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

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 attorn...