Congratulations! You’re engaged! This is such an exciting time in your life, filled with romance, family, and celebration. As a top Orlando wedding venue, our team has seen countless couples embark on this beautiful journey. We’ve helped guide them through the exciting yet stressful wedding planning process with years of experience and expertise under our belts. Here at Celebration Gardens, we are not just a botanical garden Orlando wedding venue. We are a dynamic team of event management professionals, who are well-versed in both every detail of our property and the entire wedding planning process.
Based on our plethora of experience, we have put together this handy guide for the top things you should do after first getting engaged. We’re here to help ensure that you start planning your dream Orlando wedding off on the right foot to minimize stress and maximize your dreams.
So engaged couples, make sure to save this post and take notes! These are the first things you should do when you get engaged to help make your wedding planning as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Let’s dive in!
Orlando Wedding Tip# 1: Celebrate!
Before starting to plan your perfect Orlando wedding, take some time to revel in your engagement. This is a moment worth celebrating! Whether it’s an engagement party with friends or a small gathering with family, take the time to share your joy with your loved ones. This is both an exciting and fleeting time in your lives. You want to make sure to honor and commemorate it!
We also recommend taking time for just you and your partner not only to celebrate this milestone, but to start dreaming together! This is the time to start figuring out your wedding vision. Where do you picture yourselves getting married? What kind of vibe do you love? Do you envision an all-out celebration with everyone you know or an intimate event with just your closest people?
Spending intentional one-on-one time with your partner at this early phase of the planning process is key to ensure you’re both on the same page for your big day.
Orlando Wedding Tip #2: Create a Budget
Once the initial excitement settles, it’s time to start planning! One of the most crucial first steps in wedding planning is establishing a wedding budget. Discuss this with your partner and any family members who might be contributing to your wedding. Top contributing factors that will help you determine your overall budget include:
- Guest Count
- Venue
- Catering
- Décor
We know creating (and sticking to!) a budget can be daunting. That’s why our team at Celebration Gardens has formulated our all-inclusive wedding packages that bundle together everything you’ll need for your dream wedding. From the venue rental to photography to floral to catering and more, each package consists of your Orlando wedding dream team with the ability to customize to best fit your specific needs.
Our sister company, John Michael Events, is a top Orlando wedding caterer. Their team includes experts who can guide you in crafting the perfect wedding menu that not only fits your budget, but also delights your guests’ taste buds.
Choosing both a venue and caterer who are willing and experienced enough to work with your specific budget and needs is essential in minimizing stress throughout the process.
Read more about Celebration Gardens’ all-inclusive wedding packages below:
All-Inclusive Wedding Packages
Blog Post: Which Orlando Venue Package is Right for You?
Orlando Wedding Tip #3: Compile Your Guest List
A task that goes hand in hand with creating your wedding budget is compiling your Orlando wedding guest list. This is a fundamental step that will impact many decisions throughout the process. Sit down with your partner and decide what your ideal guest count looks like. Whether it means just your immediate families or your entire circle, make sure you are aligned in the approximate size of your wedding. This list will evolve as you continue planning, but starting early gives you a solid foundation.
Our Orlando wedding venue is perfect for elopements, intimate weddings, and larger celebrations up to 175 guests. You can tie the knot on our beautiful Gazebo Lawn followed by cocktail hour within our natural botanical gardens. Then, you and your loved can celebrate the night away in our Grand Pavilion. This open-air reception space is adjacent to the gardens, so it’s not uncommon for weddings to move the dance party from under the pavilion to under the stars. Talk about an incredible evening!
Photography: Sterling Photography
Orlando Wedding Tip #4: Select a Wedding Date
With your wedding budget in mind, it’s time to select a date for your Orlando wedding! To do so, first consider the season you’d like to get married in. Orlando is known for being sunny year-round, but don’t forget that rainy season runs from approximately June – October. Luckily, our botanical garden Orlando wedding venue was built with an impeccable rain plan in mind, so no matter the weather, your wedding will go off without a hitch.
Spring and fall are peak wedding seasons in Orlando due to the milder temperatures, so we encourage you to reach out to our team if you are currently dreaming of a spring or fall wedding to save your date!
Fridays and Saturdays tend to be the most popular wedding days, but we also offer Sunday and weekday packages with special rates to be able to cater to all couples’ preferences. Make sure to ask us about our booking incentives too!
Photography: Sterling Photography
Orlando Wedding Tip #5: Brainstorm Wedding Design
Our final Orlando wedding tip is to start brainstorming your wedding design early. Beginning to think about your wedding colors, style and overall vibe will help you decide which of our wedding packages may be right for you. It may also help guide you to a certain season of the year for your wedding date!
Many couples who have their Orlando wedding at Celebration Gardens love the fact that our botanical gardens are lush and colorful year-round. In fact, they often draw inspiration from the gardens and use it as natural, built-in décor. With flowers and natural greenery flourishing across our property, the venue is always ready for a special occasion!
Photography: Sterling Photography
Even our ceremony Wedding Gazebo stands majestic on its own. You can feel free to dress it up with florals, fabric draping or lanterns, but it’s also elegant and beautiful without any enhancements.
Photography: Sterling Photography
No matter what you choose, remember to enjoy the process and this season! Your engagement is a time of love and excitement, and it’s easy to get caught up in the details. Take breaks, spend quality time with your partner, and don’t forget to appreciate each and every little moment.
Getting engaged is just the beginning of a beautiful journey, and we at your Orlando wedding venue are here to help you every step of the way. From selecting the perfect venue to ensuring every detail aligns with your vision, we’re dedicated to making your wedding day unforgettable. As you embark on this exciting adventure, remember to celebrate your love, stay organized, and cherish the moments that matter most. Cheers to your engagement and the beautiful future ahead!
Let’s Plan Your Orlando Wedding!
Celebration Gardens is Orlando’s premier botanical garden wedding venue, located in Winter Park, FL. Our Wedding Gazebo, Intimate Pavilion, Grand Pavilion, and lush gardens provide a seamless flow from ceremony to cocktail hour to reception. We also offer all-inclusive wedding packages to make wedding planning as simple and stress-free as possible!
Are you interested in having your wedding at our beautiful outdoor wedding venue? Contact us today! Our friendly team members would love to chat with you and provide you with a customized quote.