Private 131 Wedding Photography Guide
A photographer's guide to Jacksonville Beach's upscale rooftop event space
About Private 131
Private 131
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Private 131 is Jacksonville Beach's first upscale event property, and it's a different kind of experience. Situated on the second floor of an award-winning building in Jax Beach's town center, it sits between Latham Park and the Atlantic — giving you waterfront views, city proximity, and a modern interior that doesn't look like every other banquet hall.
The property is family-owned and operated by Beth and David Angelo, and the hands-on approach shows. They've built the entire experience around flexibility: outside caterers, BYOB with a licensed bartender, adjustable LED lighting, and configurable furniture layouts. You can customize the decor, A/V setup, and floor plan to match your vision — the result is a celebration that looks dramatically different from one wedding to the next.
What the Space Includes
- Ballroom: 2,100 sq ft interior with marble bar, full bar/lounge, and color-changing ambient lighting
- Outdoor Balconies: 1,600 sq ft of covered balcony space with ocean and park views
- Green Room: Private prep space for the wedding party with bathroom and mirrors
- Catering Kitchen: State-of-the-art kitchen for outside caterers
- A/V: 110-inch projection screen, three additional TVs, professional sound system with microphone
- Seating: Premium chairs included (white, black, or floral covers)
- Cleanup: Post-event cleanup is handled by the venue — you walk out at the end of the night
- ADA accessible with elevator access
Why We Love Photographing Here
The balcony is what makes this location work photographically. When golden hour hits that east-facing outdoor area, the light is genuinely stunning — warm, directional, and impossible to replicate indoors. A couple on that balcony at 6:30 PM with the Atlantic behind them and late evening light wrapping around them? That's a strong frame.
We also appreciate the contrast between inside and outside. The modern interior — marble bar, clean lines, LED-lit ceiling — gives us a completely different look than the balcony shots. By the end of the night, the gallery has real variety without ever leaving the property. It's a unique setup that most traditional ballrooms can't match.
The BYO model tends to produce more relaxed, personalized receptions, which makes for better candid coverage. When the food and drinks feel like the couple rather than a generic package, guests tend to settle in and enjoy themselves — and that energy shows up in the photos. There's something special about a reception that reflects who the couple actually is.
Best Photo Locations
The Outdoor Balconies
1,600 square feet of covered outdoor balcony overlooking Latham Park and the Atlantic. This is the money shot — golden hour light rolls in off the water and the whole scene glows. There's also a secondary bar out here, which keeps guests mingling in the frame naturally.
The Ballroom Interior
Clean, modern 2,100 sq ft ballroom with high ceilings, color-changing LED ambient lighting, and a marble bar as a strong visual anchor. The lighting system is flexible — we often work with the coordinators to dial in a specific tone for reception coverage.
The Marble Bar
The signature bar is a sharp-looking feature for detail shots and editorial-style portraits. The modern design and clean lines photograph well, especially with the color-changing backlighting behind it.
The Green Room
Private getting-ready room for the wedding party with a bathroom and mirrors. It's compact but functional — good for detail shots, quick prep portraits, and that moment just before walking out.
Latham Park
Right across the street, Latham Park offers green landscaping and natural light that contrasts nicely with the modern building. Worth a short walk for mid-day or afternoon portraits when the balcony light is less ideal.
The Beach
The Atlantic is a short walk from the front door. For a couple that wants that classic Florida beach portrait, it's right there — ideal during the last 20 minutes of golden hour when the sun dips toward the horizon.
Photographer Tips
Plan for the Balcony at Golden Hour
The 1,600 sq ft of outdoor balcony facing the water is where this location shines. Late afternoon light comes in beautifully. Build a gap in your timeline at 6:00-6:30 PM to take advantage of it — don't let cocktail hour eat the whole window.
BYO Is a Feature, Not a Compromise
The BYO policy lets you bring your own alcohol and caterers. That flexibility often results in a more personalized reception feel. As photographers, we love a reception where the food and drinks reflect the couple rather than a preset package.
The LED Lighting Is Adjustable
Talk to the coordinator about lighting before the day. The color-changing system can go dramatic and moody or warm and neutral. For photos, warm neutral usually reads better than saturated color — worth a conversation.
The Beach Is Right There
It's a short walk to the Atlantic. If your couple wants even one frame on the sand, the proximity makes it a non-issue logistics-wise. A quick 15-minute beach escape during cocktail hour is easy to pull off.
Planning Your Timeline at Private 131
We don't publish generic sample timelines because they're useless without knowing your wedding date. Here's why:
A 5pm ceremony works beautifully in summer but means portraits in the dark in winter. Your timeline needs to be built around your actual date and what matters most to you.
Light at Private 131
East-facing location in Jacksonville Beach. Late afternoon and golden hour light from the balcony is excellent — Atlantic horizon sunsets are the main event.
Time for Photos
We recommend 45-60 minutes for portraits at Private 131, covering the outdoor balconies, ballroom interior, and nearby beach.
Timeline Strategies
Sunset Portraits
Want that golden hour magic? We work backwards from sunset. Ceremony ends 60-90 minutes before, giving time for family photos, couple portraits, and catching the best light.
Brunch or Daytime
Morning ceremonies and daytime receptions mean lots of beautiful natural light all day. Great for summer when afternoons can get pretty warm.
Venue Timing Notes
- Street parking — no private lot on-site
- Second-floor access (ADA elevator available)
Get a Timeline Built for Your Day
Tell us your wedding date, ceremony time preferences, and what moments matter most. We'll send you a custom timeline that accounts for sunset, this venue's best light, and your priorities.
Request Your Custom TimelineWedding Costs
Rental runs $3,500–$9,500 depending on day, time, and season. Because this is a blank-canvas property — you bring your own caterer, your own alcohol — your total event cost depends heavily on those choices. That flexibility can work in your favor budget-wise, and it means the day feels more like you than a standard wedding package.
For current pricing and a tour, reach the events team at (904) 946-0122, events@private131.com, or visit private131.com.
Wedding FAQ
Common questions about weddings at Private 131 in Jacksonville Beach
Rental pricing ranges from $3,500–$9,500 depending on the day of the week, time of day, and season. Because Private 131 allows outside caterers and BYOB, your total cost depends heavily on those vendor choices. Contact them at (904) 946-0122 or private131.com for current availability and packages. For photography pricing, see our packages page.
The ballroom comfortably seats 130 guests and handles up to 192 for cocktail-style receptions. The 2,100 sq ft interior plus 1,600 sq ft of covered outdoor balcony gives you real flexibility in how you use the property throughout the day.
Yes — this is one of the things that makes Private 131 stand out. They welcome outside caterers and allow you to purchase and bring your own alcohol, served by a licensed bartender. You keep any remaining stock after the event. The on-site catering kitchen is available for your caterer's use. This flexibility typically results in a more personalized reception and can offer better value depending on your vendor choices.
Yes. Ceremonies can be held in the indoor ballroom or on the covered outdoor balcony with waterfront views. The rental includes a 110-inch projection screen for displaying photo slideshows, premium chairs in white, black, or with floral covers, and a high-end audio system with microphone. A green room is available for the wedding party before the ceremony.
Very close. The property sits between Latham Park and the Atlantic in Jacksonville Beach's town center. Walking to the beach for portraits takes just a few minutes, which makes golden hour beach photos a practical option even during cocktail hour.
Planning a Wedding at Private 131?
We've photographed here and know how to make the most of the balcony light, the modern ballroom interior, and the quick beach access nearby. If you're considering this location for your wedding, we'd love to talk through your day.
Get in TouchReal Weddings Here
Browse galleries from weddings we've photographed at this location
