Love Blooms At Uliana Estate
The Making of a Magical Wedding Destination in South Lakeland
PHOTOS BY DAVONTE AND VANESSA ANDERSON | FROM THE WEDDING OF DIANA AND ANDY ROBERTS, APRIL 3, 2025
Lakeland thrives on its natural beauty and laid-back, romantic atmosphere. It’s a place where love and nature blend seamlessly, making it the perfect backdrop for couples seeking a wedding that’s as enchanting as it is unforgettable. Among the vibrant gardens, rolling fields and historic venues, one location has recently captured the hearts of many: Uliana Estate. This hidden gem, transformed from a humble property into a dream-like celebration space, offers a sanctuary where luxury and garden-inspired weddings come to life.
The Vision Behind Uliana Estate
Julie Czernek and her mother, Maria Mironchuk, have served the Central Florida community over the last seven years offering everything from luxurious florals, charcuterie spreads, balloon arches, and, most recently, hosting events—from their original South Florida Avenue studio.
As demand outgrew their initial space, the Czernek family saw an opportunity to take a leap of faith and transform a local wedding venue into their own.
Uliana Estate’s transformation has been a true labor of love. Julie and Tim Czernek saw the potential in this property that was previously home to Oak-K Farm long before it reached its current level of beauty and elegance. Originally a wedding venue that had been in operation for more than 30 years, the grounds had already stood the test of time. But under the Czernek family’s care, the venue has been elevated to new heights.
Julie and her multi-talented family have infused the estate with their artistic vision and attention to detail. This unique space complements the luxury garden theme popular in today’s wedding design. What started as a personal vision has blossomed into a family project with Julie’s brother, Arthur Mironchuk, designing the estate’s iconic arches for the altar, and her father-in-law, Lubos Czernek, contributing to many of the property’s upgraded features.
The Perfect Setting for Garden-Inspired Weddings
Bohemian and garden-inspired weddings have gained popularity for their relaxed yet intimate ambiance, and Uliana Estate offers a canvas for these themes and more. Surrounded by vibrant landscaping, towering oak trees and blooming flowers, the venue offers a variety of spaces that can be personalized to suit any couple’s vision. Whether you’re exchanging vows in the serene garden or dancing under the stars in an open-air pavilion, every corner of the Uliana Estate feels romantic.
Julie’s focus on creating an indoor/outdoor experience allows couples to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors with the comfort of elegant indoor spaces. The estate flows naturally from one space to the next with charming gardens, pretty pathways, and a bridal suite that serves as a luxurious haven for the bride before her big moment.
A key element of boho and garden-inspired weddings is the use of natural elements, and no one understands this better than Julie and her team. As a florist for her sister company Uli & Co., her eye for design and love for florals shine through. “If you want a garden vibe, you need to invest in florals,” she points out.
Details That Set the Stage for Magic
From the picture-worthy staircase to the versatile seating areas, the details at Uliana Estate make it truly memorable.
Setup touches like modern-style chairs, minimalistic tables, and other style add-ons can be incorporated into your wedding decor, setting the tone for a laid-back, yet stunning celebration. The soft flutter of the estate’s chandeliers and lit oak trees twinkling in the evening sky make for a whimsical atmosphere.
Creating a Personal, Whimsical Experience
Julie works closely with each couple to plan out distinctive details for their wedding that reflect their unique love story. “When I do a walkthrough, I ask them about their vision, the season they’re getting married in, and what they want the experience to be,” she says.
When it comes to the property’s versatility, people fall in love with the open spaces (perfect for a little food truck plug-in). From florals and custom rentals to day-of coordination and additional unique add-ons, they bring all of what a bride could want at her fingertips.
No wedding is complete without the help of talented vendors, and Lakeland offers a variety of local artisans who can help make your outdoor or indoor wedding even more magical. From florists to photographers, these experts know how to capture your love story.
Through Uli & Co., Julie and Maria are known for their stunning wildflower arrangements that perfectly complement an outdoor or garden wedding. Their expertise in creating unique bouquets and floral installations will make your wedding day bloom with beauty.
When it comes to photography, Davonte and Vanessa Anderson, also known as Drip in Grace Photography, specialize in capturing the candid, authentic moments that make weddings so special. The proof is in the photos accompanying this article. From the details to the intimate portraits, their photography style will preserve the romance of your day for years to come. They are just one of many talented local wedding photographers Lakelanders have to choose from.
“When I do a walkthrough, I ask them about their vision, the season they’re getting married in, and what they want the experience to be”
A Celebration of Love and Legacy
“During the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, we had the honor of hosting a bride whose Anna Maria Island venue got destroyed. When they did the tour, the bride realized her mom had gotten married at this same venue [under previous ownership] 20+ years ago,” shares Julie.
That was a full-circle moment for Julie and her family in some ways, as they had to immerse themselves in a full re-model and bring everything up to code to be able to open before bracing for the uncertainty and danger of an active hurricane season.
“Whenever you buy a property, especially 7.5 acres, I feel like you don’t know all the problems until you start rebuilding, remodeling and fixing things, and then you run from one problem to another,” she says.
Being able to serve a bride and groom well after Helene drastically altered the couple’s plans is the type of moment that continues to fuel the family-operation to create an elevated wedding experience for all who book with the Uliana Estate.
“We love this community so much. We’ll never forget after the craziness of the hurricanes, how everyone came together to help us clean up in just two days before our first on-site wedding,” Julie reflects. Inspired by her family’s strong work ethic and the unwavering support of her husband, Julie continues to have drive and tenacity for all that the Uliana Estate can bring to our tight-knit community.
The Lakeland community seems to have embraced the Czernek’s as much as Tim and Julie’s families have made this home. Tim’s given name is Timotej. He was born in the Czech Republic, and his family have been in Lakeland for 25 years. Julie is proud of her Ukrainian heritage, and her given name of Uliana is the namesake for the companies she owns. She was born in Seattle, Wash. and her family moved to Lakeland 35 years ago.
For this visionary family, Uliana Estate is not just about creating a stunning venue — it’s about fostering a place where couples can begin their forever surrounded by beauty, love, friends and family.
