Posts Tagged ‘Guest Experiences’

Williams House Weddings this Fall – Part 2

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

Wedding on carriage at Williams House

 

We have had so many weddings this fall that I decided to split it into two groups.  The one pictured at left was a first, performed on the carriage in front of the Williams House .  Normally carriages bring brides into the wedding, but in this case the carriage was the wedding venue.  Another trend we are seeing is the use of cupcakes and cupcake stands in place of the traditional wedding cake, or used with just a cake topper above cupcakes.  It does make cutting the cake a bit of a challenge, but eases the guests eating and taking home of leftovers from the cake.  We have a couple of bakeries in town that are perfecting this  approach.  Cinnamon our resident cat is usually present for our weddings unless barred from the event due to allergies or issues with cats.  He particularly enjoyed a recent event with (you guessed it) his favorite “shrimp” on the menu.  I’ve noticed over the time I’ve performed weddings that the groom is often the one who gets a bit emotional at time of vow reciting, so I have started preparing them ahead of time for this potential.  Unlike the bride who has invested hours studying, preparing, debating, reviewing and detailing her wedding, most grooms come in just ready to share in the moment and participate.  So..when finally on our porch, dressed in tux with family and friends staring at him, his beautiful bride advancing up the aisle it all begins to register and it may be more difficult than he imagined just to repeat a few vows. Hence we try to give him a heads up and a bit of support at this special moment.  Small or large we enjoy making weddings a special time for bride and groom and their families.  Hope you enjoy these pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jami and Jaime help us make beautiful weddings

Weddings at Amelia Island Williams House

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

Williams House Wedding in rose garden

We’ve had several  weddings and a vow renewal this fall at the Williams House ranging in size from two to eighty people.  Most weddings are held on the front porch but in smaller groups we often use the rose garden, or beneath the 500 year old live oak in the back courtyard.  Receptions are mostly in the back courtyard and are generally Deborah’s  delicious food creations although a few of the larger weddings have used local restaurants or caterer’s. Byron performs many of the ceremonies since in Florida you need only be a notary to perform weddings.  We enjoy the process for weddings from the first time meeting bride or bride and groom through the visits by family and friends and exploring how the Williams House can make a destination wedding fulfill the dreams of brides.  Most weddings are coordinated by Deborah and the bride and groom generally need only plan for centerpieces, get a license, choose appropriate attire, and show up.  We really enjoy taking the hassle out of the wedding process and letting the bride and groom enjoy their special day and their family and friends.  A sampling of photos from recent weddings are attached.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Southern Tailgate Cook-Off Amelia Island

Tuesday, August 30th, 2011

Yes, that title is a mouthful, but so was the barbecue at the last weekend’s Great Southern Tailgate Cook-Off.  Held on Amelia Island  for the second year, it featured expert barbecue teams from all around the south.  Having tasted several, I have to say they were great at their chosen profession or hobby! Crowds were good and every where you looked people were enjoying their favorite version of barbecue. Pulled pork, ribs, chicken were all  available and the smell of wood fired cookers filled the air.  Visitors  could also get smoothies, funnel cakes, fries, onion rings and beverages.  Held at main beach with ocean backdrops, it was a fun event with great views.

cooking up close

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crowds sniff out favorite barbecue

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unique vehicles add flair

 

 

 

 

 

 

Music added to the fun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deborah with friends Bob & Sue order up

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to great barbecue

Cinnamon at the Williams House

Monday, July 4th, 2011

 

Relaxing by big tree

Hi-my name is Cinnamon.

I’m the resident cat at the Amelia Island Williams House.  Byron and Deborah own the Williams House and they live here all the time.  They don’t let me come inside because they say some guests may be allergic to me, but that’s OK cause its usually nice weather here in Florida.  There are three houses here so I have some really cool or warm places to nap depending on the time of year. Usually you can find me along one of the porches.  They have a courtyard with a fish pond and that is my favorite drinking fountain.  I watch the fish, but don’t think I could catch them.  I love being at the Williams House because they have people coming here to stay all the time and that means I get lots of petting and scratching and sometimes the guest will feed me or give me treats.   There are squirrels here and I hear Deborah complaining about them eating the bird seed in the feeder.  I tried to chase them up the huge oak tree in the courtyard, but I got stuck and it took me awhile to get back down.  So now I just watch them.

Byron is a softy and keeps kitty treats by their front door.  If I run fast enough and get to the door before him he will toss me a couple.   Each morning I wait for them to get up and fix breakfast.  Sometimes I get to sample breakfast casserole, but I’ve noticed if there are lots of people here I have to eat dry cat food. Deborah gave me some wet food one day and I’ve been hooked on it ever since.  Of course I also need my milk after the main course!

The Williams House is really fun. They do special events like weddings. Sometime I like to walk down the sidewalk with the girl in the white dress. Byron is always waiting for her with some other people. They say a bunch of words, then everybody claps. They get on this pretty white carriage and go for a ride with Boomer, the carriage horse. He is really big and I try to stay out of the way for fear he’ll step on me.  He eats even  more than me! Deborah makes really good food for the party afterwards. My favorite  is shrimp. After everyone eats and dances awhile they cut this really big cake and pass it out to the guests.  Byron let me taste it once and now it’s one of my favorties.

Well, I see a car pulling up, so I must go see if some tender loving care can be had from the new arrivals.  Oh they look real friendly.  Now if they just have some treats………

My official portrait

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cinnamon on back ledge

 

 

 

 

 

 

Experiencing an Amelia Island River Cruise

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

Deborah, Sue and Bob ready for departure

We recently had friends visiting from North Carolina and arranged for a river cruise to treat them to local views and history. We’ve been several times and are always impressed by learning something new on each trip, and on this particular visit, we were fortunate to get a very close up view of the wild horses, which histroically we have only seen from a distance. It was a strange day in that fires burning in the okefenokee swamp had created a smoke haze for the early part of the trip, giving the views a nostalgic old fashioned feeling.

These cruises are popular with Williams House guests since you get to see shrimp boats, Fort Clinch from the river, Old Town and the Pippi  Longstocking house, beaches, marshes, the port, the paper mill, Cumberland Island, wild horses, flying manta rays, dolphins, and in our case the Dungeness ruins.   In addition there is a history lesson on from the early days of the island to the present made interesting by your hosts on the tour.  It’s a liesurely tour with great views.  There are three cruises daily  including morning, mid day and sunset. 

Shrimp boats

 

Smoke from the fires blocks the sky

 

Captain's or Pippi Longstocking house from river

 

Fort Clinch

 

Dunes on Cumberland Island

 

Tree on Cumberland Island shoreline

 

Cumberland Island marshes

 

Horses walk the beach on Cumberland Island

 

Stallion leads the group

 

Returning to Fernandina

Williams House Weddings on Amelia Island

Sunday, May 8th, 2011

Damon and Janine on Williams House porch

 

We have had two weddings recently at the Williams House with great weather for both.  First were Damon and Janine who were married on the front porch, followed by Jeffrey andTammy who were married in the back courtyard.  Both were small and intimate with Byron performing the ceremony and Deborah as official photographer and wedding coordinator.  Spring is a great time to get married on Amelia Island with flowers of many varieties blooming and generally great temperatures and sunny skies ( it is Florida after all).  We enjoyed both couples and feel priveleged to participate in their special day.  We hope for much happiness and many years of enjoyment as they start life together.

family portrait

 

Bride and groom on Williams House stair

 

Posing by stained glass windows

 

Byron officiates for Jeffrey and Tammy

 

Bride and groom by Koi pond

 

Wedding couple under 500 yr old live oak

 

Another view

Amelia Island Sunsets

Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

Fernandina Beach Marina

 

We are fortunate on Amelia Island to have both sunrise and sunset opportunities to enjoy nature’s beauty.  A recent walk down Ash street to the harbor led to the attached photos of a nice sunset at the Marina.  Whether its boats, buildings or people framing them with a setting sun highlights the golden tones of an evening.  We hope you enjoy these and come and enjoy them personally at the Williams House.

Ships at sunset

 

Sun highlights piers and boats

 

It could be a painting

Old Town Fernandina Bicentennial Celebration

Friday, April 8th, 2011

Pippi Longstocking or Captain's House in Old Town

When Europeans first arrived in Florida and Amelia Island, the Timucua Indians inhabitated the area known as Old Town.  Occupying 40 acres between the Amelia River, Egans Creek and Bosque Bello cemetery this was the sight of early Spanish missions.  In 1597 Father Micahel Aunon and his group were massacred after denouncing polygamy and angering local native inhabitants.  Military outposts were later established.  In 1808 the spansih controlled Amelia Island and a town began on the bluff looking over the Amelia River and near the entrance of Egan’s Creek.  The US Embargo act prohibiting trade with England and France and the abolition of slavery was likely responsible for growth as Fernandina became a smuggler’s paradise with easy access to Georgia just across the Amelia River.  In 1811, streets were set in place by Surveyor General Don Jorge Clarke within the 1573 Spanish Law of the Indies.  Clarke placed a public plaza on the edge of the river known as Plaza de la Constitution.  Although none of the original Old Town structures survived, the plaza, now called Plaza San Carlos still exists as a Florida State Park.

Last weekend, Old Town or the original Fernandina celebrated its bi-centennial with open houses, music, food, pirates and historic presentations.  Deborah and I were able to visit and tour old town and it was interesting to see where it all started for Amelia Island and Fernandina.  The U.S. purchased Florida from the Spanish in 1819, it became an official territory in 1821 and achieved statehood in 1845.  The town of Fernandina was “moved” to the other side of the marsh in 1853  and renamed Fernandina Beach.  This was accomplished at the urging of David Yulee to ease building of the railroad from Fernandina to Cedar Key on the gulf coast creating the first cross Florida access for trade.  Old Town didn’t completely disapear as some of the sea captains found it to be a convenient location but the center of commerce clearly shifted to the new location.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and improved in 1998 with enhanced streets Old Town now has numerous residents who enjoy the tranquility, beauty and history it offers.  In addition, archaelogical digs have confirmed it has been occupied by humans for thousands of years.

Shared below are the sights and history of Old Town as unveiled by last weekends celebration.

Ladies Street, home of bordellos in the settlement

Captain Sharpe House

Food and fun at celebration

Historic Plaza San Carlos

Pirates remind us of Fernandina History

The Daniel Kelly Cottage

Pirate club group photo

Pirates sell bounty near their ship

Music with a river view

Amelia River from bluff of Old Town

Archaeological digging

The Boat House

Dickie Anderson, author greets visitors in period costume

Egan's creek marina

Amelia Island Concours D’Elegance – 2011

Saturday, March 12th, 2011

Beautiful Dusenberg

 

The 2011 Concours D’Elegance or parade of elegance kicked off yesterday with a group of cars coming downtown to show a portion of what will be presented at the Amelia Island golf course on Sunday.  There were plenty of options from Allard to Dusenberg, Ferrari to vintage race cars with something for every taste.  Many proud drivers and owners were nearby to explain details of the restorations and their own car’s history.  There was a good crowd on a beautiful but slightly cool day in downtown Fernandina Beach.  The show continues today with the auction segment and tomorrow these cars and many more are displayed on the golf course for enthusiastic auto buffs and anyone who appreciates the finest in automotive design and restoration.  We and most of the island’s lodging have been booked out for months and restaurants are mostly fully booked in advance.  A great time to visit if you enjoy cars and the early start of Spring on Amelia Island.

Colorful restoration

 

Beautiful engines

 

Sporty and colorful

 

Elegance from past motoring

 

Ready to race

 

Ready for a road trip

 

Orange and black beauty

Amelia Island Garden Show – Year 2

Monday, March 7th, 2011

Colorful flowers at garden show

Last weekend was the second annual flower and garden show on Amelia Island.  We were blessed with beautiful weather near 80 degrees and sunny skies.  Vendors include regular Farmer’s market vendors (held every Saturday morning) and additional and unique items.  Crowds were good and in addition to the booths there was live music, food, whirlygigs, vegetables and fruit, pasta and italian gourmet specialties.  Operating both Saturday and Sunday, it was a great time for Williams House guests to see a garden show and enjoy the local scenery.  Deborah picked up some fill in plants for some of the winter damage and some new twists.  We find garden beds a never ending story with some things doing well in Florida and others that struggle.  There were some awesome flowers for just about anyone’s taste and plenty of variety.  Attached below are a few colorful shots of the garden show activity and offerings.

Crowds seize the moment

Bonsai

Orchids

Bromeliads

Italian sauces

Yard art

More yard art

Deborah checks out metal works

Azaleas

Cacti

 

Entertainment

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