My daughter would like to get married in January of 07 on Sanibel Island. Has anyone been to any weddings there? They have been in contact with Sundial resort and are leaning towards that.

Any experiences with weddings there or input would be appreciated.

I don't have any firsthand experience; however, while staying at the Sanibel Harbour Resort I saw a small wedding take place on the beach and thought it was just beautiful.

The resort is not directly on Sanibel. It is on the bay, just before the causeway from the mainland to the island. There is only a small beach - not directly in front of thre hotel - but on the side toward the condo towers. The largest stretch is in front of the condo's. But there are one or two private beach areas between the hotel and condo beach that are enclosed by tall greenery, and that was where the wedding was. They set up some chairs and an archway decorated in white flowers.

The resort is absolutely beautiful. There are several restaurants and ballrooms for a reception. I have also seen them set up small parties and receptions around the pools.

It's an option. Good luck.

Oops...I meant to give you their website:

http://www.sanibel-resort.com/index2.asp

They have a section on weddings.

They do a lot of weddings at Tween Waters Inn at Captiva, the sister-island connected to Sanibel (tween-waters.com is their site, I think, google it). The food there is wonderful and the location is fabulous.

I saw a wedding on Sanibel ... my husband & I were walking along the beach and there it was! Pretty cool! Casa Ybel often hosts weddings too as well. Personally, if it were me, I'd really rather be on Sanibel or Captiva as opposed to in Ft. Myers at the Sanibel Harbor Resort ... it's nice, but it's not Sanibel!

For some reason I remember seeing tons of "wedding consultant" ads on Sanibel, I think it's quite an industry. If you work through a consultant, your fee is very small b/c they get kickbacks from everyone they book for you. That could be good or bad, depending on a variety of factors. Anyway, Sanibel & Captiva are simply stunning and I think you'll really be pleased!

Patricia Slater is Sanibel's wedding expert...here's her website. http://shelob.cyberstreet.com/sanibelcaptivaweddings/

Casa Ybel and its lovely Thistle Lodge would be my recommendation. although the condos aren't that fabulous.

Sundial isn't very pretty..The Thistle Lodge is lovely, the gardens have been restored and look better after Charlie. The food at Thistle Lodge is very good and they have a lovely wine selection.

http://www.casaybelweddings.com/
http://www.thistlelodge.com/

I'd try to go with a professional venue. The silliest wedding I went to was on a barrier island that is uninhabited. Batting off the NoSeeums we waded to shore, trecked across to the beach (women who did not plan ahead had to go barefoot or risk devestation of their Manolos) and then had to find our way back with flashlights. Bad planning all around but many hilarious stories surrounding the event...I am sure this is not the memories the bride had in mind for her guests. LMF

I second the recommendation for Pat Slater. My husband and I were married on Sanibel - it was very simple so we really can't recommend Pat for all her skills but she was very easy to work with and was happy to do what we wanted.

My best friends son was married at Casa Ybel--it was wonderful and very very professionally done. However have to warn you about January the weather could be very iffy--for instance we had nites this past month in the 40's and some gloomy and foggy days-- however the past week has been clear blue skys and 80 degrees.just a thot. They were married in May was perfect weather and the Gulf background was wonderful.

By the way the food was terrific too and the service.

Almost every visit to Sanibel, we see weddings at Casa Ybel -- it's a very photogenic spot.

One caveat based on experience: we sat on the beach to watch a February wedding, just before sunset. Lovely photos, I'm sure, but I was bitten to bits by no-seeums! Maybe the upside of cooler January temps would be that cooler means NO no-seeums? ;-)

I was looking something up for a photography forum and found:
www.sanibelbeachweddings.com

This may be useful.

BAK