Tousled Hair, Don’t Care: The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel Will Do It for You When You Say ‘I Do’
Since the publication of this article, the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel has changed its name to Fort Myers- Islands , Beaches and Neighborhoods.
We’ve come a LONG way since this time last year, when small, outdoor weddings were truly one of the only ways that couples were getting married. Yes, we’re all kinds of excited to see larger-scale events come back around #vaccinatedvowsforthewin, but we’re also quite okay with keeping things small. Smaller wedding soirees are so wonderful, and when they’re situated on sunny, soft, and balmy beaches, like those on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, they’re even better. We spent a few days scoping out this dreamy Southwest Florida locale, and we’re thrilled to report that we’ve fallen in love with a number of venues and resorts that have it all if you’re all in on an outdoor celebration for your nuptials.
Thinking of having your dream wedding somewhere on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel? Well, you don't have to imagine the day blindly, because we've got real wedding photos from five events that happened IRL at all of these fabulous venues: Casa Ybel Beach Resort, Hyatt Regency Coconut Point and Spa, Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa, Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina, and Lovers Key State Park. Spoiler alert: they're all breathtaking.
Open air feels, with intimate ‘I Do’ vibes
Would anyone else care to admit that even though the pandemic required us to pare things down, the intimacy that we’ve been getting used to feels kind of perfect? We sure feel that way: intimate gatherings have totally grown on us, and renewed our love for destination affairs, which often invite couples with smaller guest lists (although, that doesn’t have to be the case at all - if you want to indulge the whole crew for your ‘I dos,’ then we say go for it, provided it’s safe for everyone!).
COVID has made us all realize that wedding days must be personal, they must invoke the details and distinctions of our dreams, and they must include all of the people who mean the most to us. And so, a destination wedding does it - brings our nearest and dearest together to witness the next great step in our love story - and put a forever-remembered footnote in their own life story.
IF YOU’RE GOING BIG WITH A BEACH WEDDING, YOU’VE GOT TO GO WITH ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL
The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel doesn't disappoint. Every beach boasts pristine white and fluffy sand, a shoreline that disappears into a magical blend of blue, turquoise, and seafoam green, and clear skies as far as the eyes can see. It makes sense, right? Because every couple should feel as close to Cloud 9 as possible after making official promises to love each other for always…
Speaking of promises, if you decide on Fort Myers and Sanibel as the site for your special day(s), you’ll get a team that sticks to promises, too - namely a wedding coordinator and extended planning team (courtesy of your venue of choice) who commit to making sure every wedding wish of yours comes true.
Here are a few of the beach-adjacent castles you can count on to provide the perfect canvas for your wedding:
CASA YBEL BEACH RESORT
What We Love about
Casa ybel Beach Resort
At Sanibel Island's Casa Ybel Beach Resort you have endless options for an outdoor event evoking all of the leaves-you-breathless energy of a chic beachbound occasion - whether it be an intimate wedding with the aquamarine waves of the Gulf as a backdrop or a lavish reception under a crisp, white sailcloth tent. The 23-acre beachfront resort has hosted unforgettable island wedding ceremonies and receptions for over a century, and with the sheer variety of romantic venues and unique enhancements, you can rest assured knowing that your day is in the right hands. Casa Ybel Beach Resort's wedding specialists will assist you with each and every detail of your celebration, from the welcome dinner to the farewell brunch. If you’ve ever had worries about your guests’ enjoyment, then put them to rest, because the area's vendors and off-site excursions promise tons of fun for the wedding party and all the wedding guests.
HYATT REGENCY COCONUT POINT RESORT and SPA
WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa
You and your partner and your guests can walk the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa nature trail (and not going to lie, this walk is X10000 better than any walk you took over the last 14 months) to the resort’s marina and board the ferry for a 15-minute crossing of Estero Bay in Bonita Springs. Along the way, you can spot pods of wild dolphins, see the American Bald Eagle, and scout out some brown pelicans and other local birds. Upon arriving at Big Hickory Island, you can spend the day at the area’s private beach with spectacular seashell-collecting opportunities, beach chairs and umbrellas, a covered picnic pavilion, and boardwalk. Among towering palm trees is an unbelievably beautiful place to mint your newlywedship.
Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa
WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT
Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa
You can plan a wedding at Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa that reflects your tastes, desires, and fondest dreams in a resort that overlooks the stunning San Carlos Bay. Their outdoor venues and verandas offer water views and lush, botanical landscapes that paint the most picturesque backdrops for your Southwest Florida wedding. Right on the back bay of the GOM (Gulf of Mexico), Cove Beach steals you and your guests away for a ceremony that’s windswept and serene. And if being swept up sounds sublime to you, there’s also the Sanibel Princess Yacht. Featuring an incredible observation deck and two refreshingly air-conditioned salons, this boat is everything for your rehearsal dinner or bon voyage brunch.
Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina
WHAT WE LOVE AbouT
Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina
You can experience the ultimate beachfront getaway at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina, a full-service resort on Fort Myers Beach, surrounded by the Matanzas Pass on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. What once was a single cottage built in 1950 has since grown into the iconic, 12-acre beach resort and marina of the Pink Shell. Every step of your wedding experience including tasting and planning sessions, welcome and farewell events, and incredible onsite accommodations will be met with one-of-a-kind commitment to you and every single guest by a dedicated and fulfilling wedding team. Not to mention, when you plan a wedding at the Pink Shell, your guests will get to check a few boxes off their post-pandemic bucket lists: attending a wedding in paradise and enjoying a vacation of a lifetime. From complimentary kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals to dolphin tours and fishing excursions, there are plenty of amenities and experiences to entertain guests all weekend long.
LOVERS KEY STATE PARK
WHAT WE LOVE abouT
Lovers Key State Park
And of course, if you just want to let the beach be your [bridal] guide - Lovers Key State Park - an immaculate two-mile stretch of beach, with crazy natural beauty - is a phenomenal place to start. The land was actually donated to the people of Florida, so that its beaches and mangrove forests could be preserved for all to enjoy. Imagine your breezy beach, gulfside wedding in beautiful Southwest Florida while the sun is setting. If you're lucky, you might even get some friendly wedding crashers... of the dolphin variety, that is!
Start planning your beach wedding, complete with open-air venues, wonder-laden natural spaces, hospitality and stewardship that’s as amaranthine as the beaches themselves by visiting Fort Myers and Sanibel’s website and reaching out for more information!
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We partnered with The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel to share this dreamy destination wedding spot with you. As always, thank you for supporting our sponsors!
- Photographers: Trenholm Photo
- Photographers: Ashtyn Brooke Photo
- Photographers: Love Letters
- Venues: Casa Ybel Beach Resort
- Venues: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa
- Venues: Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina
- Venues: Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa
- Venues: Lovers Key State Park
- Wedding Films: Curtis Kennedy Films