How to Elope in Kelly Park Rock Springs

Looking for how to elope in Kelly Park Rock Springs? Then you’re in the right place, boo! Located in the middle of Apopka, Florida, Kelly Park is a 355-acre park and an amazing spot for an adventure elopement including things like tubing, swimming, camping and hiking in the great Florida outdoors!

How to Legally Get Married in Florida

If you want to get married in Kelly Park Rock Springs, then there’s only a few things you need to do:

• Visit the local clerk of court in Orange county
• Fill out a marriage application (in-person or online)
• Pay the ~ $80 marriage license fee
• Get your marriage license
• Get married with an officiant or notary
• Send in the completed marriage certificate

You’ll first need to apply for a marriage license at the local clerk of court. The majority of counties allow you to do this online. Keep in mind that there’s a 3-day waiting period for Florida residents. If you’re from out of state, you can apply and pick up your marriage licenses the same day. Check hours of operation and watch for federal holidays to make sure you get your marriage license on time!

Pro tip: if you’re a Florida resident and want your marriage license same day, you can take a pre-marital preparation course. It’ll save you a bit of money on the license fee as well!

To apply for a marriage license, you’ll need your driver’s license or state ID. Both people must be present. Florida does not require blood test or medical exams. Once you have your marriage license, you can elope literally anywhere in Florida within 60 days!

Now that you have your marriage license, you’ll need someone to make it official. This can be any ordained minister, priest, rabbi or other ordained clergy, judges of the state of Florida, or Public notaries of the state of Florida. Psst…I’m a Florida notary! This makes it easy for my couples to adventure without the need of bringing along another person.

There are also two spaces for witness signatures on the Florida marriage license. However, this is not a requirement of the state.

When to Elope in Kelly Park Rock Springs

During spring and summer, the park is super busy! The park can reach capacity by 9 AM and the park will not allow anymore entries. If you want to make sure you get there in time, get to the park as soon as it opens. Sometimes there can be a line prior to open! If you want to avoid crowds, plan your elopement early in the morning when the park opens and/or during an off-season or non-holiday weekend.

Keep in mind that Florida’s hurricane season starts in June and goes all the way until the end of November. This means that the best weather for a Kelly Park elopement would be between November and March. However, if you want to have a summer elopement, I would recommend an early summer (June/July) as hurricane activity picks up later in the season between mid-August and mid-October. If you’re planning an elopement during this time, consider getting travel insurance.

What To Do in Kelly Park Rock Springs

There’s tons of outdoor activities at the spring! The spring is about 3/4 mile long and takes about 30 minutes to travel by float. There are tube rentals available nearby (but not at the park). There’s approximately 7 miles of hiking trails within the park.

If you want to leave the spring, Kings Landing is nearby where you can rent a canoe or kayak and head to Emerald Cut. There you can hang out, swim, and enjoy the water like this couple did for their spring elopement.

Keep in mind that Apopka is a rural area so many of the activities are limited to outdoor activities. With that said, you might have to travel for accommodations or restaurants like Henry’s Depot.

Where Can You Elope in Kelly Park Rock Springs?

You can elope anywhere in Kelly Park as long as you aren’t bothering or interrupting other spring-goers. There’s two spots within the park that would make for a picturesque background. These spots are at the head of the spring and the most popular area. Keep in mind that you might have other spring-goers around for your ceremony, but most people are polite and will give you space.

What To Bring To Elope at Kelly Park Rock Springs

Since Florida can be all sunshine and rainbows one minute and the next minute it’s a torrential downpour, I want to ensure that my couples are fully prepared for whatever Florida may throw at us. Depending on the time of year and the weather, here’s a quick list of all the things to have handy for your Kelly Park Rock Springs elopement:

• Marriage License
• Pen
• Backpack
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Umbrella
• Rain coat
• Snacks
• Water
• Towel
• Bathing suit
• Change of clothes
• Float & pump
• Portable speaker for tunes

What Else To Know About Kelly Park Rock Springs

Here’s a quick list of facts to know about eloping in Kelly Park Rock Springs:

• The park is open 8 AM til 8 PM in the summer and 8 AM til 6 PM in the winter. Everything closes one hour prior to park closing.
• There is an admission fee depending on the number of passengers.
• There’s no formal permitting process for weddings and this is a gray area for the park. With that said, it’s easier for elopements than micro weddings to take place here. The park rangers want to make sure everyone is having a great time so they will ask you to leave if they find a wedding to be bothersome for other spring goers.
• There’s a campground for larger parties at Camp Joy; however, this is located a little ways from the spring with an alternative entrance.
• Pets, alcohol, and fires are not allowed at the park. This is strictly enforced.
• Camping is permitted
• If an alligator is spotted, swimming cannot resume until the trapper has captured the alligator.
• Floats less than 5′ in any direction are permitted.

Contact the park with any park related questions at (407) 254-1906 (Kelly Park Hotline) or (407)-254-1902 (Entrance Station). You can also make camping reservations online through the Orange County Parks & Recreation website.

Example Timelines for Kelly Park Rock Springs

If you’re wondering how your Kelly Park Rock Springs elopement could look, here’s an example timeline:

6:00 – 7:30 AM Getting ready at hotel 
7:30 – 8:00 AM Travel to Kelly Rock
8:00 – 8:30 AM Change & first look on deck
8:30 – 9:00 AM Ceremony at spring head
9:00 – 10:00 AM Portraits & celebratory donuts at spring 
10:00 – 10:30 AM Change into swim suits
10:30 – 10:45 AM Travel to Kings Landing
11:00 – 1:00 PM Kayak to Emerald Cut
1:00 – 2:00 PM Head back & Change
2:00 – 3:00 PM Travel to Henry’s Depot
3:00 – 5:00 PM Lunch and drinks at Henry’s Depot

Looking for a Florida elopement photographer?

Eloping in Kelly Park Rock Springs would be the perfect Florida elopement for couple seeking some adventure! As part of your planning, consider investing in a Florida elopement photographer to plan and capture your elopement. Elopement photographers focus on understanding your elopement vision; finding activities, and adventures that align with your vision; planning and curating a day that’s 100% percent you; and helping figure out the logistics of your elopement! These moments are once in a lifetime, and having a local expert on your side to bring your elopement vision to life is SO worth it. Need help finding the right elopement photographer? Check out this resource for some guidance!

And if you already feel like we vibe? Let’s get to planning, boo!