Bok Tower Gardens offers couples a uniquely enchanting wedding experience, blending natural beauty, historic architecture, and serene landscapes in the heart of Central Florida. Imagine exchanging vows with the iconic Singing Tower as your backdrop, surrounded by lush gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. With its diverse event spaces and breathtaking scenery, Bok Tower Gardens provides a picturesque setting for a truly unforgettable celebration.

About Bok Tower Gardens

Bok Tower Gardens, a National Historic Landmark nestled in Lake Wales, Florida, is more than just a botanical garden; it’s a sanctuary of beauty and tranquility. Founded by Edward W. Bok as a gift to the American people, the Gardens feature rolling hills, lush landscapes, and the majestic Singing Tower, a 205-foot marble and coquina structure housing a 60-bell carillon.

Unlike typical Florida beach or citrus grove venues, Bok Tower Gardens offers an “Old Florida” aesthetic with a contemplative atmosphere. The Gardens’ design emphasizes natural beauty, with winding paths, hidden nooks, and stunning vistas that create a sense of peace and wonder. The venue operates as a garden first, event space second, providing a naturally gorgeous backdrop that requires minimal additional decor. Weddings here include all-day admission for guests and golf cart transportation for the wedding party across the grounds. A list of approved caterers is provided, and outside vendors are welcome with approval, ensuring flexibility in creating your perfect day.

Event Spaces & Floral Opportunities

Tower Lawn Ceremony Site

  • Capacity: Up to 72 guests
  • Setting: Premier ceremony location at the Great Brass Door of the Singing Tower
  • Floral Notes: As the most popular ceremony location at Bok Tower Gardens, the Tower Lawn offers an unparalleled backdrop of architectural grandeur. The Great Brass Door of the Singing Tower serves as a natural focal point, minimizing the need for elaborate floral installations. Consider flanking the aisle with elegant arrangements in urns or pedestal vases, using classic blooms like white hydrangeas, ivory roses, and delicate lisianthus. Focus on enhancing, not overwhelming, the existing beauty. A simple bridal bouquet of phalaenopsis orchids or garden roses would complement the setting beautifully.

Sundial Overlook Ceremony Site

  • Capacity: Up to 72 guests
  • Setting: Ceremony site with grand vistas and moss-covered oaks
  • Floral Notes: The Sundial Overlook offers a more natural, organic setting with its moss-covered oaks and panoramic views. Embrace the natural beauty with a ceremony arch or arbor adorned with flowing greenery, such as eucalyptus, ferns, and smilax. Incorporate seasonal blooms in soft, muted tones like blush, lavender, and sage green to complement the moss and foliage. Aisle markers could feature simple bundles of wildflowers or repurposed bridesmaid bouquets tied with natural twine.

Horseshoe Garden Ceremony Site

  • Capacity: Up to 72 guests
  • Setting: Ceremony location surrounded by flowering annual beds
  • Floral Notes: The Horseshoe Garden is a vibrant and colorful ceremony location, surrounded by a “living bouquet” of seasonal flowering annuals. Coordinate your floral palette with the existing blooms for a cohesive and harmonious look. For a spring wedding, consider incorporating pastel-colored flowers like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. In the fall, opt for warmer tones like marigolds, chrysanthemums, and zinnias. Keep arrangements relatively low to allow the surrounding flower beds to shine.

Round Garden Ceremony Site

  • Capacity: Up to 50 guests
  • Setting: Intimate ceremony space nestled near the Singing Tower
  • Floral Notes: This intimate garden setting is perfect for smaller, more personal weddings. The surrounding flowering beds offer a natural floral backdrop, so keep your arrangements simple and elegant. Consider using delicate blooms like sweet peas, lily of the valley, and spray roses in small posy bouquets and centerpieces. A floral crown for the bride would be a charming touch.

White Garden Ceremony Site

  • Capacity: Up to 40 guests
  • Setting: Secluded ceremony location with white blooms and shade trees
  • Floral Notes: The White Garden exudes tranquility and romance with its delicate white blossoms and lush green foliage. Embrace the monochromatic palette with arrangements featuring white roses, hydrangeas, orchids, and stephanotis. Add texture and depth with various greenery, such as ferns, eucalyptus, and ivy. Candlelight would enhance the romantic atmosphere in this shaded space.

Olmsted House

  • Capacity: Up to 72 guests
  • Setting: Indoor reception space with large windows and a view of the Tower
  • Floral Notes: The Olmsted House offers an elegant indoor reception space with views of the Singing Tower. The large windows flood the room with natural light, making it ideal for showcasing floral designs. Tall centerpieces with cascading greenery and romantic blooms like roses, hydrangeas, and delphinium would add drama and elegance. Consider incorporating metallic accents like gold or silver to complement the sophisticated setting.

Outdoor Kitchen

  • Capacity: Up to 60 guests
  • Setting: Outdoor reception space with covered areas
  • Floral Notes: The Outdoor Kitchen provides a relaxed and casual reception setting with covered areas. Embrace the outdoor setting with rustic-chic floral designs. Consider using wooden boxes or mason jars as vases, filled with wildflowers, sunflowers, and greenery. String lights and lanterns would create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Visitor’s Center

  • Capacity: Up to 80 guests
  • Setting: Indoor reception facility
  • Floral Notes: The Visitor’s Center offers a versatile indoor reception space that can be customized to suit your style. Depending on your vision, you can create a classic, modern, or rustic ambiance with your floral designs. Consider using a mix of tall and low centerpieces to add visual interest, and incorporate personal touches like family photos or meaningful objects.

Hurricane Arch

  • Setting: Natural arch created by a tree that fell during a hurricane
  • Floral Notes: This unique natural feature provides a stunning backdrop for first looks and portraits. Enhance the arch with minimal floral accents, such as a few trailing vines or a small cluster of blooms. Alternatively, leave it natural and let its organic beauty speak for itself.

Reflection Pool

  • Setting: Designed to shield the view of the Tower until reaching this point, offering a mirror reflection.
  • Floral Notes: The Reflection Pool provides a dramatic backdrop for photos. Enhance the reflections with floating florals like lilies or orchids, or place arrangements poolside to create a romantic and ethereal atmosphere.

Wedding Flower Ideas for Bok Tower Gardens

Vintage Romance

A soft and romantic palette of blush, ivory, and champagne, featuring garden roses, peonies, ranunculus, and lisianthus. Arrangements are loose and flowing, with plenty of greenery and delicate accents like lace and pearls. This style complements the historic charm of Bok Tower Gardens and creates a timeless and elegant ambiance.

Florida Citrus Grove

Embrace the local landscape with a vibrant and cheerful palette of oranges, yellows, and greens, featuring sunflowers, zinnias, marigolds, and citrus fruits. Arrangements are rustic and playful, with a focus on natural textures and seasonal blooms. This style is perfect for a casual and fun-loving couple who wants to celebrate the beauty of Central Florida.

Classic White Garden

A sophisticated and elegant palette of all-white blooms, including roses, hydrangeas, orchids, and stephanotis. Arrangements are clean and modern, with a focus on texture and form. This style complements the serene beauty of the White Garden and creates a timeless and romantic atmosphere.

Towering Jewel Tones

Deep jewel tones of burgundy, emerald, and sapphire, featuring dahlias, roses, lisianthus, and amaranthus. Arrangements are dramatic and luxurious, with a focus on rich colors and textures. Gold or bronze accents would add warmth and glamour. This style is perfect for a fall or winter wedding and complements the grandeur of the Singing Tower.

Seasonal Considerations

Central Florida enjoys a warm, subtropical climate, with distinct seasons that influence the types of flowers available and the overall atmosphere of Bok Tower Gardens.

  • Spring (March-May): This is a popular time for weddings at Bok Tower Gardens, with mild temperatures and an abundance of blooming flowers. Azaleas, camellias, and magnolias are in full bloom, adding vibrant color to the landscape.
  • Summer (June-August): Summers in Central Florida are hot and humid, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Consider an indoor reception space like the Olmsted House or the Visitor’s Center to avoid the heat and rain. Hydrangeas, lilies, and orchids are good choices for summer weddings.
  • Fall (September-November): Fall is another popular time for weddings, with cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. The landscape takes on a warm, golden hue, and seasonal blooms like chrysanthemums, marigolds, and sunflowers are readily available.
  • Winter (December-February): Winters in Central Florida are mild and dry, with occasional cold snaps. This is a great time for a romantic and cozy wedding. Consider using evergreens, berries, and winter-blooming flowers like camellias and pansies.

Keep in mind that hurricane season in Florida runs from June 1st to November 30th. It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in case of inclement weather.

What Poppy Couples Spend on Flowers Here

While we don’t have specific data on past Poppy weddings at Bok Tower Gardens, couples getting married in the Orlando market typically invest between $3,500 and $8,000+ on their wedding flowers. The final cost depends on factors like the size of the wedding, the complexity of the designs, and the types of flowers used. Ceremony-only weddings focusing on personal flowers and altar arrangements will be on the lower end, while couples hosting large receptions with elaborate centerpieces, installations, and multiple arrangements throughout the venue will typically invest more. Given the venue’s natural beauty, many couples find they can allocate less to flowers and still achieve a stunning effect.