May Wedding Wrap Up

May is usually the busiest wedding month of the year for us at Casa Ybel, and this year was no exception! The last couple of weeks were just fantastic, and we wrapped up our Spring Season with some spectacular weddings! The last weekend was particularly wonderful and emotional for me, as the couples were some of the clients I have worked with the longest and we developed close relationships. A great deal of time, intense planning, and emotion went into planning these weddings, but the results were simply spectacular! Each and every wedding that finished off our Spring Season was purely romantic, classic, stunning, and perfect in every way for our wonderful clients. I am sad to no longer be working with these amazing people, but wish them the best of luck in their futures together, and am so proud to have been able to help them achieve their dream weddings! I would like to extend my whole hearted congratulations to our newest newlyweds!!

Mr. and Mrs. Jusek

Mr. and Mrs. Altman

Mr. and Mrs. Vanadia

Mr. and Mrs. Hemphil

Mr. and Mrs. Stark

Mr. and Mrs. Rowley

Mr. and Mrs. Mayes

Here are some highlights from this spectacular season!!

Happy Bride and Groom in front of Thistle Lodge

Eric Luther Photography

Happy Party in Waterfront Room

Eric Luther Photography

Super Unique and Gorgeous Palm Centerpiece

(Non-Professional Shot)

Incredible cake by Masons Bakery

(Non-Professional Shot)

Incredible Elegant Wedding In Waterfront Room

Centerpieces created by Floral Artistry

(Non-Professional Shot)

Gorgeous Tented Reception

Floral Done by Sue Totterdale

(Non-Professional Shot)


Cheers!!

Eric Luther Photography

Breathtaking Floral Artistry Centerpieces

(Non-Professional Shot)

Adorable Golf cart "send off"

(Non-Professional Shot)

Amazing Table Numbers

Eric Luther Photography

Truly Unique Cake, from Masons Bakery

Eric Luther Photography

Eric Luther Photography

Gorgeous and unique bridesmaids "bouquet" fans

Created by Floral Artistry

(Non-Professional Shot)

Bridal Party on Beach

Eric Luther Photography

Beautiful tent reception with elegant red linen and gold chivari chairs

Floral done by Sue Totterdale

(Non-Professional Shot)

The most beautiful peonie bouquet I have ever seen, by Floral Artistry

(Non-Professional Shot)

Beautiful Cake from Masons Bakery

Stuart Rosenthal Photography

Gorgeous table from Tented Wedding.

Florals and Decor by Sue Totterdale, Florida Weddings On-Line

Stuart Rosenthal Photography

Sweetheart table Floral (Sue Totterdale)

Stuart Rosenthal Photography

Stunning Beach Ceremony

Arch and Decor by Sue Totterdale

Stuart Rosenthal Photography

Busy Wedding Month at Casa Ybel

Spring time in Florida is something to be seen. The weather every day is in the 70's-80's with a light breeze. Humidity is low, as are rain chances, and the beach looks phenomenal. With the gorgeous weather comes a lot of happy couples, jumping at the chance to be married on our fabulous property! April and May are always very busy around here, from the weddings, to our restaurant, pool, and rooms! The property is just booming, with a lot of amazing people from all around the world, taking in the sunshine and enjoying all that Casa Ybel Resort has to offer, and why not?! Not only is it a great time to be in Florida, but Casa Ybel Resort is such a great destination spot, I would certainly take advantage of it! Our restaurant has been very busy, between the season traffic, and the Holidays.

For the Easter Holiday, our amazing Chef's put out a fantastic Holiday Buffet, which delighted the locals and our out of state guests! The menu was fantastic, including a wide array of Holiday favorites and local flavors for the occasion. It was a perfect way to spend the holiday, and tasted every bit as good as it looked!

Photos By Shari Bare Photography

http://www.sharibare.com/

Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant will also be hosting another amazing buffet for Mother's Day! For reservations, please call 239-472-9200.

Our weddings have also been just spectacular, with some truly stunning and unique functions!

Congratulations to our newest newlyweds from the last two weeks:

Mr. and Mrs. Woodman
Mr. and Mrs. DeBlanc
Mr. and Mrs. Prendiville
Mr. and Mrs. Galloway
Mr. and Mrs. Rains
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Gardner
Mr. and Mrs. Fink
Mr. and Mrs. Brown
Mr. and Mrs. Siracusa
Mr. and Mrs. Feldhake

These weddings were a delight to plan and host, and turned out so beautifully! We hope you carry the fondest of memories with you in all you do in the future, and keep us in mind for future parties and Anniversaries! We would love to have you back!!

Here are some highlights from our Busy couple of weeks:

Beautiful DIY Centerpiece Under our Tent

Tent Wedding

Gorgeous and Tasty Fruit and Cheese Display from Casa Ybel

Sweetheart Table for Tent Wedding

Gorgeous Programs for Ceremony

Beautiful Boardwalk Beach Ceremony

(Arch provided by Libby's Flowers and Gifts)

Waterfront Room Reception

Amazing Cakes from Masons Bakery

Monogram Ice Sculpture, done by our talented Executive Banquet Chef, Jamie Crisp

Outside Shot of Tented Reception

Amazing Wedding in our Waterfront Room with Monogram on the Mirror

(Centerpieces done by Sue Totterdale, Florida Weddings On-Line)

The new Mrs. DeBlanc!

(Bouquet done by Sue Totterdale, Florida Weddings On-Line)

Lovely Boutonniere

(floral done by Sue Totterdale, Florida Weddings On-Line)

Beautiful Intimate Wedding in Gazebo Room

Amazing Beach Ceremony

Brides Walk down the Aisle


These are just a few of many magical moments captured over the last couple of weeks. We are all enjoying this busy time and looking forward to the rest of our amazing events to come!

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!!

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!

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