Micro Weddings in St. Augustine: Your Complete Planning Guide
Everything you need to know about planning an intimate wedding with 15-50 guests in America's oldest city—from venues to permits to photography.
Last updated: January 2024
## What Is a Micro Wedding?
Micro weddings are intimate celebrations with 15-50 guests that include all the traditional wedding elements—ceremony, reception, dinner, and dancing—just on a smaller scale. They've become incredibly popular in St. Augustine as couples seek more meaningful, personal celebrations.
Typical Guest Count
15-50 people
Average St. Augustine Cost
$8,000-$15,000
Planning Timeline
6-8 months
Venue Options
30+ locations
After photographing 600+ weddings in St. Augustine, we've seen micro weddings grow from occasional requests to nearly 30% of our bookings. Couples love the flexibility to focus on what matters most while still celebrating with their closest family and friends.
Why Couples Choose Micro Weddings
- More budget for experiences (better venue, food, photography)
- Intimate atmosphere where you actually talk to every guest
- Flexible timeline and customization
- Less wedding stress and planning complexity
- Focus on closest family and friends only
## Micro Wedding vs. Elopement: Understanding the Difference
Many couples ask us about the difference between micro weddings and [elopements](/elopements/) in St. Augustine. Here's how we explain it:
| Element |
Elopement |
Micro Wedding |
| Guest Count |
Just couple or 2-8 immediate family |
15-50 close family and friends |
| Reception |
Usually just dinner out |
Full reception with dancing, toasts |
| Timeline |
2-4 hours total |
6-8 hours like traditional wedding |
| Planning Time |
2-3 months |
6-8 months |
| Typical Cost |
$3,000-$6,000 |
$8,000-$15,000 |
How to Decide
If you find yourselves saying "we have to invite..." more than a few times, you're probably looking at a micro wedding rather than an elopement. That's perfectly fine—just plan accordingly with timeline and budget.
## Best St. Augustine Venues for Micro Weddings
St. Augustine offers incredible options for intimate weddings. After working at dozens of venues, here are our top recommendations by guest count and style:
### Historic Indoor Venues (20-50 guests)
Lightner Museum
The courtyard and Café Alcazar space work perfectly for micro weddings. Their Intimate Wedding Package accommodates up to 100 guests but scales beautifully for smaller groups.
Indoor/outdoor options • Historic charm • $2,500-$4,000
Peña-Peck House
The lush garden setting creates an intimate atmosphere perfect for 15-40 guests. The historic home provides beautiful backdrops and indoor backup space.
Garden ceremony • Historic home • $1,800-$3,200
### Beachfront Options (15-40 guests)
Beachfront Vacation Rentals
Large Airbnb properties on Vilano Beach or St. Augustine Beach work great for micro weddings. We especially love two-story houses where wedding parties can get ready separately.
Beach ceremony • Full day rental • $300-$800/night plus wedding fees
Public Beach Access Points
14th Street, 8th Street, and other access points offer beautiful ceremony locations with parking nearby. Remember permits are required for all beach ceremonies.
Permit required • Seasonal considerations • $50 permit fee
Beach Rental Warning
Always inform your Airbnb host about your wedding plans. We've had law enforcement show up when property management was surprised by 40+ guests at a "family vacation." A small additional fee prevents major problems on your wedding day.
### Private Restaurant Spaces (20-50 guests)
Several St. Augustine restaurants offer private dining rooms perfect for micro wedding receptions:
- **Ice Plant Bar**: Industrial-chic space with full catering
- **The Floridian**: Private rooms with Southern cuisine
- **Caps on the Water**: Waterfront dining with sunset views
## Permits and Regulations
Navigating St. Augustine's wedding regulations is crucial for micro weddings, especially beach ceremonies.
### Beach Ceremony Requirements
Required Beach Permits
- City of St. Augustine beaches require permits for ANY ceremony
- Apply at least 10 business days in advance
- $50 fee regardless of guest count
- Permit covers ceremony only, not reception
- Weather contingency plan required
### Beach Restrictions
St. Augustine beaches have strict regulations that apply to micro weddings:
- **No alcohol** permitted on city beaches
- **No glass containers** (including unity ceremony materials)
- **No amplified music** without special permits
- **No decorations** that could blow away (balloons, lanterns)
- **No fires or fireworks**
- **Parking limitations** at popular access points
### Private Property Weddings
Many micro weddings happen at vacation rentals or private homes. Key considerations:
Rental Property Guidelines
Check with property owners about guest limits, noise restrictions, and additional fees. Most charge $200-$500 extra for events. Getting permission upfront prevents disruptions on your wedding day.
## Planning Your Micro Wedding Timeline
Micro weddings offer incredible timeline flexibility compared to traditional venue weddings. Here's how to structure your day:
### Sample 6-Hour Timeline
2:00 PM - Getting Ready
2 hours
Wedding party preparation, detail photos, first look if desired. Rental properties work great with separate floors for each party.
4:00 PM - Ceremony
30 minutes
Optimal lighting for beach ceremonies. Indoor venues offer more flexibility with timing.
4:30 PM - Cocktails & Photos
1.5 hours
Family formals, couple portraits, guest mingling. Beach weddings can incorporate sunset photos.
6:00 PM - Dinner
1.5 hours
Seated dinner with toasts. More intimate than traditional reception timing.
7:30 PM - Dancing & Celebration
2+ hours
First dance, cake cutting, dancing. Can extend as long as you want with private venues.
Timeline Flexibility Advantage
Unlike traditional venues with strict dinner service times, micro weddings let you adjust on the fly. Running behind? No problem. Want to extend cocktail hour because everyone's having fun? Go for it. This flexibility reduces stress significantly.
### Seasonal Timing Considerations
**Winter (December-February)**: Ceremony times around 3:00 PM work well for sunset photos
**Spring/Fall (March-May, October-November)**: 4:00 PM ceremonies provide perfect lighting
**Summer (June-September)**: Earlier ceremonies (3:00 PM) avoid afternoon thunderstorms
## Vendor Packages and Pricing
Micro weddings typically cost 40-60% less than traditional St. Augustine weddings while offering higher-end vendors and experiences.
### Typical Micro Wedding Budget Breakdown
| Vendor |
Traditional Wedding |
Micro Wedding |
Savings |
| Photography (8 hours) |
$2,500-$4,000 |
$2,200-$3,500 |
Small discount |
| Catering (per person) |
$85-$120 |
$95-$140 |
Higher per person, lower total |
| Florals |
$1,200-$2,500 |
$400-$800 |
Major savings |
| Music/DJ |
$800-$1,200 |
$400-$700 |
Significant savings |
| Venue |
$2,000-$5,000 |
$800-$2,500 |
Major savings |
| Total |
$15,000-$30,000+ |
$8,000-$15,000 |
50%+ savings |
### All-Inclusive Packages
Some St. Augustine vendors offer micro wedding packages that bundle services:
Lightner Museum Intimate Package
Includes venue, catering for up to 50 guests, basic florals, and coordination. Starting at $4,500.
Venue included • Catering included • Add-ons available
Beachfront Rental + Catering Combos
Several local caterers partner with popular rental properties to offer streamlined planning and pricing.
Property + catering • Setup included • $150-$200 per person
## Photography for Micro Weddings
Micro weddings present unique photography opportunities and considerations compared to larger celebrations.
### What's Different About Micro Wedding Photography
**More intimate moments**: With fewer guests, we spend more time on couple portraits and family combinations rather than large group management.
**Flexible timeline**: We can take breaks, extend certain portions, or adapt to weather without impacting vendor schedules.
**Guest interaction**: Every guest matters, so we make sure to photograph each person and their connections to you.
**Detail focus**: With smaller guest counts, details like place settings, florals, and personal touches become more prominent.
### Coverage Recommendations
For micro weddings, we typically recommend:
Recommended Coverage
- 6-8 hours for full day coverage including getting ready
- 4-6 hours for ceremony and reception only
- Engagement session often more valuable since you have fewer formal portraits during the wedding
- Second photographer optional but helpful for larger micro weddings (35+ guests)
### Unique Photo Opportunities
Micro weddings offer photography opportunities that larger weddings often can't accommodate:
- **Group photos with everyone**: Actually manageable group shots with all guests
- **Individual couple time**: More opportunities for extended couple portraits
- **Guest interactions**: Time to photograph meaningful conversations and connections
- **Detail shots**: More focus on personal touches and decor elements
- **Candid moments**: Less crowd management means more time observing natural interactions
Planning a Micro Wedding in St. Augustine?
We'd love to help document your intimate celebration. With over a decade of experience and 600+ weddings, we understand how to make the most of your special day.
View Wedding Photography
## Best Times of Year for Micro Weddings
St. Augustine's climate affects micro wedding planning differently than traditional weddings, especially for outdoor ceremonies.
Peak Season (October - April)
✓ Perfect weather for outdoor ceremonies
✓ Comfortable for guests of all ages
✓ Reliable conditions for beach weddings
⚠ Higher venue and vendor pricing
⚠ More competition for bookings
⚠ Busier tourist areas
Off-Season (May - September)
✓ Significant cost savings (30-40%)
✓ More vendor availability
✓ Intimate beach settings with fewer crowds
⚠ Afternoon thunderstorms common
⚠ High humidity and heat
⚠ Hurricane season considerations
### Month-by-Month Breakdown
**January-March**: Cool and dry, perfect for outdoor ceremonies. Book early as this is peak wedding season.
**April-May**: Warming up but still comfortable. Great transition season with lower peak pricing.
**June-August**: Hot and humid with daily afternoon storms. Morning ceremonies work best.
**September**: Hurricane season but often beautiful. Significant savings available.
**October-December**: Ideal weather returns. October especially popular for micro weddings.
## Real Micro Wedding Examples
Here are three actual micro weddings we've photographed to show how different approaches work:
### Beach House Celebration - 28 Guests
**Venue**: Vilano Beach rental house
**Timeline**: 2 PM - 10 PM
**Budget**: $12,000 total
This couple rented a large beach house for the weekend, with wedding parties getting ready on separate floors. Ceremony on the beach at 4 PM, cocktails on the deck, dinner catered by a local restaurant, and dancing until late evening.
**What worked well**: The extended timeline let them relax between events. Guests stayed the whole weekend, making it more like a celebration retreat.
**Challenges**: Coordinating bathroom space with 28 people and managing beach permit timing.
### Historic Venue Elegance - 45 Guests
**Venue**: Lightner Museum
**Timeline**: 4 PM - 10 PM
**Budget**: $14,500 total
Indoor ceremony in the courtyard with reception in Café Alcazar. Professional catering, live music trio, and full florals created an elegant intimate atmosphere.
**What worked well**: Built-in elegance of the venue meant minimal decoration needed. Professional coordination handled all logistics.
**Challenges**: Higher per-person costs but worth it for the stress-free planning and prestigious location.
### Backyard Garden Party - 22 Guests
**Venue**: Private St. Augustine home
**Timeline**: 3 PM - 9 PM
**Budget**: $8,500 total
Family backyard transformed with string lights, rented furniture, and local catering. Ceremony under century-old oak trees, reception on the patio.
**What worked well**: Most personal and budget-friendly option. Family involvement made it extra meaningful.
**Challenges**: Weather backup plan and coordinating multiple vendors at residential property.
Key Takeaway
Each approach worked because the couple chose what matched their priorities—whether that was location flexibility, elegant atmosphere, or personal intimacy. There's no single "right" way to do a micro wedding in St. Augustine.
## Next Steps: Planning Your Micro Wedding
Ready to start planning your micro wedding in St. Augustine? Here's your action plan:
### 6-8 Months Before
- Define your guest list (this determines everything else)
- Set your budget and priorities
- Book venue and key vendors (photographer, caterer)
- Apply for beach permits if needed
### 3-4 Months Before
- Finalize menu and catering details
- Order flowers and decorations
- Confirm timeline with all vendors
- Send invitations (micro weddings often use more casual invite styles)
### 1 Month Before
- Confirm guest count with caterer
- Review timeline and logistics with photographer
- Prepare any DIY elements
- Check weather and have backup plans ready
View our micro wedding photography options and pricing
Complete guide to ceremony and reception locations
If you decide on a smaller celebration with just immediate family
Micro weddings in St. Augustine offer the perfect balance of intimate celebration and traditional wedding elements. With the right planning and local knowledge, your micro wedding can be every bit as magical as a larger celebration—often more so, because you'll actually have time to enjoy it with the people who matter most.
