Our review of the Bonnet House and Museum
Are you looking to get married in Fort Lauderdale?
One of Florida’s unique wedding venues is in Fort Lauderdale, The Bonnet House Museum, and gardens. This venue is another one of Florida’s historic buildings. Chicago-born artist Frederic Clay Bartlett created the Bonnet house and Museum and gardens. His second wife’s Helen Louise Birch’s father, a prominent Chicago attorney, gave them the land. After his second wife died from breast cancer in 1925, he dedicated the house museum to historical and environmental preservation and creative expression.
The house later became a museum when Fredricks’s third wife, Evelyn Fortune Lilly, enjoyed spending time there and started to decorate it. Examples of his art as displayed in The Bonnet House studio. After a while, with some encouragement, Evelyn began painting as well. Her work was featured and well-received in galleries and exhibits in Boston, New York, and Indianapolis. Today they are on display at the Bonnet House.
The Gardens
In South Florida, the Bonnet House is one of the last examples of a native barrier island habitat, 5 different and distinct ecosystems can be found on the property. Atlantic ocean beach. Freshwater slough, mangrove wetlands, and maritime forest are all alongside the natural vegetation. There is a hibiscus garden, and the main courtyard has tropical vegetation. This is all thanks to Evelyn, as she was an avid orchid collector who started the gardens.
The gardens are a haven for migratory birds. Every year, birds indigenous to Florida, both the wetland and coastal areas, seek refuge in the boathouse canal. This gives each garden a beautiful and unique experience to complement your wedding.
So what else do you get at a wedding at Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale?
- Indoor or outdoor wedding
- bridal suite
- Parking
- transportation
- personal bridal assistant
- self-set up and clean up
The Decor in Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale
There is no onsite catering, and there is no supplied décor. If you plan on supplying your own décor, we suggest hiring a special events rental company like Events 365. Because this is an art museum touching the walls is not allowed. Having one of our For Lauderdale flower walls is a good idea because they can stand on their own. Our Fort Lauderdale Flower wall rentals come in a variety of colors to compliment your wedding but also the venue. The gardens are beautiful, and taking photos outdoors with them is a great idea. Make sure to rent a flower wall in Fort Lauderdale as a backup because you wouldn’t want to be rained out.
The bonnet house only gives an hour for a wedding set up. This really isn’t a lot of time for the average person to set up their wedding the way they want. Have someone with experience in wedding decor rentals in Fort Lauderdale help set up the wedding. wedding rental companies have often been to the venue before and have experience in wedding venue decor layout. With an event rental company clean-up is even easier; you won’t have to lift a finger.
So is the Bonnet house for you? Book a tour and find out.