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Bridezilla? On a Budget?

NEWS RELEASE TOPIC:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 1, 2009

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Dec. 30, 2008) – Plan the wedding of your dreams and save money by taking advantage of Florida’s unique, versatile off-season and its destinations’ special package deals. Wedding vendors in Florida offer seasonal discounts, all-inclusive packages and affordable prices to brides on a budget. Whether you’re hoping for an affordable wedding on the beach, on a cruise-boat, or in the Everglades, you’ll find it in Florida.

“Florida is a great place to bring families together,” says Jill Martin, VISITFLORIDA.com Family Travel Expert. “Get married in the Sunshine State and take advantage of the unique destinations that even brides on a budget can afford.”

The off-season in Florida varies by climate and region. In North Florida, you can expect to see off-season discounts during the winter months. However, the winter months in South Florida are the peak season and discounts are offered during the summer months. So, there’s always an off-season somewhere in Florida! Head over to www.VISITFLORIDA.com to start planning your affordable Florida wedding.

(Listings are arranged by region)

NORTH – The Tallahassee Museum makes history a meaningful part of a couple’s historic day by hosting weddings on the lawn of its 19th century plantation house and in its 1937 church. The museum offers discounted wedding packages during the fall and winter. Just north of Tallahassee, in Monticello, relax and enjoy good old southern charm amid the tall oak and magnolia trees at the Avera-Clarke House Bed and Breakfast. The Victorian home, which offers affordable wedding packages, will remind you of life's simple pleasures and the hospitality of days gone by. In Panama City, BY THE SEA RESORTS offers wedding packages that include a Gulf-front wedding gazebo, a reception room across the street, catering and even honeymoon accommodations. In the St. Augustine area, Sun and Sea Beach Weddings offers complete wedding packages to brides looking to save money and avoid hassle. Couples can enjoy their beach wedding ceremony at the heart-shaped altar covered in rose petals and then sit back and relax as their marriage license is filed for them. Latigo Yacht Charters offers package deals on wedding and honeymoon cruises along the northeast coast. Not only does the package include the basics, like catering, music and photography, but Latigo will even file the marriage license and provide the bride and groom with a keepsake certificate with the latitude and longitude of their ceremony location.

CENTRAL – In Kissimmee, near Orlando, the Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Buena Vista offers a special “Romance Package” and when the couple’s guests stay at the hotel, the couple’s room is free. The Rigatoni Tuscan Oven in Tampa boasts custom wedding packages with off-season pricing for an affordable, but high-quality wedding experience. The bride’s budget might even be flexible enough to add Rigatoni’s extra touches, like ice sculptures, chair covers, dove and butterfly releases or a horse-drawn carriage service. Get married in a floating chapel in Clearwater at Weddings On Water. Seasonal discounts, including a new “mini-reception” package, are offered to brides who want to experience a unique wedding on water with a limited budget. In the Clearwater area, Weddings On a Whim not only helps brides effectively organize last minute wedding arrangements, but also offers weekday discounts and fall specials to budget brides. Get married in budget bride high style on a cruise, in an old gazebo or in a tropical rose garden. In Sebring, the Kenilworth Lodge is a historic hotel offering a nostalgic old Florida ambience. The unique venue, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, offers seasonal discounts from June through August. It also helps brides find other vendors by hosting the annual Central Florida Bridal Gala the first Monday of October.

SOUTH – In South Florida, the off-season is generally during the summer. In West Palm Beach, Hotel Biba offers a summer destination wedding package from June through September. The package includes an exclusive suite for the bride and groom, plus free valet parking, and use of the event areas. In Miami, the Deering Estate at Cutler offers a 25 percent discount during June, July and August. Ceremonies are held on the beautiful manicured lawn overlooking the tranquil waters of Biscayne Bay. At the Miami Everglades Campground, brides can choose from affordable, flexible packages and choose to be married in one of four unique settings: a large Tiki hut, an avocado grove, a clubhouse or an open three-acre area all in the Everglades.

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For additional information, contact Nate Long at (850) 205-3839 or nlong@VISITFLORIDA.org.

VISIT FLORIDA is the official tourism marketing corporation for the state of Florida. VISIT FLORIDA promotes tourism to Florida through sales, advertising, promotions, public relations, new product development and visitor services programs. As a public/private partnership VISIT FLORIDA has more than 3,400 tourism industry Partners and four major strategic alliances with American Express Travel Related services, AirTran Airways, Dollar Rent A Car and The Hertz Corporation. To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA, visit www.VISITFLORIDA.org.