Historic Florida Wedding - Weddings & Private Events at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates

Historic Florida Wedding

Weddings & Private Events at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates

Their Wedding Their Way: Amber & Kyle | Outdoor Florida Wedding Venue

Posted by edisonfordwinterestates On February 19th

Fort Myers natives, Amber & Kyle, wanted their wedding to be a reflection of themselves, and that’s exactly what they got.  Last weekend, they were married in the Royal Palm Allee at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates and the event was anything but ordinary.  Matt Steeves blew us away with these incredible photographs.

The reception was held at the Edison Restaurant’s back patio and bar and more closely resembled the best party ever than a wedding reception.  There were no formal seating arrangements, no sit-down dinner.   Heavy hors d’oeuvres were served, including hand-passed corndogs and hamburger sliders.  Amber & Kyle shared their first dance on the golf course green (Amber was barefoot).  At one point, I heard Amber shouting, “Best wedding EVER!”  I’m not sure there could have been a wedding more perfectly suited for these two. 

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

Wedding Photography: Matt Steeves Photography / 239.246.1707 / www.mattsteeves.com / mattsteeves@me.com

Wedding Flowers: Fort Myers Florist / 239.931.0506

Destination Florida: Amanda & Scott's Wedding | Destination Weddings Venue

Posted by edisonfordwinterestates On September 24th

Colorado couple, Amanda and Scott, opted for a destination wedding at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers this past August.  With only one bridesmaid, one groomsman, and two guests, the event was as intimate as they come.

In an effort to dodge the afternoon storms that are so prevalent during the Florida summer, the wedding ceremony was held at 11am in the Royal Palm Allee on the Ford Property.  Though the wedding was small, the details were almost as beautiful as the bride.  After vows were made, rings exchanged, and photos taken, the group of six went out for wedding brunch!  Amanda and Scott spent their time in Florida exploring the Everglades and the Florida Keys.  Now that’s a destination wedding done right!

Below are some photos taken by Jamie Lee Photography of the wedding day (click photos to enlarge):

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

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

Flowers: Libby’s Flowers / 239.278.1500 /www.libbysflowershop.com / muffy@libbysflowershop.com

Officiant: Greg Sander of Libby’s Flowers / 239.278.1500 /www.libbysflowershop.com / muffy@libbysflowershop.com

A Do-It-Yourself Wedding: Rhonda & Arthur | Fort Myers Wedding Venue

Posted by edisonfordwinterestates On August 10th

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.

Click photos to enlarge:

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

When Life Hands You Lemons…

Posted by edisonfordwinterestates On June 14th

lemonade wedding logo1 When Life Hands You Lemons...

The Edison & Ford Winter Estates is teaming up with Studio Six Eleven Events and Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida to create a Lemonade Wedding Giveaway for a deserving couple that has come upon some sour times!   We are searching for the couple that wants to get married but may be faced with financial obsticals, job loss, health risks or other complicated situations beyond their control.

Step back into “Tropical Old Florida” at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates and experience the beauty of Fort Myers that won the hearts of two of the greatest American inventors.  Imagine being surrounded by royal palms, historic bamboo, orchids, countless other tropical plants and old Florida homes along the Caloosahatchee River.  The Edison & Ford Winter Estates has preserved our local history and educated our community on innovation and  natural resource preservation while maintaining the  charm, elegance  and beauty of the Estates. 

Date: September 12, 2010

Ceremony Location:  Edison & Ford Winter Estates

Reception Location: The Heitman House

Reception Coordination: Elle Events

Event Design & Planning and Custom Invitations: Studio Six Eleven

Bride & Groom’s Transportation: Model T Chauffeur Services

Ceremony Flowers: Patty’s Flower Shop

Reception Flowers: Fort Myers Floral Designs

Photography: Duquette Photography and Shari Brownie Photography

Officiant: Elegant Affairs

Groom’s Tux & Ring Bearer Tux: Black Tie Tuxedo

Wedding Bands: Provident Jewelry

Reception Linens: Connie Duglin Specialty Linens

Wedding Cake: Kakes by Karen

One Nights Honeymoon Stay: Hotel Indigo, Downtown Fort Myers

Fill out the contest entry form at www.lemonadewedding.com or stop by a participating Goodwill Store to tell us your sweet love story and the bitter times you’ve shared along with a picture of the two of you.

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:

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

When looking through the photos of Virginia and Cameron’s March wedding in the Coconut Grove at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, “Pretty In Pink” is what comes to mind.  There are elements that hint at an “Old Florida” theme and there are even a few references to birds, a play on Cameron’s last name, Byrd.  But the theme most important to the couple when planning their big day was “Fun.” 

Fun is definitely what they got when they hired wedding planners Kristi Edwards and Julie Johnson of Happily Ever After to make their dreams become reality.   Below is the proof  in photos taken by Luminaire Foto.

Click photos to enlarge:

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

Flowers: Libby’s Flowers / 239.278.1500 / www.libbysflowershop.com / muffy@libbysflowershop.com

Transportation: Model T Chauffeur Services / 239.694.3969 / www.modeltchauffeur.com / info@modeltchauffeur.com

Wedding Planning: Happily Ever After / 239.433.4625 / www.happilyeverafter4u.com / happilyeverafter4u@comcast.net

Photography: Luminaire Foto / 239.848.8926 / www.luminairefoto.com / karl@luminairefoto.com

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

Wedding Cake: Mason’s Bakery / 239.334.4525 / www.masonsbakery.com / chrisk@masonsbakery.com

Invitations: The Paper Mill / 239.437.2252 / www.thepapermill-florida.net / loveis@thepapermill-florida.net

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

Posted by edisonfordwinterestates On April 2nd

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):

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

by Rebecca Jones, Collections Information Specialist 

charles edison wedding photo Charles Edison and Carolyn Hawkins Wedding at the Edison Winter Home in 1918

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.

Winter Wedding: Adelie and Ben

Posted by edisonfordwinterestates On February 27th

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.

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

Lovebirds: The Wedding of Rachel & Steve

Posted by edisonfordwinterestates On December 31st

You may recall earlier this year when we posted Rachel & Steve’s Save-the-Dates and Wedding Invitations.  The two tied the knot last month, and the photos are in.  They are every bit as vibrant as their printed materials promised.  The wedding was held on a perfect November afternoon in the Royal Palm Allee on the Historic Ford Property.  The details are spectacular – take a look:

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

Flowers: Eventz, Inc. / 239.415.2581 / www.eventzinc.com / sales@eventzinc.com

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

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

Wedding Cake: Mason’s Bakery / 239.334.4525 / www.masonsbakery.com / chrisk@masonsbakery.com

Invitations, Table Cards, Save-the-Dates: Mama’s Sauce Print Shoppe / 321.251.5445 / www.mamas-sauce.com / nick@mamas-sauce.com