Austin & Lauren
Austin and Lauren recently married at Edison and Ford Winter Estates. They shared a little about their romance with us.
Where did you and your fiancé meet?
We met on the dating website, Bumble.
Who popped the question? Where?
Austin proposed on top of Loveland Pass – the highest mountain pass in Colorado.
Why did you choose Edison and Ford Winter Estates as your wedding venue?
It has been one of my favorite places to visit since moving to Florida in 2010. It’s so beautiful and I love the historical aspect.
Contact the events department to book future weddings or complete the online form.
Edison and Ford Winter Estates Closed
In this time of uncertainty, we are thinking of our members, volunteers, sponsors, staff, visitors and vendor partners. From all of us at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, we would like to extend our best wishes for good health to you and your loved ones.
Because our top priority is the health and well-being of our visitors and staff, our site will be closing to the public at 4:30 p.m. today, March 24. We will remain closed for an undetermined amount of time.
The site opened to the public in 1947, when Mina Edison deeded the property to the City of Fort Myers. Since that time, the site has been a major contributor to the local economy. Mina’s goal was to leave a legacy of Thomas Edison and for people to continue to learn and be inspired by all that he accomplished.
Today, the mission of the organization is to educate the public and inspire an inventive spirit by interpreting and preserving the innovations, legacies, artifacts, gardens, homes laboratory, and other structures of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, emphasizing Florida history, science, horticulture and the arts. Because of your invaluable support, we are able to fulfill this mission.
“My faith and belief in the sincerity of the people of Fort Myers prompted me to make this sacred spot a gift to you and posterity as a Sanctuary and Botanical Park in the memory of my honored and revered husband Thomas Edison, who so thoroughly believed in the future of Fort Myers.” — Mina Edison
“Be brave as your fathers before you. Have faith! Go Forward!” — Thomas Edison
We sincerely thank you for your continued support, which ensures that we are able to continue Thomas Edison’s legacy. To receive up-to-date information and view our newly-launched “Edison Ford Goes Virtual” video series, be sure to follow us on social media and at EdisonFord.org.
We wish everyone the best health as we pass through these troubled waters.
Thank you,
Mike Flanders
CEO & President
Postpone Your Wedding
Postponing your wedding isn’t ideal, but it’s sometimes necessary.
Selecting a wedding date is one of the very first steps in the planning process, but that doesn’t mean it’s entirely set in stone. In fact, sometimes postponing the date is necessary. Whether you and your future spouse are dealing with the unexpected or simply choosing to enjoy the engagement stage a little while longer, postponement can be the right decision for a variety of reasons. If you are considering postponing, talk with your vendors to see if it’s possible to get out of contracts or if you can change the date. Depending on the circumstances, there may be some flexibility.
Amidst the current coronavirus outbreak, many couples are facing the difficult decision of postponing their wedding. Whether a local event is planned or one abroad, risks associated with large gatherings, particularly for elderly guests or those traveling from out of town, are a significant consideration. As couples begin to navigate their options during a time of uncertainty, it’s important to maintain open communication with your wedding planner, vendors and guests.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is recommending cancelling any events in the next eight weeks with 50 or more people. Those guidelines have left many couples scrambling and pondering the same questions. To help couples navigate, the wedding website, The Knot, is offering a hotline (833-998-2865 or help@theknot.com).
At Edison and Ford Winter Estates, the health and safety of our guests is our main concern. With COVID-19 being declared a global pandemic, we understand weddings, banquets, conferences, and many more events are being postponed or cancelled. However, in light of current news, we are dedicated – now more than ever – to providing you with exceptional flexibility and customer service.
We have a dedicated event team that will work diligently to help you reschedule events, assist you in reaching out to your vendors, and as always – just be there for you!
Wedding Photos
About the Couple & the Location
Ryan and Shelah live in northern New York, and have decided to have their 2020 wedding here in Southwest Florida. With Ryan in the military and Shelah a youth educator, time is precious for these lovebirds – but they didn’t fail to make time for a super fun engagement session with their wedding photographer, Matt Steeves Photography! The Edison and Ford Winter Estates was chosen for the location because it has so many different options for interesting images: the historic architecture, a gorgeous waterfront view, and the beautiful Moonlight Garden, just to name a few! The huge collection of native and exotic plant life added an organic feel and texture to the photos, and the image gallery is something really special that couldn’t have been achieved elsewhere.
About Matt Steeves Photography
Matt and Fallon Steeves have been photographing engagements, weddings, and special events since 2010. As a husband-and-wife team, they each bring a unique perspective to their work, while maintaining a completely cohesive and complimentary feel between their imagery. They prioritize authentic, organic moments and love to embrace color, contrast, and bold emotion in their editing style. With events taking them from San Francisco to New York, Turks and Caicos to Morocco, and everywhere in between; they have experience shooting a diverse set of clients, cultures, and causes. They’re lucky to call Southwest Florida home!
Coronavirus Precautions: What You Should Know
Please note: This information has been updated. Read the most recent information here.
Your well-being is our top priority. We are from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., seven days a week, and are following guidance from the U.S Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding coronavirus. To protect visitors, staff and volunteers at Edison and Ford Winter Estates, we have implemented precautionary measures:
- Additional hand sanitizer dispensers in common areas.
- Increased sanitation products, training, and procedures for staff and volunteer work areas.
- Increased sanitation of door handles, railings, counter tops and other common areas.
- Closing an hour early each day to allow for additional cleaning.
The CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Avoid close contact with people, especially those who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a face mask. Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Any changes to this information will be communicated quickly, and this page will be updated as needed. If you have any questions, please call (239) 334 – 7419. We hope you enjoy your visit.
