Castle Ottis Wedding Photography Guide
A photographer's insider guide to St. Augustine's hand-built castle by the sea
About Castle Ottis
Castle Ottis
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A Castle Ottis wedding (also known as Castillo Ottis) is unlike anything else in St. Augustine—a ceremony in an actual hand-built castle created by Rusty Ickes, located on A1A right next to the beach. This isn't a themed venue or a replica—it's a real castle with old-world wooden doors, stunning architecture, and authentic details that transport you to another time and place.
The venue is perfect for intimate elopements and small weddings of 2-30 guests. The family-run nature means you get personalized attention and a truly special experience. From the massive wooden doors to the rooftop with sweeping sky views, every corner of this castle offers incredible photo opportunities.
We're on the venue list at Castle Ottis and absolutely love working here. The combination of historic architecture, beach proximity, and intimate scale creates something you won't find anywhere else in St. Augustine.
Why We Love Photographing at Castle Ottis
This venue holds a special place in our hearts. The moment you step inside the castle, you feel transported—the light streaming through the windows, the texture of the stone walls, the scale of those massive wooden doors. It's the kind of place that makes our job as photographers almost effortless because the beauty is built right in.
The rooftop views are absolutely stunning, especially during golden hour. We can capture portraits with dramatic skies, soft light, and a sense of romance that feels straight out of a storybook. And because the venue is on A1A next to the beach, we can combine castle architecture with coastal beauty in a single session.
But what really makes Castle Ottis special is the intimacy. Every couple who has celebrated here with us has loved every minute. The small scale keeps things personal, the family-run vibe makes you feel welcome, and the uniqueness means your wedding won't look like anyone else's.
Best Photo Locations at Castle Ottis
The castle offers incredible variety despite its intimate size. Here are our favorite spots:
The Giant Wooden Doors
Our absolute favorite spot—standing in front of the castle with those massive old-world wooden doors behind you. The scale and texture create instant drama and transport you to another era. Perfect for couple portraits and ceremony backdrops.
The Rooftop Views
The castle's rooftop is stunning. You get sweeping views of the sky and surrounding landscape—incredible for golden hour portraits and sunset shots. It's one of those spots that makes couples feel like they're in a fairytale.
Interior Spaces
The inside of the castle is breathtaking—the way light streams through the windows creates magical photo opportunities. You truly feel transported to another time and place. Perfect for intimate ceremony moments and getting ready photos.
Beach Access
The location on A1A right next to the beach means you can step out for oceanfront portraits. Combine castle architecture with coastal beauty in a single session.
Planning Your Timeline at Castle Ottis
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 Castle Ottis
The castle structure catches beautiful light throughout the day. Late afternoon creates dramatic shadows on the stonework.
Time for Photos
We recommend 45-60 minutes for portraits at Castle Ottis, covering the castle exterior, chapel, grounds, and marsh views.
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
- Music curfew at Varies
- Unique venue—coordinate access with owners
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 Castle Ottis
After photographing multiple elopements and intimate weddings here, these are our top recommendations:
Coordinate Photo Plans Ahead of Time
Castle Ottis is family-run and has specific rules for photography. Let us know what you're envisioning for photos and we'll clear everything with the family ahead of time to ensure smooth sailing on your day.
Early Morning or Late Afternoon
The light inside the castle is most dramatic during these times—you get beautiful streams of natural light creating depth and atmosphere. Golden hour on the rooftop is absolutely magical.
Consider the Seasons
The castle stays cool in winter months and while it's warm in summer, the beach location keeps things more comfortable than inland venues. Plan your ceremony time around heat if you're doing a summer elopement.
Embrace the Intimate Scale
This venue is perfect for 2-30 guests. Don't try to fit more—the magic is in the intimacy. Every single one of our couples who's celebrated here has loved every minute because of how personal it feels.
Castle Ottis Wedding Photos
Here's a glimpse of celebrations we've photographed at this stunning venue:
Castle Ottis Wedding FAQ
Common questions about elopements and weddings at Castle Ottis
Castle Ottis is a unique, family-run venue with pricing that varies based on your needs, guest count, and date. Because it's a hand-built castle (yes, actually built by hand!), it's perfect for intimate celebrations of 2-30 guests. Contact the venue directly for current packages and availability.
Castle Ottis is designed for intimate celebrations—anywhere from just 2 people for an elopement up to about 30 guests maximum. This isn't a large wedding venue, and that's what makes it special. The intimate scale means every guest feels included and the day stays personal.
While the castle is located on A1A right next to the beach, the signature ceremony location is in front of the massive wooden doors or inside the castle itself. You can absolutely step out to the beach for portraits—combining castle architecture with oceanfront views makes for stunning variety in your gallery.
Castle Ottis (also spelled Castillo Ottis) is an actual hand-built castle created by Rusty Ickes. It's not a replica or themed venue—it's the real deal. The old-world architecture, massive wooden doors, and authentic details make it feel like you've been transported to Europe. It's one of St. Augustine's most unique wedding venues.
Because it's a family-run venue, there are specific rules for photography. This isn't a problem—we just need to know what you're envisioning ahead of time so we can coordinate with the family. We're on the venue list there and have great relationships with them. Just let us know your ideas and we'll make sure everything is cleared.
Early morning and late afternoon are absolutely stunning. The way natural light streams into the castle during these times is breathtaking—it creates beautiful depth and atmosphere. The rooftop at golden hour is magical for sunset portraits. Summer days can be warm, but the beach location keeps it cooler than inland venues.
Castle Ottis excels at intimate celebrations. It's perfect for elopements (just the two of you) and small weddings up to 30 guests. If you're planning a larger celebration, this probably isn't the right fit. But if you want something intimate, unique, and absolutely magical, you'll love it here.
Real Weddings at Castle Ottis
Browse galleries from weddings we've photographed at this beautiful venue
