This Garden Wedding In Jacksonville Created The Perfect Guest Experience
Inspired by The Secret Garden, these Jacksonville, FL wedding professionals were challenged to create a whimsical retreat for this couple and their guests. They started with a lush, romantic color palette of light sage, champagne, blush, lilac, and ivory and made these pastels pop by introducing deeper shades of wine and dark "racing green". The florals were kept loose and organic with petals scattered on the floor, creating a truly immersive experience. Texture also played a big role in creating this whimsical wonderland, like the natural stoneware plates and cut glass accessories seen in the reception tablescapes.
The Anti-Bride, Coastal Coordinating, and Becca's Bloomin Buds worked together to design this unique wedding, each of them creating several unique tablescapes for the reception as well as the ceremony backdrops, bouquets, and boutonnière. Jessica's Premier Planning was the day-of coordinator and made sure that everything ran smoothly and that all of the elements worked together to create one beautiful design. Congaree and Penn was the perfect blank slate for their secret garden–the modern industrial design made the romantic florals and rustic wood elements pop. Alyssa Morley Photography, Captured By Lau Photography LLC, and Shelbi Ann Imagery, LLC took these beautiful warm photos and captured all the magic of the day as it unfolded. Keep reading to hear all about this gorgeous wedding and be sure to check out the full 
Photo: Captured By Lau Photography LLC
Photo: Captured By Lau Photography LLC
Photo: Alyssa Morley Photography
Photo: Shelbi Ann Imagery, LLC
Photo: Alyssa Morley Photography
NATURAL AND ELEGANT
For her whimsical wedding, the bride kept her look elegant and natural with her hair down and swept gently to one side, held in place by a live floral headpiece made just for the occasion. Studio Bride gave her a subtle smokey eye and deep wine lip that was a beautiful contrast to the soft pastel florals in her bouquet. A pair of crystal chandelier earrings were the perfect statement accessory to complete her look. Her A-line satin gown with a plunging neckline moved beautifully as she and her new hubby walked hand-in-hand through the vineyard for their first portraits as husband and wife. Her maid-of-honor wore a muted blush off-the-shoulder dress that coordinated beautifully with the wedding's soft color palette. The groom was equally debonair in his fitted gray suit with a blush-tinted shirt and mauve plaid tie. He also sported a floral boutonnière that matched the bride's headpiece.
Photo: Shelbi Ann Imagery, LLC
Photo: Shelbi Ann Imagery, LLC
SWITCHING THINGS UP
To make the most of their venue's outdoor space, this couple decided to hold their cocktail hour before the ceremony so they could exchange vows under the stars. As guests arrived, they were greeted by two different mobile bars. Bubbles & Brews Jax is a self-serve bar with beer taps built-in and Unbridled Bar made floral cocktails with dried lavender and citrus that really helped set the scene for their secret garden wedding. While they mingled, guests were invited to play fun yard games like cornhole to break the ice before the big moment!
A CEREMONY UNDER THE STARS
The ceremony was held outdoors as well, on a cobblestone patio. Guests took their seats for this unplugged ceremony on metal farm chairs and natural wood benches. Under a canopy of twinkle lights and stars, the groom waited for his bride in front of a massive floral arbor that was covered in climbing greenery and white and blush blooms. The bride walked down the aisle, surrounded by family and friends, and the two exchanged heartfelt vows in the cool spring air. Then, it was time to party!
A NIGHT FULL OF SURPRISES
Guests made their way to the reception space where they truly entered the secret garden. The tables were each unique with green garland centerpieces that cascaded onto the ground and the smell of dried citrus filled the air. Wood tables provided the perfect rustic contrast to the stunning crystal candleholders and blush-tinted glasses. Guests were encouraged to explore the space where there were plenty of great photo ops just asking to be in their next insta story, like the towering balloon installation or the adult-size ball pit. Like the rest of the wedding design, the cake, by Kimberly's Cakery, was clean and natural with a floral embossed fondant layer and a floating acrylic tier filled with live flowers. After they finished their dinner, guests made their way back outside to join the couple for their first dance as husband and wife. Everyone was treated to a fun surprise when two firework fountains went off for the grand finale.
Photo: Shelbi Ann Imagery, LLC
Photo: Shelbi Ann Imagery, LLC
We partnered with The Big Fake Wedding to bring you this whimsical inspiration. Click here to see if The Big Fake Wedding is coming to a city near you. As always, thanks for supporting our sponsors!
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- Balloon Installation: ZigZag Balloons
- Bar & Venue: Congaree and Penn
- Bridesmaid Dresses: Stori Wedding
- Cakes & Catering: Kimberly's Cakery
- Cakes & Catering: EFS Catering
- Day of Coordinator: Jessica's Premier Planning
- Dessert Backdrop: Love, Gigi Event Design
- Hair, Makeup & Beauty: Studio Bride
- Lighting, Entertainment & Photo Booth: EVENTWORKS
- Lighting, Entertainment & Photo Booth: Chic Booth
- Mobile Bar: Unbridled Bar
- Paper Goods & Calligraphy: ACouplePuns
- Paper Goods & Calligraphy: Rustic Rose Print & Design
- Signage: Pen and Flower Designs
- Table 1 & 2 Design and Bouquets & Boutonnieres: The Anti-Bride
- Table 3 & 4 Design and Head Table: Coastal Coordinating
- Table 5 & 6 Design and Ceremony Backdrop: Becca's Bloomin Buds
- Tap Truck: Bubbles & Brews Jax
- The Big Fake Wedding Event Production Manager: Sarah Purcell
- Wedding DJ: JHP Entertainment
- Wedding Dresses: Stori Wedding
- Wedding Photographers: Shelbi Ann Imagery, LLC
- Wedding Photographers: Captured By Lau Photography LLC
- Wedding Photographers: Alyssa Morley Photography
- Yard Games + Guest Experiences Installations: MB Event Rentals - A Creative Studio