Beach & Oceanfront

Embassy Suites St. Augustine Beach Wedding Photography Guide

A photographer's guide to St. Augustine's premier oceanfront resort wedding venue

About Embassy Suites St. Augustine Beach

Embassy Suites St. Augustine Beach is a full-service oceanfront resort offering the quintessential Florida beach wedding experience. Located directly on the Atlantic Ocean, the resort provides multiple ceremony locations, from barefoot beach ceremonies to elegant lawn settings with ocean views.

The property features modern resort amenities, spacious suites for getting ready, and dedicated event spaces that can accommodate intimate gatherings to larger celebrations. The combination of beach access, professional event coordination, and comfortable guest accommodations makes this a popular choice for destination weddings.

Having photographed over 35 weddings at Embassy Suites, we've learned to work with the ocean light, the beach environment, and the resort's many photo opportunities to create images that capture the relaxed elegance of a St. Augustine beach wedding.

Why We Love Photographing at Embassy Suites Beach

There's something magical about the ocean as a wedding backdrop. The endless horizon, the sound of waves, the natural movement of water and sky—it creates images with a sense of timelessness and romance that indoor venues simply can't match.

What makes Embassy Suites particularly great for photography is the variety. Within minutes, we can capture formal portraits on the manicured lawn, romantic beach shots in the dunes, candid moments by the pool, and elegant indoor images. This versatility means your wedding album tells a complete story.

The resort's east-facing beach also works in our favor. While mornings offer gorgeous soft light, late afternoon and sunset provide that warm, golden quality that makes couples glow. We've captured some of our most breathtaking sunset portraits here.

Best Photo Locations at Embassy Suites Beach

The oceanfront setting provides endless photo opportunities. Here are our favorite spots:

The Beach Ceremony Site

Toes-in-the-sand ceremonies with the Atlantic as your backdrop. The morning light here is soft and flattering; sunset ceremonies offer dramatic golden hour opportunities.

The Oceanfront Lawn

Manicured lawn overlooking the beach, perfect for ceremonies when you want the ocean view without the sand. Beautiful at any time of day.

The Pool Deck

Tropical resort vibes with palm trees and ocean views. Great for cocktail hour coverage and candid guest moments.

Beach Dunes

Sea oats and dunes create natural, romantic backdrops for couple portraits. We love the texture and movement they add to images.

The Pier & Boardwalk

Architectural elements against the ocean provide variety from pure beach shots. Beautiful during blue hour when lights come on.

Resort Interiors

Elegant lobby and event spaces offer backup locations and variety. The bridal suite has excellent natural light for getting-ready photos.

Sample Wedding Day Timeline at Embassy Suites

Beach wedding timelines require careful planning around sun position and tides. Here's a timeline optimized for late afternoon ceremonies:

2:00 PM

Suite Access

Getting ready in the oceanview suite with natural light and space for the wedding party.

4:00 PM

First Look

Private first look on the beach or oceanfront lawn, timed before guests arrive.

4:30 PM

Wedding Party Photos

Beach and resort portraits while the light is still soft and workable.

5:00 PM

Family Portraits

Efficient family photos on the lawn or beach before ceremony.

5:30 PM

Ceremony

Beach or lawn ceremony as the afternoon light begins to soften.

6:00 PM

Cocktail Hour

Guests enjoy the pool deck while we capture sunset portraits on the beach.

7:00 PM

Reception

Indoor reception with ocean views, dancing, and celebration.

Photography Tips for Embassy Suites Beach

After photographing dozens of beach weddings here, these are our top recommendations:

Time Around the Tides

Check tide charts when planning your timeline. Low tide provides more beach space for ceremonies and portraits; high tide can limit usable beach area.

Embrace the Wind

Beach weddings mean wind. We recommend flowy dresses that move beautifully, and consider hairstyles that work with rather than against the breeze.

Golden Hour is Everything

The east-facing beach means soft morning light but harsh midday sun. Schedule ceremonies for late afternoon when the sun is behind you and light is flattering.