Some venues feel like a secret garden because they are one. Genesis & Joe's March wedding at Secret Gardens Miami was all stone arches, ponds, garden paths, and a tent reception that turned into a full party — with a live band, face cutouts, and foam sticks by the end of the night. We photographed and filmed it as one coordinated photo and video team, so the couple could enjoy the day while we captured it naturally.
Getting ready
The day started with Genesis having her hair done in a white lace robe, reflected in a mirror with a stylist behind her, then smiling by a large garden window in her robe. Joe got ready with his groomsmen in front of a "Secret Gardens Miami" sign, in a white tuxedo jacket — and alone outdoors in that same jacket, black trousers, and a black cowboy hat.
The ceremony
The ceremony took place at the stone arch: the groom walking down the floral aisle with a woman in a purple dress, guests seated on both sides; a wide view from the aisle, the couple at the stone arch altar, guests standing, white chairs and floral columns; Genesis reading her vows at the floral arch, Joe facing her, officiant beside them; and the recessional, the newly married couple walking back down the aisle smiling, guests throwing petals.
Portraits in the gardens
After the ceremony came portraits in the gardens: the couple standing under a stone arch, long veil spread down the steps, pond and swan behind them; kissing under a floral arch, Genesis holding a large pink-and-white bouquet; Joe kissing Genesis's forehead, long veil spread out, hanging garden chair in the background; and a portrait on a garden path, Genesis facing the camera smiling, Joe with his back to the camera, veil spread in a circle.
The reception and party
The reception was dressed in pink and blue florals, a sweetheart table with a "The Toledo's" neon sign and a white cake on the left, tables with white cloths, pink napkins, and tall pink-and-white centerpieces under draped tent fabric. Dinner was served at the sweetheart table, speeches followed — an older man speaking into a microphone in front of the sweetheart table, the couple seated behind him, cake at left — and the couple danced alone on a floral dance floor with a monogram, live band behind them, guests seated around the floor, then closer in front of the band, dress and veil in motion. The party kept going with bridesmaids dancing with large bride-and-groom face cutouts, a "MR AND MRS TOLEDO" sign and the band behind them, and ended with guests dancing with white foam sticks, band on stage.
Cake feeding
The cake moment was the feeding, not just the cutting: Joe feeding Genesis cake with a fork, white tiered cake in the foreground, and a close-up of that same moment.
The wedding film
Photographs freeze a moment; film brings the whole day back. Genesis & Joe's wedding was filmed alongside the photography by the same coordinated team, so the vows, the first dance, the speeches, and the party are preserved in motion as well as in stills.
Planning a wedding at Secret Gardens Miami?
If you're planning your own wedding at Secret Gardens Miami, it helps to book a team that knows the gardens — the arches, the pond, the paths at golden hour, and how the tent reception runs into the night. If you're wondering why couples book our team, that's the short version: one team, one vision, and a relaxed day that still gets photographed and filmed properly. You can also see another wedding we photographed at the same venue — Mikaela & Sagar at Secret Gardens Miami — and Genesis & Joe's own engagement session, taken 11 months before their wedding, in our Genesis & Joe’s Engagement Story. Or browse more of our South Florida wedding stories.
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