The Wedding Authority: Your Guide to St. Augustine's Hidden Gem Elopement Venue
After photographing over 500 weddings in St. Augustine, I've discovered the perfect spot for intimate, stress-free elopements that won't break the bank.
When couples ask me about intimate elopement options in St. Augustine, there's one place that always comes to mind: The Wedding Authority.
Tucked away in the heart of downtown (St. Augustine at 75 King Street), The Wedding Authority isn't just a venue—it's your gateway to saying "I do" in one of the most romantic spots in the Ancient City. And trust me, as someone who's captured countless love stories here, this place has something truly special.
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Getting Married at The Wedding Authority
If you're dreaming of a wedding with intimate garden charm, historic character, and a team that truly cares about your story, The Wedding Authority in Saint Augustine might be your perfect match. This unique venue management company operates two stunning ceremony spaces within the historic Lightner Museum Building — each offering something magical for couples who want their day to feel both elegant and deeply personal. What makes The Wedding Authority special isn't just their gorgeous venues, but their heart for creating
meaningful moments. With over 30 years of experience, they've mastered the art of making weddings feel effortless while capturing the romance that only St. Augustine can provide.
Why Couples Love getting married with The Wedding Authority
- Two distinct ceremony venues in the heart of historic downtown St. Augustine
- Lush courtyard setting with koi pond, decorative bridge, and tropical landscaping
- Intimate indoor chapel perfect for smaller celebrations
- Full-service wedding planning and coordination
- Expert officiating with Rev. Bill Young
- Seamless day-of coordination
It's especially perfect for couples who want that "secret garden" feel combined with the convenience of an all-in-one team that handles everything from planning to officiating.
Venue Highlights
- Location: 75 King Street in downtown St. Augustine's Historic District, Florida
- Two Ceremony Spaces: Lightner Museum Courtyard and the Amore Wedding Chapel
- Type of Venue: Full-service elopement and wedding venue with on-site coordination and getting-ready suite
- Guest capacity: Lightner Museum Courtyard (outdoor) - Up to 100 guests Amore Wedding Chapel (indoor) - Up to 50 guests
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor Chapel, Outdoor Courtyard
- Vibe: Rustic, old word architecture, elegant, stone bridge, koi pond, lush palm trees
- Pricing / Investment: Courtyard ceremonies begin around $775-$1000, including coordination, permits, and professional officiant services
Event Spaces at the White Room
The White Room is special in that you can have your event take place in one (or more) of three unique spaces.
The Amore Wedding Chapel
While the Lightner Courtyard gets a lot of attention (and rightfully so), the Amore Wedding Chapel is this hidden gem that creates the most intimate, romantic atmosphere for smaller ceremonies. Seating up to 50 guests, this space has that classic chapel feel without being overwhelming or stuffy—it's cozy in the best possible way. From a photography standpoint, the chapel has really lovely ambient lighting that works beautifully for ceremony shots, and there's something special about how intimate it feels when you're capturing those emotional moments during vows. The space has this timeless elegance that photographs gorgeously, whether you're going for traditional portraits or more candid, documentary-style shots. What I love about the chapel is how it makes even the most nervous couples feel at ease—there's something about that intimate setting that just feels safe and sacred. It's perfect for couples who want that traditional ceremony feel, need a weather backup option, or simply prefer a more private atmosphere for their vows. Plus, being right there with the courtyard means you can easily move between spaces for different parts of your celebration or photo opportunities.
The Lightner Museum Courtyard: St. Augustine's Secret Garden
The Lightner Museum Courtyard is honestly like discovering a hidden oasis right in the middle of downtown St. Augustine—it's this lush, romantic garden space that feels completely removed from the hustle and bustle of King Street, even though you're literally steps away from everything. Dating back to 1888, this courtyard has all those authentic Old Florida elements that make St. Augustine so magical: towering palm trees, a tranquil koi pond that reflects the sky, and a charming stone bridge that's perfect for those romantic walking shots. What makes this space so special for elopements and intimate weddings is how it manages to feel both grand and intimate at the same time—you're surrounded by historic architecture and lush greenery, but it never feels overwhelming or impersonal. From a photography perspective, it's a dream because the natural canopy creates this gorgeous, soft lighting throughout the day, and you have multiple stunning backdrops within just a few steps of each other. The koi pond gives you those incredible reflection shots, the Spanish moss creates natural framing, and the stone bridge adds this fairytale romance that couples absolutely love. Whether you're planning a 2-person elopement or a 100-guest celebration, this courtyard strikes that perfect balance between natural beauty and historic elegance that makes St. Augustine such a sought-after wedding destination.
The Lightner Courtyard During Nights of Lights: Pure Winter Magic
If you're planning a winter wedding during Nights of Lights season, the Lightner courtyard transforms into something absolutely breathtaking that has to be seen to be believed. Picture this: every single palm tree is wrapped in twinkling lights, the entire courtyard glows with warm, golden illumination, and when you combine that with a sunset ceremony, you get this incredible layering of natural golden hour light mixed with thousands of tiny lights creating the most romantic atmosphere imaginable. The koi pond reflects all those twinkling lights like stars, it's the kind of setting that makes every single photo look like a fairytale. It's that magical combination of St. Augustine's most famous holiday tradition with the natural beauty of this historic garden space that creates something truly unforgettable.
Pricing & Investment
The Wedding Authority keeps their pricing simple and transparent, which is honestly refreshing in the wedding world.
Courtyard ceremonies start around $775-$1000 for smaller guest counts, with pricing that scales based on your specific needs and guest count. That base price includes ceremony coordination, permits, insurance, Bill's officiant services, and setup/breakdown—basically all the logistics you need for your ceremony. They're upfront about costs from the beginning, so there aren't any surprise fees popping up later in the planning process.
The chapel option has different pricing, and they can walk you through all the details when you reach out. Since it's a full-service venue, you're paying for both the space and the coordination, which can actually simplify your planning quite a bit. Barb will give you exact pricing based on your date, guest count, and any additional services you might want.
You can call Barb ((904) 826-0166 at the Wedding Authority and get everything setup.
Best Photo Spots at The Wedding Authority
From a photographer's perspective, The Wedding Authority's courtyard is basically a dream playground with multiple gorgeous backdrops all within steps of each other.
The koi pond is hands-down one of my favorite spots—that still water creates these incredible reflections, especially during golden hour when the light bounces off the surface and gives you that magical glow. The stone bridge is perfect for those romantic "walking away" shots or intimate close-ups with the water and greenery as your backdrop.
The loggia provides this beautiful covered area with soft, even lighting that's perfect for portraits, plus it gives you architectural details that scream "old Florida elegance."
The Travelers palms in the courtyard creates natural framing opportunities that you just can't replicate anywhere else in downtown.
What I love about shooting here is that you can get five completely different looks without moving more than 50 feet. The lighting works beautifully throughout the day, but late afternoon is pure magic when everything gets bathed in that warm, golden St. Augustine light.
What's the best time for photos in The Lightner Courtyard?
The timing at The Wedding Authority depends on your ceremony schedule and photo priorities, but here are my recommendations:
For outdoor portraits and couple photos: The golden hour (roughly 1 hour before sunset) offers the most magical lighting in the Lightner courtyard, with Spanish moss creating natural filters and the koi pond reflecting warm light like liquid gold. The stone bridge and loggia provide multiple gorgeous backdrops all within steps of each other.
For ceremony photos: Late afternoon ceremonies (4-6 PM) provide that dreamy, romantic lighting as sun filters through the palm canopy. The natural tree coverage protects you from harsh midday sun, so noon ceremonies work beautifully too with the canopy acting like a giant softbox.
For intimate receptions: The courtyard's ambient lighting and historic architecture create stunning evening photos, especially when combined with any additional lighting your vendors bring.
Crowd considerations: The Wedding Authority staff actively manages the courtyard during your ceremony, keeping tourists from wandering into your photo backgrounds—you get that prime downtown location without random people photobombing your vows.
Seasonal factors: Summer ceremonies work best in late afternoon to avoid midday heat and take advantage of softer lighting. Winter weddings during Nights of Lights season are absolutely magical, with the entire courtyard transformed into a twinkling wonderland with lights strung through every palm tree.
My recommendation: Plan your ceremony 1-2 hours before sunset to maximize both ceremony lighting and golden hour portrait opportunities in this historic garden setting, with the Spanish moss and koi pond creating the most romantic backdrop you could imagine.
What will my pictures from The Wedding Authority look like?
Things to Know Before You Book with the Wedding Authority
- Full-service coordination is included - Bill and Carla handle setup, permits, insurance, and day-of logistics, so you're not just renting a space, you're getting a full planning team
- Bill Young is your officiant - He's a registered officiant with 30+ years of experience, so you don't need to find a separate person to perform your ceremony
- Two completely different vibes - The outdoor courtyard accommodates larger groups (up to 100) while the indoor chapel is more intimate (up to 50), so think about your guest count and preferred atmosphere
- Downtown location perks and considerations - You're walking distance to everything in historic St. Augustine, but parking can be limited during busy tourist seasons
- Pricing scales with your needs - Base pricing starts around $775-$1000, but final cost depends on guest count, day of the week, and any additional services you want
- They know all the local vendors - After 30 years in St. Augustine, they have solid relationships with florists, photographers, and other professionals if you need recommendations
- Weather backup is built-in - If you book the courtyard and weather becomes an issue, the indoor chapel is your backup plan
- Peak season timing matters - Summer heat and Nights of Lights season (winter) can affect both pricing and logistics, so discuss timing considerations early
- Getting-ready space available - They can arrange on-site prep areas if you want to get ready at the venue
From a Photographer’s Perspective
What we love about The Wedding Authority:
- Incredible natural light - The tall walls of the courtyard create perfect natural shade, eliminating harsh shadows for most of the day
- Multiple photo opportunities - Koi pond reflections, stone bridge romance, loggia architecture, and lush greenery all within 50 feet of each other
- Vendor-friendly policies - No restrictions on where we can set up, and they actually help coordinate with us for the best shots
- Consistent logistics - After 30 years, Bill and Carla have the timing down to a science, so ceremonies start on time and flow smoothly
- Crowd control - Staff actively keeps tourists out of ceremony photos, which is huge for a downtown location
- Easy load-in/load-out - Convenient access for equipment without having to haul gear across massive properties
- Weather backup that actually works - If we need to move indoors, the chapel has good lighting and intimate charm
- Professional coordination - They communicate timeline changes and coordinate with all vendors, so we're never left guessing what's happening next
Why We Love Working at the Wedding Authority
The Wedding Authority is one of those venues where everything just clicks—and after photographing over 500 weddings, I can tell you that's not something I say lightly. Bill and Carla have this amazing way of making everyone feel like family, which means the whole day has this relaxed, joyful energy that translates beautifully into photos. They've been doing this for 30 years, so they know exactly how to coordinate with photographers without micromanaging or getting in our way, and they genuinely care about getting you the best images possible.
The courtyard gives us everything we need—gorgeous natural light, multiple stunning backdrops, and enough space to work without feeling cramped. But what really sets this place apart is how Bill and Carla handle the logistics; they keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes so we can focus on capturing those authentic, emotional moments that will transport you right back to this one of a kind place when you see them later. Plus, they're just genuinely wonderful people who bring positive energy to every single wedding, and when your vendors are happy and working well together, that joy shows up in every single photo. It's the kind of place where couples consistently tell us their wedding day felt effortless and magical—and those are always our favorite weddings to photograph.
Planning Resources
• Address: 75 King St #114, St. Augustine, FL 32084
• Phone: +1 (904) 826-0166
• Instagram: @theweddingauthority
Location: Historic Lightner Museum Building, Downtown Saint Augustine, Florida
Address: 75 King Street, Suite 116, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Two ceremony venues: Lightner Museum Courtyard and Amore Chapel
Type of venue: Historic garden courtyard + intimate indoor chapel
Guest capacity:
- Lightner Museum Courtyard: up to 100 seated guests
- Amore Chapel: up to 50 seated guests (intimate setting)
Vibe: Romantic garden, historic elegance, intimate and personal
Starting price: Ceremonies start at $775 for 50 guests, with rental fees ranging from $295 to $1,965
FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions
What's included in The Wedding Authority's wedding packages?
Your package includes ceremony coordination and setup, city permits and insurance, Bill's officiant services, day-of coordination, and vendor recommendations. They handle the logistics and paperwork so you don't have to deal with permits and city requirements yourself.
What happens if it rains on our wedding day?
If you've booked the outdoor courtyard and weather becomes an issue, the indoor Amore Wedding Chapel serves as your backup location. It's a different vibe than the courtyard but still a beautiful space for your ceremony.
Is parking available for our guests in downtown St. Augustine?
There is parking available, though it can get busy during peak tourist seasons and special events like Nights of Lights. Bill and Carla can provide specific parking guidance based on your wedding date and expected guest count, since they know the downtown area well.
Do we need to find our own officiant, or can Bill perform our ceremony?
Bill Young is a registered officiant and can perform your ceremony if you'd like. He has 30 years of experience officiating weddings. If you prefer to bring your own officiant, that works too—just let them know during planning so they can coordinate accordingly.
Other questions about the Wedding Authority
If you have a question about the Wedding Authority or just want a photographers opinion on getting married at the Wedding Authority send us a message here and let us know what you have on your mind and we will respond to you right away!
If you are you planning a wedding at the Wedding Authority and are looking for a wedding photographer to document one of the biggest events of your life? We would love to hear about what you have planned and chat more about your event!
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