There's a special place in my heart for The Ritz-Carlton, Naples. To be obvious, the tropical luxury is astounding, including lush grounds and boardwalks mixed with opulent and cozy accessories. Secretly though, I'm just obsessed with their fresh mango mojitos and killer views.
After three nights of vendor get-togethers and four days of driving all around our beautiful state, Laura, Becca, and myself were in desperate need of some R&R. It was the tail end of our road trip and thankfully we had just a quick ride from St. Petersburg to Naples. It didn't take long for us to check-in, check out our incredible room, and stare down at the beach before we all thought in unison, "Yup, the Gumbo Limbo is calling our name!"
We had some time before our Southwest party began so we bellied up to the bar and each ordered some refreshing beverages. It was the first time during the trip that the three of us were able to really relax and absorb what we were doing. We're really proud of our efforts to improve this blog for our readers and our vendors. Well deserved rest if you ask me!
We met with Public Relations Manager, Jorian Weiner, and Director of Wedding Accounts, Lydia Redmond, for coffee and a tour of the resort the morning after our vendor get-together. We strolled through the pools and gardens, down the boardwalks to the beach, and we stopped by each of the restaurants and cafes. Perhaps the part of the guided tour that tickled us the most was our visit downstairs. Below the extravagant walls of the Ritz-Carlton, Naples lies a wedding blogger/planner/designer's dream: thousands of square feet of underground storage space for all things event-related. We're talking chiavari chairs in many colors, linens in every shade and texture imaginable, decor accessories, chandeliers and other lighting options, aged wine barrels for cocktail hours, rustic crates for displayed buffets...holy moly, my head is spinning. It was spectacular.
This find led us to learn that, although they love to work with planners and decorators, the Ritz-Carlton Wedding Advisors can provide 100% full service planning for your wedding needs. Everything from flowers to table tops, catering to seating, and timelines to exits. They'll do it all. We think this is such a lovely option for destination clients.
As you can see, the resort offers several indoor spaces for your more formal weddings and larger guest lists. The best part is that none of them sacrifice the view of the Gulf!
The Vanderbilt Ballroom allows your imagination to be endless as far as your décor and ambiance creation. The non-traditional ceiling allows for dramatic décor, such as fabrics swags or floral centerpieces suspended over each table. And the most traditional and elegant ballroom, "The Ritz-Carlton", features beautiful crystal chandeliers, fabric wall coverings and mirrored backdrops.
What we loved and appreciated about The Beach House was the fact that your guests could feel like they were at a completely different reception venue, rather than at an extension of the hotel. The decor is simple with wood floors and rattan panels but the view is spectacular for sunset. Imagine your first dance in front of your 100 or so guests, just as the sun dips below the Gulf of Mexico...
If you're looking for more greenery than sand, The Tea Garden provides perfectly manicured hedges and palms that create a natural space for either a ceremony or reception. The place shouts for bright bursts of color like this purple inspired wedding, it creates such a striking statement next to the dark green hedgerow. And I love how one side was used for the ceremony and mirrored on the alternate side of the hedge is the dinner seating.
If you're planning your wedding in Naples, we encourage you to check out The Ritz Carlton, enjoy the pools and make sure to visit our favorite little beach front tiki. Tell them the girls from Floridian Weddings sent you!
CONTACT INFORMATION:
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
280 Vanderbilt Beach Road | Naples, Florida 34108
Lydia Redmond, Director of Accounts, Weddings
239-598-6621
Lydia.Redmond@ritzcarlton.com
what’s it like on the west coast (of FL)? Check out our visit to the Ritz in Naples here http://t.co/nmWcPmNa
I LOVE Gumbo Limbo! So great! Glad you enjoyed your stay in Naples. :)
Thirsty?
http://t.co/I5gyPQ1x
Mango Mojito
1… http://t.co/7rMR73CW
[...] Oh, ladies! We've got a series that is going to get you so ready for your pre-wedding getaway! With lots of brides-to-be packing up for a weekend away with their besties, we thought a round-up of some fab beach finds would be perfection. First up: some splurge-worthy essentials for a luxurious escape to the Ritz in Naples! [...]