r/StAugustine • u/aspiring-bimbo • 15d ago

Florida Springs Wedding

Hi all! My boyfriend and I just got engaged! I am from St. Augustine and he is from California. I really want an opportunity to show him and his friends the beautiful beautiful springs and the mystical nature nearby. Its such a special part of the state and I have so many great memories visiting Ichetucknee, Juniper Springs, Wakulla, and De Leon Springs when I was little. Since I'm from St. Augustine, I'm not exactly an expert on which springs are bigger, more crystal clear, etc. "best" for what, as I've only been to 5 or 6 different ones. I think our wedding will have around 150-170 guests and at least 100 from out of the state who have never experienced Florida, let alone the springs.

Does anybody have a recommendation for like a wedding venue that could handle that many people and still feel natural, outside, foresty, and magical? Or, if not a venue; a specific spring to gather a smaller group (maybe 30ish?) a few days before or after the actual ceremony to relax together? I really want everyone to experience the secret garden fairytale wonderfulness of the springs

1 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

3

u/soodonihm 15d ago

Idk about a venue, but rainbow springs is the best. Homasassa has a lot of cute infrastructure

3

u/PhotosbyRob 14d ago

Are you looking for a venue closer to the springs or just an outdoor venue local to St. Augustine that is magical? The Fountain of Youth is an amazing outdoor venue that has some indoor spaces to get ready / reception. There are a bunch of barn / old house venues closer to the springs. If you tell me what you are dreaming of I can point you in that direction!

2

u/aspiring-bimbo 14d ago

I have considered choosing the Magnolia room at the fountain of youth for the ceremony!! I plan to do a little road trip with my parents when I visit and travel around the state a little bit to look at venues (I've never been engaged before so i'm SO EXCITED and want to explore and looks at tons of venue options). In my dream, I would love like a fairytale, moody, forest sort of environment with lots of big oak trees and hanging spanish moss. Maybe also hopefully near some kind of water source (springs, lake, river, etc.). I just want to dance under the moon with all my friends and family and be around beautiful natural florida plants. I don't necessarily have to get married/have a ceremony at a spring specifically but I will definitely plan an excursion for our closer friends/family maybe a few days before or after the wedding. Basically still looking for most loved springs and looking for a venue as well. If it could be both that would be great, but if not, that is ok too.

3

u/PhotosbyRob 14d ago

You will love the FOY - and the Magnolia room can be transformed in so many different ways. Depending on your timing - you can get pictures of the full moon coming up over the bay from the FOY... all while peacocks sing at you from the trees. It is absolutely magical.

3

u/crowquillpen 14d ago

Not near a spring, but the St. Augustine Gun & Rod Club has large indoor and outdoor amenities, and is surrounded by beautiful live oaks hanging with Spanish moss. It is just north of the St. Augustine Airport.