A Whimsical Backyard Ceremony and Classic Reception at Mountain Lake Colony Club in Lake Wales, Florida

Bronwyn Hunter-Shortly and Craig Hunter hosted a garden-inspired destination wedding in Lake Wales, Florida. One of the main motifs was Florida citrus, which first appeared on paper itineraries in the wedding welcome bags. The intimate ceremony took place in the backyard of Bronwyn’s parents’ home. The couple draped a swath of tobacco cloth over a live oak tree dripping with Spanish moss, and they kept the rest of the décor minimal to let the greenery shine. "We had a nonreligious ceremony, where a family friend, who makes us laugh constantly, married us,"  Bronwyn says. "We also have seven adorable nieces and nephews, so we had them all run down the aisle." For the reception, guests headed to the historic Mountain Lake Colony Club. Bronwyn and Craig decorated the space with white linens, black chiavari chairs and arrangements of white blooms and greenery. Leading up to the wedding day, bridesmaids helped gather fresh oranges, grapefruits and limes to dress table at the cocktail hour and reception. The ladies wore midi-length white dresses, whimsically contrasting Bronwyn's form-fitting gown with a slit and strapless neckline. "When I tried it on, the fabric was not super flattering or bridal, so my mom and I found a seamstress and had the dress remade in a luxurious silk charmeuse," she says. Bronwyn also donned a pearl-covered cape for the reception. Craig kept his ensemble classic with a black suit and bow tie. Other wedding highlights included spicy paloma signature cocktails and a four-tier cheese "cake." "I prefer cheese over sweets any day of the week, so we had an insanely beautiful cheese wheel cake instead of a traditional wedding cake," Bronwyn says. "There were still little desserts for those with a sweet tooth."