Serenata Beach Club Wedding Photography Guide
A photographer's guide to this private oceanfront beach club
We've visited Serenata Beach 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 Serenata Beach Club
Serenata Beach Club
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Serenata Beach Club, now known as South Ponte Vedra Ocean Club, is a private oceanfront venue in Ponte Vedra Beach, just minutes from St. Augustine. This exclusive beach club offers couples a rare combination: the romance of a beach wedding with the sophistication of an all-inclusive venue.
The venue's greatest asset is its private beach access. Unlike public beach venues where you're competing with beachgoers and other events, Serenata gives you exclusive use of a secluded stretch of Atlantic coastline. This privacy extends to over 3,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space overlooking the ocean.
What sets Serenata apart is the all-inclusive approach. With an on-site chef, professional event staff, and both indoor and outdoor spaces, the venue handles the logistics so you can focus on celebrating. The result is a refined beachfront experience that feels effortless.
Why We Love Photographing at Serenata Beach Club
The private beach access is the single biggest advantage here. At public beach venues, we spend energy working around tourists, other photographers, and random beachgoers. At Serenata, the beach is ours. We can take our time with portraits, set up compositions without someone walking through the frame, and let the couple actually enjoy the moment instead of hurrying through it.
The light on this stretch of coastline is consistently good. The east-facing beach means we get beautiful soft light in the afternoon, and as the sun moves behind us, the sky over the ocean takes on incredible color. The wide, uncrowded beach gives us room to use the full landscape in our compositions, from close-up portraits to wide shots with dramatic ocean and sky.
We also like the indoor-outdoor flow of the venue. The oceanfront terrace works well for cocktail hour coverage with the Atlantic in the background, and the ballroom gives us a polished interior setting for reception details. Having both options means we can deliver a wedding album that tells a complete story, not just beach photos.
Best Photo Locations
Serenata Beach Club offers stunning photo opportunities throughout the property:
Private Beach Access
Exclusive beach access for ceremonies and portraits. Secluded oceanfront setting with soft sand and ocean views, perfect for barefoot beach ceremonies and sunset portraits.
Oceanfront Terrace
Over 3,000 square feet of event space with panoramic ocean views. Beautiful for cocktail hour portraits with the Atlantic as your backdrop.
Indoor Ballroom
Elegant indoor space with ocean views, providing a sophisticated weather backup option and beautiful interior reception setting.
Beachfront Boardwalk
Covered walkway to the beach offering natural framing for portraits and a transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Sunset Beach Portraits
The private beach location offers stunning golden hour opportunities without crowds, ideal for romantic couple portraits at sunset.
Planning Your Timeline at Serenata Beach 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.
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 making the most of this oceanfront venue:
Plan for Golden Hour
The private beach access is a huge advantage for photographers. Schedule ceremony and portraits during the hour before sunset for the best natural light without competing with public beach crowds.
Use the Exclusive Access
Unlike public beaches, Serenata offers private beach access. Take full advantage of this by building extra time into your timeline for relaxed beach portraits without interruptions.
Consider the Weather Backup
Beach weather can be unpredictable. The indoor ballroom with ocean views provides an elegant plan B that still feels connected to the waterfront setting.
Embrace the All-Inclusive Advantage
With on-site catering and professional staff, you can focus on your celebration while the venue handles logistics. This creates a more relaxed atmosphere that translates to natural, authentic photos.
Serenata Beach Club Wedding FAQ
Common questions about weddings at Serenata Beach Club
Serenata Beach Club (now South Ponte Vedra Ocean Club) is a premium all-inclusive oceanfront venue. Pricing varies by season, guest count, and menu selections. Contact the venue through their website for current packages. The all-inclusive approach means catering, staff, and event space are bundled. For photography pricing, check our packages page.
Serenata Beach Club (now South Ponte Vedra Ocean Club) hosts both member and non-member weddings. The venue offers one wedding per day, giving you exclusive use of the space and private beach access.
The venue comfortably accommodates 50 to 160 guests for a seated event. The oceanfront terrace offers over 3,000 square feet of outdoor event space, and the indoor ballroom provides an elegant alternative or weather backup. Both intimate gatherings and larger celebrations work well here.
The indoor ballroom with ocean views serves as a weather backup, so you can have peace of mind while still enjoying the oceanfront atmosphere. The all-inclusive staff handles the transition if plans need to shift. Many couples find the indoor option just as beautiful as the outdoor spaces.
Real Weddings Here
Browse galleries from weddings we've photographed at this location
