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.

Am I not getting replies because this site is now kind of confusing with new and recent threads side by side? Or is there just no one out there in Fodor land that can help me?

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.

"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 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.

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

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.

Marco Island is great. The last time we were there we saw a wedding on the beach(at the Marriott) almost every night. I don't know about a clam bake-I have never seen a fire on the beach there.

South Seas Resort-Captiva Island

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.

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.

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

OOps. Meant to post the link:

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/trav...-club-and-spa/

Marco Island, huh? I'm putting it on my check list. You guys are fantastic. Better then any cheesy wedding site!

Out of Sanibel, Marco Island or Naples, which is the easiest to get to from the Ft. Myers airport? Thanks

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 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.

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!

Thanks, yes, she must have meant RABBITS!!

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

FWIW, there is a marina in the back of Tween Waters and arrangements can be made for shelling cruises, fishing excursions, kayak expeditions, etc.

The wedding I attended at La Playa had 120 guests and I was told that the total was about $140k. If I had to do Naples, I'd do La Playa, if I was not worried about expenses for the family or guests. Gorgeous hotel.

Does it have to be Sanibel? What about Sarasota? If you want high end there is the Ritz Carlton. For a drop dead gorgeous wedding site what about the Ringling Mansion? The property is right on the bay and just so romantic. The rose garden is in top bloom this time of year and there is so much to recommend the area. The downtown has a nice vibe and there is theatre, and boat rides, botanical gardens and so much more to do than Sanibel. Long Boat Key, Siesta Key and the famous white sand beaches. St. Armands circle with its shops and restaurants. Sanibel is lovely, but Sarasota is beautiful and much more cosmopolitan. More like Naples, but maybe not so pricey.

I'll second hotzim's thoughts on Sarasota. Gorgeous beaches and lots of things to do. Check out the Longboat Key Club and the Ritz, but I can't imagine anyplace more beautiful and unique as the Ringling Estate for a wedding.

Good luck!

I've always thought the Ringling would be a fabulous wedding venue, but it's probably seriously pricey and would be on the formal side. Longboat Key Club might be more what OP has in mind, and hotzim's list of other Sarasota attractions gives you an idea of what else guests might enjoy doing while on this trip. Yes, they're coming for the wedding, but if they're going to spend the money, time, and vacation days on a trip like that, it's nice to offer them other things to do.

I'm also planning a wedding in the Naples/ish area from NYC! My parents live in FTM and checked out the Ritz and LaPlaya. Neither of them are on the water and I sort of have my heart set on that - although from what I hear both are nice.

Does anyone have recommendations for waterfront reception sites? Doesn't have to be a hotel - are there mansions that I could use in that area? Am open to Sanibel, Marco Island, Captiva, Naples, etc.

The situation is a little complex because we're looking to have Pakistani food - LaPlaya allows outside catering - anyone else?

What about reception sites not waterfront that allow outside catering?

Any recommendations are super appreicated. Thanks!

The LaPlaya resort is absolutely direct beach/oceanfront. Could not be more "on the water" unless it was a boat!! There are 2 Ritz Carltons in Naples; Ritz Golf and Ritz Beachfront...not sure of the exact name, but it is within walking distance of LaPlaya...gorgeous.