Casa Monica Resort & Spa Wedding Photography Guide
A photographer's guide to St. Augustine's most iconic luxury hotel wedding venue
About Casa Monica Resort & Spa
Casa Monica Resort & Spa
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Casa Monica Resort & Spa is one of St. Augustine's most iconic hotels, originally built in 1888 as the Cordova Hotel. The Moorish Revival architecture, with its distinctive towers and ornate details, makes it an instantly recognizable landmark in the historic district.
The hotel offers wedding ceremonies and receptions in its elegant ballroom spaces, featuring stunning Moorish architectural details, ornate chandeliers, and refined décor. As a full-service luxury resort, Casa Monica provides comprehensive wedding services along with convenient guest accommodations.
We've photographed numerous weddings at Casa Monica and never tire of capturing the hotel's unique character. The Moorish design creates a sense of exotic elegance unlike any other venue in the region.
Why We Love Photographing at Casa Monica
Casa Monica offers a visual richness that translates beautifully into photographs. The Moorish architecture, with its arched doorways, ornate tiles, and exotic details, provides backdrops with instant character and elegance.
The grand lobby is particularly wonderful for portraits. The high ceilings, rich colors, and dramatic Moorish design elements create a sense of exotic luxury that photographs beautifully. The rooftop terrace offers sweeping views of the historic district.
We also appreciate the hotel's location in the heart of the historic district. With Flagler College's stunning Ponce de León Hall just across the street, we can incorporate multiple architectural landmarks into portrait sessions without traveling far.
Best Photo Locations at Casa Monica
The hotel's historic character offers exceptional photo opportunities. Here are our favorites:
The Rooftop Terrace
The rooftop offers panoramic views of St. Augustine's historic district and skyline. Perfect for sunset portraits with the city as your backdrop.
The Grand Lobby
Opulent lobby with dramatic architecture, rich colors, and elegant details. The Moorish design creates a sense of exotic luxury.
The Exterior Facade
The iconic Moorish Revival architecture is stunning at dusk when warm light illuminates the ornate towers and details.
The Staircase
Elegant interior staircase perfect for bridal portraits and dramatic entrances.
Sultan's Suite
The penthouse suite offers rooftop views and luxurious surroundings for getting-ready photos.
Nearby Historic District
Steps from Flagler College and the Lightner Museum, we can incorporate additional historic architecture into portraits.
Planning Your Timeline at Casa Monica Resort & Spa
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 Casa Monica Resort & Spa
The Spanish-Moorish architecture creates dramatic shadows and warm tones, especially in late afternoon light. The grand interiors and rooftop views photograph beautifully.
Time for Photos
We recommend 45-60 minutes for portraits at Casa Monica Resort & Spa, covering the grand lobby, staircase, rooftop terrace, and exterior architecture.
Want more variety? Nearby options:
- Flagler College — 2 minutes walk, add 15-20 minutes
- Plaza de la Constitución — 3 minutes walk, add 10 minutes
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.
Winter & Nights of Lights
Adjacent to Nights of Lights epicenter—stunning evening photo opportunities.
Venue Timing Notes
- Music curfew at 11pm
- Hotel venue—coordinate with event staff for access
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 TimelinePhotography Tips for Casa Monica
Based on our experience at this luxury hotel, these are our top recommendations:
Exterior Photos at Dusk
Casa Monica's facade is most photogenic when illuminated at dusk. Build time for exterior portraits as the sun sets and lights come on.
Use the Grand Lobby's Natural Light
The grand lobby's high ceilings and large windows provide beautiful, diffused natural light for portraits. The Moorish architectural details add rich visual interest to every frame.
Coordinate with Hotel Events
As a full-service hotel, there may be other guests and events. Work with your coordinator to plan portrait timing for optimal privacy.
Explore Nearby Locations
Flagler College's stunning architecture is just across the street. With time, we can incorporate these additional historic backdrops into your portrait session.
Casa Monica Wedding FAQ
Common questions about weddings at Casa Monica Resort
Casa Monica is a luxury venue with pricing to match. Wedding packages typically start around $15,000-$20,000 for smaller celebrations and can exceed $50,000 for larger events with full catering and premium options. This includes venue rental, catering, and basic event coordination. Room blocks and upgrades are additional.
Casa Monica offers elegant indoor ceremony spaces in their ballrooms, featuring Moorish architectural details, ornate chandeliers, and refined décor. The hotel's grand interiors create a luxurious atmosphere for your ceremony. For couples seeking outdoor options, the nearby Lightner Museum courtyard (managed separately) is just across the street.
Yes, Casa Monica handles all food and beverage in-house through their catering team. This is standard for luxury hotel venues. The upside is seamless coordination between venue and catering—they know their spaces and timing intimately.
Absolutely! As a full-service resort, Casa Monica offers guest room blocks at discounted rates. Having everyone stay on-site eliminates transportation logistics and creates a true destination wedding experience. The hotel has about 138 rooms across various suite types.
Yes, we have full access to photograph throughout the hotel including the lobby, staircases, rooftop terrace, and exterior. The only restrictions are active guest areas and private suites (unless booked by your party). The hotel staff is very accommodating with photography needs.
Casa Monica offers valet parking for wedding guests—the most convenient option for a downtown venue. Self-parking is available in the hotel's garage for hotel guests. For non-staying guests, the St. Augustine Parking Garage on St. George Street is about a 3-minute walk. Many couples book a room block so guests can simply walk from their rooms to the event.
Real Weddings at Casa Monica Resort & Spa
Browse galleries from weddings we've photographed at this beautiful venue
