Florida Elopement Packages: What You Actually Get
Florida elopement packages range from $300 to $5,000, and the listings rarely explain the gap. Some include an officiant, photography, and flowers. Others include a location and nothing else.
So this guide breaks down what these packages contain, which pieces you can buy separately for less, and what eloping in a historic chapel actually costs.
Who Elopes, and Why
The word carries old baggage about running away. In practice, most couples eloping today are doing something else entirely.
Second marriages. Couples who already had the 200-person wedding once.
Vow renewals. Anniversaries at 10, 25, or 50 years.
Budget-driven choices. Couples who would rather put $20,000 toward a house.
Family logistics. Blended families, distant relatives, or a guest list that would spiral if it started growing.
Legal ceremonies before a later party. Marry now, celebrate later.
None of those require a beach and a stranger with a clipboard.
What Florida Elopement Packages Usually Include
Packages vary widely, although most bundle some combination of these.
- Location or venue access, typically 1 to 2 hours
- An officiant
- Basic photography, often 30 to 60 minutes
- A small bouquet and boutonniere
- Witnesses, if you need them
- Sometimes a cake cutting or champagne toast
Bundling feels convenient, yet it frequently costs more than assembling the same pieces yourself. Photography is the usual culprit, because package photography tends to be brief and generic.
What Florida Elopement Packages Often Leave Out
Read carefully for these.
The marriage license. Almost never included, and it is your responsibility.
Guest capacity. Many packages cap at 10 people, so confirm before inviting family.
Indoor backup. Beach and garden packages fail in Florida rain, which arrives daily from June through September.
Real photography coverage. Thirty minutes produces a handful of usable frames.
Air conditioning. Outdoor ceremonies in August are genuinely uncomfortable.
Building Your Own for Less
Assembling the pieces separately usually wins, especially on photography.
Venue. The Legacy at Church Hill Center rents the Heirloom Chapel on its own at $200 per hour, with a two-hour minimum, so $400 is the starting point. The chapel is the original 1923 sanctuary, restored with its stained glass intact, and it is air conditioned and handicap accessible.
Officiant. Any licensed Florida notary can legally marry you, and a notary may charge no more than $20.
Photography. Local photographers offer full-day coverage from around $1,500, although short elopement coverage costs far less. Buying two hours directly usually beats a bundled package.
Flowers. A bouquet and boutonniere from a local florist runs well under package pricing.
License. Florida sets marriage license rules statewide, so you apply through the clerk in the county where you reside. Lake County residents can start with the Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court. No blood test is required, the license stays valid 60 days, and it must be returned within 10 days after the ceremony by either the officiant or the couple.
Florida residents face a three-day wait unless they complete a state-registered premarital course, which also lowers the fee. Non-residents skip the wait entirely.
Why a Chapel Beats a Beach
Beach elopements photograph beautifully in listings. Reality differs.
Weather. Afternoon storms build inland daily through summer, and beaches offer no backup.
Heat and wind. Hair, makeup, and veils all struggle.
Permits and crowds. Public beaches require permits in many municipalities, and you share the frame with strangers.
Light. Midday sun is harsh. Stained glass, by contrast, diffuses light into something photographers actively want, and it works at any hour or in any weather.
Scaling Up to a Micro Wedding
Many couples start at elopement and grow slightly. That works here without changing venues.
Full venue rental covers all four spaces and seats up to 100 guests.
| Time Block | Mon–Thu | Fri & Sun | Saturday |
| 6 hours | $1,650 | $2,850 | $3,600 |
| 12 hours | $3,052 | $4,750 | $6,000 |
| Extra hour | $275 | $475 | $600 |
That booking includes the Heirloom Chapel, the Centennial Reception Hall, and the Lineage Lounge, plus both getting-ready rooms, twelve 6-foot rounds, six 6-foot rectangles with ivory or black linens, three cocktail tables, chairs, gold arches, easels, stage, AV, sound, an onsite venue manager, and 1.5 hours of rehearsal.
So a 30-person dinner after your ceremony costs far less than most couples assume.
Practical Details
Outside vendors are welcome, although caterers must be licensed and insured and bar service requires a professional bartender who is licensed and insured. Draping must sit on a stand or frame, since nothing may be taped or tacked to walls or ceilings. Service animals are welcome, while other pets are not. Event liability insurance runs through GatherGuard, and complete policies live on our FAQ page.
Parking is free and onsite at 311 N Joanna Ave in downtown Tavares, roughly 40 minutes from Orlando and ten minutes from Mount Dora.
Book a Chapel Ceremony
Gene Smith bought this church at 96 and restored it with five of his children and several grandchildren, and his children run it today. That story sits on our About page and in the original press release.
Visit our homepage, book a tour, or contact us at (352) 932-8300.
A Sample Chapel Elopement Under $900
Here is what assembling the pieces yourself looks like.
| Line Item | Cost |
| Chapel rental, 2-hour minimum | $400 |
| Notary officiant | $20 |
| Photographer, 2 hours | $350 |
| Bouquet and boutonniere | $110 |
| Total | $880 |
Compare that against bundled Florida elopement packages in the $1,500 to $3,000 range and the gap is mostly markup. You also keep control over the photographer, which is the piece most bundles compromise.
Add a dinner afterward and you have a micro wedding without ever leaving the building.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Florida elopement packages cost?
Commonly $300 to $5,000. Chapel-only rental here starts at $400 for two hours, and you add the pieces you want.
How many guests can attend an elopement?
Package caps often sit near 10. A chapel-only ceremony here holds roughly 120 guests, so ask about headcount rather than assuming.
Do I need witnesses in Florida?
Florida does not require witnesses for the ceremony itself, although your officiant must sign and return the license.
Can we elope now and celebrate later?
Yes, and many couples do. A chapel ceremony now and a reception here later works well.
Do Florida elopement packages include the license?
Almost never. You apply through your county of residence, and the license stays valid for 60 days.