Cowboys Wed: Whitney & David | Outdoor Florida Weddings

When Oklahoma State Alumni, Whitney and David, wed this October at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, Florida, their “Cowboy” roots showed through (see the bridesmaids’ boots).   With relatives visiting Fort Myers from across the country and wedding photos of their grandparents’ weddings displayed, this autumn wedding was mostly about family.

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David and his posse pose for a photo before David sees his bride.

Cowboy boots in hand, the bridesmaids rush to Whitney’s side for last minute touch ups.

A bouquet of orange and yellow flowers ringed in autumn leaves is perfect for this October wedding.

Before the ceremony begins, Whitney & David have a “first glimpse” of each other in the Moonlight Garden.

Wedding photos from grandparents adorn the table with baskets of programs and fans.

Custom fans with Whitney & David’s engagement photos were given to guests.

Whitney & David exchanged vows in the Royal Palm Allee in front of an organza covered arch adorned with pussywillow branches.

The entire bridal party gathers for a dramatic photo in the lofty fig tree on Edison’s front gardens.

Is there anything more epic than a photo in the roots of the Mysore Fig Tree?

Whitney & David getaway via the Rum Runner boat to their reception at Rum Runners in Cape Coral.

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

Wedding Photography: Audrey Snow Photography / 239.334.7669 / www.audreysnowphotography.com / audrey@audreysnowphotography.com

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

Flowers: Cape Coral Floral Designs / 239.772.3377 / www.capeflorist.com

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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.

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

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The First Glimpse: Katie & Rick | Fort Myers Wedding Venue

With so many wedding photos to take, many couples are deciding to pose for their bridal party portraits before the ceremony, allowing them more time to spend with their guests at the reception.  Rick and Katie didn’t want their guests to have to wait on them but they also didn’t want to miss the magical moment of seeing each other for the first time.   So, Naples photographer Ashley Brockinton of Ashley Brockinton Photography, suggested a “First Glimpse”. 

The morning of their wedding, Rick arrived at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers first and waited in the Moonlight Garden for his bride to arrive.  The photographers were able to catch the moment on film when Rick got his first glimpse of Katie in her wedding gown. 

 The two exchanged gifts to one another in the garden before inviting their bridal party to join them for pictures.  With plenty of time before the ceremony, their photographer was able to get beautiful shots throughout the Estates.  “When it was time to walk down the aisle, I felt so much more relaxed,” said Katie when asked about seeing her groom before the wedding.

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

Wedding Photography: Ashley Brockinton Photography / 239.676.9540 / www.ashleybrockinton.com / ashleybrockinton@mac.com

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In Fine Feather: Sara & Steven’s Peacock Wedding | Southwest Florida Wedding Location

After meeting fashion-forward hair stylist, Sara, I knew right away that her wedding would be fabulous!  With bright blues and golds on her wedding color palette and accents with regal peacock feathers, she certainly did not disappoint.  Sara and Steven were wed on a beautiful April evening at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, Florida.  Jesse Netsch Photography captured the details.

Click photos to enlarge:

Several centerpieces were comprised of foam balls covered in peacock feathers paired with orchids.

After the ceremony, the bridesmaids bouquets of roses, hydrangeas, and peacock feathers doubled as reception centerpieces.

Each guest was given a single peacock feather as a momento. Feather’s doubled as table decor as they were tucked into gold satin napkins at the place settings.

The wedding cake was a classic white fondant with a monogramed cake topper and a single elegant feather.

I think many will agree that we get some of the most beautiful sunsets here in Southwest Florida.

The amber glow of the setting sun made everything feel romantic.

The bougainvillea in the Moonlight Garden was in full bloom this April.

The groomsmen nearly carry the beautiful bride away!

Rather than throw rice, guests were given paper cones filled with yellow rose petals to toss as the newlyweds made their getaway.

Sara & Steven tied the knot in the Royal Palm Allee on the historic riverfront property of Henry Ford.

Sara carried a classic white bouquet of calla lilies and hydrangeas.

The bride gazes out of her hotel window over downtown Fort Myers while also showing off the dramatic back of her wedding dress and her feather hair accessory.

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

Photography: Jesse Netsch Photography / 239.691.6719 / www.jessenetschphotography.com / jnetschphoto@hotmail.com

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

Wedding Cake:  Publix Bakery / www.publix.com

Table Linens:  Connie Duglin Specialty Linen / 239.593.0389 / www.connieduglinlinen.com / naplesdiv3@connieduglinlinen.com

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Waterfront Wedding: Alexis and Justin

Alexis and Justin got married in March on Ford’s Riverside Lawn at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.  The riverside lawn is the perfect location for wedding décor as it is nearly a blank canvas.  Guests will pass the impressive Mysore Fig Tree as they step onto this lush green lawn positioned right on the Caloosahatchee River.  This lawn is so large that it is often the site for tented wedding receptions.  Take a peek at Alexis and Justin’s gorgeous wedding photos taken by Mielke Photography.

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

Photography: Mielke Photography / 239.415.3297 / www.mielkephotography.net / rosemarymielke@hotmail.com

Flowers: The Master’s Touch Florist / 888.726.4437 / www.themasterstouchflorist.com

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