Palencia Club Wedding Photography Guide
A photographer's guide to this elegant golf club wedding venue
We've visited Palencia Club 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 Palencia Club
Palencia Club
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Palencia Club is an elegant country club wedding venue located in the prestigious Palencia community just north of St. Augustine. The venue features a magnificent 33,000 square foot Mediterranean-style clubhouse, Arthur Hills Championship Golf Course, and scenic lake views that create a refined setting for wedding celebrations.
The club offers multiple ceremony and reception options, from the dedicated Wedding Green and Palm Courtyard overlooking the golf course, to the grand Reinosa Ballroom with its panoramic views and private balconies. The combination of manicured grounds, lakefront vistas, and country club sophistication appeals to couples seeking classic elegance.
Palencia Club's in-house culinary team handles all catering with customized menus tailored to each couple's preferences. The venue's full-service approach and experienced event staff ensure a polished, professional wedding day.
Why We Love Photographing at Palencia Club
Golf course venues can sometimes feel generic, but Palencia Club has a character of its own. The Mediterranean architecture gives the building real visual weight, and the way the clubhouse sits above the lake and fairways means we're working with layered compositions instead of flat backgrounds. There's depth in every direction we point our cameras.
The light here is outstanding. The open landscape of the golf course means unobstructed golden hour, and the lake catches that light and throws it back in ways that make couple portraits glow. We especially like the ballroom balconies during that last hour before sunset, when we can pull the couple away for a few minutes and get portraits with the entire golf course spread out below them.
We also appreciate the practical side of Palencia. Everything is on-site, the staff runs a tight ship, and the private grounds mean we can work without interruptions. It lets us focus on what matters: making great images for our couples.
Best Photo Locations at Palencia Club
Palencia Club offers diverse photo opportunities throughout the property:
The Wedding Green
Dedicated outdoor ceremony space overlooking the lake and Arthur Hills Championship Golf Course. This manicured lawn provides a classic country club setting with sweeping views.
Palm Courtyard
Intimate courtyard ceremony option with tropical landscaping, overlooking the scenic lake and golf course fairways.
Reinosa Ballroom
Elegant 33,000 sq ft Mediterranean-style reception space with panoramic views of the lake and golf course. Features two private balconies for outdoor portraits.
Golf Course Grounds
Manicured fairways and greens provide classic golf course wedding backdrops. Best photographed during golden hour for dramatic landscape shots.
Lakefront Views
Multiple vantage points overlook the scenic lake, offering romantic sunset photo opportunities and reflective water elements.
Mediterranean Clubhouse Exterior
The three-story Mediterranean-style architecture provides elegant building portraits and architectural details for formal couple shots.
Planning Your Timeline at Palencia Club
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 Palencia Club
The golf course and lake views are spectacular during golden hour. West-facing ceremony sites catch beautiful sunset light.
Time for Photos
We recommend 45-60 minutes for portraits at Palencia Club, covering the golf course grounds, Wedding Green, Palm Courtyard, lake overlooks, and ballroom balconies.
Want more variety? Nearby options:
- Palencia Community — 5 minutes by car walk, add 15-20 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
Mild winters make outdoor ceremonies comfortable year-round.
Venue Timing Notes
- Country club setting - appropriate attire recommended
- In-house catering required
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 Palencia Club
Our recommendations for getting the best photos at this country club venue:
Time It for Golden Hour
Schedule your ceremony 1-2 hours before sunset to take advantage of the stunning golf course light. The open fairways and lake views are magical during this time.
Use the Balconies
The Reinosa Ballroom has two private balconies with panoramic views—perfect for couple portraits away from the reception action.
Plan for Golf Course Portraits
Budget extra time for golf course photos. The manicured grounds and lake views create classic country club images worth the investment.
Consider the Season
Florida golf courses stay green year-round, but avoid summer midday heat. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable outdoor conditions.
Palencia Club Wedding FAQ
Common questions about weddings at Palencia Club
Palencia Club is a premium country club venue. Pricing varies based on guest count, menu selections, and season. Contact the venue directly for current packages and pricing. For photography pricing, check our packages page for current options.
The Reinosa Ballroom can accommodate up to 200 guests for a seated dinner and dancing, or up to 180 for cocktail-style receptions. The outdoor Wedding Green and Palm Courtyard can host ceremonies of similar size. Smaller celebrations of 50-100 guests also work beautifully in this elegant setting.
Yes! Palencia Club offers two beautiful outdoor ceremony options: The Wedding Green and the Palm Courtyard, both overlooking the lake and Arthur Hills Championship Golf Course. Indoor ceremonies in the Reinosa Ballroom are also available as a weather backup or primary option.
Yes, Palencia Club provides in-house catering through their acclaimed culinary team. They offer a range of menu options from casual dining to elegant multi-course meals, all prepared on-site.
Yes, Palencia Club provides on-site parking for guests. The country club has ample parking facilities adjacent to the main clubhouse.
The combination of country club elegance, championship golf course views, and lakefront ceremony sites sets Palencia Club apart. The 33,000 sq ft Mediterranean-style clubhouse, panoramic views from the Reinosa Ballroom, and dedicated wedding spaces create a refined atmosphere for celebrations.
Real Weddings Here
Browse galleries from weddings we've photographed at this location
