A Juicy Spot! Host Your Outdoor Wedding in a Florida Orange Grove

While vacationing on Florida's West Coast last month, I stumbled upon a
lovely outdoor wedding setting during a visit to the store at Mixon Fruit Farms. This working orange grove in Bradenton, Florida, calls its wedding facility Mixon's in the Grove, and it's ideally set up for couples who are dreaming of hosting their wedding in an intriguing outdoor setting but also want to ensure they have a "plan B" in case of rain.

It was actually cloudy and a bit drizzly when we arrived at Mixon Fruit
Farms, but these photos should still give you a sense of the property's many options for ceremony and photography locations. I loved this pergola's tropical landscaping!

The Garden Oasis (pictured above) is one potential ceremony spot. The white fenced dock on the left juts out over this Koi pond with its rock waterfall and fountain.

This flower-draped metal gazebo in the Butterfly Garden at Mixon's in the Grove is another potential site for an intimate wedding ceremony.

This spacious gazebo is a third option, and it offers a bit of cover from the sun and the elements. As we explored the lush grounds, including an outdoor patio area with a backdrop of orange trees that would make a suitable cocktail hour setting, we noticed that we could hear quite a bit of highway noise. Couples who choose Mixon's for their outdoor wedding should probably consider using a sound system (ask your DJ about wireless mics) to ensure guests can hear their officiant and their exchange of vows. Once the party gets going, I wouldn't imagine the traffic would be a distraction.

The best feature of Mixon's in the Grove is this reception pavilion, located directly across from the gazebo. It can comfortably hold about 200 guests and offers shelter in the event of wind or showers. Mixon Fruit Farms also has an indoor banquet hall that can seat 75 for smaller receptions. To tour this Florida outdoor wedding site or request more information, call 941-748-5829, ext. 280 or email Events@mixon.com.

More Florida Outdoor Wedding Locations

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