Popular Punta Gorda Wedding Venues

Brides and grooms in Punta Gorda, Florida tend to think outside the box when choosing their wedding venues. Their small seaside town provides plenty of sunshine and ocean air, but little in the way of Punta Gorda wedding venues, caterers, photographers, and entertainment. Consequently, many Punta Gorda wedding venues are actually in more populated areas nearby, such as Fort Myers and Sanibel Island. In short, “Punta Gorda wedding venues” are more accurately described as destination Florida wedding locations in other Florida beach towns. With that in mind, consider this list of ten places to tie the knot in and around Punta Gorda.

Punta Gorda Wedding at Home

Of all the places to say "I do," the best might be your own back yard. Sometimes, home sweet home makes a lot of sense. By marrying at home, or at the home of a loved one, the bride and groom can avoid the anxiety associated with traveling and being in an unfamiliar location. A home marriage also helps couples to cut costs, not only by letting them avoid a room rental charge, but also by giving them more direct control over floral arrangements, catering, and other wedding essentials that large venues sometimes contract out. Following the celebration, the couple can be romantically whisked away in a limo or vintage auto to embark on their honeymoon.

Punta Gorda Fairytale Mansion Rental

If your own home isn’t your cup of tea, consider marrying in someone else fairytale mansion. A number of former private residences have become popular Punta Gorda wedding venues. Among these, the Burroughs Home and Gardens in Fort Myers, Florida stands out for its experienced and thorough staff of event planners. The staff can readily recommend invitation printers, wedding cake designers, wedding officiates, and any other wedding planning services a couple would require. The home itself is a beautiful setting for bridal teas, rehearsal dinners, wedding ceremonies, and receptions. The Georgian Revival home – complete with a grand staircase -- dates to 1901. The expertly crafted building remains furnished with the Burroughs’ original pieces and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s situated on two acres alongside the Caloosahatchee River. Thus, couples can plan a waterfront wedding with the comfort of having a perfect Florida wedding backup venue.

Heitman House Wedding

The Heitman House, also in Fort Myers, is also a memorable spot to say “I do.” The 1908 residence is located in the River District and borders the Caloosahatchee River. A lovely path leads to a riverside arch – a perfect place for the wedding ceremony. The gazebo, gardens, and rest of the grounds provide pretty sites for the vows, too. Before and after the ceremony, guests can mingle on the pier, the wraparound porch, and throughout the beautifully landscaped property. The Heitman House and similar venues in Fort Myers are located near plenty of hotels and entertainment, making them ideal Punta Gorda wedding venues for couples with out-of-town guests.

Casa Encantada Wedding

Moving on to Palmetto, Florida, another waterfront residence available for weddings is Casa Encantada. The 1950s home overlooks Hooker Bay, letting couples arrange sunset vows. Many marry beneath the property’s huge banyan tree or on the sandy beach with palms, wild orchids, and mangroves as a backdrop. Following this unique Florida wedding, celebrations can take place indoors and out, on the manicured grounds and inside the modernized estate. The kitchen provides essentials for caterers such as a large cooking surface, two refrigerators, and plenty of preparation space. Rentals frequently continue beyond the wedding night; Casa Encantada provides full honeymoon packages complete with housekeeping, catering, and day trips.

City Tavern

If an urban vibe is more your style, you might find that City Tavern is the best of Punta Gorda wedding venues. Located in the Fort Myers River District, this friendly neighborhood tavern offers a laid-back atmosphere with reasonable rental fees. The experienced operations manager coordinates rehearsal dinners, Florida wedding receptions, brunches, and other special event parties.

Colonial Country Club Weddings

A list of Punta Gorda wedding venues wouldn’t be complete without the classic country club settings. Colonial Country Club in Fort Myers is among the exclusive clubs that opens its doors for a fee. Your elegant Florida wedding will be expertly managed by a professional wedding coordinator. The cocktail hour is spent in a fireplace lounge where a butler serves artfully displayed hors d’ouvres. The private dining room, which accommodates up to 300, is furnished with a dance floor and bar. The Colonial Country Club’s wedding package also includes table linens, a buffet or plated dinner, a champagne toast, wedding cake, and a coffee and tea service.

The Dunes Golf Resort Wedding

For country club chic with a Florida island breeze, The Dunes Golf Resort on Sanibel Island is among the top Punta Gorda wedding venues.The Dunes Golf Resort  has an event planner on staff. Punta Gorda, Florida wedding ceremonies are performed on the expertly manicured golf course, and gourmet candlelit dinners are served in the restaurant or poolside pavilion. The club offers beautiful accommodations indoors and out, and its chef receives consistently excellent reviews.

Punta Gorda Beach Wedding

Captiva and Sanibel Islands, which have been described as “a slice of the Caribbean in the US,” formed as one island about 6000 years ago, but every so often, hurricanes create a strait that makes two separate islands. Sanibel and Captiva Islands are classically romantic Punta Gorda wedding venues. The white beaches of Sanibel Island provide a gorgeous backdrop for romantic ceremonies. For a completely secluded Florida wedding, far from any hotel, stake your claim on Bowman’s Beach. Or, for a more accessible event, a number of beachfront hotels will help you marry right on the lush Gulf coast. Holiday Inn Sanibel Island is among those with private beach access. Wedding guests will enjoy the beachfront resort, and 98 rooms and suites are available. Many couples book gulf-view suites with kitchenettes and stay for their honeymoons.

Sundial Beach Resort Wedding

Sundial Beach Resort offers Sanibel beach weddings for couples with less extravagant budgets. The resort is comprised of individually-owned condominiums. Since it has a child-friendly atmosphere, couples can’t rule out the possibility of hearing “Marco! Polo!” in the background of their wedding videos. Still, Sundial is among Punta Gorda wedding venues to consider. The wedding ceremony takes place on a beach, and the bridal party’s walkway is flanked by palms. The reception can be held on a relatively private lawn, in a banquet room, or in the resort’s restaurant.

Captiva Island Wedding

Captiva Island is recommended to couples seeking Punta Gorda wedding venues with a desert isle atmosphere. Captiva Island’s South Seas Resort is among the largest event venues available: more than 600 guest residences, from single bedrooms to spacious beach homes, are available.