Numerous photo opportunities abound between the sandy banks of the waterfront, the long wooden dock that extends into the Florida wetlands, and the manicured lawns surrounded by tropical foliage. Market lights, a fire pit and tiki torches light up the night, lending a cozy feel to this beach wedding venue.
With inclusive packages, the Paradise Cove team provides everything you need for your dream day… but we’ve saved the best for last! You can take full advantage of this waterfront wedding venue by zooming into your ceremony on a world-class speedboat! Set to the tune of the James Bond theme song, the groom and his groomsmen will make an unforgettable, cinematic ceremony entrance. You can also drive off in the boat at the end of the night as your getaway vehicle, putting the cherry on top of a perfect tropical wedding evening!
Ready to get married in paradise? Contact this venue here:
Photography: Castaldo Studio
Orlando Wedding Venues: The Capen House
One of our favorite historic Orlando wedding venues is The Capen House! Rich with natural beauty, this venue resides at the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens in Winter Park, Florida. It features three acres of panoramic lawns and landscapes, and a signature waterfront view of Lake Osceola, complete with boat dock access.
Photography: Root Photography
On your wedding day at The Capen House, you’ll get ready in the historic manor that’s steeped in history and classic beauty. Think arched windows, sweeping staircases, glistening chandeliers, and stately sculptures. Your guests will gather on the Lakeview Lawn for the ceremony and then celebrate with you in the Stations of the Cross courtyard and Capen Patio for the cocktail hour and reception.
No matter where you go on property, you’ll encounter picturesque backdrops for your wedding photos, from the swaying cypress trees to the hedge lined courtyard to awe-inspiring sunsets over the water. The Capen House can accommodate up to 80 for a seated indoor celebration while their outdoor spaces can accommodate over 150.
Does this sound like your vibe? Check out all the details of this Orlando wedding venue here:
Photography: Root Photography
Meet Your Orlando Caterer:
John Michael Events is an experienced Orlando wedding and event caterer, specializing in serving all types of events, from weddings to social events to corporate events. We offer all-inclusive wedding packages that not only include event catering, but also the additional vendors you’ll need to throw the wedding of your dreams! Twice a quarter, we are proud to host “A Taste of John Michael,” a one-of-a-kind group tasting experience, where clients are invited to sample a variety of our delicacies.
Ready to book one of our Orlando catering packages or need more guidance on top Orlando wedding venues? Contact our team by hitting the button below. We would love to chat with you!
