Lakeland Wedding Guide

Updated on: Apr 20, 2024

In this Lakeland wedding guide, Easy Event Planning will give you everything you will need to make the wedding of your dreams come true in record time! Below you will find:

Details on how much other Lakeland couples spent on their wedding expenses
When is the ideal time to be married in this town?
Our wedding checklist and budget worksheet are great resources
Links to find all of the Lakeland wedding vendors you'll need in
Links to over 60 of our most useful wedding resource articles, including comparisons of venue types, advice on hiring caterers and DJs, conventional and humorous wedding vows, song selections for everything from the ceremony processional to the garter toss, and more.
Guidelines for obtaining a marriage license in Lakeland
As well as assistance for your bridal party (how to write a killer toast, how to plan a wedding shower, etc)

Allow us to be your guide while you enjoy this wonderful moment in your life. Let's get this party started!

When to Get Married in Lakeland

Looking for a warm, beautiful location to get married? Lakeland, Florida is your place! This town has relatively constant temperatures all year. While the summer months might not be the best to have an outdoor wedding because of the hotter weather with tempertaures topping at 95 degrees. However, the winter months, especially December, are quite pleasant for either an indoor or outdoor wedding. December has a high of 75 and a low of 53, while also having only an average of 2.13 inches of precipitation. This month proves to be the most ideal to plan a wedding you will not forget! (According to USClimateData.com.)

Lakeland Wedding Planning

Choosing whether or not to employ a wedding planner is one of the first steps in the wedding planning process. Full-service (they find and negotiate with vendors, design room layouts and seating charts, and take care of every detail on the day of), wedding-day-coordination (they make sure everything runs smoothly so you can relax and enjoy your day without worrying about last-minute details), and wedding consultants are all options (they handle special projects like hiring vendors or laying out the room, etc). Some wedding planners specialize in destination weddings, while others focus on their local area.

The Wedding Report estimates that area couples in Lakeland spend various amounts on a wedding planner, depending on the desired level of service. Couples may choose one or more options: services to get you started ($773), full service coordination ($2,419), day of coordinator ($721), month of direction ($924), and a la carte services ($840).

If you decide to go it alone, make sure to arm yourself with excellent resources and take advantage of all available free assistance. Our wedding checklist considers how many dates you have to plan your wedding automatically. This one-of-a-kind feature stops you from falling behind right away. It's on a Google sheet, so you can quickly share it with your collaborators. Our wedding budget worksheet is available to edit and share.

Wedding Venues in Lakeland FL

Wedding Venues in Lakeland Florida

The first step is usually to book your wedding venue. The majority of people base their ultimate date on the availability of their dream venue. Consider the many advantages and disadvantages of various types of wedding venues.If you have your heart set on a particular caterer, double-check that the location not only allows outside caterers, but also that your preferred caterer is permitted. Some locations will only work with certain caterers.

What Other Couples in Lakeland Typically Spend on a Wedding

According to The Wedding Report, the venue rates in Lakeland will differ somewhat based on whether you host your wedding at a:

banquet hall ($8,481)
country club ($10,378)
resort or hotel ($10,239)
restaurant ($7,337)

Types of Lakeland Wedding Venues

You have a lot of great choices to match the location, style and budget that's right for you:

Wedding Food and Drinks

Wedding Food and Drinks in Florida

Average Spent on Catering in Lakeland

Your catering style will be determined by your budget, style, and the preferences of your guests: sit-down dinner, regular buffet (where guests serve themselves), French (where servers bring meals out for all guests at once in sync), butlered service (food is served on trays and guests can choose what they want), cafeteria-style (guests walk up to a buffet and catering staff will fill it), and cafeteria-style (guests walk up to a buffet and catering staff will fill it). Here are tips for hiring a wedding caterer.

Some venues may let you supply your own booze and bartenders, while others will hire a caterer to do so, and still others will run the bar themselves. Check the liquor license and/or responsibility requirements if they allow you to purchase alcohol for the reception. It's fun to get creative with wedding drinks.

According to The Wedding Report, the average amount couples in Lakeland spend depends on the venue. Based on 75 guests, they report the average amount spent on food and beverages at a hotel/resort is $5,263, at a banquet hall is $4,471, at a restaurant is $3,956 and at a country club is $5,326. These amounts include just the food and beverage part but not the venue fee, if relevant or rental items.

Wedding Cake Pricing

The cost of a wedding cake is generally determined by three factors: size (number of slices), intricacy (cake form, decorations, tastes, and ingredients), and the bakery's popularity. Most bakeries charge by the slice, so a cake for 300 people will cost twice as much as one for 150. The average price per slice is between $4 and $5. However, you may pay as little as $2.50 per slice or as much as $8 per slice. Consultations, tastings, and delivery/set-up services are all included in the cake pricing.

Dessert resources

Photographers, Videographers and Photo Booths

Photographers, Videographers, and Photo Booths

Depending on friends or family (who also be attending the wedding) to capture the special moments of your day carries a significant risk. They are unlikely to capture what is most essential to you, are unlikely to be specialists at editing, are likely to lose track of time while enjoying the reception, and lack professional equipment. Photographers and videographers often know how to collaborate for the best results. Here's a helpful checklist that you can pass on to your photographer to ensure they can capture your vision.

Average Spent on Photography and Videography in Lakeland

The Wedding Report estimates that the average amount spent on wedding photography in Lakeland is $1,414 and that is just for the wedding photographer him/herself. Additionally, couples spend money on services like a digital or photo CD/DVD ($273), an engagement session ($441), print and/or enlargements ($226) and wedding albums or photo books ($392).

The Wedding Report estimates that couples in Lakeland spend approximately $955 on a wedding videographer.

Average Spent on Wedding Photo Booths in Lakeland

Photo booths are still a big hit with visitors. They provide excellent entertainment and can also serve as wedding favors, as guests can take home a souvenir that will be displayed on their refrigerator for years to come.

According to The Wedding Report, couples spend, on average, $367 on a wedding photo booth in Lakeland .

Wedding Music

Wedding Music in Florida

Average Spent on Ceremony Music in Lakeland

Music for the ceremony is a personal preference. Vocals accompanied by piano or organ music, or even a guitar, are preferred by some. Others choose a string duet (two violins or a violin and cello), string trio (two violins and a cello), flute trio (flute, violin, and cello), or string quartet (four violins and a cello) (two violins, viola, and cello). The type of instruments used, the number of performers, experience and reputation, special demands (such as learning a new song), and travel fees if they are not local all influence the price.

The Wedding Report estimates that about $551 is spent on musicians/soloists or ensembles for weddings in Lakeland .

Average Spent on Reception Music in Lakeland

Reception music can influence your day a great deal. Guests will likely not remember what they ate or what the centerpieces looked like, but they'll remember if they felt entertained as they dance the night away. It's not only about the music and the sound and lighting; the DJ or bandleader serves as the MC, which is possibly the most crucial function of the entire reception. They establish the tone and can skilfully regulate the tempo, in addition to announcing dinner and a couple's first dance. Although many guests enjoy attending your ceremony and enjoying a delicious meal, many are eagerly anticipating the end of dinner so they may hit the dance floor.

The Wedding Report estimates that couples in Lakeland spend about $652 on a Wedding DJ/MC or $1,522 on a wedding band.

The Wedding Report estimates that couples in Lakeland spend about $294 on entertainment lighting.

Helpful Resources

Transportation, Accommodations and Travel

Transportation Accomodation and Travel

Average Cost of Wedding Transportation in Lakeland

Considering a limo, horse-drawn carriage, or Studebaker to make a dramatic entrance? Alternatively, do you need to transport visitors between the ceremony, reception, and their lodgings? It's best to plan wedding day transportation far in advance if you're getting married on a popular weekend or one that might conflict with a high school prom.

The Wedding Report estimates that couples in Lakeland spend about $457 on a limo rental for the wedding.

According to The Wedding Report Lakeland couples will spend approximately $295 on a hotel room after the reception (or honeymoon suite).

Hotelplanner.com reports that a 2-star hotel in Lakeland has been averaging $55.43 per night, a 3-star $92.20 per night and a 4.5 star $93.00 per night.

The average 3-star Lakeland group hotel rate in the last year was $103.70, according to Hotel Planner’s room block quote page.

Lakeland Florists and Decorators

Your wedding will have more flare, elegance, and professionalism if you hire a professional floral designer. Non-floral decorations, such as a ceiling swag or a balloon arch, are also available from some florists. When interviewing florists, make sure to inquire not only about their design style, ideas, and prices, but also about their previous work in your wedding location. If your venue has other events on that day, make sure they are available for set-up and tear-down (if applicable).

Pricing varies depending on whether you order in-season flowers, the complexity of your designs, the floral designer's reputation/experience, the number of designs required, and the florist's geographical location (distance to the venue will factor into the delivery cost).

Per The Wedding Report Lakeland couples spend about

$348 on bouquets
$157 on boutonnieres/corsages
$381 on venue owers & arrangements
$208 on centerpieces
$428 on other venue decorations.

Flower resources

Wedding Attire and Accessories

Wedding Attire and Accessories in Florida

Shopping for a wedding gown should be fun! Prepare by conducting some research on styles, making appointments (if necessary), eating a snack, wearing minimal makeup (to avoid staining a dress), and bringing only two or three individuals you can trust to give you an honest assessment. Finding the perfect dress takes patience. It's possible that it won't happen on your first shopping excursion.

Average Spent on Dresses in Lakeland

Brides in Lakeland spend an average of $1,336 on wedding dresses and $242 on accessories, according to The Wedding Report.

Dress Resources

Average Spent on Tuxedos in Lakeland

If you're not going in person for a tux fitting, the rental business may want to know your neck (you may want to add an inch for comfort), sleeve, inseam and outseam, waist, and chest measurements, in addition to your height and weight. While rental fees don't frequently range considerably from one tuxedo shop to the next, customer service, reputation, and rental length can. If your want your groomsmen to have some subtle individualized outfit accessories, fun and stylish socks are a great option.

The Wedding Report estimates that the average spent on a tux or suit rental in Lakeland is $346 ($232 for the attire and $114 for accessories).

Average Spent on Wedding Jewelry in Lakeland

Emerald and sapphire have become a popular alternative to diamond engagement rings, though diamonds remain the gemstone of choice for most brides to be. If buying wedding jewelry online, you will want to carefully and precisely measure the ring size.

The Wedding Report estimates that couples in the Lakeland area spend approximately $5,262 on wedding jewelry including an engagement ring ($3,467), wedding band for her ($789), wedding band for him ($466), necklace ($205), bracelets ($180) and earrings ($155).

Planning a Wedding Ceremony

Planning a Wedding Ceremony in Lakeland

It's a major decision to pick the right officiant for your wedding. Whether you choose an ordained minister, priest, rabbi, justice-of-the-peace (who also work outside of the courts!) or another type of officiant, you want to know that they will honor your ceremony wishes. Spend some time looking at wedding traditions that would be appropriate for you and your partner, as well as vows and readings that reflect your personality. While anyone can now become an internet ordained minister, a seasoned professional with prior experience is priceless.

Average Spent on Wedding Officiants in Lakeland

The complexity and/or duration of the ceremony, the ceremony location, supplementary requirements (religious or symbolic elements), the officiant's experience, and travel charges all figure into the cost of a wedding officiant.

The Wedding Report has found that Lakeland couples spend approximately $199 on a wedding officiant.

Lakeland Marriage License Info

To apply for a marriage license in lakeland fl, there will be a marriage license fee. $93.50 without a premarital course certificate, or $61 with a premarital course certificate. Both persons will need to provide some kind of photo identification (driver’s license, valid passport, etc.). Both parties will also need to provide their social security numbers, but do not need to provide their social security cards. You may also be asked to provide a certified copy of your birth certificate. Florida residents do have a three day waiting period, unless they fall under the following categories (florida residents, attended 4 hours of pre marital course, registered with the County Clerk of Courts per Florida Statute, or non-residents of florida). There is no residency requirement to apply for a Florida marriage license. (source: usmarriagelaws.com)

Wedding Traditions

Wedding traditions are a beautiful way to bring a sentimental touch to the event. We have some wedding traditions for all types of celebrations and ceremonies: Hindu, Humanist, Methodist, Mormon, Native American, Pagan, and even Viking. Rose wedding ceremonies and handfasting ceremonies are particularly popular now.

Processional orders is a tradition that can vary somewhat for Christian, Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, non-denominational and same-sex ceremonies.

Additional Resources

Vows and Readings

Wedding Gifts and Favors

Help for your Bridal Party

Lakeland Wedding Guide: Conclusion

We hope that our guide provides you with all of the information you require to relax and organize the perfect wedding. Feel free to check our other resources for information on how to pay for a wedding, how to create cool wedding hashtags, how to have a wedding on the cheap, and even how you go about changing your name after marriage? The links below will direct you right to the local vendor pages perfect for your location.

Other Wedding Vendors in Lakeland FL

If you prefer to review profiles on your own, you may use the links below to jump immediately to vendors in our Lakeland FL directory. You can also interact with merchants who emerge online in real time to find more about their rates and availability. Or you can allow us to do the legwork—free—by submitting a quote request. Only suppliers who are available for your wedding and want to compete for your business will contact you by any way you specify (even only through the Easy Event Planning chat so they don't know your personal information). In the Venues area, you'll find wedding venues.

Written by Samantha Spada

UNCLAIMED PROFILES
BUSINESS NAME	ADDRESS	CITY, STATE	ZIP