Florida has many places where couples can fulfill these lofty wedding ideals, including the legendry Biltmore Hotel. (Courtesy The Leading Hotels of the World)

Where to say “I do” in the Caribbean Best places to propose at Disney World's 10 most romantic hotels

CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- When true love finally lights up your life you want to celebrate it.

It's not unusual for an engaged couple to spend weeks -- even months -- fretting over each and every little detail of their wedding. Our hearts beat wildly when we think of our beloved so we want the setting to be perfect -- beautiful weather and dreamy surroundings filled with fragrance and flowers. 

Turns out Florida has many places where couples can fulfill these lofty wedding ideals, including the legendry Biltmore Hotel. 

Hidden away in Coral Gables, this unique spot is less than an hour from Miami International Airport and looks nothing like the modern boutique hotels that are popping up all over the world. Instead, the Biltmore channels the golden age of jazz and looks like it hasn't been touched since it opened in 1926. Its architecture combines the elegance of a Roman palace and a Moorish castle in Spain. For nuptials with a European touch, it's perfect. 

Both refined and welcoming, the hotel has 275 rooms, including 130 suites. Among them is the Everglades Suite, once preferred by legendary mobster Al Capone. A grand piano dominates the room and the balconies offer an incredible view as if embracing the whole of Florida.

But the Biltmore wasn't just favoured by characters from the underworld. Over the years it hosted celebrities and royalty -- from Judy Garland to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. 

You're spoiled for choice if you want to wed in the Biltmore. Magnificent terraces overlook the large pool, which is illuminated when dusk settles. Statues below the arches seem to come to life when the water begins to shimmer. The bougainvilleas that interlace the arches seem almost to sigh with love.

The weather is almost always mild so tables can be placed outside, and a chamber orchestra or single violin can serenade you if desired.

Couples can also get married under the stars. I was able to witness the unique atmosphere of twilight wedding during my visit.

A terrace with magnificent stairs dominates the garden and the golf course, both of which are available for events. Before us 61 hectares of green spreads as far as the eye can see. There's an 18-hole golf course and 10 tennis courts. Magnificent fountains dot the grounds.

Indoors, you have your pick of grand halls. Sumptuous pink doors open into magical ballrooms with 14-metre ceilings with beautifully paintings. Large antique mirrors adorn the walls. In their reflections, you can picture the thousands of waltzes they've witnessed over the decades. Huge windows and crystal chandeliers allow our most marvellous wedding visions to be realized. A large pink foyer with crown mouldings and lovely round tables completes the picture.  

Settings for perfect, romantic wedding pictures are everywhere -- blooming flowers and modern sculptures contrast beautifully with the buildings.

In the morning, breakfast is served on the central patio, where small wrought-iron tables and palm trees surround a huge fountain. The ambiance is made perfect -- and unforgettable -- by the rising sun, bird song and warm colours. 

The service is flawless. The eggs Benedict are delectable. Slivers of truffle garnish the Hollandaise sauce and a deep pink orchid decorates my plate.

You can shop for wedding necessities nearby on the Miracle Mile, a Coral Gables shopping district that specializes in nuptials.

The town is one of the richest neighbourhoods in the U.S. Georges Merrick designed it in the 1920s. He was a visionary who dreamed of building an architectural fantasyland. He took what he considered the best of Italian and Spanish styles and added a touch of Florida. The city is criss-crossed with lush alleys bordered with stately trees that create sweeping green canopies. It's a calming contrast to Miami's flash.

The ocean isn't far away, along with the vibrant community of South Beach. If you need to do a little shopping, there's always Merrick Park, a magnificent outdoor centre with luxe boutiques like Tiffany & Co., Blumarine and Gucci. There are also U.S. chain stores like Victoria's Secret, Anthropologie, and Banana Republic.

Surprisingly, a stay at the Biltmore doesn't have to break the bank. In summer -- the off-season and the wedding season -- rooms go for as low as $159 a night. If you want to try Al Capone's Suite, however, it'll set you back a cool $4,684.

-- Formalities: Getting married in Florida is easy as there are no residency requirements. All you need is a marriage licence ($93.50 from the courthouse but check ahead for ID and documents required). The hotel can help arrange for someone to perform the ceremony. For more info, see the Biltmore Hotel wedding site, biltmorehotel.com/weddings.php.

-- Other area hotels arrange weddings including Loews South Beach Hotel in Miami's trendiest neighbourhood. The rooms are modern, comfortable and tasteful. At dawn, the beach and neighbouring Art Deco buildings are splendid. Celebrities like Julia Roberts and Justin Timberlake are known to stop by. See bit.ly/9l9a5q.