A Do-It-Yourself Wedding: Rhonda & Arthur | Fort Myers Wedding Venue

Last month, Fort Myers locals, Rhonda and Arthur celebrated their love with a wedding in Thomas Edison’s Coconut Grove at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.  This couple embraced the D-I-Y spirit, and with their family and friends, they created their own wedding arch, bouquets, and boutonnieres.   With such an intimate wedding of less than 30 guests, Rhonda and Arthur were able to bring in their own sound system and play songs that have special meaning to them and even have family and friends take their wedding photos.  I also snapped a couple photos myself of the wedding day.

Click photos to enlarge:

Ceremony Location: Edison & Ford Winter Estates / 239.334.7419 / http://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org/events/weddings-receptions / weddings@edisonfordwinterestates.org

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Goofing Off: Meghan & Ryan | Outdoor Florida Wedding Venue

Meghan and Ryan held their May wedding at a Southwest Florida church, but stopped by the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers on their way to the reception to take some wedding photos.  The couple and their bridal party showed the photographer what a great since of humor they had as they struck some really fun poses in the trees and gardens around the Estates.  See what photographer, David Marsh, of DC Marsh Photography was able to capture of this fun-loving group:

Click on photos to enlarge:

Photo Location: Edison & Ford Winter Estates / 239.334.7419 / http://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org/events/weddings-receptions / weddings@edisonfordwinterestates.org

Photography: DC Marsh Photography / 239.834.2108 / www.southflweddingphotos.com / info@southflweddingphotos.com

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Fort Myers Waterfront Wedding Venue | La Vie En Rose: Virginia & Cameron’s Wedding

When looking through the photos of Virginia and Cameron’s March wedding in the Coconut Grove at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, “Pretty In Pink” is what comes to mind.  There are elements that hint at an “Old Florida” theme and there are even a few references to birds, a play on Cameron’s last name, Byrd.  But the theme most important to the couple when planning their big day was “Fun.” 

Fun is definitely what they got when they hired wedding planners Kristi Edwards and Julie Johnson of Happily Ever After to make their dreams become reality.   Below is the proof  in photos taken by Luminaire Foto.

Click photos to enlarge:

What could be more fun at a wedding reception than a photo booth?

What started off as a sweet slow dance to “Isn’t She Lovely” quickly morphed into a hilarious ensemble including “Walk Like An Egyptian” and “Cotton Eye Joe” (seen here).

Virginia and her dad secretly took dance lessons and performed a choreographed routine to a medley of various tunes.

Mason’s Bakery created a classic white wedding cake adorned with pink roses.

The reception was pretty in pink with orchids, roses, and hydrangea centerpieces topped with jewel draped branches. The brown chivari chairs donned pink sashes and the tables were named after Florida birds.

Virginia and Cameron were whisked away in a 1926 Model T getaway car.

Cameron sweeps Virginia off her feet in front of the Mysore Fig Tree on Henry Ford’s Riverside Lawn.

The Moonlight Garden is especially beautiful in March as the bougainvillea is in full bloom.

Taking advantage of the exotic and oh-so-photogenic trees that populate the Estates, the bridal party is artfully arranged in the Lofty Fig.

Cameron’s groomsmen looked especially dapper with their navy vests and baby blue ties. Their boutonnieres were white roses.

Virginia’s bridesmaids wore strapless knee length dresses in baby blue with ivory sashes. Their bouquets were bright pink and white roses.

Virginia and Cameron chose Edison’s Coconut Grove overlooking the Caloosahatchee River and Thomas Edison’s Pier for their ceremony location.

A throwback to the laid back lifestyle of the old south, the rings were carried in on bamboo cane fishing poles.

White hydrangeas and pink roses were tied to the chairs and the aisle was lined on either side with rose petals.

The pink and orange invitation suite featured tropical frangipani flowers.

It was hard to resist references to our winged friends when the couple’s last name is Byrd.

Virginia’s gifts to her bridesmaids included pink satin robes with the girls initials embroidered, matching flip flops, funky sunglasses, and pearl necklaces.

The girls had a great time goofing off while getting ready at Virginia’s parents’ home.

Ceremony Location: Edison & Ford Winter Estates / 239.334.7419 / http://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org/events/weddings-receptions/ / weddings@edisonfordwinterestates.org

Ceremony Chairs: Creative Events & Rentals / 239.768.6393 / www.creativeevents1.com / info@creativeevents1.com

Flowers: Libby’s Flowers / 239.278.1500 / www.libbysflowershop.com / muffy@libbysflowershop.com

Transportation: Model T Chauffeur Services / 239.694.3969 / www.modeltchauffeur.com / info@modeltchauffeur.com

Wedding Planning: Happily Ever After / 239.433.4625 / www.happilyeverafter4u.com / happilyeverafter4u@comcast.net

Photography: Luminaire Foto / 239.848.8926 / www.luminairefoto.com / karl@luminairefoto.com

Reception Location: The Edison Restaurant / 239.936.9348 / www.edisonfl.com / liana@edisonfl.com

Wedding Cake: Mason’s Bakery / 239.334.4525 / www.masonsbakery.com / chrisk@masonsbakery.com

Invitations: The Paper Mill / 239.437.2252 / www.thepapermill-florida.net / loveis@thepapermill-florida.net

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Lovebirds: The Wedding of Rachel & Steve

You may recall earlier this year when we posted Rachel & Steve’s Save-the-Dates and Wedding Invitations.  The two tied the knot last month, and the photos are in.  They are every bit as vibrant as their printed materials promised.  The wedding was held on a perfect November afternoon in the Royal Palm Allee on the Historic Ford Property.  The details are spectacular – take a look:

You know your wedding reception is a hit when there are this many guests on the dance floor.

Rachel & Steve enjoyed their first dance as a married couple under colorful paper lanterns at the Royal Palm Yacht Club.

The wedding cake from Mason’s Bakery was as colorful as every other detail. The topper is the chinese symbol for double happiness.

Rachel & Steve had caramel apples as wedding favors and escort cards.

The Eventz, Inc. centerpieces on the reception tables carried the colorful theme through the reception. Also pictured are the matching love bird table cards printed and designed by Mama’s Sauce Print Shoppe.

Another peek at the invitations from Mama’s Sauce Print Shoppe that set the theme of the wedding.

Sunsets on the Caloosahatchee River are unmatched. Here the newlyweds take it in from the pier at the Royal Palm Yacht Club. In the background is the sillhouette of the Edison Pier.

Jamie from Jamie Lee Photography has a great talent for catching the sunlight at just the right angle to produce images as breathtaking as this one of Rachel & Steve under the canopy of the Banyan Tree.

Rachel & Steve each wrote their own emotional vows to one another.

Color was everywhere in sight during this perfect November afternoon in the Royal Palm Allee.

The incredible Royal Palm Allee stretches from the back porch of the Ford House to the Caloosahatchee River, making the perfect wedding aisle.

Rachel’s veil blows in the wind as she is escorted down the aisle by her father.

Rachel & Steve are perched (like birds) atop the winding roots of the Mysore Fig at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.

Rachel shows off her sassy red shoes hidden beneath her beautiful wedding gown.

Steve steals a kiss as Rachel’s veil blows romantically in the breeze.

The bridal party was dressed in purple bridesmaid dresses, and purple striped groomsmen ties. Here they pose for a group photo in the bamboo at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.

Rachel’s bouquet was loaded with brightly colored tropical flowers.

Steve’s boutonniere was a bright green orchid paired with a white tie.

The groomsmen donned purple striped ties, and double yellow orchid boutonnieres.

Rachel & Steve get a private moment to see each other before the wedding.

Rachel & Steve decided to take all their photos before the ceremony, but they didn’t want to miss that magic moment where they see each other for the first time. So we gave them the opportunity to have that moment alone in the Moonlight Garden at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.

Just as The Beatles on the cover of Abbey Road, the groomsmen strolled across McGregor Boulevard. In true John Lennon fashion, the groom took off his shoes.

Six groomsmen pose asa symbol of support behind Steve under the largest Banyan Tree in the continental United States.

Ceremony Location: Edison & Ford Winter Estates / 239.334.7419 / www.efwefla.org/wedding.asp / info@efwefla.org

Ceremony Chairs: Creative Events & Rentals / 239.768.6393 / www.creativeevents1.com / info@creativeevents1.com

Flowers: Eventz, Inc. / 239.415.2581 / www.eventzinc.com / sales@eventzinc.com

Photography: Jamie Lee Photography / 239.872.0419 / www.jamieleephotography.com / sales@jamieleephotography.com

Reception Location: Royal Palm Yacht Club / 239.334.2176 / www.royal-palm-yacht-club.com / rpycbqt@embarqmail.com

Wedding Cake: Mason’s Bakery / 239.334.4525 / www.masonsbakery.com / chrisk@masonsbakery.com

Invitations, Table Cards, Save-the-Dates: Mama’s Sauce Print Shoppe / 321.251.5445 / www.mamas-sauce.com / nick@mamas-sauce.com

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Romance in the Moonlight Garden: Joanna & Roger

Joanna & Roger, from Punta Gorda, said “I do” this June in Mina’s Moonlight Garden at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates. 

The ceremony was very intimate with only immediate family and very close friends in attendance.  Bamboo chairs were rented from Creative Events & Rentals.

The Mother of the Groom designed the bouquets and the boutonnieres from flowers in her personal garden.  The tropical flowers truly matched the aesthetics of the Estates.

 

Joanna and Roger wrote their own heartfelt vows and had everyone on the verge of tears.

The ring bearer carried a silver dish, a family heirloom, with the wedding bands.

After their short ceremony, the couple invited their guests inside Edison’s Caretaker’s House for a slice of red velvet cake from Publix.  The cake was decorated with frangipani flowers from Roger’s mother’s garden.

 

While their guests enjoyed cake and socializing, Joanna and Roger hopped on our golf cart to take photos in the gardens.  Below are just some of the beautiful images captured by Jamie Lee Photography.

Congratulations to Joanna and Roger on their marriage and their new home!

Photographer: Jamie Lee Photography / 239.872.0419 / www.jamieleephotography.com

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