Planning an elopement is different than planning a traditional wedding. Instead of coordinating a large guest list and a packed timeline, you get the freedom to create a day that feels intentional, relaxed, and completely centered around the two of you.
One of my favorite things about photographing elopements is watching couples slow down and actually experience their wedding day. There’s time to explore somewhere beautiful, enjoy a long dinner together, and create memories that feel just as meaningful as anything else about the day.
As a Central Florida elopement photographer, I’ve spent years helping couples choose locations that fit their vision, build timelines around the best light, and create a day that feels effortless from beginning to end. Whether you’re planning a simple courthouse elopement, an intimate estate micro wedding, or something with a little Disney magic woven in, I’d love to help you figure out what’s right for you.
If you’re considering eloping in Florida, here are some of my favorite places to celebrate, explore, and create photographs you’ll love for the rest of your life.
Table of Contents
- Downtown Orlando Elopements
- Winter Park Elopements
- Disney Elopements and Intimate Weddings
- Eloping at the Ringling Museum
- Other Beautiful Florida Elopement Locations
- FAQ: Planning a Central Florida Elopement or Micro Wedding
- Florida Elopement Photography: What Matters Most
Downtown Orlando Elopements
For couples looking for something simple, meaningful, and intimate, downtown Orlando is a wonderful place to start.
The Orange County Courthouse offers a straightforward and affordable ceremony experience, and once you’re officially married, the city becomes your backdrop. From historic architecture and brick-lined streets to quiet corners tucked between downtown buildings, there are so many opportunities for portraits that feel editorial, romantic, and uniquely yours. Courthouse elopements have a quiet kind of magic to them. The emotions are real, the moments are unfiltered, and nothing about the day is overly complicated. My job is to make sure everything feels guided and calm so you can stay fully present.
One of my favorite additions to a downtown Orlando elopement is a stop at the Grand Bohemian Hotel. The elegant interiors, warm tones, and beautiful architecture create a completely different feel from the city streets and add real variety to your gallery. Afterward, celebrate with brunch or dinner and take your time soaking it all in. You got married today. There’s no rush.
Winter Park Elopements
If you’re dreaming of something romantic and relaxed, Winter Park is one of my favorite places in Central Florida for an elopement or micro wedding.
Rollins College
Rollins College offers some of the most beautiful portrait locations in the area. Between the Mediterranean-inspired architecture, lakefront views, and beautiful gardens, it feels like multiple locations wrapped into one. The rose garden during golden hour is especially beautiful. The light filters through in a way that feels soft and romantic, creating photographs that feel timeless without any effort on your part. Couples who feel nervous in front of the camera tend to relax quickly here because the setting does so much of the work for them.
Hannibal Square
Just minutes away, Hannibal Square adds a completely different feel to your gallery. Charming storefronts, colorful murals, and walkable streets create a more playful and modern atmosphere while still feeling elevated. It pairs beautifully with Rollins for couples who want variety in their elopement day.
Kraft Azalea Garden
Kraft Azalea Garden in Winter Park is known for its towering 200-year-old cypress trees, Spanish moss, and peaceful lakefront views. The Exedra, a neo-classical colonnade right on the water, is one of the most beautiful micro wedding spots in all of Central Florida. It’s perfect for couples who want a simple, intimate ceremony surrounded by natural beauty. Private reservations for up to 20 guests are available through the City of Winter Park.
Casa Feliz
For couples looking for an intimate venue with real character, Casa Feliz is one of Winter Park’s hidden gems. The historic Spanish farmhouse architecture, beautiful courtyard gardens, and relaxed atmosphere make it ideal for weekday elopements and micro weddings. It feels private, romantic, and full of personality without requiring a large wedding budget. After your portraits, Park Avenue has wonderful restaurants nearby for a celebratory dinner together. See this gorgeous wedding I captured at Casa Feliz for inspiration.
Eloping at The Ringling Museum
The Ringling Museum in Sarasota is one of Florida’s most iconic elopement locations, and one of my personal favorites to photograph (check out Tessa and Devin’s engagement session there for inspiration).
The 66-acre grounds offer a combination of European-inspired architecture, beautiful bayfront gardens, waterfront views, and historic charm that very few locations can match. Whether you’re planning a simple garden ceremony or a more elevated intimate celebration, The Ringling creates an experience that feels romantic, intentional, and genuinely unforgettable.
As an elopement photographer, I love it for the incredible variety it offers throughout a single property. Your gallery will look like it was photographed across multiple destinations without you ever leaving the estate. For couples who want images that feel artistic and timeless, there is genuinely nowhere else like it in Florida.
For couples considering a smaller ceremony at The Ringling, it’s also worth knowing that my elopement photography services are designed to make the entire experience feel guided, calm, and easy from start to finish.
Disney Elopements & Intimate Weddings
If you’re traveling to Orlando, Disney is worth considering for more than just the parks. As a fully licensed and insured photographer throughout Walt Disney World Resort, I love helping couples create an experience that feels intentional, relaxed, and completely their own.
Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings team offers a variety of intimate wedding and elopement experiences, making it possible to create something that feels uniquely personal while still enjoying the magic of the resort. If you’re working with their planning team, I’ll work alongside them to make sure every detail feels seamless and thoughtfully curated from start to finish, so you can stay fully present and just enjoy your day. Just look at the joy we were able to capture in this whimsical Disney Boardwalk session!
Destination couples and out-of-state guests eloping at Disney are always welcome. I’m happy to help guide you through Florida marriage license timing, vendor logistics, and everything else so the planning process feels simple and stress-free.
Disney Springs
For couples who want Disney woven into their celebration without a full theme park wedding, Disney Springs is a wonderful option. The waterfront views, beautiful evening lighting, and lively atmosphere make it a fun location for portraits and a celebratory dinner afterward. Paddlefish is one of my favorite recommendations for couples wanting a truly memorable meal and an intimate ceremony space right on the water.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin combines beautiful waterfront views, elegant architecture, and easy access to EPCOT. These two resorts are a popular choice for intimate weddings because they offers the Disney experience without requiring a traditional theme park ceremony, and the variety of outdoor and indoor spaces means your day can look exactly the way you envisioned it.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is one of the most romantic resorts on Disney property. From the Victorian architecture and manicured gardens to the views across Seven Seas Lagoon, every part of the resort feels timeless and elegant. It’s a beautiful option for couples wanting a classic, refined Florida wedding experience with a touch of magic built right in.
Other Beautiful Florida Elopement Locations
Sydonie Mansion
Sydonie Mansion in Mount Dora is one of the most romantic intimate wedding venues in Florida, and one I genuinely love photographing. This historic estate venue has so much variety: ivy-covered exteriors, century-old oak trees, a lakefront lawn, the beautiful manicured gardens, a wraparound porch, and a Spanish courtyard reception space all within one property. If you value refined details and soft silhouettes, browse Travis and Emma’s gallery there to get a feel for what a day at this venue can look like.
St. Augustine
For couples who love history and coastal charm, St. Augustine offers cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and beautiful waterfront views that feel completely different from anything else in Florida. It creates a destination-elopement atmosphere without requiring a flight, and the variety of portrait locations throughout the historic district means your gallery will feel rich and layered throughout.
Bok Tower Gardens
Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales is one of Florida’s most underrated elopement locations. A National Historic Landmark set on 250 acres, the gardens feel secluded and peaceful in a way that’s genuinely rare in Florida. The Singing Tower, the Olmsted-designed grounds, and the sense of quiet throughout the property make it a beautiful option for couples wanting a reflective, intimate experience. It’s a bit of a drive from Orlando, but well worth it for the photographs.
FAQ: Planning a Central Florida Elopement or Micro Wedding
How far in advance should we book a Florida elopement photographer?
For most Central Florida elopements and micro weddings, booking your photographer 2 to 3 months in advance is a good rule of thumb, especially if you have a specific venue or date in mind. Popular spots like Rollins College, Kraft Azalea Garden, and Sydonie Mansion can fill up quickly, so the earlier you reach out, the more options you’ll have.
Do Florida wedding venues have special packages for intimate weddings?
Many intimate wedding venues listed above have special packages on weekdays or mornings meant specifically for micro wedding and elopements. You’ll have a shorter timeframe and smaller guest capacity perfect for an intimate celebration.
Can we include guests at our elopement?
Absolutely. An elopement doesn’t have to mean just the two of you, though it certainly can. Whether you’re bringing your closest ten people or simply your two witnesses, the day can still feel incredibly personal, intimate, and meaningful. Many of my couples find that a smaller guest count actually allows them to be more present with the people they love most.
Do you help with planning a Florida elopement?
Yes, and I genuinely love this part. From recommending officiants, florists, and hair and makeup artists to helping you think through your timeline and marriage license logistics, I’m happy to help the planning process feel simple rather than overwhelming. You shouldn’t have to figure all of this out on your own.
When will we receive our elopement photos?
Full elopement galleries are typically delivered within 4 to 6 weeks. You’ll receive a curated, fully edited collection that you can download, share, and keep forever.
Do you photograph LGBTQ+ couples?
Always. Every love story deserves to be documented with the same care, intention, and artistry. All couples are welcome.
When should we apply for our Florida marriage license?
A few weeks before your elopement date is generally ideal. Florida residents are subject to a short waiting period after applying, which can be waived by completing a state-approved premarital course online. Out-of-state couples can typically receive their license the same day they apply, with no waiting period required. Florida marriage licenses are valid for 60 days from the date of issue, so there’s no need to apply too far in advance. If you have questions about timing or logistics, I’m always happy to help point you in the right direction so the process feels easy from start to finish.
Florida Elopement Photography: What Matters Most
Are you thinking about an elopement or micro wedding in Florida and wondering where to start? The location matters. The light matters. Having a thoughtful plan for your day matters.
But after years of photographing weddings and elopements throughout Florida, I’ve learned that the things couples remember most are often the moments they never planned for. The deep breath before your vows. The look you share when it finally sinks in that you’re married. The dinner that lasts longer than expected because neither of you is ready for the day to end.
Those are the moments that become part of your story.
My role isn’t just documenting them. It’s helping create a day where you feel comfortable enough, present enough, and relaxed enough to fully experience them. From our first conversation to the moment you have your gallery in hand, my goal is for the whole process to be supported and easy. You should never feel like you’re managing details on your wedding day. That’s what I’m here for.
If you’re planning a Florida elopement or micro wedding and looking for a photographer who will guide you through the process from start to finish, I’d love to hear what you’re envisioning. Visit my elopement photography page to learn more, and when you’re ready, let’s start the conversation.
Behind The Lens
I’m Jenn Orlando based wedding photographer that specializes in modern light and airy photography, wife, mother, and world traveler. I came to this work while I was still searching for my purpose. What I didn’t expect was how completely it would find me back.
Every couple I meet and every story I get to witness reminds me exactly why I love what I do. You’re already in the middle of creating memories that will last a lifetime. I just get to come along for the ride.
But what matters most to me isn’t just creating beautiful photographs. It’s helping you feel comfortable, present, and genuinely yourselves throughout the experience. Because the images you treasure most won’t just remind you what your wedding day looked like. They’ll remind you exactly how it felt.
Weddings
Whether you’re planning a wedding at Bella Collina, Casa Feliz, Rollins College, Capen House, or another beautiful Florida venue, my goal is always the same: creating an experience rooted in connection, trust, and intentional storytelling. I capture both the beautifully planned moments and the meaningful in-between ones that make your wedding day uniquely yours, creating photographs that allow you to relive not only how your day looked, but exactly how it felt.
Engagements
Engagement sessions are designed to help you feel comfortable, connected, and confident before your wedding day. Whether you’re planning a wedding in Orlando, Winter Park, Lake Mary, or anywhere across Florida, it’s more than taking beautiful photos it’s an opportunity to slow down, celebrate this season, and build trust before the big day.
Elopements
From intimate courthouse ceremonies to destination celebrations, I photograph elopements and micro weddings throughout Orlando, Central Florida, and beyond. My goal is to create a relaxed experience while documenting your story with intention, connection, and authenticity.
