CANDLELIT CONCERTS, INVENTIVE CATERING AND GLOBAL DECOR FOR GULF GATHERINGS
40 years ago, Driftwood Garden Center was created by the Hazelett family. Our new logo reflects the progress we have made these last 40 years. Today the same family works to better the business and the very supportive Southwest Florida Community.
Anna Nguyen
A
S o p h i s t i c a t e d C o a s t a l E s c a p e
T h e G u l f C o a s t ’ s m o s t e x c i t i n g b e a c h s i d e d e s t i n a t i o n o n m i l e s o f
u n s p o i l e d s u g a r - s a n d y b e a c h w i t h e x c l u s i v e a c c e s s t o t h r e e
s w i m m i n g p o o l s & a 1 0 0 - f t w a t e r s l i d e , f u l l - s e r v i c e l u x u r y o r g a n i c
S p a , d e c a d e n t r e s t a u r a n t s , p r i v a t e p a r - 7 2 g o l f c o u r s e , a n d f i f t e e n
t o u r n a m e n t q u a l i t y t e n n i s c o u r t s .
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On the Cover
Shot on location at The London Club in Bellasera Hotel, in Naples, Omar Cruz Models Julianne Steege, Elite Models; Reed Favero, Next Management. Stylist Veronica Porras. HMUA Duality Artistry. Julianne wears a dress by Silvia, Valentino black crystal opera gloves, turquoise, diamond and enamel earrings by Patricia Robalino Designs, shoes from Voyetté and a Patricia Robalino Designs diamond necklace on her hair. Reed wears a tuxedo by House of Gray, an Eton shirt and ascot by Stefano Ricci. Props/chairs Pro Event Rental, Naples.
SAVE THE DATE
DDuring season, our social calendars overflow with festive fundraisers, winter weddings, family beach reunions and any number of opportunities to toast to the good life on the coast.
This edition of Celebrate is all about bringing the wow factor to your special occasions. To start, we introduce you to Naples’ boldest new catering group, The Rose House (p. 12); and sommelier Zach Bingham provides a cheat sheet for picking the perfect wines for blended groups (p. 16). Each value-friendly bottle appeases casual drinkers while wowing any die-hard oenophile in your crew. A silky tempranillo from
centuries-old Spanish vines for the purest expression of the grape? Yes, please.
We also talk to sought-after wedding planner Kehrin Hassan, of Jet Set Wed, about her fresh ventures (p. 22). With her two new companies, the entertaining pro expands her endeavors beyond weddings to nonprofit events and predesigned party rentals (complete with place settings, florals, standout decor and Instagram-ready props).
Brides- and grooms-to-be: Check out one of our favorite ideas for an extra-special day— at-home destination weddings (p. 32). Instead of transporting friends and family thousands of miles away, you can tap into
your meaningful global destinations and traditions without ever leaving the Gulf. After all, few places provide a better backdrop for recreating exotic locales than our subtropical paradise. We show you how to nail the look—from building a Taj Mahal replica around your infinity-edge pool to capturing the scents of a Sicilian grove with lemon topiaries. But, why choose? With so many reasons to celebrate, you can travel the world one party at a time.
The Gulfshore Life Team
The Wonders of all Seven Continents Await
A Stunning
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ENTERTAINING IN STYLE
Trends, ideas and go-to resources for your picturesque weddings, record-breaking fundraisers, unforgettable birthdays and every special occasion in between.
PETAL TO THE METAL
Naples chef collective The Rose House doesn’t just occupy a location—the group shapes the occasion with immersive meals that ignite all the senses.
When you’re presented with a dish from Naples private culinary service The Rose House, you don’t know whether to savor or simply admire it. The chefs encourage both, with their steeped-in-heritage recipes and culinary command.
Floridian entrepreneur Matthew Young and South African chef Gavin Makava founded The Rose House in 2023. Offerings range from intimate dining experiences to 300-person galas, with mobile kitchens and small armies of attendants. The chefs’ blended backgrounds and respect for global foodways set their menus apart.
“Food and culture are inseparable,” Gavin says. “Our chefs—they have lived these cultures [and] immersed themselves in the places where this food comes from.”
The culinary team includes Naples’ The French and Crave Culinaire alum Luke Gustafson
The culinary supergroup’s services are more akin to chefs’ tables than buffets, with personal recipes, interactive elements and artistic plating.
and a suite of South African culinarians, who honor the Rainbow Nation’s nuanced cuisines. Khanyisa “Kay” Mzamo is a master of braai (Afrikaans for grill); Cape Town-bred Jason Geduld was raised on Cape Malay food (an ancient, highly aromatic style); and South African pastry chef Lauren Van Wijk layers her motherland’s flavors with French techniques and contemporary delights.
Naples Champagne ambassador Gina Lyons and boutique Napa Valley winery Hailstone
Vineyards are often tapped to bring the drinks; many ingredients come from Naples’ Third Street Farmers Market and every dish is presented with panache.
“If I’m placing prawns, I’m incorporating the ocean, dabbling foam or fanning sauce. And that’s something we all do,” Gavin, who has painted since childhood, says of his team’s artistic plating.
Guests travel the world as the chefs share stories and recreate childhood dishes and recipes developed through years of international tutelage. Diners
may be asked to create their own amuse-bouches from provided ingredients or be blindfolded and partnered with a seatmate to ask probing questions. “Such a simple act pushes us to be vulnerable, to mine our memories, to pay attention to the meal before us in a wholly new way,” Matt says.
Weaving diverse traditions, histories and local ingredients,
The Rose House menus engage the senses through a universal language, centered on heritage, memory and shared moments around the table.
GRAPE EXPECTATIONS
Naples ace sommelier Zach Bingham shares wines for the modern host looking to elevate the moment.
The wine list is the crown jewel of your event—curating it demands finesse, knowledge and a touch of daring. “Don’t ever let the serious—and sometimes complicated—business of wine overshadow the simple fact that wine is crafted for the purpose of pleasure,” says Zach Bingham, the oenophilic virtuoso behind Naples’ celebrated Old Vines restaurants. (He has orchestrated over 350 wine-fueled events.) “People’s palates are more diverse now than they ever have been,” he says. In other words, have fun with your list. Here, Zach shares a cheat sheet to surprise and delight.
THE WHITES
Light & Dry: Bodegas Itsasmendi Txakolí 2022
The Spanish Basque Txakolí is slightly effervescent and low-alcohol—a fabulous party starter. Serve from a spouted porrón pitcher.
Bold & Elegant: Planeta Chardonnay 2022
Zach calls the slightly mineral, Burgundian-style, Sicilian chardonnay “liquid sunshine” for its zesty and floral nose and Mediterranean salinity.
THE REDS
Robust & Refined: Field Recordings Fiction Red 2023
The grape formula—a ‘field blend’ from Paso Robles— changes with each vintage, but the result remains: an expressive and structured pour with juiciness and spice.
Deep & Silky: Bodega Numanthia Termanthia 2015
Perfectly aged and ready to drink, the 100-percent tempranillo is one of the purest expressions of the ancient Spanish grape.
AND, A BUBBLY
Fresh & Fun: Domaine de la Taille Aux Loups
Triple Zero Brut
From a Loire Valley pioneer, the bone-dry pét-nat (sparkling natural wine) is balanced and fragrant. Ideal for aperitifs, oyster pairings and toasts.
Japhe
SMOKE SHOW
Bonita Springs’ third-generation Cuban cigarmaker, Ernesto Pinero, brings sensory indulgence to your festivities.
In an era where Instagram -worthy moments are currency, savvy hosts deploy interactive artisans to elevate their gatherings. Few amenities bring more gravitas than the services of a live cigar roller, whose craft represents centuries of ritualistic indulgences.
Ernesto Pinero channels three generations of Cuban cigarmaker wisdom. The island remains the benchmark of quality, with its master rollers and soils yielding complex tobaccos. Ernesto, who has a stand at Bonita’s Flamingo
Island Flea Market, learned the craft when he was 14.
For him, cigar rolling creates a direct link to his forefathers. His grandfather began planting tobacco in early-1900s Cuba; his dad continued the legacy, opening a cigar factory in 1951 before being forced out of the country by Fidel Castro. “I am paying tribute to my grandfather, my father and a large part of my family,” he says. Guests gather as the maker bunches filler leaves (grown from Cuban seeds and sourced from Tampa’s Oliva Tobacco
Company) and deftly hand-rolls each cigar, using a traditional, crescent-shaped chaveta blade to make micro-adjustments, ensuring a uniform density for an even burn and strong draw. Ernesto can wrap his puffers in leaves of a light and nutty Connecticut, medium-bodied Habano or full-bodied maduro variety, depending on your guests’ tastes. Partygoers enjoy engaging with the fedora-clad roller as he neatly cuts and lights one cigar after the next and wraps smokes for your friends to take home.
SWEET
SYMPHONY
Candlelight Concerts set the mood with an ethereal symphonic experience.
Gulf Coast Symphony changed the game on classical music when it partnered with global entertainment group Fever to bring candlelit chamber concerts to Southwest Florida. Thousands of flameless candles illuminate the scene as classically trained musicians perform the likes of Vivaldi, Bach and symphonic renditions of Coldplay and Queen. Now, Candlelight Concerts are available for private events, with all of the gravitas you expect.
Picture it: A garden party with thousands of flickering candles aglow as a cellist serenades your guests. The stage was already set when you and your guests arrived, and the candles are seamlessly woven into your decor thanks to a collaboration between Fever and your event coordinator. As you bid the last guest adieu, Fever quietly whisks the magic away.
Everything, from the venue (Fever can secure one if needed) to the music, to the stage setup and number of guests (minimum 15), is tailored to the wants and needs outlined in your online booking on Fever’s site. Whether your nonprofit wants guests arriving to a small orchestra playing “La Vie en Rose” for your Parisian-themed soiree or a couple wants their first dance to be an instrumental rendition of Adele’s “Make You Feel My Love,” Candlelight Concerts and its roster of pedigreed, regional musicians can string together the perfect playlist. You can pull from past Candlelight Concerts programs or request the group riff on specific genres and themes for a varied lineup. And, while most private shows run about an hour, you can extend the time for lengthier events. Your party will be the talk of the town.
The Entertainment — By Addison Pezoldt — Photography by Brian Tietz
LIFE OF THE PARTY
One of Southwest Florida’s most sought-after wedding planners, Jet Set Wed’s Kehrin Hassan expands into nonprofit events and party-in-a-box rentals.
Long before Kehrin Hassan became one of the top destination wedding planners in Southwest Florida, she was a Fort Myers high schooler with a keen eye for detail and a penchant for party-throwing. These shindigs were far from your standard ragtag house party—she had a system. Armed with a U-Haul and an army of football players, Kehrin would empty out a friend’s parent’s house on a Friday night and set the stage for an epic post-game bash. “Then I’d hire the football team to put it all back together—everything had to exactly match the Polaroids we took of the spaces before we cleared them,” she says.
These days, Kehrin-planned events are more extravagant, but the youthful excitement of creating flows through her company. Since its inception in 2012, Kehrin’s Jet Set Wed has built a reputation for crafting luxury destination weddings from the ground up. Each event melds the bride- and groom-to-be’s wishes with Kehrin’s love for travel (she’s visited 64 countries and counting) and a seemingly effortless aesthetic.
Floral arrangements cascade from ceilings and pianos; dramatic arches burst with color; and clever touches (like petite decks of personalized playing cards) pepper her designs. The planner constantly looks for new inspira-
tions. In 2023, Jet Set Wed put on an after-party at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort with a massive inflatable moon, like one she saw at a The Weeknd concert; an Italian quartet she caught in Venice’s center square some seven years ago motivated her to extend a stage at another feast, so the musicians anchored the setting.
“I experience these incredible things and bank them,” she says. The incidents of the last few years—first the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, then Hurricane Ian—posed new challenges for Kehrin and other local planners. “Our industry really came together and shared knowledge, covered for each other and really lifted each other up,” she says.
Kehrin’s known for her artful detailing, like setting up a working piano (which can be painted any color) overflowing with an arrangement from Naples’ Kaleidoscope Floral.
The experience inspired the party pro to expand her reach beyond a wedding-centric focus. She launched the nonprofit Celebrate SWFL to put on fundraising and community-building gatherings, like Alliance for the Arts’ F*ckup Nights (hosted by her husband, designer Jason Teeters), where business leaders talk about their biggest failures and the lessons they learned along the way.
She’s also spreading the joy through her newest venture, Set Soirée, which takes the guesswork out of planning with five predesigned, Kehrin-approved setups. (Check out the Twig Set, with soothing mossy tones and Slate Set for a sophisticated, black-and-white aesthetic with textural elements.)
Each party package includes a choice of welcome table or cake table with a linen topper; a large statement piece to highlight anything from an altar to a bar; and table settings covering table numbers, centerpiece vessels with flowers, candles, cups, flatware (down to the salt and pepper pinch bowls) and photo props so you and your guests can capture Insta-worthy vignettes. Don’t feel like setting up the party yourself? No problem. Kehrin can pull from her list of planner friends for setup and takedown. Now, let’s go have a ball.
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Theme — By
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BLANKET
TO BANQUET
Thanks to local pros who turn patch-of-grass gatherings into luxe affairs, nature’s dining room is the season’s most in-demand venue.
Here, where picture-perfect weather and paradisiacal backdrops dominate, the picnic party trend has taken hold. It keeps getting swankier, too, as planners swap beach blankets for fringed umbrellas, woven placemats, crystal glasses, charcuterie boards and plenty of elegant extras. While most picnics companies cater to smaller groups—say, a beachside bridal shower for 10—more local pros are stepping up the game to accommodate parties of 30 or more. These top three alfresco maestros serve all of Southwest Florida, setting up bountiful, specialized spreads from Collier County’s Everglades environs to Sanibel Island’s beaches and everywhere in between—even your back yard.
NAPLES ART PICNIC
Naples Art Picnic launched in January with an artful take on the picnic party trend. Owner Elena Kovalchuk guides her partygoers through a 1.5-hour monochromatic textured art project, using white paste to create 3D forms on a canvas.
Courtesy Picnic
Culture/Ann Elizabeth Photography
Naples Art Picnic (below) excels at experiential parties with mini art kits. The globally inspired Picnic Culture (right) can do small gatherings or fully staffed fetes with dozens of guests.
Elena brings all the tools (mini easels included) and arranges the supplies on a tablescape with strings of pearls, flowers and charcuterie boards overflowing with sundries scoured from local markets. There’s no guest limit, but we recommend sticking with small- to mid-sized groups (5 to 15) to maximize the experience. (239) 302-9858
PICNIC CULTURE
Natasha Rinehart’s Picnic Culture taps into global customs, traditions and furnishings found on her travels to design picnics with jet-setting panache. Picture your guests picking sushi from a Balinese basket floating in your pool, finding their seats among bougainvillea bunches at a Greek-style tablescape, or nibbling on Brazilian brigadeiro bonbons from Naples’ Café Au Cake. As a former wedding coordinator, Natasha has the chops to
pull off large parties for 30 or more, complete with on-site staff to keep plates cleared and glasses filled. picniccultures.com
PICNIC SOCIETY CO.
Fort Myers’ Picnic Society Co. puts the cuisine centerstage in their photo-perfect picnics—just look at the team’s recently launched Party Cart by PSCO dolly, which you can stock with ice cream, elote (Mexican street corn), pancakes and other crowd-pleasers. When she’s not drawing from her in-house menu of finger foods, owner Ashley Martinez partners with chef Gavin Makava from The Rose House for catering, private chef experiences and a hands-on sushi-rolling class. And, Picnic Society can bring DIY floral bars, outdoor theater setups and professional photographers to cover your party needs from A to Z. picnicsociety.co
Courtesy Naples Art Picnic, Picnic Culture/Lauren Marie Photo
GLOBAL AFFAIRS
Forget destination weddings: Southwest Florida provides the ideal setting to recreate ancestral traditions and treasured international locales—no passport required.
The siren song of our postcard-perfect white sands and azure waters beckons the soon-to-wed, reuniting families and corporate retreaters as a destination for tony seaside soirees. But, for those of us who lovingly call the region home, coastal-themed events can feel a touch passé—been there, done that. That’s why locals are leaning on the wanderlust of global travel to inspire celebrations with unexpected decor, menus and entertainment. Plus, revelers with ancestral or other deep ties to foreign locales can recreate dear traditions and backdrops without transporting their entire party. Here, local planners weigh in on ways to bring international (and some domestic) flavor to your next fete.
WHEN IN ROME
If social media is any indication, everyone spent this summer in Italy. Capture the dolce vita with details that nod to authentic places and times from the Bel Paese. Jana Tobey, of Tobey Events, sourced traditional Sicilian ceramics for a recent party and paired them with lemons for a visual pop and aromatic allure in the tablescape. “We also featured [Sicilian] dishes like arancini and cannoli,” she says. Margaret Events, in Naples, tapped into the Mediterranean island’s allure, emphasizing Sicily’s orchards and artistry via lemon topiary centerpieces and a cake with a majolica tile motif by Naples’ Sweetified. Regional flora goes a long way—but think beyond olive trees, says CocoLuna Events’ Courtney Armen.
For a recent Marco Island gathering, her team built a trellis filled with feathery Italian ruscus and vibrant bougainvillea. “It fully immersed the space and set the tone,” she says. Don’t sleep on the architecture, either, says Tom Trovato of Naples’ Tom Trovato Event Floral & Design. “In Italy, you have all these old churches and cathedrals that are marked by age, crumbling into surrounding gardens. That could inspire a beautiful statement piece with Old World architecture and lush gardens,” Tom says.
EASTERN PROMISES
For a fully luxurious affair, consider taking cues from one of the grandest weddings of our time—the
Previous spread: Tobey Events leaned on Sicilian ceramics and fragrant tablescapes for a transportive Estero event. Left: A lantern-lit pool served as the anchor to recreate a mini Taj Mahal scene at a 2016 Naples Winter Wine Festival Vintner Dinner.
$600 million Ambani wedding in Mumbai. The nuptials included a red carpet lined with lanterns and lush arrangements, as well as ceremonial practices, like the exchange of floral garlands and a ritual fire.
You could also go east—far east—with destinations like Marrakesh, Petra and Hanoi, which offer a bounty of local color, rich cultural history and delicious cuisine. Jana looks to Kyoto, Japan, as the ultimate muse for capturing serenity and romance: “I would incorporate a traditional tea ceremony and a cherry blossom-inspired garden setting with authentic Japanese lanterns and floral arrangements.” When drawing on traditions, respectfully appreciating (not appropriating) the culture is key.
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Generally, it’s acceptable to incorporate global elements that are not sacred in nature and are already widespread (think: Chinese paper lanterns). Still, the most impactful details will have personal meaning to you—whether it’s tied to the place you met, your ancestral heritage, or a person or culture that has been pivotal in your life.
STATESIDE INSPIRATION
The United States, with its vast and varied regions and cultures, offers spirited influences. Tom recently designed a Chicago-inspired cityscape backdrop—with a visual shoutout to Wrigley Field—as an escort wall-turned-step-and-repeat.
The Windy City skyline got another nod from Jana, who recommends deep-dish pizza cutters as playful party favors. When it comes to domestic themes, Courtney prefers to transport guests to a different period for extra stylistic oomph. “I love retro Palm Springs—something that’s tropical with bright colors and clean lines and a desert vibe,” she says, adding that bringing in influences from mountainous and red-sanded landscapes can set your function apart from the bounty of beach soirees.
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STAY GROUNDED
Start with a destination that’s meaningful for you, and, no matter where you land, your decor should be elegant, not hokey. “Aim to evoke the essence of a place through carefully chosen elements rather than overwhelming guests with clichés,” Jana advises. Instead of Eiffel Tower replicas for a Parisian function, go for vintage French lace, bistro tables, and refined French cuisine and wines. Create an authentic ambience without crossing into caricature territory. The key is subtlety and sophistication, each element adding up to an immersive celebration.
Creating a unique experien C e where ea C h event tells a different story . ”
THE BOUNTIFUL TABLE
As Naples design darling Kaleidoscope Floral gets ready to debut a new shop and gathering space in Naples this fall, the visionary team leads us to the lushest trend in florals: organic arrangements bursting with fresh fruits and veggies. Working with local growers, the Kaleidoscope team created four tablescapes that prove our subtropical bounty makes for the showiest centerpieces.
The
Florals — By Annamarie Simoldoni — Photography by Anna Nguyen
CHERRY RED
Kaleidoscope’s master florists love drawing from local markets and coowner Sean Stevenson’s parents’ lush property. For an inviting lunch table, they skewered a medley of sliced tomatoes to showcase the fruit’s varied textures and shades. Red flamingo flowers and poppies complement the dominant hues; spiky rambutans from Buckingham’s Tigertoes Herbs and Teas lend an edge; and yellow blooms recall the ripening Florida sun. (If your ‘maters are extra juicy, look up hacks to curb the drip.)
STARS ALIGN
(Previous spread)
Kaleidoscope’s freeflowing aesthetic shines through in a boisterous arrangement with star fruit from Fort Myers’ 12 Seasons Farm.
Honoring the fruit’s sweetness, the team suggests using the cheery ingredient for a dessert table (perhaps with lemon bars and layer cake). Nestle the fruit in its own foliage and accent with wildflowers and yellow tulips for height and texture.
MAGIC MUSHROOMS
Mr. Fun Guy Bill Nelms’ Port Charlotte-grown king trumpet, maitake and oyster mushrooms serve as the jumping-off point for a woodlandinspired cheese table.
Kaleidoscope plays off the mushrooms’ velvety texture and sandy hues to create a whimsicalmeets-moody scene balanced by quicksand roses, lisianthus and stately purple calla lilies. “We kept referring to it as our fairy garden,” Sean says.
GREEN GODDESS
Like a jazz band, Kaleidoscope’s designers improvise their arrangements, working with what’s on-hand and their lofty imaginations. This cocktail table takes its notes from the focal coconuts, accented with avocados found on Sean’s parents’ property and
at Tigertoes Herbs and Teas. The result: a jungle with bells of Ireland, avocado tree branches, snaking amaranths and zesty limes weaving around the drupes. After the party, crack the coconuts open for a hydrating sipper to toast a picture-perfect Florida night.
The Party — By Laura Kostelny — Photography by Michael Owen
IN THE GROOVE
As Naples Winter Wine Festival rings in its 25th anniversary, we look back at one of the most dazzling events in the nonprofit’s history.
Aweekend of wining and dining can change lives. Just ask the members of Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), the powerhouse nonprofit behind the premier fundraising event of the season, Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF). Since launching in 2001, the nonprofit has raised nearly $302 million, with all festival proceeds going directly to kids in need throughout Collier County.
At the center of the four-day festival are the exclusive Friday Vintner Dinners. NCEF trustees invite intimate groups of wellheeled patrons to dine at opulent private homes and venues in Naples, setting the tone for Saturday’s famed wine auction.
The psychedelic sixties inspired every aspect of the “Imagine all the People”-themed evening. Eminent Naples hostess Ashley Gerry (above) provided the venue and helped plan the soiree for NCEF trustees and dinner hosts Sharon and Chuck Hallberg.
Each dinner pairs an esteemed national chef with an iconic vintner and imaginative hosts to create an over-the-top dining experience.
Trustees Sharon and Chuck Hallberg looked to next-gen NWWF patron and recently appointed trustee Ashley Gerry to provide on-point planning and an impeccable setting at her Port Royal home for the couple’s 2023 dinner. Ever the enthusias -
tic, hands-on hostess, Ashley delivered a far-out garden party with a melodious theme: “Imagine All the People.”
The spirit of the psychedelic era influenced every detail— from Ashley’s not-so-mellow yellow dress by Taller Marmo (an adornment in its own right, with its riotous feathered sleeves), the Volkswagon Bus parked out front for photo ops and a flower-powered entry. The hosts drew inspiration from Andy Warhol’s portrait of John Lennon for the color palette. Mingling in the elegant, Mediterranean Revival lanai during cocktail hour, guests clinked glasses beneath a sea of hanging, oversized flowers made of stretch fabric in citrusy hues and shades of pink and blue by Swag Decor in Orlando. Post drinks, the 39 diners sauntered onto the manicured lawn and took their seats at Lucite tables.
Guests gathered under a sea of oversized, Spandex-clad flower sculptures in the Mediterranean Revival home’s lanai for cocktail hour. During dinner, children from a local church delighted diners with a surprise concert.
The alfresco tablescapes were outfitted with kaleidoscopic adornments, including carnation orbs by Tom Trovato Event Floral & Design and an abundance of orange candles. “I always seem to throw caution to the wind and just pray the weather holds up. But that’s why we all live in Naples—for the winter weather,” Ashley says with a laugh. A large ‘Imagine’ marquee, strung bulbs and a rainbow of uplights from Artistic Science event production and design group set the scene aglow.
Chef Stephen Coe of Cork + Table Kitchen and Bar in Plymouth, Massachusetts, blended local flavors with his contemporary Massachusetts flair, with Gulf shrimp and grits served with saffron butter and smoked gouda, bacon-wrapped Ibérico pork belly, and sous vide filet mignon and short rib bonbons. Husband-wife duo Ariel and Christopher Jackson, of the legendary Jackson Family Wines in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, mingled with fellow diners, sharing tasting notes and stories about their pours.
Each curated bottle came from their Gran Moraine Winery and Zena Crown Vineyard.
With one of the most influential musical eras driving the evening’s theme, Ashley knew she needed a special melodic moment. She brought in guest stars for a surprise live performance. “Every year, we do a toy drive for a local church, and I asked the pastor if he could bring some kids to sing ‘Imagine,’” Ashley says.
When the evening drew to a close, each guest left with a hand-embroidered artwork depicting John Lennon, which Ashley commissioned from North Carolina artist Stephen Wilson. The pieces matched the party invitations, creating a full-circle link. “We get so many goody bags at events,” she says. “I wanted to create something that wouldn’t get tossed.” Plus, the social maven never passes up an opportunity to deliver a wow factor. “I love a theme,” she says.
After dinner from Massachusetts chef Stephen Coe and Oregon vintners Ariel and Christopher Jackson, guests received a hand-embroidered artwork depicting John Lennon—a replica of the evening’s invitations.
VENUES THAT WOW
From refined country clubs to waterfront resorts, these locales set an elegant stage. We recommend you contact the venues for their latest information.
Artis—Naples, The Baker Museum’s alluring rooftop promises stunning sunset views overlooking nearby Pelican Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
When it comes to an inviting, unique atmosphere, The Cave was a vision imagined by the worldly couple after visiting countless wineries and tasting events throughout their three decades of collecting wine.
Embodying their love of wine and food was a passion they wanted to showcase while whisking you away to a space reminiscent of a European wine cave - lined with countless liquid treasures that will delight even the most discerning of oenophiles.
The Cave Bistro & Wine Bar has been honored with the Best of Award of Excellence for its outstanding wine program in Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards annually from 2018-2024, which celebrates the world’s best restaurants for wine
5450 Higginbotham Road, Fort Myers; (239) 900-5425
Water Views: N/A
Capacity: 150-200
Site Fee: Call
When it comes to the modern couple who prioritizes a custom, curated experience, Faithful Weddings is the planning team dedicated to making every detail effortless. This way, each couple can experience their dream wedding, one that is truly unforgettable
“Because life is a celebration created by all the moments – big, small, and everything in between.”
The scene is like a mirage: You step out into a poolside celebration to find a pianist floating on water as she plays tunes by Ed Sheeran and Frank Sinatra. Music fills the air, as the sound waves gently bounce off the water, adding a richer spatial quality to the soundtrack. Everyone is immersed in the moment. Jet Set Wed’s Kehrin Hassan masterminded such a set for a wedding at The Club at Gateway in Fort Myers. The party pro (profiled on p. 22) worked with Naples-based Party Time Rentals and Events to design the steel and acrylic platform. A team of four donned scuba gear to level the nearly 100-pound stage, which Kehrin adorned with blue Canterbury bells and pearly white roses. Pianist Arlen Bermejo, of Jade Strings—the progressive group of classically trained musicians for hire, founded by a pair of Florida Gulf Coast University grads—lit up the stage, with symphonic and pop compositions during the two-hour reception. As the sun set, pin spot lights cast reflections across the cerulean pool, adding to the magic. Now, that’s how you make a splash.
Courtesy Hunter Ryan Photo, Planning/Design by Jet Set
