A Garden-Style Wedding at Private Residence in Lakeland, Florida

Between the lush bouquets, low centerpieces and ivy-covered wall, Morgan Miller (29 and an administrative assistant) and Gregory McDaniel’s (33 and a master sergeant in the US Air Force) wedding felt like a garden. Rising Lotus Photography captured every lavender, pink and white detail as they started the day with a sweet ceremony by her parents' home. “It was special to us and we liked that it was a place we would visit for years to come,” Morgan says. Greenery, tropical leaves and bougainvillea surrounded the space as Morgan made her entrance in a white satin, trumpet-style wedding dress by Maggie Sottero covered in beading. Their florist, the Flower Cart, accented her look with a gorgeous bouquet of purple carnations, eucalyptus and one unexpected detail: cabbage. Greg met her under a simple white tulle-draped wedding arch as they exchanged vows. Afterward, all moved from the neighbor's lawn and celebrated with an indoor reception at her parents' house. Morgan and Greg's rescue dog, Dobby, greeted guests as they took their seats at family-style tables lined with tulip-inspired glassware and low centerpieces of pink roses and hydrangeas. The wedding cake even matched their arrangements as Cookie Jar Bakeshop topped the ivory, two-tier confection with more lush roses and carnations. All enjoyed music from a DJ as they ended the night sitting around a fire pit on the back deck. To future newlyweds, Morgan shares a tip: “It's all about marrying your best friend. You don't even recognize the missing elements or imperfections and neither do your guests. Relax, and enjoy your moment.”