Celebration Hall Wedding Photography Guide
A photographer's guide to this spacious venue on Anastasia Island
We've visited Celebration Hall and love what it offers — we're looking forward to photographing our first event here. In the meantime, here's everything you need to know to plan your wedding day.
About Celebration Hall
Celebration Hall
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Celebration Hall is a 22,000-square-foot event property located on Anastasia Island, just south of downtown St. Augustine. Part of the St. Anastasia Catholic Church campus, the building features Spanish colonial architecture with colonnades, gardens, and scenic ponds that create a beautiful setting for weddings and receptions.
The main hall features cascading ceilings and full-length windows that open to views of the landscaped ponds, creating a seamless connection between the indoor and open-air spaces. With capacity for up to 300 guests, this is one of St. Augustine's larger wedding locations—ideal for couples who want a spacious setting with both indoor and outdoor options.
What sets this place apart is the combination of flexible space and convenient amenities. The facility includes a professional kitchen for caterers, a performance stage with state-of-the-art sound system, and 400 parking spaces—a rare luxury in the St. Augustine area. Whether you envision an outdoor ceremony by the ponds or an elegant indoor celebration, the space adapts to your vision.
Why We Love Photographing Here
The ponds are what make this venue stand out for photography. Water reflections at golden hour double the color in every image, and the surrounding landscaping gives us layered compositions with real depth. We time couple portraits around sunset here because the results are consistently strong.
The full-length windows in the main hall create a connection between indoors and outdoors that works in our favor. During receptions, we can capture guests with the pond views visible through the glass, and natural light fills the space longer into the evening than most ballrooms. The Spanish colonial colonnades add structure and leading lines to portraits without needing to leave the property.
For larger weddings, the sheer space is an advantage. We can work at a distance for wide-angle shots that show the full scope of the celebration, or move in close for candid moments without feeling like we're crowding anyone. The grounds give us room to create variety, from formal architectural portraits by the colonnades to relaxed walks through the gardens.
Best Photo Locations
This property offers varied photo opportunities both indoors and outdoors:
Scenic Ponds & Gardens
The venue features beautiful ponds surrounded by landscaping and gardens—perfect for outdoor ceremony setups and romantic couple portraits during golden hour.
Main Hall with Full-Length Windows
The spacious main hall features cascading ceilings and full-length windows that open to views of the scenic ponds, providing excellent natural light for indoor ceremonies and receptions.
Spanish Colonial Architecture
The building's Spanish colonial design includes colonnades and architectural details that photograph beautifully as backdrops for portraits.
Courtyard & Colonnade
The colonnaded walkways and courtyard areas offer covered outdoor spaces ideal for cocktail hour portraits and weather backup.
Performance Stage Area
The professional stage with state-of-the-art lighting can serve as a dramatic ceremony backdrop or provide excellent lighting for reception events.
Planning Your Timeline at Celebration Hall
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 Celebration Hall
The ponds and gardens offer excellent natural light during golden hour. The Spanish colonial architecture and windows provide beautiful backdrops throughout the day.
Time for Photos
We recommend 45-60 minutes for portraits at Celebration Hall, covering the scenic ponds, gardens, colonnade, courtyard, and main hall.
Want more variety? Nearby options:
- St. Augustine Beach — 5 minutes by car walk, add 20-30 minutes
- Anastasia State Park — 8 minutes by car walk, add 30 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
Close to the beach for off-season portraits without the summer crowds.
Venue Timing Notes
- Check with venue on music curfew
- Outdoor ceremony requires weather backup plan
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
Our recommendations for getting beautiful photos at this location:
Plan for the Ponds
The scenic ponds are a standout feature. Schedule cocktail hour during golden hour so we can capture couples portraits with the water and landscaping in beautiful warm light.
Utilize the Windows
The full-length windows that open to the ponds create a seamless indoor-outdoor feel. These work beautifully for both ceremony backdrops and reception ambiance.
Flexible Space Planning
With both outdoor gardens and a spacious indoor hall, you have flexibility for weather. The venue can accommodate ceremony and reception in multiple configurations.
Parking Advantage
With 400 parking spaces on-site, your guests won't struggle to find parking—a rare luxury in the St. Augustine area that reduces stress on your wedding day.
Bring Your Vision
As a bring-your-own catering and decor venue, you have creative freedom to personalize the space. The neutral Spanish colonial architecture works with any style.
Wedding FAQ
Common questions about getting married here
Contact Celebration Hall directly for current rental rates and kitchen facility fees. Pricing varies by season, day of week, and guest count. As a bring-your-own venue, you'll have control over your catering and bar costs, which can provide budget flexibility compared to all-inclusive venues.
Celebration Hall can accommodate up to 300 guests for seated events. The 22,000-square-foot facility includes a spacious main hall that can be configured for ceremonies, receptions, or both. Tables and chairs are included with your rental.
Yes! The venue features scenic ponds surrounded by gardens and landscaping that work beautifully for outdoor ceremonies. The Spanish colonial architecture and colonnade provide a stunning backdrop. The spacious indoor hall serves as an excellent weather backup option.
Yes—one of Celebration Hall's standout features is the 400-space parking lot on-site. This is a rare amenity in the St. Augustine area and means your guests won't struggle to find parking, even for large weddings.
Yes, Celebration Hall operates as a bring-your-own catering venue. A professional kitchen is available for your caterers to use. You'll need to coordinate kitchen facility fees with the venue. This flexibility allows you to choose caterers that fit your budget and menu preferences.
Celebration Hall combines spacious indoor facilities with beautiful outdoor gardens and ponds—offering flexibility for various weather conditions and event styles. The Spanish colonial architecture with colonnades and full-length windows creates an elegant atmosphere, while the 400-space parking lot and professional kitchen facilities make logistics easier for large weddings.
Real Weddings Here
Browse galleries from weddings we've photographed at this location
