Saturday, April 18, 2009

Casa Ybel Attends the Opening of Ashley Brockington's New Photography Studio!

Casa Ybel Resort was honored to have been invited to the Grand Opening of Ashley Brockington's new photography studio on April 16, 2009. Ashley and Sam Brockington, one of our Preferred Vendors, are the owners of Ashley Brockington Photography, as well as Red Box Photography. They specialize in hip, chic, modern photography for weddings, engagement photos, portraits, and everything in between! They are an insanely talented duo, who provide one of the best products I have ever seen. Their studio more than matches their personal and profession style, and I am so proud of what they have accomplished! The studio is, from top to bottom, a masterpiece, and I am sure it will do wonders to help attract brides. I cannot imagine being a bride, walking into that studio, and not being impressed by the quality and style they put forth.

(Above Picture from Left to Right: Kelly McWilliams, owner of Weddings by Socialites, Jennifer Dube, Wedding Coordinator for Casa Ybel Resort, Ashley Brockington, owner of Ashley Brockington Photography)

The opening was so much fun, and was a great opportunity to see some of our favorite local vendors as well. They had DJ George Nice (http://www.gnicemusic.com/) playing a fantastic mix of songs to keep the flow of the party going, while you could mingle, nibble, drink, and get lost looking at all the little detail the studio has to offer. Sue Bain from Signature Floral (http://www.signature-florals.com/index.html) did up the most fantastic little floral arrangements of tightly wound carnation balls, with greenery, which added great drama to the high top cocktail tables of black and white striped linen, and modern sculptures.

They had a gourmet cheese display, fantastic wine, little treats hidden everywhere (such as canisters of ring pops, marshmallows, Ghirardelli chocolates, and wax lips!), and so much more! They had cocktail waitresses butler passing the most AMAZING chocolate truffles on picture frame trays (cute idea!!), gourmet popcorn, and Iced Lattes with Cocoa Powder Rims, garnished with Cotton Candy. As if all of this wasn't enough, they even had an eyelash station for the women at the party to get false eyelashes put on and feel just a little more glamorous that night.


Congratulations to Ashley and Sam Brockington on such a successful Studio Opening, an amazing design and space, and hopefully a large pay off coming soon! Please check out their website, blog, and if you can, make a trip to the studio; you won't regret it!
http://www.ashleybrockinton.com/

Casa Ybel Hosts Outdoor Wedding

Casa Ybel was pleased to host the wedding of Ashley Armstrong and James Reille on April 10, 2009!

Ashley and James' day began with a breathtaking ceremony on our pristine beach, followed by a full outdoor reception on the terrace of our Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant. This couple was so lucky to have an amazing family, which worked so hard, along with our staff, to transform the terrace into a stunning reception location. Our staff strung little white lights along the awning over the terrace, while Ashley's family added white paper lanterns to add a modern twist. The tables were covered with white linen, and two tones of blue napkins to add a little pop. The centerpieces were DIY projects from the family, with natural sand, green palm frans, hurricane glasses with white candles, and the same two tone blue ribbon wrapped around each hurricane. They added bows and palm frans to the back of each chair to add more drama to the space as well. The guests were treated to tropical steel drums during the cocktail hour, while they nibbled on butler passed hors d'ourves of Crab Cakes, Coconut Shrimp, and Fruit and Cheese Skewers. The steel drums faded as the bride and groom entered for their first dance as husband and wife, before the guests sat down for dinner. After feasting on a Duet Plate of Filet of Beef and Butter Poached Lobster Tail and wedding cake, DJ Robert Liquori from In the Mood amped everything up with great dance music, and the party danced the night away in celebration of Ashley and James's love! This was a wonderful night, in an outdoor paradise, that is sure not to be forgotten!!

Congratulations to the New Mr. and Mrs. Reille!!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Casa Ybel Resort Receives The Knot Best of 2009 Award!

Thank you to all of our wonderful clients, past and present, who were vital in Casa Ybel Resort receiving The Knot Best Of Award for 2009! This is two years in a row now that you all have deemed us worthy of such an honor!We are so pleased to know that you are all behind us, and recognizing the hard work that we do! Most important, it makes us so happy to know that, at the end of the day, our brides are truly happy! This award is so special because it is YOU who award it to us, real brides, and real opinions. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts for two years in a row, and many more successful years to come!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

First April Wedding at Casa Ybel

Casa Ybel was delighted to host the wedding of Ashley and Matthew Marsh on April 4, 2009!



This is a local couple, which is always such a delight for us at the resort. The bride was simply stunning in a white, charmeuse, v-neck gown, with a ruched waist and beautiful beading around the hips. They were married on our Boardwalk Beach, with reception held held in the Waterfront Room of our Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant. The bridal bouquets and centerpieces were done by Sue Bain of Signature Florals and Gifts. The centerpieces consisted of cylindrical vases, of various heights, with red beads, dark pink orchids with floating candles.

The guests began the meal with caprice salads, followed by their choice of Pan Roasted Chicken Breast with Spinach and Goat Cheese Stuffing, or New York Strip Steak with Frizzled Onions and a Red Wine Demi Glace.

The cake was an adorable two tier cake, adorned with white chocolate seashells, from Masons Bakery in Downtown Fort Myers.

They danced the night away to the sounds of the very talented DJ Drew Steele. Everyone had a truly fantastic time, and we were so pleased to have hosted this magical event!


Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Marsh!

Clever Idea for Casa Ybel Lawn Wedding!

As the wedding coordinator for Casa Ybel Resort, I see my fair share of weddings. While they are all beautiful and unique in their own right, it is always SO much fun when a couple does something out of the ordinary that you have never seen before. Our adorable bride on March 26th did just that! They got married on our gorgeous lawn, and did the cutest "unity ceremony" I have ever seen. The couple met at a golf course, and have a full and cute story to back this up. As a complete surprise to the groom, the bride planned a "Unity Golf Ceremony". We set up an adorable little putting hole, flag, and putters (which she stole from his golf bag that morning!) for her. At one point in the ceremony, she had the Pastor tell the story of how they met, then they putted a ball into the hole together. It was, of course, a hole in one!



I simply thought this was adorable, thoughtful, and a delight for the entire group, not to mention the groom! It is truly wonderful when everyone gets caught off guard with something totally surprising, and truly perfect for the couple. I say, it is YOUR wedding...get creative, have fun, and take someone by surprise!

Congratulations to this weekends newly weds!!


Mr. and Mrs. Reid



Mr. and Mrs. Tanner



Mr. and Mrs. Angel