Venue Spotlight - Villa Woodbine
So I am a venue junky, and I love great and unique venues. Today I did a site visit Villa Woodbine which is absolutely stunning, to the point you really don't need much decor. They have this beautiful huge tree, which is absolutely breath taking and that's where most couples have there ceremony. It really takes you back in time because the decor is mostly all original they haven't made many changes at all since it was built which gives it, it's charm.
The catering is exclusively through Bill Hansen Catering and they oversee the entire venue, what I love about this venue. Is the fact that the catering team has so many options for chairs, chargers, glassware, flatware, linens and tables as a planner, if I see one more white folding chair or a standard banquet chair. (I am so over those LOL) When I walked into that room and saw how many options they had I was in wedding planner heaven.....even their most basic package comes with chivari chairs. I forgot to mention the bridal suite, the bride has access to it starting at 10am the day of her wedding. Villa Woodbine only does one event a day. They have separate spaces for the cake, bar, DJ and dancing, but because its in a residential area the event has to end by 11pm.
The last thing we know how hot summer is here in Florida and since their main space is outside and so the brides, grooms and their friends and families don't don't melt in the Florida heat, they tent the outside space with a clear tent and its completely air conditioned, who can beat that deal have a fabulous wedding in the summer at an amazing space and not have to worry about the summer heat.
This venue is definitely a hidden treasure, with a lot of history, great architecture and you can definitely take some amazing pictures. check out their website at https://villa-woodbine.com and if you want to take a look at this venue for your wedding contact Genevieve (Gen) Medina gen@billhansencatering.com she is absolutely amazing! follow them on instagram @villa_woodbine
The Intriguing History of Villa Woodbine
Villa Woodbine was designed by architect Walter De Garmo, renowned for his Mediterranean-Renaissance style. His interesting, open air designs of central courtyards and large loggias with Spanish arches particularly adapted to the Miami climate with its warm tropical breezes. De Garmo designed many of Miami’s early hotels and homes, yet sadly only a few remain today. He also assisted in the design of Miami’s showcase Museum, Villa Vizcaya, originally the home of James Deering.
Villa Woodbine was built for Mr. and Mrs. Charles Boyd of Appleton, Wisconsin as their winter residence. As owner of the Appleton Paper Company, Mr. Boyd perfected the process to commercially manufacture carbonless paper, known today as NCR paper. The Boyd’s chose the name Villa Woodbine .
During the 1930’s, the area along Silver Bluff, where Villa Woodbine was erected, was known as “Millionaire’s Row”. Next door is the Woolworth home, which Mr. Boyd’s heirs ultimately purchased to extend their land holdings.
Cuban design influenced the interior design of the property. The Cuban tile in the dining room is a rare example of this craft. The beautifully polished tiles on the loggias bring memories of another era. The colorful tiles uniquely set into the stairway risers were purchased by Mrs. Boyd in Europe. She had much of the furniture hand-crafted by Cuban craftsmen. Some of these pieces still remain today, some eighty years later.
Upon Mr. Boyd’s passing in 1948, his daughter Martha, and son-in law William Siekman inherited the estate. They continued to use the home as their winter residence until the late 1950’s when schooling responsibilities for their children made it impossible to spend their winters away and they thus began leasing the property to others.
Can you imagine their surprise in 1961 while flipping through Life magazine in their northern mansion in Appleton to see a picture of their Villa in Miami depicted (correctly) as the home in which the Bay of Pigs invasion was planned?
A host of colorful, if not a bit eccentric lessees have occupied the residence since then — from an architect who filled the courtyard with parrots, to dreamers like treasure hunter Mel Fisher. Guests have included the Village People, Mary Wilson of Supremes fame and Pavarotti. The walls are silent to the happenings in those days.
Happy Planning!!!