Ultimate Guide for How to Elope in St. Augustine

You’re probably here because you and your partner want an elopement filled with sun and adventure, and decided St. Augustine had both, but now you have no idea how to elope in St. Augustine. Am I right? That’s where I come in! I’ve created this guide to tell you the where’s, the when’s, and the how’s for eloping in St. Augustine! 

Imagine this: waking up at a historic bed and breakfast with your partner, taking an early morning stroll down St. George street to a cute coffee shop, getting ready together back at your room, heading to the beach to exchange vows and make it official, stopping at the St. Augustine Distillery for a tour and tasting, having dinner at Ice Plant, and then bar hopping downtown to celebrate your marriage! Sound amazing? Keep reading for how to make it happen! 

In this How to Elope in St. Augustine blog, we will cover:

• Where to Elope in St. Augustine
• When to Elope in St. Augustine
• How to Elope in St. Augustine
• What to do During your St. Augustine Elopement
• What to Bring to Elope in St. Augustine
• Example Timeline 
• St. Augustine Elopement Packages

Where To Elope in St. Augustine

Once you have your marriage license (skip to the bottom of how to get legally married in St. Augustine), you can elope anywhere that will have you! Keep in mind that there may be permits needed from county to county, park to park, or location to location. It’s important that you find a St. Augustine elopement photographer who can help you navigate these waters (pun intended) and suggest locations that fit your vision!

Here’s some of my favorite spots in St. Augustine:

• St. Anastaisia State Park 
• Lightner Museum 
• St. Augustine Light House
• Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine
• St. Augustine Distillery
• St. George Street
• Castillo De San Marcos (National Park)
• National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche

Want some guidance on finding the perfect St. Augustine elopement location? Check out these St. Augustine elopement packages and let me show you how I can help you plan and capture your elopement vision! 

When To Elope In St. Augustine

St. Augustine is has a tropical climate all year round with cooler months in the winter time. Don’t be fooled though. Florida gets occasional cold fronts in the winter months that will drop into the 30s and 40s. It will normally pass in a few days though!

Generally, here’s what you can expect:

• Spring (March-May): Hot (mid 70s to mid 80s), humid, with higher rain chances towards May.
• Summer (June-August): Hotter (mid 80s to mid 90s), more humid, longer days (~8 PM sunset), and afternoon thunderstorms are like clockwork. If you want a summer elopement, opt for a sunrise ceremony!
• Fall (September-November): Less hot (mid 80s) with lower rain chances after October.
• Winter (December-January): Prime time with the weather! Cooler day time temperatures (low to mid 70s), rain chances are superrrrr low, the days are shorter (~5 PM sunset), the bugs aren’t out as much, and your evenings are cool.

Keep this in mind before setting a date! Florida’s hurricane season starts in June and goes all the way until November. If you plan to elope during this time, plan an early summer (June/July) as hurricane activity picks up later in the season between mid-August and mid-October. If you want to elope during this time, travel insurance is a must!

We can’t forget about our mortal enemies, the Florida mosquitos and no-see-ums. These biting insects are TERRIBLE in the hot summer months.

Outside of hurricane season, you want to choose a date that will avoid crowds! Plan your elopement during an off-season, non-holiday weekend, or during the week! If you want to avoid crowds, plan your elopement during an off-season or non-holiday weekend. In Saint Augustine, a popular time to avoid for increased travel costs and tourists is Night of LIghts. This popular time of the year spans from late November to the end of January and brings millions of people to St. Augustine. The entire town is decorated in lights for Christmas and it’s quite magical.  

Need help figuring out the best time to elope in St. Augustine? Check out these St. Augustine elopement packages and let me show you how I can help you plan and capture your elopement vision! 

How To Get Legally Married In St. Augustine

Florida is one of the easiest states to elope! There are two easy steps for making it legal in Florida! 

You’ll first need to apply for a marriage license at the local clerk of court. The majority of counties allow you to do this online. If you’re a non-Florida resident, you can pick up your marriage license the same day you plan to sign it! If you’re a Florida resident, there’s a 3-day waiting period. The cost of the license varies by county; however, they’re around $80.

To apply for a marriage license, you’ll need your driver’s license or state ID. Both people must be present. Florida does not require blood test or medical exams.

Once you have your marriage license, you can elope anywhere in Florida within 60 days. Check with the applicable Clerk of Court before making plans to ensure you have all your ducks in a row.

Now that you have your marriage license, you’ll need someone to make it official. This can be any ordained minister, priest, rabbi or other ordained clergy, judges of the state of Florida, or Public notaries of the state of Florida. Don’t want to hire an officiant? Find a photographer (like me) who’s a Florida notary and can make it legal while you’re out adventuring. One less person to worry about!

Heads up – there are two spaces for witness signatures on the Florida marriage license. However, this is not a requirement of the state. Did you know that your dog can sign in this spot? Heart. Melted.

If the idea of eloping excites you, but you’re not sure where to start, let me show you how I can help! Check out the St. Augustine elopement experience!

What To Do For Your St. Augustine Elopement

Here are a few of my favorite things to do in St. Augustine for elopements:

• Go horseback riding on the beach followed by a luxury picnic
• Visit local breweries
• Sunrise ceremony over the ocean followed by outfit change into swimsuits for fishing and shotgunning
• Visit Night of Lights during Christmas and drink martinis
• Island hop, mix cocktails, eat PubSubs, and jump in the water
• Bar hop on St. George Street
• Tour the local distillery and grab handmade donuts afterwards

There’s endless opportunities to make your St. Augustine elopement exactly how you want it with YOUR kind of adventure!

Need help brainstorming ideas? Let’s create something epic together!

What To Bring To Elope in St. Augustine

Florida can be a finicky bitch. One moment its all sunshine and rainbows and the next minute it’s a torrential downpour. I want to ensure that my couples are fully prepared for whatever Florida may throw at us. Depending on the time of year and the weather, here’s a quick list of all the things to have handy for your St. Augustine elopement:

• Marriage License
• Pen
• Backpack
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Umbrella
• Rain coat
• Snacks
• Water
• Towel (if we plan to get into the water)
• Change of clothes (if you tend to sweat)
• Some form of celebratory drinks for post I do’s!

Example Timelines

Your St. Augustine elopement can be as epic as you want, but how exactly does that look? Below are three options to give you an idea!

4-Hour Timeline

Hour 1: Getting ready, details, & first look
Hour 2-3: Ceremony & mini adventure
Hour 4: Portraits at golden hour

8-Hour Timeline

Hour 1: Getting ready, details, & first look
Hour 2-6: Ceremony & half day adventure
Hour 7: Portraits at golden hour
Hour 8: Dinner & drinks

12-Hour Timeline

Hour 1: Getting ready, details, & first look
Hour 2-5: Ceremony, lunch break, & adventure at first location
Hour 6-12: Adventure & portraits at second location

St. Augustine Elopement Packages

This day is all about you. Your decision to elope means that you value the intimate moments and want to truly enjoy getting married. Your day should reflect what you value as a couple and the things you enjoy doing together. When you’re planning your elopement, be sure to find an elopement photographer that takes badass photos and helps bring your ideas to life. If you feel like we vibe, check out my St. Augustine elopement packages  about how we can make your St. Augustine elopement happen!

St. Augustine Elopement Photographer