Florida Wedding Venue | Sunset Wedding at the Fig Tree: Geremy & Troy

Geremy and Troy are one of those couples that remind you of sunshine.  Everytime I run into these two, I can’t help but have a good time.  The details of their March wedding at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates  in Fort Myers, Florida truly reflected both their sense of style and their sense of humor.  The cermony took place at sunset under the great Mysore Fig Tree whose leaves were just beginning to sprout after a long Florida winter. 

“We chose The Edison & Ford Winter Estates because we were going for the historic look of Fort Myers.  You can’t get more historic than getting married at The Edison & Ford Winter Estates!  We had our reception at The Edison Restaurant to complete the historic feel.  We didn’t want to do the typical Florida beach wedding.  We loved the grounds at the Estates because of the scenery and just the overall beauty of the grounds.  We absolutely loved getting married in front of the big fig tree.  Just the way the sun was coming through the branches made it feel unbelievable!” says Troy. 

We agree!  Take a look at these magical photographs captured by Jamie Lee Photography and see if you feel the same way (click photos to enlarge):

The Bride, the Groom, the Maid of Honor, and the Best Man spell out LOVE in sparklers at the reception.

Before the end of the night, Geremy put on her Chuck Taylor’s and danced the night away with hubby, Troy at The Edison Restaurant.

The Groom’s cake was a silver and blue Harley Davidson gas tank.

This incredible black and white wedding cake was created by Vicki’s Sweet Things. Also, note the rhinestone encrusted servingware!

Fitting the black and white theme of the wedding, the couple gave favors of snow caps in little clear jelly jars.

The centerpieces on the reception tables were simple but elegant arrangements of white and purple flowers on a black and white linen surrounded by votive candles.

The Mysore Fig Tree is full of magic and wonder!

This photo really shows off the tropical paradise that is the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.

Jamie Lee Photography did a spectacular job catching the sunlight in these photos.

The sun sets on the Caloosahatchee River as Geremy & Troy enjoy the view from Edison’s porch.

The moonlight garden is too romantic to miss a photo opp!

Geremy & Troy take some time to enjoy the blooming bougainvillea in the Moonlight Garden.

The bridesmaids got their chance to tease Troy. It takes a lot of trust to let six women carry you!

Before the ceremony, Geremy & Troy wrote letters describing all the things they love about each other. During their wedding, officiant David Thompson of BareFoot We Wed, had them place their letters into a small box containing a single bottle of wine. “Keep this bottle in plain sight in your home. Should your marriage ever hit a rough spot, before you make any rash decisions, open the bottle of wine, pour each other a glass, and read your letters,” he said. This wine ceremony had everyone tearing up!

This was such a fun group of people! The groomsmen couldn’t resist the urge to joke about the cathedral length veil Geremy wore.

The leaves were just beginning to sprout on the great Mysore Fig Tree on Ford’s Riverside Lawn. The light peering through the branches set the romantic ambience of the event.

Whimsical tunes from the Hammered Dulcimer and Flute filled the air at this unique ceremony.

Signature Florals designed these beautiful flower “nests” that hung so beautifully from shepards hooks down the aisle.

Each of the groomsmen (and even the ringbearer) wore Converse Chuck Taylors as part of their wedding day attire.

Geremy’s junior bridesmaid wore a sweet white corsage and her flower girl carried an adorable white flower ball.

The six bridesmaids all wore knee length black dresses in different styles and carried simple white bouquets.

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

Officiant: BareFoot We Wed / 239.699.0426 / www.barefootwewed.com / info@barefootwewed.com

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

Flowers: Signature Florals / 239.454.0653 / www.signature-florals.com / susan@signature-florals.com

Music: Richard Blasich Hammered Dulcimer / 989.370.3056 / rblasich@gmail.com

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

Wedding Cake: Vicki’s Sweet Things Ice Cream & Cakery / 239.462.8537

Read Full Post »

Fort Myers Wedding Location | Simple Elegance: Ashley & Justin’s Intimate Wedding

With only their closest friends and family present, Ashley and Justin had the small intimate wedding they dreamed of.  They were married in the fall in the Royal Palm Allee at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, Florida.  The green and white florals were all designed by the bride’s family. 

“The wedding was very small and simple, but i still just love looking at the pictures,” says Ashley. 

So do we – take a look (click on photos to enlarge):

The Edison Pier at sunset.

Sunset on the Ford Property

The bridal party in the Moonlight Garden.

The happy couple pose for a photo inside the historic home of Henry Ford.

The wedding took place in the Royal Palm Allee on the riverside of the Ford estate.

Justin got his first glance of Ashley in the privacy of the Moonlight Garden before the ceremony.

The bride’s elegant hairstyle.

The clasic white and green bouquet was designed by the bride’s family.

Ashley and her flower girl in the Caretaker’s House.

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

Ceremony Chairs: Creative Events & Rentals / 239.786.6393 / www.creativeevents1.com / info@creativeevents1.com

Photography: Photo Plus / 239.243.8655 / www.myframedphoto.com

Hair & Make Up: The Hair Gallery Salon and Day Spa / 239.549.3120 / www.hairgallerysalonanddayspa.com / hairgallerysalon@embarqmail.com

Read Full Post »

Charles Edison and Carolyn Hawkins Wedding at the Edison Winter Home in 1918

by Rebecca Jones, Collections Information Specialist 

Fort Myers, FL March 1918 –  During the spring of 1918, Charles Edison, son of Thomas and Mina Edison, came to the family estate in Fort Myers for a much-needed rest.  America was in the midst of World War I, and the Edison family was deeply involved on the home front.  While Thomas Edison conducted experimental work for the Naval Consulting Board on a ship off the coast of Key West, youngest son Theodore was stationed on an uninhabited island, working away at a technical invention designed for use in trench warfare.  Charles took on the responsibility of running the myriad Edison Industries during his father’s absence, quite an undertaking for a young man 27 years old.

During that time, Charles’ sweetheart of six years, Carolyn Hawkins, worked long hours assisting medical staff at Harvard University in preparing for oversees deployment at an army hospital.  Charles asked his mother Mina if she would mind inviting Carolyn to accompany him to their winter home and get away from the hustle and bustle of wartime work.  Mina agreed and the young couple arrived in Fort Myers at the end of March 1918.

On a moonlit night at the end of the Seminole Lodge dock overlooking the Caloosahatchee, Charles proposed to Carolyn by asking her, “Do you want a large wedding?” Apparently she didn’t, so the two decided to be married right away in Florida.  Once they received Mina’s blessing, telegrams were sent to family members announcing their plans.  Thomas Edison wired back, “If you have decided it must be done, then the sooner it is done the better.  It can’t be any worse than life in front line trenches. Impossible for Theodore or myself to come.”

Once Thomas Edison’s blessing was secured, Carolyn purchased a white gown and flowers and the couple went downtown to get their marriage license.  Many years later, Charles recalled acquiring the license with some amusement: “The night before Carolyn and I had attended a dance.  There was a young man there who took a shine to Carolyn.  He wanted to call on her.  When we went to get the license, who should be the official to issue it but this same young man.  Flabbergasted, he counted himself out of the running right then and there.”

On March 27, 1918, Charles and Carolyn Edison were married in the Seminole Lodge gardens in front of a camphor tree and a cinnamon tree with a large Japanese umbrella tree serving as a backdrop.  A rug was rolled out from the house to a small altar lit with candles.  Mina Edison gave the bride away while two household staff members served as witnesses.  According to Charles, “Carolyn was as nervous as if the ceremony were being held in a cathedral.”

The wedding made front page news in the Fort Myers Press the next morning, wherein it was noted, “The marriage took place in the favorite spot of Thomas A. Edison.  Under the palms and surrounded by the tropical foliage of Seminole Lodge, the place he loves best and where he throws aside his work and really plays.”

After the ceremony ended, the newlyweds decided to take a “honeymoon” and packed sandwiches up for a drive to the beach in the now-famous Model T given by Henry Ford to Thomas Edison in 1914.  The couple planned to drive down to the Gulf of Mexico and catch a few fish to eat for supper back at Seminole Lodge.  Unfortunately, the mosquitoes were too thick to enjoy the beach, so the newlyweds decided to celebrate with an impromptu chocolate ice cream soda at Hunter’s Drugstore in Fort Myers.  Charles remembered, “That was our honeymoon.”

Charles and Carolyn Edison were married for 45 years and visited the Edison Winter Estate in Fort Myers frequently.

Read Full Post »

Winter Wedding: Adelie and Ben

Beneath the twinkling holiday lights and the crisp December air, Adelie and Ben declared their vows.  With Ben’s family flying in from England for the occasion, the two decided on a sunset wedding two days before Christmas to be held at the festively decorated Edison & Ford Winter Estates.  The palm trees were decked in strings of colored lights, but they did not compare to the radient Adelie as she made her way down the Royal Palm Allee on the Ford Property.  Take a peek at these outstanding photos taken by Maria Angela Photography.

The newlyweds stopped to take a photo with Fort Myers’ most beloved sweethearts, Thomas and Mina Edison.

Though the Estates are beginning to bustle with nighttime tours, nothing can break the lovespell in the Moonlight Garden.

Ben and Adelie take a moment to enjoy the spectacular sunset at Mr. Edison’s Pier on the Caloosahatchee River.

The lovebirds find themselves entangled in the roots of the majestic Mysore Fig Tree.

With the Estates already decorated for Holiday Nights, there was little else to do but enjoy.

Adelie can barely contain her excitement as she and Ben are officially announced husband and wife!

Adelie’s brides maids wore long navy satin gowns and carried simple bouquets of hydrangea.

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

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

Photography: Maria Angela Photography / 239.348.5065 / www.maria-angela.com / maria@maria-angela.com

Flowers: JH Designs / 239.277.0544 / www.jhdesigns.invitations.com / jhdesigns@embarmail.com

Read Full Post »