Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, which means it’s just about that time when many couples in Orlando are planning out their proposals. We are fortunate enough to have pretty great weather in February, which means the city is really your oyster! On the flip side, having so many options can also come with a bit of decision overwhelm. Out of all the sights, attractions, parks, and historical landmarks that are in this great, big city, how can you possibly choose the best place to propose in Orlando?
Well, since we opened our doors 15 years ago, you could say that our team had a few ideas. So we did a little bit of brainstorming and we’ve picked out what we believe to be the six best places to plan your proposal, no matter what your style or budget is. In other words — these ideas will help you plan your perfect, one-of-a-kind Orlando proposal!
1. Horse-drawn carriage in downtown Winter Garden
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Soul Haven Ranch in downtown Winter Garden has made a name for itself in the wedding industry because of its very unique and memorable horse-drawn Cinderella coach rides! This beautiful, pumpkin-shaped, vine-covered carriage has been gaining traction over the years and has become many couples’ go-to choice for planning proposals, making a statement during a wedding entrance, and celebrating anniversaries.
If your partner loves the idea of whimsical and romantic weddings, this would be a perfect option! Soul Haven Ranch also rents out other carriage options for private engagements, which you can check out by clicking here.
2. Private hot air balloon rides all throughout Orlando
For the adrenaline junkies out there, a private balloon ride can serve as a fun, exhilarating proposal. You can find hot air balloon rides all throughout Orlando, but we personally love Thompson Aire and Maverick Hot Air Balloon Adventures.
Thompson Aire takes all the guesswork out of planning your proposal with their Wedding Proposals experience. The crew will be in on the proposal, so they’ll know exactly how to handle the day with care so that it’s a complete surprise to your partner. They’ll even make a “WILL YOU MARRY ME” sign for you and cleverly distract your partner while you get down on one knee. They’ve really figured out a process over at Thompson Aire!
Maverick Hot Air Balloon Adventures is another one of our favorites because of how involved and inclusive their rides are. You can participate in the inflation of the hot air balloon, take photos and videos, and they even offer Post-Flight Celebration mimosas! You can choose to do a private charter for two or choose from their other private charter options if you want families and friends to be there for the big moment too!
3. Disney World proposal
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Of course, being Orlando wedding planners, we couldn’t publish this blog post without mentioning at least one Disney-themed proposal!
For all the Disney lovers out there, Disney World is a no-brainer spot to plan a proposal! Maybe it’s crossed your mind that a Disney proposal is overdone, but in our professional opinions, the magic and nostalgia of Disney World makes proposals here simply a classic. However, if you’re looking for something a little different than the traditional Cinderella Castle proposal, you could propose in front of Cinderella’s wishing well (to the side of the castle)! It’s still close to the world-renowned landmark, but much more private. Plus, if you decide to hire a photographer to capture the moment, you’ll have a better chance at having a seamless proposal photo session since people won’t be constantly be stepping into your photos.
We just love Disney World proposals because after the proposal is done and she exclaims, “Yes!” there are so many ways to celebrate all day long in the park!
4. A romantic picnic in Kraft Azalea Garden
(Image credit: Captured by Elle Photography)
For the more low-key yet elegant couple, a picnic at Kraft Azalea Garden in Winter Park is the best spot for a romantic and peaceful proposal. This is an elegant way to propose without breaking the bank since Kraft Azalea Garden is free!
All that’s required on your end? Setting up the picnic and hiring a proposal photographer! You don’t want to miss out on hiring a proposal photographer if you decide to propose here because Winter Park is absolutely breathtaking. With weeping cypress trees, the lake, and the sun peeking in through the trees, this park provides one of the best backdrops we’ve seen for proposal photos.
If you’re looking for some ideas, check out our preferred list of vendors who can definitely help you plan this moment!
5. Dinner at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
(Image credit: resortsgal.com)
Yep, that’s right — we’re including two Disney-themed proposal ideas in one post! Let’s be real, though: when you plan a proposal in Orlando, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll have at least a few ideas that involve Disney World!
We chose the Grand Floridian Resort because of its many restaurant options, all at varying price points. The great part about dining out at the Grand Floridian is that you can easily pass it off as a nice dinner date for Valentine’s Day. Here is a breakdown of just a few restaurants you can find here:
- Narcoossee’s, a waterfront restaurant, which has a fantastic view of the Seven Seas Lagoon
- Enchanted Rose, and elegant Beauty and the Beast-themed bar
- Victoria & Albert’s, an award-winning, fine dining restaurant
A bonus for the couples who have talked extensively about getting married already: you can also opt for not dining at a restaurant and instead proposing at Disney’s Wedding Pavillion, which is also located at the Grand Floridian. It’s an elegant venue right on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon. It’s beautiful at sunset, and you could suggest going over there “just for fun” to tour the impressive, iconic building. Then, it’s your moment to drop to one knee and truly surprise your partner!
6. Swan boats at Lake Eola
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If you’ve lived in Orlando for a bit or you’ve visited, chances are you saw the pedal-powered swan boats at Lake Eola! For 30 minutes, you can take a cruise around the historic lake and take in the views. We highly suggest going during late sunset hours to see the fountain and all the city’s lights light up the night sky! It may be a bit chillier than during the day, but seeing the city come alive at night is a view unlike any other.
That concludes our list of the 5 best places to propose in Orlando!
We hope that this list helps get those gears turning about how you want to propose to your partner on Valentine’s Day. And once she says “Yes!” we would love to bring you on that journey to “I do!” As Orlando’s top wedding planners, we are committed to providing you with a stress-free, bespoke wedding planning experience so you can fully enjoy your engagement —as you should. Click here to explore and learn more about our services!
