The Conch House Marina Resort Wedding Photography Guide
A photographer's guide to The Conch House
A photographer's guide to The Conch House
Waterfront Tiki Vibes Meet St. Augustine Charm
The Conch House is one of those venues that instantly transports you somewhere else—even though you're just a mile south of downtown St. Augustine on Anastasia Island. The moment you pull into the marina parking lot and see the thatched tiki roofs, colorful flags, and boats bobbing in the Intracoastal, you know you're in for a laid-back, tropical celebration.
We've photographed several weddings and receptions here (including Gabrielle and Dylan's reception), and every single time, we're reminded why couples love this spot. It's not trying to be fancy or formal—it's authentic Florida coastal living. The kind of place where you can have a heartfelt waterfront ceremony at sunset, dance barefoot under string lights, and toast with rum cocktails while pelicans fly overhead.
From a photographer's perspective, The Conch House gives us everything we need: stunning natural light at golden hour, unique tropical details, water reflections on the dock, and that effortlessly fun atmosphere that makes candid moments shine. Plus, the venue's signature Party Barge—a tiki platform 280 feet out on the water—is unlike anything else in St. Augustine.
The Conch House Marina Resort
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Best Photo Spots at The Conch House
The Conch House has no shortage of character and gorgeous backdrops. Here are the spots we return to again and again:
The Marina Dock
This is hands down our favorite spot at The Conch House. The wooden dock extends out over the Intracoastal Waterway, giving you stunning water reflections and boat-filled marina views. At sunset, the golden light hits the water perfectly, creating that dreamy glow behind couples. The dock is long enough to get some distance and compression with a telephoto lens, or shoot wide to capture the whole waterfront scene. Watch for pelicans and dolphins—they often make appearances during portraits!
The Party Barge
The Conch House's most unique feature is the Party Barge, a tiki-style platform 280 feet out on the Intracoastal. If your couple rents this space for cocktail hour or reception, you'll get incredible 360-degree water views and that authentic island vibe. The lighting can be tricky later in the evening, so bring your fastest lenses or plan portraits during the golden hour before guests arrive. The barge sways slightly with the water—it's subtle but adds to the tropical feel.
Everglades Dining Patio
The outdoor patio has that classic Florida tiki aesthetic with thatched roofs, tropical plants, and colorful decor. It's partially covered, which helps with harsh midday sun if you're shooting a daytime event. The mix of string lights, palm trees, and Caribbean-colored accents creates a fun, festive backdrop for reception candids. The patio flows right into the marina views, so you can capture both the venue atmosphere and waterfront scenery in the same frame.
Interior Dining Rooms
When you step inside The Conch House, it's pure island escape—think driftwood, nautical decor, and that laid-back beach bar vibe. The lighting is warm and ambient, which works beautifully for documentary-style reception photos. There's plenty of character in the details:船oars on the walls, vintage fishing gear, colorful bottles behind the bar. If weather turns, the indoor spaces still feel open and breezy, not cramped. The bar area also makes a great spot for candid toasts and cocktail hour mingling shots.
Waterfront Ceremony Site
Many couples set up their ceremony right on the waterfront lawn with the Intracoastal as the backdrop. The natural setting is gorgeous and doesn't need much decoration—the water and boats do all the work. Position yourself to shoot with the water behind the couple during the ceremony, then flip around for reverse angles during the recessional. Timing is everything here: late afternoon ceremonies get that perfect golden light, while midday can be harsh (bring a diffuser or plan for shade).
Marina Walkways
The walkways between the restaurant and the marina are lined with boats, tropical landscaping, and weathered wood details. These paths make excellent transition shots—couples walking hand-in-hand between ceremony and reception, bridal party laughing together, flower girls running ahead. The textures (rope, wood, water) and colors (blue sky, green palms, white boats) create a quintessentially Florida coastal aesthetic. Early morning or late afternoon light makes these casual portraits glow.
Weddings at The Conch House Marina Resort
Real weddings we've photographed at this beautiful venue.
View Recent Weddings
Planning Your Timeline at The Conch House Marina Resort
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 The Conch House Marina Resort
Waterfront marina setting with dock and restaurant spaces. Sunset over the marsh creates stunning backlit images.
Time for Photos
We recommend 45-60 minutes for portraits at The Conch House Marina Resort, covering the dock, waterfront deck, and marina 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 10pm
- Working marina—coordinate with venue for photo access
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 TimelinePhotographer Tips for The Conch House
After shooting multiple events here, these are the insights that'll help you make the most of this waterfront venue:
Sunset Timing is Everything
The Conch House is all about that waterfront golden hour. Check sunset time for the wedding date and plan your timeline backward from there. You want ceremony around 5pm and couple portraits immediately after to catch peak light on the dock. If the couple insists on an earlier ceremony, make sure they understand they'll miss the best light—or plan a 'sunset portrait session' later in the evening.
Bring Your Light & Fast Glass
While daytime light is gorgeous, once the sun sets and reception moves indoors or to the covered patio, you'll need to bump up your ISO. The ambient lighting is warm and flattering but not super bright. I typically shoot with f/1.8 or f/2.8 lenses and ISOs around 3200-6400 for evening dancing. Also pack an off-camera flash or LED panel for backup—the Party Barge especially can get dim once it's dark out.
Scout the Dock Before Ceremony
The marina dock is a public-ish area (it's part of the venue but not completely private), so you might have boats coming in and out or marina guests walking by. This is usually not an issue, but it's good to know. Also check the wind—Anastasia Island gets breezy, especially in late afternoon. Warn brides about veil and hair management, and be ready to embrace the movement in your shots. Flowing veils in the waterfront breeze actually make for gorgeous, romantic images.
Embrace the Casual Vibe
This isn't a formal ballroom venue—it's a laid-back tiki restaurant with serious tropical charm. Couples who choose The Conch House want that relaxed, beachy Florida feel. Lean into it with your shooting style: capture candid laughter, bare feet on the dock, sunset toasts with cocktails in hand, guests dancing under string lights. The less posed and more documentary you go, the better you'll capture the authentic energy of a Conch House wedding.
Watch for Wildlife Photobombs
Dolphins, pelicans, and manatees are regular visitors to the marina. Keep one eye on the water during portraits—if dolphins swim by, pause everything and capture the moment. I've had couples spot manatees during their ceremony and pelicans land on dock posts during first looks. These unplanned moments make for incredible storytelling images and memories couples treasure forever.
Coordinate with the Restaurant
The Conch House is a working restaurant and marina resort, not just a wedding venue. Communicate with the event coordinator about where you can and can't shoot, and be respectful of other diners if the restaurant is open during your event. Most events rent out specific areas (patio, Party Barge, private dining rooms), but it's good to clarify boundaries. Also ask about vendor meals—the food here is genuinely delicious, and you'll want to try the conch fritters.
Real Weddings at The Conch House
Check out Gabrielle and Dylan's wedding—they had their ceremony at St. Cyprian's Church and brought everyone to The Conch House for a waterfront reception. The combination of the historic church ceremony and laid-back tiki reception perfectly captured their style and St. Augustine's unique charm.
More gallery images coming soon as we photograph additional weddings at this venue.
What Makes The Conch House Special
If your couple is looking for a venue that feels like a mini tropical vacation, The Conch House is it. It's perfect for couples who want their wedding to feel more like a celebration with friends than a formal affair—think conch fritters instead of chicken cordon bleu, sunset dock photos instead of country club gardens, and reggae beats under the stars.
The venue works especially well for:
- Sunset ceremonies with the Intracoastal Waterway as your backdrop
- Intimate to mid-sized celebrations (20-150 guests feel right at home here)
- Couples who love the water—boaters can literally arrive by boat to their own wedding
- Destination weddings where out-of-town guests want that "Florida experience"
- Relaxed, fun-loving personalities who value vibe over formality
The on-site accommodations (charming marina resort rooms) make it easy for couples to get ready on location and have that lazy, no-rush morning. The restaurant's award-winning seafood means your guests will genuinely enjoy the food—not just tolerate standard banquet fare. And the Party Barge? That's the kind of unique detail guests will still be talking about years later.
Planning a Conch House Wedding?
If you're considering The Conch House for your St. Augustine wedding, here's what to know:
- Book early—sunset weekends fill up fast, especially in spring and fall
- Visit at the time of day you're planning your event to see the light and vibe
- Consider the Party Barge for cocktail hour or ceremony—it's unforgettable
- Work with their event coordinator on timeline to maximize golden hour
- Have a weather backup plan, though the covered patio and indoor spaces work beautifully
- Lean into the tropical theme—this venue shines when you embrace the island aesthetic
For more details on availability, pricing, and packages, visit The Conch House website or reach out to their banquet team directly.
Real Weddings at The Conch House Marina Resort
Browse galleries from weddings we've photographed at this beautiful venue
