Bok Tower Gardens Elopement in Lake Wales, Florida | Cintia Ally Photography
- cintiaally
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
Laura and Patrick's Bok Tower Gardens elopement in Lake Wales, Florida was a beautiful reminder that weddings don't have to be large to be meaningful. Wanting an intimate and personal wedding experience, they chose to exchange vows surrounded by the beauty of Bok Tower Gardens before celebrating later with family and friends at Lake Crago Recreational Center in Lakeland. Their day was filled with gorgeous weather and plenty of time to simply enjoy being together.
One of my favorite parts of the day happened before the ceremony even began. Instead of getting ready separately, Laura and Patrick chose to get ready together. It was such a sweet and intentional way to start their wedding day! There was literally no pressure and no rushing from room to room for Joyce (videographer) and I like we typically do at weddings. Instead, they spent the morning side by side, laughing and talking while helping each other get ready for one of the biggest days of their lives.
When Joyce and I arrived at Bok Tower Gardens, the weather could not have been more perfect! We had been keeping an eye on the forecast and watching the rain chances all morning, but thankfully the skies stayed clear and gave us a beautiful Florida day!
One of the things that I loved was the incredible Bok Tower staff, also known as fairy godmothers. They drove us throughout the gardens, helped us move efficiently between locations, and made sure we had priority access to some of the most beautiful photo spots. As the ceremony approached, they even positioned themselves around the ceremony site to ensure guests visiting the gardens would not accidentally interrupt the couple's private vows. They were willing to fluff Lauras dress when needed too so we didn’t have to worry about it while carrying all of our gear. This is normally a task for a maid of honor at the wedding but since Laura and Patrick opted for no bridal party, these fairy godmothers were super helpful!
A Private Ceremony at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida
With only their officiant present, the ceremony itself was beautifully sweet and simple! Surrounded by the stunning trees and the sounds of nature, Laura and Patrick exchanged vows in a setting that felt so peaceful. They were completely focused on each other. Zero distractions and expectations. It was perfect!
Celebrating with Family and Friends at Lake Crago Recreational Complex
After spending the afternoon exploring the gardens and soaking in every moment together, the celebration continued later that evening at Lake Crago Recreational Complex.
While the ceremony had been intentionally private, Laura and Patrick still wanted the opportunity to celebrate with the people they love most. Before the reception began, they shared a first look with family and friends, and it was one of the sweetest moments of the entire day! Everyone was so excited to see them and celebrate this new chapter together. There were so many hugs, happy tears, and just genuine joy from everyone.
The reception was the perfect balance to their intimate ceremony. After spending the day focused on each other, Laura and Patrick were able to gather with the people who have supported them throughout their relationship and celebrate together.
Planning a Bok Tower Gardens Elopement
Their wedding day was a beautiful reminder that there is no right or wrong way to get married. Whether you're planning a large celebration or a private elopement, the most important thing is creating a day that feels true to you. For Laura and Patrick, that meant spending the majority of their wedding day side by side, soaking in every moment together and it literally couldn't have been more perfect.
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