How to Achieve The Old Florida Aesthetic at your wedding!
So many Florida brides are loving the “Old Florida” aesthetic for their weddings. Here in Gainesville, with our crystal blue springs, lush greenery and oak tree canopies, leaning into the landscape is a perfect way to celebrate and embrace the location of your nuptials.
Step 1: Choosing a location
While the all-inclusive wedding venues are very alluring, finding spots that aren’t always wedding venues (nature preserves, outlooks etc) is a budget-friendly way to achieve the Old Florida aesthetic (but requires thinking outside the box!).
Fleuridian bride Bella held her ceremony at the Paynes Prairie Amphitheater.
Our friend Calla at Mercer Events recently did a wedding there as well and we’re obsessed! Check it out here!
Another great budget-friendly option is the Austin Carey Forest Campus where you can dance the night away on the water. The vibes give old Florida summer camp which would be such a fun theme to run with (like this awesome cake by The Cheatery!)
Silver Springs State Park is another excellent budget-friendly place to be truly steeped in nature. The Ross Allen Amphitheater is so very dreamy. Pair that with a reception at Twin Oaks Mansion and you’re truly embracing old Florida.
Photo by Brittany Bishop Photography
Other wonderful venues our brides have used that are dripping in Old Florida vibes include:
Step 2: Decor
We absolutely love sourcing flowers from Gainesville’s fabulous local flower farms including Feather & Fern; Full Keel Farm and Flatwood Flowers. Using local flowers is a wonderful way to support local farmers and businesses but also ensures that your florals are authentically Florida. These businesses can sell you flowers wholesale if you plan to DIY your florals!
Local florists who consistently use local flowers are:
Another wonderful addition to help a space feel full and lush is fern rentals! They are so budget friendly and add so much to a space!
Step 3: Style
This is our area of expertise! To us, nothing quite says old Florida like a vintage lace. Our Uma gown by Watters looks like a step back in time.
For a modern take on lace, The Charlotte gown by Watters is a fresh silhouette with the vintage chantilly lace.
A nod to Old Hollywood, the Kenlie gown keeps it vintage and old-Florida while creating an elegance with a high neck and low back.
Instead of lace, a jacquard print can also be an homage to old Florida - especially if the vibes of your wedding are more mid-century modern.
Step 4: The small touches
Thrifting vintage dishware, candlesticks and tablecloths from places like the Waldo Flea Market or the shops in Micanopy can add that charm of Old Florida to your reception! Your invitations can also help set the stage!
Choosing a menu that has southern and seafood options also leans into Old Florida (Think shrimp and grits, biscuits with pimento cheese and key lime pie).
In conclusion, Old Florida style is lush, quirky, homey and connected to nature. This is easy to achieve by keeping things local to Florida! This can be done on a budget but does require forethought and intentionality. But if DIY isn’t your thing, there are wonderful planners like Mercer Events who can help you define your unique old Florida aesthetic and execute on your vision!
