We had a great week last week capped off by two totally unique and very different weddings!
The wedding week started with a fun trip to North Captiva Island. Repeat family portrait clients Rachael and Tim D recommended us to the bride and groom which we were very thankful for.
We started the mini trip by way of Matias of Boats and Fun . For those that are not familiar with the area; the barrier islands like North Captiva, Ussepa and Cayo Costa are not accessible by road. Normally I would take my own boat but my boat has not been filling me with confidence recently, so I opted to reach out to Boats and Fun. Boats and Fun is a company that offers water taxis, boat rentals and boat tours.
I have known Matias for a number of years as he used to work for a local video company and we would bump into each other from time to time at weddings. He now has his own water-sports and boat rental business on North Captiva Island.
I got picked for my journey at the Pine Island Commercial Marina. This marina is the starting point for 90% of the supplies heading for the barrier islands. It is about a twenty minute boat ride to North Captiva Island.
I was picked up by golf cart from the Boats and Fun shop on North Captiva Island (there are no cars on the island) and escorted to the house where all of the wedding party were staying (all 8 of them:). Everyone was super nice and very accommodating.
The house was a big surprise, certainly not the sort of house you would expect to find on North Captiva Island (see pics). It was very contemporary and looked more like a house you would find on Miami Beach rather than North Captiva Island. I loved it! Apparently they found it on VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner). The house is called Blue Door Villa. The whole house is very contemporary in design apart from the blue front door which is obviously an antique, hence the name, Blue Door Villa!
As I walked up the driveway an osprey was perched on the balcony on the top floor, always a good sign:).
It was a fantastic wedding, a second wedding for both the bride, Trish and the groom, Ken, so it was very low key affair, just Trish and her son and Ken and his daughter and two of Trish’s sons friends. The wedding was held on the beach and officiated by a gentleman who was a WW2 fighter pilot! The reception was held at the Boathouse Restaurant on North Captiva a very small and quaint 20-30 seat restaurant.Barnacle Phil’s is another popular restaurant on the island.
If you are interested in getting married on any of the barrier islands, we offer complete wedding packages that include, professional photography and video, experienced officiates, beautiful florists and we can also arrange transportation etc.
Although it is not my intention to bash anyone, please be aware that when booking services on the isolated barrier islands. You will find, more often than not, that your first point of contact may turn into your wedding planner, your officiant, then your photographer and florist. You may even bump into the same person spinning the tunes at your reception 🙂 It sounds comical but it happens! We hear about it. While we applaud the islanders for their resourcefulness I strongly recommend booking wedding services from wedding professionals rather than people trying to wear far to many hats:)
I had a great ride back with a guy named Mike he was recounting the recent Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition magazine shoot
that took place at the fish house on the edge of North Captiva Bay, by all accounts it was a pretty chilly day for the models.
Anyway, I will let the pictures do the rest of the talking,
North Captiva Island Information and Resources
North Captiva Island Restaurant guide
The Boathouse, Lunch and dinner with a variety of seafood and traditional fare
239-283-3630
Barnicles (formally Barnicle Phil’s) This is perhaps the most famous North Cap Island Restaurant
great views, variety of food. Outside eating area under the tiki hut. Watch the otters play in the back bay!
(239) 472-1200
The Over The Waterfront, Great little restaurant located on stilts over the water.
The Pool Bar, North Captiva Island Club.
A pool bar with the accompanying cocktails, drinks and bar foods wings pizza etc.
Links for this article
VRBO Rental properties available by owner: http://www.vrbo.com
The Blue Door Villa: http://bluedoorvilla.com/site/Welcome.html
Pine Island Commercial Mariner (not open to the public Mon thru Fri) (http://www.leeparks.org/Facility_info?Project_num=0095
Boats and Fun http://www.boatsandfun.com
