Castle Otttis Wedding: A Wildly Romantic St. Augustine Castle Elopement

Karly and Erik’s Castle Otttis wedding was dark romance incarnate ending with the most fun St. Augustine adventures. When Karly and Erik reached out about their vision to elope in St. Augustine, I knew this was going to be one for the books. From a hand made black wedding dress to bringing framed portraits of their cats to blasting Creed on the way to the beach before playing mini golf and jumping into the pool, their Castle Otttis elopement was as intentional and romantic as it was fun.

So, if you’re dreaming of a St. Augustine elopement that is moody, edgy, and embraces history, nature, and fun in equal measure, then Karly and Erik’s wedding day is all the inspiration you need.

Why A Castle Otttis Wedding?

The reason stems from their vision. When we were in the planning phases, Karly and Erik told me they wanted something outdoors, historical, and secluded. After chatting about their love of cemeteries (and how Erik proposed at a gigantic indoor mausoleum!!), nature walks, and exploring together, I added Castle Otttis to the list of ceremony locations and it was an obvious “yes” from them. The vibe? A medieval-inspired castle near the beach in St. Augustine.

With stone architecture, spiral staircases, and ultimate privacy, it offered that perfect blend of history and intimacy they were craving. It’s one of the most unique spots for a St. Augustine elopement, and hands down one of my favorite venues to shoot.

Their Castle Otttis Wedding Day

Here’s a glimpse inside K+E’s St. Augustine elopement day:

Castle Otttis Walkthrough

We kicked off the day with a quick tour of Castle Otttis with the owner who showed us all the best spots for photos and the ceremony. From the second we met up, we were already laughing and vibing. Watching them take in the castle together was like watching two kids discovering a secret fort. It was so great and I couldn’t help but join in on that feeling.

Before their ceremoy, I took a few minutes to photograph their vow books, rings, and those absolutely adorable mini-framed portraits of their cats: Jupiter, Cordie, Regan, and Ashley (i.e., the unofficial wedding party). There’s a gorgeous mural of a lion at Castle Otttis and it was the perfect backdrop for their kitties.

Vows at Castle Otttis

They exchanged vows on the main floor with light pouring in through arched windows, filling the space with a kind of peace and ethereal vibe. Their cats were set up like groomsmen and bridesmaids behind them on a bench. Their vows were so sweet and K+E couldn’t stop smiling at each other with a few tears shed. After they exchanged rings and had their first kiss as husband and wife, I used my notary powers to make their marriage legal 💪🏻 (one of the many perks for hiring this Florida elopement photographer 😉).

Portraits + Beach Picnic

Portraits around the castle were extremely important to Karly and Erik. So once they were officially married, we explored every corner of that castle. From the rooftop overlooking the beach to the dramatic staircases and entrances, Karly and Erik made portrait magic in this historic building.

Part of their elopement celebration included cutting the cake and popping champagne. But since food and drinks are not allowed at Castle Otttis, we made our way to the beach. And honestly, the rock vibes paired with the beach makes for such an epic juxtaposition that these moments were some of my fave. With vegan cake from Alms & Fare and a bottle of champagne, we had ourselves a little seaside celebration with Creed radio as the soundtrack (or as they called it “Divorced Dad Rock”).

Ripley’s Bayfront Mini Golf

For the next part of their adventure, they wanted to do something fun and Ripley’s Bayfront Mini Golf delivered. It’s right on the water (hence the name), super nostalgic, and made for the best post-vows date adventure. They made bets on who’d win and while there were no hole-in-ones, it was such a great time between the newly married competition and the photo ops.

POOL JUMP!

Because what better way to end your wedding day than a jump into the pool? As a last hoorah for their elopement day, Karly and Erik jumped into their AirBnB pool fully clothed, laughing the whole time. As a Florida elopement photographer, I can attest that this is one of the most fun and Florida things you can do on your wedding day.

After having the most romantic ceremony followed by some fun St. Augustine adventures, Karly said: “I can’t believe we got married and did all that!” Same, Karly. Same. Because showing couples how their day can be intentional, romantic AND fun is all part of having the best job.

Custom, Cozy, and So THEM

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to eloping in St. Augustine. That’s the beauty of it. And with Karly and Erik, the whole day was intentionally built around who they are from top to bottom.

🖤 Karly MADE her black wedding dress.
🖤 They brought their cats (in spirit) with framed photos.
🖤 They included activities that were fun for them like mini golf.
🖤 They ate vegan cake on the beach while listening to their favorite throwback jams.
🖤 They ended the day jumping in the pool.

There was no timeline stress, no need to “perform” for a big audience – just the two of them being completely present with each other, doing things they love, making memories they’ll never forget.

Why Eloping in St. Augustine Could Be For You

Florida isn’t just beaches and sunshine (though, yes, we’ve got plenty of that). St. Augustine is one of the oldest cities in the U.S., and it’s packed with tons charm with it’s historic buildings, gardens, cozy cafés, and quiet spots by the water. If you want to elope somewhere in Florida that feels old world, unique, and a little unexpected, this place has you covered.

And if you’re looking for a St. Augustine elopement photographer who can help bring your vision to life, make your day feel effortless, and capture it all on camera, I’ve got you. Click the button below to learn more about how I can help erase the stress and overwhelm and make your elopement vision into reality:

St. Augustine Elopement Vendors

Photographer: Anna Holden Photo
Ceremony Location: Castle Otttis
Cake: Alms + Fare
Golf: Ripley’s Bayfront Mini Golf

Thinking About Your Own Castle Otttis Wedding?

Whether you’re into spooky history, dreamy architecture, nature hikes, or pool jumps at the end of the night, your elopement should feel like you. Karly and Erik’s day is proof that you can make your wedding meaningful without making it complicated.

As a local Florida elopement photographer, I specialize in planning totally custom elopement experiences that are built around your vibe and vision. I help with everything from location researching, timeline creation, permit guidance, and vendor recommendations (I’ll even bring the champagne 😉). I’m here to make sure your day feels like a freaking adventure, not a chore.

Castle Otttis Wedding Photography

Want to See Other St. Augustine Elopements?

• Lighthouse Elopement – lighthouse vows, St. George exploring, coffee and picnics
• Lightner Museum Elopement – museum vows, distillery tour and bottling, and jumping in the fountain
• Washington Oaks Elopement – garden ceremony, beach vows, and the Rubby ducky bar
• St. Augustine Beach Wedding – intimate beach wedding followed by Night of Lights exploring

Bonus Resources for Eloping Couples

• How to Elope in St. Augustine
• Night of Lights Elopement Guide
• How to Elope at the Lightner Museum
• 50+ Florida Elopement Ideas
• Best Time to Elope in Florida
• 5+ Reasons for Eloping During The Week

Meet Your Castle Otttis Wedding Photographer