How to Elope in St. Augustine, Florida

Why Choose St. Augustine for Your Elopement?

An increasing number of couples are opting for a more intimate and adventurous alternative to traditional weddings: eloping. Eloping allows you and your partner to exchange vows in a personalized and meaningful way, free from the stress and expectations of a conventional wedding. If you’re considering eloping, look no further than the picturesque and historic city of St. Augustine, Florida. Known for its charming cobblestone streets, historic landmarks, and stunning coastal views, St. Augustine offers a romantic backdrop for your elopement. This guide is designed to help you plan the perfect elopement in this enchanting city. Eloping in America’s oldest city, St. Augustine, is a truly magical experience. With its historic charm and beautiful scenery, it’s the perfect backdrop for your special day. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you plan your elopement in St. Augustine, making the process smooth and enjoyable.

Choosing the Right Time of Year & Location for Your St. Augustine Elopement

When planning your St. Augustine elopement, one of the first questions you should ask yourselves is “When do we want to elope?” Florida generally has great weather all year round, but it can be unpredictable during the summer and fall. Each season in St. Augustine has its own unique perks and considerations.

FLORIDA SEASONAL ELOPEMENT INFORMATION

Spring (March-May)

Springtime in St. Augustine is beautiful with blooming flowers and pleasant temperatures. This season offers a vibrant and colorful backdrop for your elopement, but be prepared for occasional rain showers.

Summer (June-August)

If you don’t mind the heat, summer elopements offer extended daylight hours and late sunsets. However, this is also peak tourist season, and the potential for heavy rain and storms increases as hurricane season starts in June.

Fall (September – November)

Fall in St. Augustine is warm and less humid, with fewer tourists than in summer. While hurricanes can still occur until the end of November, the likelihood of daily rain diminishes, making this a lovely time for an outdoor elopement.

Winter (December – February)

St. Augustine’s winters are mild and perfect for outdoor ceremonies. The city’s historic holiday decorations provide a magical atmosphere for December and January elopements. Keep in mind that the sun sets earlier in winter, so plan your ceremony accordingly.

Best Time of Day for Photos

For the best lighting, schedule your photos 1.5-2 hours before sunset or at sunrise for a more secluded experience. You can also split your elopement into sunrise portraits and a pre-sunset ceremony.

St. Augustine Elopement Location Guide (MAPPED BELOW)

Okay, so you picked out the perfect time of year to elope, now the next big question is where. The first thing you should ask yourself is what kind of vibe you want your elopement to have. The location you choose is more than just a pretty background, it’s the entire atmosphere of your elopement. Foliage, rocks, water, etc. in the background will determine the overall look of the images. Do you want simple, classic beach photos? Are you going for a modern, downtown elopement vibe? Do you want it to feel like a tropical, adventure elopement? Choosing the right location is crucial for setting the vibe of your elopement. Whether you prefer a beach setting, historic architecture, or lush gardens, St. Augustine has it all.

Favorite Elopement Locations in St. Augustine

Castillo de San Marcos:

This historic fort offers stunning views of the bay and a unique, historic atmosphere. Early morning or late afternoon are ideal times to avoid crowds.

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum:

For breathtaking views of the city and coastline, consider eloping at the top of the lighthouse. The surrounding grounds also offer charming spots for photos.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park:

Located a short drive from St. Augustine, this park features beautiful gardens, oak trees, and a rocky coastline. It’s perfect for nature-loving couples.

The Lightner Museum:

With its grand architecture and beautiful courtyard, the Lightner Museum provides a sophisticated and historic backdrop for your ceremony.

Vilano Beach

For a more laid-back and scenic beach setting, Vilano Beach offers beautiful sunsets and a quieter atmosphere than the main beaches.

---

Venues for Micro Weddings in St. Augustine, Florida

The Peña-Peck House

Offers a lush garden setting behind historic architecture, perfect for a romantic ceremony.

Oldest House Gardens / Llambias House Gardens

Featuring oak trees, Spanish moss, and brick pavers, these venues provide a fairytale setting.

9 Aviles

With elegant Spanish architecture, this venue offers beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces.

St. Augustine Distillery & Ice Plant

Combines industrial vibes with vintage charm, offering unique photo opportunities and high-quality catering.

Chatsworth Tea Room & Pub

Step into a British tea party era with this charming and vintage-styled venue.

Casa Monica

A luxurious venue with indoor and outdoor photo opportunities, next to iconic locations like Lightner Museum.

Cafe Alcazar

Located in the Lightner Museum, this venue combines art and history for a unique elopement.

Ximenez-Fatio House Museum

A Spanish-era building with a tropical courtyard, perfect for an intimate ceremony.

---

---

Should We Include Guests in Our St. Augustine Elopement?

First, remember that choosing to elope in St. Augustine is yours (and your partner’s) decision to make, and whatever you decide should be a choice you make together and without any coercion or added stress from others. There are numerous factors that make the decision to elope solo or with others a tough one. Weddings can be expensive and if you’d prefer to spend your budget on something special for just yourselves, you are valid. Even planning a small gathering of 20 people requires permitting (for beach weddings) or a venue + reception location, food, décor, travel costs, it all can start to add up.

Deciding to elope solo or with others can be tough. Weddings can be expensive, so spending your budget on yourselves is valid. Even small gatherings need permits, venues, food, décor, and travel costs, which add up.

If you and your partner are ready, I recommend an intimate ceremony for just the two of you. This way, the day is completely yours to do whatever, wherever you want. But, if you can’t imagine getting married without family or friends but don’t want a big wedding, consider a small ceremony of no more than 20 people. Book your reception later in the day to allow time for photos after the ceremony. Deciding how to elope is a huge decision, as it marks the start of your lives together.

If you have questions, comments, concerns, what ifs, what abouts, etc.; please do not hesitate to contact me and I am happy to walk you through all of it.

Choosing the Best Photography Package for Your Elopement

Eloping shouldn’t break the bank, and selecting the right photography package is essential. If you’re planning a simple, quick session, a one-hour package may suffice. For multiple locations and more comprehensive coverage, consider a three-hour package or longer. For ceremonies with guests, a four-hour package will ensure ample time for capturing the ceremony, family, and couple photos.

Choosing the Rest of Your Vendors

If you decide to elope with a small ceremony, book a venue, or even want to go to the courthouse, you may need to do some planning. It’s important to book vendors as early as possible to lock in your date. This goes for a photographer, officiant, courthouse appointment, venue, reception, florals, décor, permits, etc., whatever applies to your big day. If you need recommendations, I am always happy to help you find the perfect vendors for your big day.

Choosing Where to Get Married “Legally”

Getting married is not the most complicated process, but it is a process nonetheless. If you want to be legally married before the elopement session, schedule your appointment at the clerks office beforehand. If you plan to get married on the day of and want pictures after it is completely possible. You’ll want to schedule an appointment at the courthouse in whatever city/county you plan to elope in. In order to get legally married in Florida you need a valid photo ID and social security card. If you complete a Florida pre-marriage course, the cost of the marriage license goes down significantly and you don’t have the three day waiting period to get married. After you get your marriage license, you have 60 days to say “I Do.”

To get legally married in St. Augustine, you’ll need a marriage license from the St. Johns County Clerk of Court. Here’s what you need to know:

St. Johns County Clerk of Court:
4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084 | 904-819-3600

Bring valid photo IDs and social security cards. Completing a Florida pre-marriage course can reduce the cost of the license and waive the three-day waiting period. After obtaining your license, you have 60 days to get married.

Waiting Periods:

• Non-Florida Residents: No waiting period; you can marry on the same day you obtain your license.
• Florida Residents: A three-day waiting period unless you complete a premarital course.

Marriage license fees range from $61 to $86, depending on the circumstances.

Packing and Preparing for your St. Augustine, Florida Elopement

Before packing to elope in St. Augustine, think about the vibe is that you’re going for and the location you chose. Is it coastal, boho, modern, casual, etc…? Once you know what kind of vibe you’re going for, you can narrow down on a dress/outfits. There is no rule that says you have to wear white to elope, wear whatever makes YOU feel the best. After you pack your dress I would next suggest: bathing suits, sunscreen, bug spray, honeymoon outfits, and outfits for your engagement session if we are doing one before your elopement. I would also suggest packing comfortable shoes to walk between locations, trust me your feet will thank you.

On your elopement day, it is so important to eat a well balanced meal, and drink tons of water. It can get hot in Florida and it’s crucial you stay hydrated on your big day. Depending on the location, I will drop a pin exactly where parking is or send directions to you. Remember it’s totally okay to be nervous, not everyone has their picture taken everyday! I strive for the process to be a seamless and fun experience from start to finish. My goal as your Florida elopement photographer is to deliver a lasting collection of images that feel authentic, real, and 100% you. We will laugh, have fun, and spend the day celebrating and capturing your love story.

---

Honeymooning in St. Augustine

After your elopement, St. Augustine offers numerous romantic spots for your honeymoon. Here are some of the most charming destinations:

Romantic St. Augustine Honeymoon Locations

St. George Street:
Enjoy shopping, dining, and exploring the historic heart of the city.

Anastasia State Park:
Spend a day relaxing on the beach or kayaking in the serene waters.

Flagler College:
Take a tour of this historic campus and marvel at its stunning architecture.

St. Augustine Alligator Farm:
For a unique and fun experience, visit this historic attraction and see a variety of wildlife.

San Sebastian Winery:
Tour the winery and enjoy a wine tasting with beautiful views of the city.

Charming Bed & Breakfasts for Your St. Augustine Honeymoon

Casa De Solana

A historic BnB with a stunning courtyard. Their elopement packages include options like an officiant, champagne, and a horse carriage ride.

Bayfront Marin House

Offers a gazebo and fountain backdrop for your ceremony. Their package includes an officiant, music, cake, and champagne.

Casa de Suenos & St. Francis Inn

Both inns provide private ceremonies with breakfast in bed, cake, champagne, and options for adding guests, flowers, and carriage rides.

Cedar House Inn

A Victorian BnB with a gazebo and garden for ceremonies. Packages include an officiant, cake, champagne, and optional extras like a sunset cruise or carriage ride.

I hope this guide helps you plan your dream elopement in St. Augustine. This city offers a blend of historic charm, romantic settings, and beautiful backdrops, making it an ideal location for your elopement. Whether you choose a cozy bed and breakfast or a grand historic venue, your special day in this enchanting city will be unforgettable. I am so lucky that I get to capture love stories here in this beautiful state. If you want me to tag along and capture your Florida elopement, please fill out my booking form!