St. Augustine is best known for its beautiful beaches and parks, but it’s also home to some incredible history. Spanish Revival Style architecture was incredibly popular here around the turn of the 20th century, and we’re so fortunate to have many of those buildings still standing today. If you’re looking for a venue with history and charm that will make for incredible photos on your big day, continue reading for some of my favorite historic wedding venues in St. Augustine.
Treasury on the Plaza
The Treasury is a beautiful historic venue in the heart of St. Augustine. It’s located conveniently next door to the Basilica, which is a beautiful place to host a Catholic wedding ceremony. As the name suggests, this 100-year-old building originated as a bank, and hints of its past life still remain throughout the space. One of my favorites is The Vault, which serves as a bar for the reception and also an epic entrance spot.
While the building itself is old, the team at Treasury on the Plaza is always working on updating and adding to their incredible space. They just opened a beautiful three-story suite so couples can get ready on-site. The space is called The Plaza Suite, and I can’t wait to photograph a group getting ready here!
The Treasury is a great venue choice for all seasons. With indoor ceremony and reception spaces, your guests will be comfortable in any weather. There’s no need to worry about the unpredictable Florida skies when you’re getting married at this beautiful venue.
The Lightner Museum
There are so many reasons to love The Lightner Museum. Not only is the space a beautiful art museum that your guests can stroll through, but the building still houses some nods to its history as Hotel Alcazar. I love these incredibly unique touches, like how couples can get married in the former hotel pool! Built in 1887, the building is an architectural gem and a gorgeous reflection of the history of St. Augustine.
Similar to Treasury on the Plaza, The Lightner Museum offers indoor reception and ceremony spaces, so there’s no need to worry about the weather on your wedding day. In fact, my favorite time of year for celebrations at The Lightner Museum is during Nights of Lights, when the entire building exterior is decorated for the holiday season.
One thing I like to warn couples about when they book at The Lightner Museum is the very particular permitting process for using the courtyard. This space is incredibly beautiful and often one of the main reasons why couples choose this venue, so it’s important to get it right. I highly recommend hiring a photographer who is familiar with this process to ensure that you get the proper time in the courtyard for your wedding portraits.
Flagler College
Whether you have a love for academia, are an alumni of the college, or simply love their gorgeous grounds, Flagler College offers a variety of beautiful spaces for your wedding day.
The largest space, The Ponce de Leon Grand Ballroom, is an incredible space filled with ornate Spanish architectural details and Tiffany stained glass windows. It was home to the former Hotel Ponce de Leon and is beautifully preserved. This is the largest of the spaces at Flagler College, with a capacity of up to 300 guests, and would be perfect for a moody, gilded-age-inspired celebration. And for smaller groups who are looking for that same incredible history and architecture, the second floor, known as the Ponce de Leon Rotunda, is available as well.
For incredible views of downtown St. Augustine, couples can celebrate at the Ponce de Leon Solarium. This newly renovated area includes both indoor and outdoor spaces and an incredible domed ceiling. This is a brighter alternative than the moody downstairs spaces at Ponce de Leon while still preserving the incredible architecture of the space.
If you’re looking for a more classic southern manor experience, Flagler College is home to Markland House. Originally built on an orange grove, this property is the embodiment of Southern charm. With indoor and outdoor spaces for your day and the ability to add a tent to the property, this venue can hold up to 150 guests for your celebration.
Finally, for a more sleek venue space, couples can marry at the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum. The former studio of Joann Crisp-Ellert, this space is notable for its beautiful tile floors and wood beam ceilings. The rental also includes the use of two garden spaces, which are perfect for an outdoor ceremony.
The White Room
If you’re looking for a historic venue with gorgeous water views, The White Room is the perfect spot. Located directly across from the bay, the rooftop at The White Room has absolutely incredible sunset views. I love all of the brick detailing throughout the venue, as well as the beautifully designed Villa Blanca. This on-site chapel is the perfect spot for couples looking for a more traditional or religious ceremony.
One main challenge I find that couples have with The White Room is that they cannot get ready on-site. Though they do offer wedding suites, the spaces are not fit for truly getting ready and instead act as holding spaces. Because of this, the timeline has to be formatted to give couples time to travel from their getting-ready location. Additionally, there is no dedicated vendor parking on-site, so make sure your team knows they should allow extra time to try and find street parking.
Historic Wedding Venues in St. Augustine with Nikki Golden Photography
I love St. Augustine and its history. We are so fortunate to be surrounded by buildings with incredible architecture. The historic wedding venues in St. Augustine deserve so much love, and I’m so glad I could shine a light on a few of my favorites. If you’re getting married in St. Augustine, I’d love to hear about your day. Head over to my inquiry page so we can chat about your wedding day dreams.
