Elope in St. Augustine FL | The ULTIMATE How-To Guide

You chose to run away together and get married in America’s oldest city! This is grounds for a celebration! Now you are faced with rules, paperwork, and planning. This article is to help you plan your elopement in our historic and beautiful town of St. Augustine that is budget friendly and feels like YOU. The importance of recording one of the biggest days in your relationship cannot be overstated, so this guide will also help with logistics of wedding photography.

License

Let’s start with getting your marriage license. You have to apply in person, together with your partner (at the same time) by going to the St. Johns County Clerk of the Court at 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084 – between 8 AM – 4:30 PM – Mon – Fri, except for holidays.

You can apply up to 60 days in advance of the wedding day.

Each of you has to bring one of the following photo IDs: A driver’s license issued in the US, a Federal or State identification card, a passport showing your name and date of birth, or a military ID. If one of you is a non-citizen, an alien registration number, foreign passport, or U.S. Driver’s license will qualify.

• You will have to provide your Social Security number, but don’t need to show your card.

• Blood tests are not required.

• Both of you will be required to affirm that you’ve read the Family Law Handbook prior to obtaining your marriage license.

If either of you were married before you will need to provide a statement on how the last marriage ended and the exact date (copies of the death certificate or divorce decree or annulment are not required).

Waiting Period (A): If one or both of you are not residents of Florida, you are still required to affirm that you have read the handbook, but you are not required to take a premarital course or to wait three days prior to getting married. In other words, you could arrive in St. Augustine on the day of your wedding, get a license and get married.

Waiting Period (B): If both of you are Florida residents (even if not from St. Johns county), you must prove that you have taken the 4 hour (minimum) pre-marital course from a provider registered in your county, or wait 3 days after obtaining the license to hold the ceremony.

Marriage license fees vary between $61 - $86 depending on the factors above.

Once you have your license, the ceremony must take place within 60 days.

Time of the Year

St. Augustine, Florida is ridiculously beautiful all year round. Let’s discuss different seasons and months to help you make up your mind on what time of the year to elope in our historic town.

• NOVEMBER THROUGH JANUARY

  Winter months are a time for Nights of Lights in St Augustine. Millions of tiny lights adorn the whole downtown area and make for quite a romantic backdrop for your photos. Whether you elope at a venue, a park, the beach or at the courthouse, I highly suggest creating a timeline for your day that includes a romantic stroll through the downtown city square and some of the nearby streets in blue hour which is the hour that follows sunset.

• FEBRUARY THROUGH APRIL

  Honestly these may be the best months if you are not a fan of the heat and humidity. With that being said, March and April are busy months for weddings in the area, so if you are looking at BnB’s or venues, make sure to book in advance. April can be a little unpredictable with rainy weather, I always recommend doing photos really early right around sunrise or later in the day right before sunset. But sunrise is safer. In general, in downtown – sunrise is the best time for photos because nobody is up and walking around yet and the lighting is absolutely breathtaking.

• MAY THROUGH AUGUST

  These are the hot months but also the blooming months. The best part about getting eloped in the summer months is sunset timing. Sunset is late, close to 8 pm. You can literally have hours of beautiful light for photos before the sun goes down.

• SEPTEMBER THROUGH NOVEMBER

  Beautiful time for an elopement, however, consider the risk of hurricanes. I recommend sunrise as there is less of a chance of rain and the sun sets fairly early during these months. The nice thing about downtown is that there aren’t very many visitors in these fall months, so the streets are empty throughout the day and it’s easier to book a stay.

Time of the Day

As far as timing goes, I always recommend 1.5-2 hours before sunset for best lighting. You can also have your photos taken at sunrise for maximum seclusion prior to your ceremony. Additionally, you can choose to break up your elopement day into sunrise portraits, pre-sunset ceremony + sunset portraits.

BnBs

You can have an intimate, personalized ceremony at one of the town’s charming BnB’s with the option to take photos around downtown right after you tie the knot. Scroll down for a full overview of photography packages and options.

• Casa De Solana

  This gorgeous historic BnB has a breathtaking courtyard/garden that is perfect for an intimate ceremony. They offer elopement packages ranging from simple one-hour ceremony with an officiant and a bottle of sparkling, to more involved with options to include guests, engraved champagne flutes, cake, and even a “Just Married” horse carriage ride.

  Additionally, you can choose to add on 1-2 night stay at the inn!

• Bayfront Marin House

  Located right on the bayfront, Bayfront Marin House has a quaint and secluded backyard with a gazebo and a mini fountain perfect for an elopement backdrop. They have an elopement package that includes an officiant, music, champagne, small wedding cake and a choice of breakfast in bed or chocolate covered strawberries.

• Casa De SUENOS OR ST FRANCIS INN

  Casa de Suenos and St Francis Inn are both amazing locations if you plan on staying a couple nights. Their elopement packages all include a private ceremony at St Francis Inn courtyard, an officiant, champagne, keepsake flutes, cake for two, breakfast in bed. You can choose to add on guests, a dinner gift certificate, flowers & boutonniere and a wedding carriage ride.

• CEDAR HOUSE INN

  Cedar House Inn is a Victorian Bed & Breakfast and is also perfect if you plan on staying at least two nights at our town. You can have an intimate Ceremony in their Gazebo, Garden or in front of their Fireplace or the Tiffany Window Parlor inside. They offer a few packages, the simplest of which includes an officiant, simple décor, set up and break down, music, classic wedding cake for two, champagne and flutes for the couple and options to add guests, flowers, sunset cruise on the water, horse & carriage rides, florals and more.
  

Micro Wedding Venues

Downtown St. Augustine boasts a variety of charming & quaint venues perfect for your elopement. Below is a description of each from an aesthetic artist’s perspective.

• The Peña-Peck House

  A lush garden nestled behind old city architecture. Mix of romantic garden vibes and historic downtown buildings and streets. Located right on the corner of historic St George and Treasury St. in the heart of downtown. Tables and tent rental is available upon request. Requires licensed caterers for food and drinks, allows the use of their kitchen.

• Oldest House Gardens / Llambias House Gardens

  Both options are directly next to each other and both include a lush property adorned by romantic oak trees, stone arches, draping Spanish moss and charming brick pavers. The Llambias House also offers a lush arbor, colonial balcony, spiraling brick pavers, and a fairy tale wishing well. Located on Charlotte - my number one favorite street to photograph on.

• 9 Aviles

  Charming and elegant Spanish architecture, beautiful indoor and outdoor backdrops for vintage and romantic photos. Located on a cobblestone street on one of my favorite streets to photograph on - Aviles.

• St. Augustine Distillery + Ice Plant

  The convenience of a farm-to-table restaurant and bar with an industrial twist. Hosting private events, this working distillery also features factory tours and tastings. If your wedding party is a fan of high-quality spirits, this is a venue like no other! Ice Plant provides catering for private events such as a rehearsal dinner. The inside and outside has a beautiful ambience of old-money vintage industrial prohibition aesthetic and vibes. Love photographing there!

• Chatsworth Tea Room & Pub

  Indoor, next to A1A Ale Works and White Room, on the corner of historic downtown King St. Be transported back in time to the British Tea Party era with oversized comfy chairs in a tastefully decorated room with elegant mirrors and wallpaper imported from England. Charming, vintage, editorial vibes.

• Casa Monica

  Dedicated private indoor dinner space, valet parking, curated pre-fixed menu, plus a two hour open beer and wine bar. Beautiful for hotel lobby/grand piano/elevators and luxurious gold plated decor city vibes PLUS a gorgeous outdoor space for photos. Conveniently located next to Lightner Museum and Flagler College for additional photography opportunities.

• Cafe Alcazar

  Art museum vibes, Cafe Alcazar is located inside prestigious Lightner Museum, originally designated for the largest indoor swimming pool and surrounded by art and sculpture. They pride themselves in offering very unique dishes made from the freshest ingredients, local and organic.

• Ximenez-Fatio House Museum

  Spanish era building on Aviles St featuring a lush private courtyard in a tropical oasis amongst banana plants plus a beautifully preserved historic indoor museum space. May require working with their preferred wedding planner and supplying a caterer/bartender.

• Prohibition Kitchen’s Roosevelt Room

  Prohibition era style vibes, gorgeous brick /private event space complete with a stunning staircase backdrop. Great industrial vibes and yummy cuisine. Located next to the liveliest bar & restaurant in downtown (Prohibition Kitchen) - known for live music and entertainment.

• Lightner Museum

  You can arrange to get married at the stone bridge over the koi pond in the Lightner courtyard. There are designated hours and a limit on guests. Learn more here.

• Lighthouse

  St Augustine Lighthouse is one of the last, complete, and authentic lighthouse facilities remaining in the nation. This unique location offers a designated area of its beautiful historic grounds for smaller, intimate wedding ceremonies consisting of 50 guests or less.

Clerk’s Office Ceremony

You can have a hassle-free ceremony at Clerk of Courts office where you obtained your license and after simply get pictures done downtown to celebrate. Ceremonies are limited to the couple only and can be done without an appointment at the time of document signing.

Best Photo Spots in Downtown St. Augustine

Regardless of where you decide to hold your ceremony, let’s explore some locations I recommend taking photos at in the downtown area.

• COBBLESTONE STREETS

  You dream of cobblestone streets and historic buildings? City feels? Old Money? Vintage Hollywood? We got all that, plus pair it with the bayfront and palm trees!

  Tip: Sunrise is best for downtown portraits because the light is fabulous and nobody will be out and about. Sunset during the week is another great option, if you absolutely cannot do sunrise. Weekends can be very busy. I highly recommend not photographing during Art Walk which is every first Friday night of the month.

  Bonus: Rent a super cute vintage looking scooter from Saint City Scooters or a stylish MOKE golf cart. They are affordable and adorable; they make for super fun photos.

• CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS FORT

  Castillo de San Marcos fort is gorgeous at sunset and provides a unique backdrop for photos that just scream St Augustine! There is an option to hold your official ceremony at the fort, but you should be aware of their regulations.

  A short walk south from the fort brings us to the bayfront with the view of boats and the foot of bridge of lions.

  Another option is to do an extended elopement photoshoot: starting at the famous Magnolia Street (with the mossy oak trees), and continuing at Castillo de San Marcos fort during golden hour. In the summer, when the hours are longer, we can even finish the photos at Porpoise Point on rocky Vilano Beach.

• MAGNOLIA AVENUE

  If you are a nature lover and especially adore hanging Spanish moss and beautiful old trees, this is a beautiful location for romantic and vintage portraits.

• BOHO FIELD

  There is a gorgeous sunlit field just to the west of downtown. It gets breathtaking sunsets.

• memorial presbyterian church

  This monumental structure never seizes to amaze me. So many photo opportunities for a vintage old money vibe. This is the closest you can get to those courthouse city vibe photos.

• ICE PLANT

  Vintage and prohibition vibes can be recreated at Old City’s Ice Plant Restaurant & Bar. You can have a drink and snap a couple of photos at their beautiful bar before heading downtown or to the field for sunset photos.

Unusual & Non-Traditional St. Augustine Venues

Castle Otttis

Hidden in plain sight, behold St. Augustine’s real-life castle - Castle Otttis. It’s a great option for the romantics and the history buffs who long for castles and ruins. There are so many photo opportunities and it looks like something you would see in Scotland! There’s an owner’s fee to hold an intimate ceremony and to take photos at this private residence and will require the permission of the owner. Leave it to me to do the talking! Additionally, we can take photos at Vilano Beach since the castle is located in that area.

Pillars’ Castle

If you are in the mood to stay at a castle, get treated like royalty and be within steps of historic landmarks such as Fountain of Youth, Magnolia Street and Castillo de San Marcos, then consider booking at Pillars’ Castle. It can house 12 guests and has endless possibilities for photo opportunities from their lush green backyard to their historic entryway.

Sailboat

Another fun idea is to get legally married on a boat or a yacht. Make sure one of the crew is certified as an officiant or bring your own officiant on board. I LOVE sailboats and humbly ask to tag along! I recommend Saint Augustine Sailing. They offer an amazing elopement experience to couples!

Beaches & Parks

St. Augustine certainly has several beaches to choose from. You can choose to have no official ceremony, an intimate ceremony with just the two of you, an officiant and a photographer or a small ceremony with an arch, officiant, photographer, HMUA, florals, cake, champagne and even a small circle of guests.

I offer an inclusive package that allows you to be stress free as I handle all the vendor booking for you.

Let’s discuss some general guidelines first.

Timing: the sun rises behind the water and sets across from the water for most beaches. For that sun-going-down-in-the-water look, we best start the ceremony at the end of blue hour (the hour before sunrise) and take your photos while the sun is rising. After the sun rises, the light quickly becomes too harsh for flattering portraits. Sunset is also a great time to take photos on the beach. I recommend having the ceremony thirty minutes prior to golden hour (the hour right before sunset) and then portraits during golden hour/sunset. If the clouds aren’t too heavy that day, you might also get cotton candy skies which are just a dream.

Tide: some beaches are completely under water at high tide in St Augustine. Look at the chart and consult me.

Permit: St Johns County requires a permit on their beach. I am happy to apply for you, as I have for many permits. It is a $100-$160 permit depending on location. Ask to include beach permit application in our package together. If you want to do the honors, you can find information here.

There are certain rules when getting married on most of the beaches. No alcohol, fireworks, fires, loud music, glass, balloons, or sky lanterns.

If you worry about the weather, there are a handful of pavilions that can be rented. Find more info here and feel free to use the contact provided to rent one out. This is handy if you have a lot of people or set on having a rainy weather option. You can serve alcohol but will need a separate permit for that.

• vilano beach

  If you need somewhere to stay while you are in St. Augustine AND you are also planning a beach ceremony, then I highly recommend checking out Vilano beach BnB’s and Vacation Homes.

  Your backyard will likely face a private and secluded beach. Permit rule still applies. The good news is that you will encounter few or no other beach goers – ideal for privacy. You can even set up your backyard for a full on wedding reception! Ask me about rental options and décor/seating.

  Also, check out Porpoise Point - a beautiful beach option for sunrise or sunset portraits among the rocks, alongside a row of colorful Spanish houses, and feeding the seagulls while gazing at the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Truly a sight! There are several hotels and motels located within walking distance such as the Magic Motel.

• ANASTASIA STATE PARK

  Anastasia State Park has a mixture of beautiful greenery and a large beach. They charge a small fee for elopements and a park fee will also have to be paid.

  If you choose this or any beach location, you may need somewhere to stay nearby. Check out The Local vintage motel with a modern pink flamingo vibe and cute beach bikes you can rent. We will definitely have to snag a few photos there. Perfect for vintage elopement feels.

• CRESCENT BEACH & ST MARY RAMP

  Crescent beach is just south of St Augustine beach and has incredibly pretty sunrises and sunsets and ample parking. There is a stretch where you can park your vehicle on the beach (must be a 4x4). Mary Street has a parking lot and a ramp to the beach.

• WASHINGTON OAKS & GARDENS + ROCKY FLAGLER BEACHES

  South of Crescent Beach is River to Sea Preserve. It is right outside St Johns county and last I checked, does not require a wedding permit. It’s always a good idea to double check because rules change sometimes.

  There is a row of rocks lining this beach which creates a dramatic backdrop. Perfect scenery at sunrise or sunset. It has been a go-to beach for shoots for many photographers for a long time and is truly a gem.

  Washington Oaks Gardens state park (just south of River to Sea) is another breathtakingly beautiful option – it has an assortment of magnolia trees, palm trees, palmetto, lake, garden, and paths through striking greenery. You can find out information on getting eloped at Washington Oaks on their website. They do have rules about ceremony location and timing. Once the formal part concludes, we can take photos all over the park, including their super cute gazebo. Across the street from the park, is their beach property. Sunsets tend to be beautiful here and we can walk to the large rocks for an additional nature backdrop. The park and the beach close at sunset.

• DRIFTWOOD BEACH

  Matanzas Inlet is another popular location – adorned by driftwood, this beach is mega perfect for sunset ceremonies. The water is still and calm, and the sun sets behind the water making this a great location for trash the dress sessions and elopements.

Wedding Officiants

Florida law requires that the marriage be performed by an officiant who is an ordained member of the clergy, an active or retired judicial officer, a clerk of the circuit courts, or a notary public of Florida.

If you do not want to tie the knot at the Courthouse or book a BnB package that includes an officiant, or if you are tying the knot on the beach and need an officiant - no worries. You can choose to book your own officiant.

Here are some of my go-to officiants for our area: For Love Notary, Luksha & Co., Ceremonies by Chrissy.

For a full list of wedding vendors in North Florida, visit this page.

Within 10 days of the ceremony, the officiant must fill out the signed license and mail it or drop it off at St. Johns County office. There, the marriage will be recorded, and a copy of the marriage certificate will be sent to you.

If you need another copy of the license in the future, you will have to apply to the county to obtain i

Low Budget Downtown Elopement Spots

• Gazebo in the Plaza de la Constitución

  This is the gazebo right in the heart of downtown at the town square. Suitable for small ceremonies. Call the city number: (904) 825-1004.

• The Municipal Marina

  The lawn in front of the bayfront’s marina is available for small ceremonies and events. Public restrooms and potable water are available on site. The marina staff can help with obtaining set up and catering. Call the marina number: (904) 825-10026.

• PUBLIC BAYFRONT PIER

  As a budget friendly option, consider having the ceremony at the public pier at the foot of the bridge of lions. It is a public space and last I checked, does not require a permit. It is just steps away from all my favorite downtown photo spots.

Timeline Examples for Different Elopement Packages

My photography packages start at 2 hours and can be extended all the way up to a full day for your elopement. Let’s illustrate different scenarios and which package you should choose depending on your needs.

• Scenario 1:

  It’s just the two of you and you want to legally elope at the courthouse and have a separate photo session afterwards. You want to showcase your unique relationship and have photos that are a whole vibe!

• Timeline 1:

  Courthouse Ceremony: 10 AM

  Hair and Makeup: 12 - 3 PM

  Bridal Portraits Downtown: 4 PM - 6 PM

  Start with a couple of drinks, coffee, or ice cream in downtown followed by a stroll through some of the best cobblestone streets, greenery, and historic backdrops!

  Optional (best for spring and summer months when the sun sets late): End the day on the beach at sunset and soak in all the pinks and golds of the sky. Pick the 2 hour elopement and add on an hour for this option.

• Scenario 2:

  It’s just the two of you and you want an intimate ceremony with an officiant followed by photos.

• Timeline 2 A:

  Ceremony: 11 AM

  Say your vows underneath a giant mossy tree in Washington Oaks and Gardens followed by photos surrounded by greenery and flowers. Alternatively, elope inside Anastasia State Park on the beach, followed by beach and boardwalk photos. Choose romantic Lightner Courtyard for downtown architecture vibes. You could also have a mini ceremony for free right on the public dock near the Bridge of Lions followed by photos in historic downtown.

  Bridal Portraits Downtown: 12 AM - 1 PM

  Optional: Add a lunch/brunch reception with a cake cutting. Pick the 2 hour elopement and add on an hour for this option.

• Timeline 2 B:

  Ceremony: 4, 5, or 6 PM depending on the season

  Say your vows at the beach right outside your Vilano beach house rental, followed by photos on the beach. Followed by an outfit change and heading downtown for sunset photos or a Nights of Lights stroll.

  Pick the 2 hour elopement and add on 1-2 hours for the downtown option.

There are many other scenarios not illustrated here. Please tell me what your thoughts are and I will be sure to accommodate you in whatever way I can. Contact me to start the conversation and for a free consultation call.

Alcohol

Only licensed venues will be able to operate an alcohol cash bar. Other venues will require for you to obtain insurance and licenses. I suggest letting a mobile bar handle the hassle. Here are my go-to bars for alcohol service for intimate weddings: Moon Tide Bar Cart, The Little Bar Co, The Unbridled Bar, Bubbles and Brews.

Romantic Downtown Dining

Ancient City has a bit of a night life, especially on the weekends. I will not get too deep into it in this post, because I have already made one dedicated specifically to going out after your wedding/elopement. Check out this post for all the info on that.

Photo Gallery

I will send you a sneak peek of your gallery within 3 days. I try to send it even sooner than that. I edit about 75 photos/hour of shoot time. You can share your sneak peek photos with friends and family while you wait for the finished edited full gallery. I take 2-3 weeks to edit a full elopement gallery.

Prints

As exciting as an online gallery full of your sweetest photos is, printing is even cooler!

You will have access to running specials and print options straight from your online gallery.

You have full rights to download your photos and print them anywhere you’d like.

I use Pic-Time Online Gallery to deliver your photos and they partner with some of the best printing labs across the country so you can get your hands on quality canvases, deckled prints, albums and so much more.

Our generation shares photos over texts and emails, but there is something so amazing about having great prints throughout your house and an album for your guests to look at.

I just wanted to stress the importance of physical prints for a second, but really I am super enthusiastic about this topic, so I will just need to cut myself off right here. :)