Gardens of Eden: Lush ‘wellness weddings' surrounded by nature are the latest trend

Yahoo

25-06-2025

Once upon a time, he put on a top hat, she lowered the veil and the whole family headed for the chapel. But these days a wedding isn't just a ceremony, it's 'self-care.'
'As self-care becomes a priority to our clients' daily lives, we're witnessing major changes in how people experience and integrate wellness in their lifestyle and travel plans,' said Tracy Lee, founder and president of TLEE Spas + Wellness, which creates spa environments for resorts like the Little Nell in Aspen, Auberge's Stanly Ranch in the Napa Valley and Waldorf-Astoria's Grand Wailea in Maui.
At the Grand Wailea, a lush and romantic oceanfront retreat, a recent 'wellness wedding' went down within the property's Kilolani Spa and featured Rachael McCrory, Hilton's regional director of spa and wellness.
'It heralds a trend that will likely gain momentum, as couples seek out alternative wedding venues that highlight mindfulness and human connection,' Lee wrote in her company's 2025 Future of Wellness forecast.
Hawaii, sure. But where those alternative weddings venues aren't is the asphalt jungle. That's why lovebirds are seeking out increasingly natural and lush locales for their weddings… er, we mean 'holistic and immersive healing journeys.'
For a domestic destination venue, nowhere has more heart, soul or greenery than Living Sculpture Sanctuary in south Florida.
This former plant nursery located just 20 minutes inland from Fort Lauderdale, or 40 minutes north of Miami, is now a verdant and sacred ceremony space where 'I dos' happen in natural surroundings.
'It has vibrant flowers, an organic vibe and tropical scenery and ambiance,' said May Luz Rodriguez Alvarez of the 5.25-acre grounds she landscaped with her husband Robert J. McKee. 'Couples love to incorporate heliconias and birds of paradise, or more unique flowers. Our specialty cultivar is bonsai desert roses,'
That's adenium obesum to McKee, who moonlights as a bonsai master.
Both attorneys, these green thumbs originally began building out the venue for their own wedding a little over 10 years ago. It took over two years to realize their vision of a garden filled with waterfalls, koi ponds, ancient oaks and even a 'Zen suite,' where massages, sound baths, and meditations are part of the wedding journey. 'I wouldn't say that we transform it, as much as the land transformed us,' said Alvarez.Using only natural materials like wood, granite and onyx to build the pavilions and structures, Alvarez adds that she was guided by the five sacred elements: earth, fire, water, air, and spirit.
'In south Florida we have the incredible ocean, but it can be really windy, or there can be some city ordinance issues. Here you can enjoy the wind and you can enjoy the water as elements,' she said. 'We have a lake with three waterfalls that are known as the healing falls. The one in the middle symbolizes love from which everything flows. The one to the right symbolizes abundance, and the one to the left symbolizes health. Those are the attributes necessary in order to live a balanced and a healthy life.'
Currently, the venue hosts weddings of up to 120 people, but later this year an expansion will allow for up to 200. And there's no ordering off the menu here: each package is bespoke so you'll have to send off an inquiry and talk it out to tie the knot drenched in Florida flora.
But, no matter what a certain Muppet said, it's pretty easy being green. Travel advisors specializing in booking wedding parties point to Mexico, Costa Rica and Hawaii as a few surefire spots to trick out your nuptial rite with luscious leaves.
'Some of the destinations that are really hot are Hanalei Bay [in the Hawaiian isle of Kauai] and Riviera Maya [Mexico's Yucatan coast running from Cancun to Tulum]. It's really special, especially when you're talking about nature and getting into that really lush wilderness,' said Adam Schwab, the co-founder and CEO of the travel company Luxury Escapes.
In Mexico, Schwab recommends booking at Unico 20°87° Riviera Maya, just 30 minutes outside Tulum. Its 'terraza verde' weddings go down next to its Esencia Wellness Spa, a secluded spot surrounded by nature. It's also the perfect opportunity to go big, as it can handle receptions of up to 800.
Or, for something smaller, their 'Soul Green' ceremony is eco chic with flowers hung from a primitive wood structure. Best of all (or worst of all, if you have a favorite little niece or nephew) it's an adults only resort.
Over in Hanalei Bay, the 1 Hotel is really your only option for luxe-meets-lush. It's a brand that already specializes in eco-everything, the flowing palm trees are just the cherry on top.
In Costa Rica, El Mangroove, part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, is nestled into the jungle environs along the Gulf of Papagayo. It's aptly named Union Garden is 8,820 square feet of tamed tropical vegetation — think 'The Secret Garden' mixed with the 'The Jungle Book.'
Or skip the beach entirely and go deep inland into the country's wild south, where Hacienda AltaGracia, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, offers 360 degree greenery.
Buy this 29-room resort out and you'll be spoiled for tropical wedlock locales: There's a lake-front garden, the castle gardens, and orchard fruit trees and vineyard vines next to a sexy stone barn.
But don't jump the gun and get married to just one location, warns Schwab.
'Somebody wants a jungle wedding, and they have a specific resort in mind — well, that resort may not be suitable, be booked out or just not really want the business,' he said, noting that when booking big blocks of rooms agents can get deals you can't — and keep you from booking during the wrong season for that part of the world (say, Thailand in August.) 'Specific resorts and hotels are often substitutable. It's rare that there really is only one and often the best option is somewhere that the customer doesn't even know exists.'
Call it the law of the jungle.