Destination Wedding Somewhere On Floridas Gulf Coast
Apr 1st, 2009, 08:36 PM
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Destination Wedding Somewhere On Floridas Gulf Coast
My daughter and her fiance want a destination wedding. My future SIL has fond memories of Sanibel from childhood. I just want to make sure the hotel is very clean, pretty, on the beach and will be her dream come true. The more I read about Sanibel the less I know what to think, I know we won't get the crazy spring break crowd. They want the wedding this time of year, but next year, they want casual elegance. I don't want it so dull that we're all sitting around staring at each other. Can anyone recommend a resort that can plan the wedding, and have 1 or 2 activities that are just fun (for a group), during the day? My daughter wants a clam bake on the beach for the rehersal and a ceremony on the beach for the wedding the next night with a fabulous dinner and music floowing. Any advice or suggestions is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Apr 2nd, 2009, 07:46 AM
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I have only been on Sanibel once and then it was just for the day so I have nothing to recommend.
However, whatever you choose, I would make sure there is some kind of shelter available in case of rain, just a plan B for poor weather. Also, I would suggest that you and your daughter take a cheap flight down over a weekend to check out the facility and talk to the person who will organize the wedding. Pictures can sometimes be so deceiving.
However, whatever you choose, I would make sure there is some kind of shelter available in case of rain, just a plan B for poor weather. Also, I would suggest that you and your daughter take a cheap flight down over a weekend to check out the facility and talk to the person who will organize the wedding. Pictures can sometimes be so deceiving.
Apr 2nd, 2009, 09:08 AM
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"My daughter wants a clam bake on the beach for the rehersal and a ceremony on the beach for the wedding the next night with a fabulous dinner and music floowing."
I'm not sure who would really do that on Sanibel -- maybe Casa Ybel? In Naples you could count on the Ritz, LaPlaya, Naples Grand Resort, Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Resort, or the Edgewater to take good care of all that and more. The latter two being nearer "downtown Naples" but on the beach also would have the option of your hiring the Naples Trolley to pick the whole group up and take them to Fifth Avenue South or 3rd Street South for an evening of strolling, bar hopping, dinner, etc.
I'm not sure who would really do that on Sanibel -- maybe Casa Ybel? In Naples you could count on the Ritz, LaPlaya, Naples Grand Resort, Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Resort, or the Edgewater to take good care of all that and more. The latter two being nearer "downtown Naples" but on the beach also would have the option of your hiring the Naples Trolley to pick the whole group up and take them to Fifth Avenue South or 3rd Street South for an evening of strolling, bar hopping, dinner, etc.
Apr 2nd, 2009, 09:42 AM
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I was in a wedding at La Playa in Naples in 2004 and it was wonderful! The resort has a casual elegance that made it fun and laid back, but still a dream wedding. The food was incredible and beaches were gorgeous.
Apr 2nd, 2009, 11:02 AM
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Thanks to all of you for your replies. We are flying down in May to look around and try to reserve a place. Neo, want to be the wedding planner? Seriously, your ideas about Naples are fantastic and sound much more like what they want then Sanibel. But we'll see! Thanks again. Mary
Apr 2nd, 2009, 11:10 AM
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OK, here's an offbeat idea. Since May is kind of shoulder season here, you might contact a couple of the places -- maybe LaPlaya and the Edgewater in particular -- as they are smaller, less big resort places. Tell them you're looking for a place for a destination wedding and you will want to talk with someone while there, then see if they will give you a real deal on a couple "trial" nights at their place in May.
Apr 3rd, 2009, 11:30 AM
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Again to all that replied, I'm taking notes, so Thank you! No, really Neo, want to be our "wedding planner"? I so like the way your mind works! My daughter is a chef in NYC, so is the fiance. I think I will forward this and let her call a few of the hotels and see if they will let us "sample" their accomadations and food. It doesn't hurt to ask. Thank you again for the suggestion. BTW, I am very impressed with how Edgewater looks on the computer.
Apr 3rd, 2009, 02:54 PM
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I 2nd the vote for Marco Island. The Marriott just recently was renovated; the weddings there always look great. If you do like Marco, I'd check out the Hilton as well; probably a bit less pricey than Marriott. We spent last year's anniversary at LaPlaya & it was very nice. The Ritz Naples would be of course top of the line.
Apr 3rd, 2009, 03:28 PM
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I third Marco Island. Loved the Marriott there. Great beach space, too. I was there for a group function and we had several meals on the beach. Just spectacularly beautiful. I would go again in a heartbeat.
And don't miss the Godiva Martini. Mmmmmmm.....
Paula
And don't miss the Godiva Martini. Mmmmmmm.....
Paula
Apr 3rd, 2009, 03:30 PM
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Apr 4th, 2009, 11:06 AM
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Really, sort of a toss-up. The traffic to and out to Sanibel Island in season is probably the worst, and you don't have the benefit of interstate to get there -- but it is actually the closest. Marco is the least close, but not a lot of difference compared to going into Naples itself. I suppose the northern Naples resorts (like the Ritz and LaPlaya) might actually be the quickest drive from the airport.
I have NEVER heard anyone use the term "charm" with Marco Island in comparison to Naples -- just for the record, but the beach there is nice.
I have NEVER heard anyone use the term "charm" with Marco Island in comparison to Naples -- just for the record, but the beach there is nice.
Apr 7th, 2009, 10:59 AM
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I hope someone sees this and can give me a simple yes or no answer. Someone told me that finding a Rabbi on the Gulf coast of Fl. isn't easy. I only know the Atlantic side so it doesn't seem possible. A Rabbi shortage in Fl.? LOL! We're Jewish so that really does matter for the ceremony, destination or not. So, Rabbis, yes or no? Thanks in advance.
Apr 7th, 2009, 11:17 AM
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I can't imagine why that would be a problem. I suppose overall the West Coast tends to be less Jewish than the East coast, but we have no Rabbi shortage here in Naples than I'm aware of. On the other hand we have few large rodents. Are you sure someone didn't think you were looking for a rabbit? Not many of those around here!
Apr 8th, 2009, 06:43 AM
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We have rabbis and rabbits in Fort Myers.
No one has mentioned Tween Waters on Captiva. They do hundreds of weddings a year there and are excellent. Very laid back atmosphere with enough sophistication to keep it memorable. The cost of a complete wedding here is about 1/3 of La Playa. The resort is not luxurious like LaPlaya however. Depends what you want. My niece is having her wedding there mid-May with guests arriving from all over the country. Many were pleased that she didn't pick the most expensive resort in this economy.
Old Captiva House restaurant is arguably the best on Captiva and certainly knows how to capture the island feeling with the food.
http://www.tween-waters.com/Weddings.cfm
No one has mentioned Tween Waters on Captiva. They do hundreds of weddings a year there and are excellent. Very laid back atmosphere with enough sophistication to keep it memorable. The cost of a complete wedding here is about 1/3 of La Playa. The resort is not luxurious like LaPlaya however. Depends what you want. My niece is having her wedding there mid-May with guests arriving from all over the country. Many were pleased that she didn't pick the most expensive resort in this economy.
Old Captiva House restaurant is arguably the best on Captiva and certainly knows how to capture the island feeling with the food.
http://www.tween-waters.com/Weddings.cfm
