Written by Frank Simonetti and re-posted from the blog of Frank Simonetti Photography.

Chris and Dana arrived from New York for their wedding at the Casa Ybel Resort on Sanibel. The Saturday afternoon ceremony was on the Lawn behind the Thistle Lodge Restaurant. Actually, I met Chris and Dana and family the evening before the wedding. We gathered at the lighthouse at the east of Sanibel Island for family photos. Dana and her parents along with her sisters and Chris walked along the beach for just under an hour for fun and casual photos. On the wedding day, I met Chris and his grandmother and uncle for a family photo. Then Dana arrived by the Casa Ybel wedding golf cart driven by Tori, the wedding director. Chris was waiting with his back turned so when Dana arrived they would have a first look. And a wonderful first look it was! Oh, their emotions photographed so well! We then took some wedding group photos with family. Patricia Slater was the ceremony official and planner for this Casa Ybel wedding. We actually started precisely on time with Dana’s dad escorting her across the beautiful lawn carrying a floral bouquet designed Floral Artistry of Sanibel.

Wedding Photography

For over twenty years I have photographed weddings at the Casa Ybel Resort. This day was wonderful with the direction of the autumn sun as it fell on the beautiful palms and Poinciana trees. Chris and Dana enjoyed the natural beauty of Sanibel Island. When they are home in New York, they enjoy camping, tennis and hiking. They met while working as chefs at a prominent country club in Troy New York. After the wedding ceremony, another 30 minutes of photos were taken. Chris and Dana then joined their family and friends for a cocktail hour in the Thistle Lodge. Just before dinner, I walked out to the beach again with the bride and groom for sunset photos. When they returned, their delicious dinner was served. The wedding guests were entertained by a three piece Danny Morgan Band that performed wonderfully for dancing and dinner music. The cake was cut and more dancing was enjoyed. While photographing this couple, I sensed their light hearted and joyful personalities, and I believe it shows in their photographs. They were a delight to photograph! Shown here are my favorite images we created at Chris and Dana’s Casa Ybel wedding.