The Treasury on the Plaza Wedding Photography Guide
A photographer's insider guide to one of St. Augustine's most stunning wedding venues
About The Treasury on the Plaza
The Treasury on the Plaza
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The Treasury on the Plaza is one of St. Augustine's most iconic wedding venues, housed in a stunning 1927 Mediterranean Revival bank building. The venue combines historic grandeur with modern elegance, featuring soaring 30-foot ceilings, original marble floors, ornate bronze details, and massive vault doors that speak to its banking heritage.
Located in the heart of the historic district on Cathedral Place, The Treasury offers both indoor and outdoor ceremony options, with the outdoor plaza providing views of the Cathedral Basilica and surrounding Spanish colonial architecture. The Grand Lobby serves as the primary reception space, transforming into a romantic setting with dramatic lighting and timeless character.
We've had the privilege of photographing at The Treasury many times and know this venue well—the best angles, optimal timing for light, and quiet corners that make for stunning portraits.
Why We Love Photographing at The Treasury
The Treasury offers something rare in wedding venues: architectural drama that photographs beautifully from any angle. The combination of soaring ceilings, warm marble, and Art Deco details creates images with timeless elegance. Natural light pours through the tall windows in the afternoon, creating soft, flattering illumination for portraits.
The outdoor plaza is a dream for ceremony photography—couples exchange vows with the historic district as their backdrop, and the west-facing orientation means golden hour light is absolutely stunning. We've photographed sunset ceremonies here that rivals any destination wedding.
Perhaps most importantly, the venue's location in the heart of downtown means we can step outside for portraits at iconic St. Augustine landmarks—the Cathedral, Aviles Street, the bayfront—all within a few minutes' walk.
Best Photo Locations at The Treasury
Every corner of The Treasury offers photography potential. Here are the spots we return to again and again:
Main Reception Hall
Main reception space with high ceilings and large windows. Best lighting occurs in late afternoon when natural light streams in from the west-facing windows. The architectural details and scale make for dramatic portraits.
Plaza Ceremony Area
Outdoor ceremony space facing the historic district. Golden hour lighting is exceptional here, especially for west-facing ceremonies. The Cathedral Basilica provides a stunning backdrop.
Historic Vault Entrance
Original bank vault entrance with heavy metal doors. The contrast and texture create compelling portraits. Works well for dramatic couple shots and creative detail photos.
Second Floor Balcony
Upper level overlooking the main floor. Provides elevated perspective for ceremony shots and reception coverage. Great for capturing the venue's full scale and guest interactions.
Cathedral Place Street Access
Street-level access to historic downtown. Perfect for traditional St. Augustine portraits with Spanish colonial architecture. Cobblestone streets and historic buildings are steps away.
Historic Interior Elements
Interior architectural features including original marble work and period details. Best for detail shots and intimate portraits using the building's historic character.
Weddings at The Treasury on the Plaza
Real weddings we've photographed at this beautiful venue.
View Recent Weddings
Planning Your Timeline at The Treasury on the Plaza
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 Treasury on the Plaza
The outdoor plaza faces west toward the historic district, catching beautiful golden hour light. The main hall gets dramatic afternoon light through the tall windows.
Time for Photos
We recommend 60-90 minutes for portraits at The Treasury on the Plaza, covering the Main reception hall, outdoor plaza, vault entrance, balcony level, and historic architectural details.
Want more variety? Nearby options:
- Cathedral Basilica — 1 minute walk, add 10-15 minutes
- Lightner Museum Courtyard — 2 minutes walk, add 15-20 minutes
- Historic St. George Street — 3 minutes walk, add 20-25 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
December-January weddings can step outside for Nights of Lights photos—the Plaza and Cathedral are steps away.
Venue Timing Notes
- Music curfew at 11pm
- Preferred vendor requirements
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 The Treasury
After photographing dozens of weddings here, these are our top recommendations:
Book Your Timeline Strategically
Request a ceremony time that allows for golden hour portraits (typically 1-2 hours before sunset). The outdoor plaza faces west—perfect for sunset light.
Use the Upper Level
Don't forget the second floor balcony for unique perspectives. It's perfect for capturing the scale of the venue and creative couple shots.
Plan for Weather Backup
The plaza is beautiful but exposed. The venue has excellent indoor options if weather doesn't cooperate—the main hall is stunning for ceremonies.
Leverage the Historic District
Build in 20-30 minutes for downtown portraits. The Treasury's location gives easy access to iconic St. Augustine backdrops just steps away.
Highlight Historic Features
The original vault doors and architectural details are key features. Work with your photographer to incorporate these unique elements into your timeline.
Treasury on the Plaza Wedding FAQ
Common questions about weddings at The Treasury
The Treasury is a premium venue with pricing that reflects its quality and location. Venue rental typically ranges from $6,000 to $12,000 depending on day of week and season. Full wedding costs including catering, bar, and rentals usually range from $25,000 to $60,000+ for 100-200 guests. Contact the venue directly for current packages. For photography pricing, our packages start at $1,400 for partial-day and $2,700 for full-day coverage.
The Treasury can accommodate 100-300 guests depending on your setup. The main reception hall is ideal for receptions up to 250, while the outdoor plaza can host ceremonies of similar size. Smaller celebrations of 100-150 guests often feel more intimate in this grand space.
Yes! The outdoor plaza is one of the most popular ceremony spots. It faces the historic district with views of Cathedral Basilica—stunning for sunset ceremonies. Indoor ceremonies in the main hall are equally impressive with soaring ceilings.
The Treasury's original bank vault doors are a signature feature and one of the most popular photo spots. Couples use them for portraits, grand entrances, and dessert displays. They're original to the 1927 building and add incredible character.
The Treasury works with preferred caterers rather than in-house catering, giving you flexibility in menu and price point. They have relationships with several excellent St. Augustine caterers and can provide recommendations based on your budget and style.
The St. Augustine Parking Garage on St. George Street is the closest option (about a 2-minute walk). Street parking is available throughout downtown but limited. Many couples include parking info on their wedding website or arrange hotel shuttles from their room block at nearby hotels like Casa Monica or the Collector Luxury Inn.
Several excellent hotels are within walking distance: Casa Monica Resort & Spa is just across the plaza (2-minute walk)—perfect for a luxury room block. The Collector Luxury Inn offers boutique charm a block away. Bayfront Marin House and St. George Inn are also nearby B&B options. For larger groups, there are vacation rentals and Airbnbs throughout the historic district within a 10-minute walk.
The Treasury is a converted 1927 bank building, so the original vault and safety deposit box areas create unique architectural details. The high ceilings, original marble work, and historic character make it one of St. Augustine's most distinctive wedding venues.
The Treasury requires couples to use their preferred vendor list for catering and some other services. They also have noise restrictions with music ending by 11 PM. The venue coordinator will provide a complete list of policies and preferred vendors during your tour.
Real Weddings at The Treasury on the Plaza
Browse galleries from weddings we've photographed at this beautiful venue
Recommended Vendors for The Treasury on the Plaza
We've worked alongside these vendors at The Treasury on the Plaza and can recommend them based on firsthand experience.