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Unique outdoor venues?

izzybelle07izzybelle07 member
First Comment
in Florida-North Florida
Hi all, this is my first post! I just got engaged about three weeks ago and want to start looking for venues. We're in the Orlando area, and are trying to plan the wedding in Central/North Florida.

I'm looking for an outdoor venue, such as a park, for the ceremony and someplace we can go inside for the reception...I want something with lots of trees/green as we're going for a down-to-earth/nature theme.

Has anyone ever used:

- The Summerlin House (downtown Orlando area)
- Washington Oaks Gardens State Park (Palm Coast)
- Eden Gardens State Park (Santa Rosa Beach)
- Fort George Island Cultural State Park/the Ribault Club (near Jacksonville/St. Augustine)
- Lakeridge Winery (Clermont)
- The Oldest House and Garden (St. Augustine)

Suggestions for others welcome! Thanks so much for the help :)
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Re: Unique outdoor venues?

  • lifeizbeachylifeizbeachy member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Eden Gardens is AMAZING it was the first place I thought of when I read what you were looking for. The beautiful old trees are the most beautiful I have seen, it has the feel of a magic. I have been to 3 weddings here and they were all beautiful. 
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  • lifeizbeachylifeizbeachy member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    BTW- Congratulations on your engagement!! Isn't it exciting!
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  • LouWho19LouWho19 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We considered Ribault Club...we're seen some gorgeous pictures of ceremonies there! I've also heard good things about the Oldest House in St. Augustine.
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  • jagore08jagore08 member
    Seventh Anniversary 5000 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I was married in Gainesville at Sweetwater Branch Inn.  It was affordable and the venue is exactly what you are looking for.  I have pictures in my planning and married bio if you want to take a look.
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  • izzybelle07izzybelle07 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Perfect! Thanks everyone!! This is very helpful....

    Is there a reason you didn't choose Ribault -- too expensive?
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  • doc1026doc1026 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Congrats on your engagement! I have had two friends get married at the Ribault club and they both complained of the bugs. Both weddings were spring/summer so maybe you wouldn't have an issue in late Fall. Good Luck!
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  • jkornafeljkornafel member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Have you looked into the Cummer art and gardens museum, its absolutely beautiful.
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  • Yessica8Yessica8 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    North Florida offers some great venues if you are willing to spend the $$$.  Cummer Museum Doesnt Do Weddings anymore, I checked into that. The Jax Main library has a beautiful garden, and if you are on a budget but have a little more wiggle room try The Jacksonville Garden Club. The oldest house can get pricey, so can the Ribault Club. Keep in mind if you plan on doing a ceremony at a state park, there will be other people there and you have to have a permit for your wedding. Trash and parking  in the park area might be a problem as well. Good Luck!
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  • PintoCarriageWorksPintoCarriageWorks member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I loved the Ribault Club! I did a photoshoot there back in March of this year. You should also look into Club Continental. http://www.clubcontinental.com/
    Winterbourne Inn http://www.winterbourneonstjohns.com/
    Those two are on the St. Johns River. Very pretty. For something radically different and fun, try Country Day Castle. It's really a castle! http://countrydaycastleandst.intuitwebsites.com/index.html
    Pinto Carriage Works, LLC Horse-drawn Carriage Service for Special Occasions Serving the northeast Florida area info@pintocarriageworks.com (904)302-0502 www.pintocarriageworks.com
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  • ejoyce8ejoyce8 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    the ribault club is nice, but a little pricey and it's a little crazy leaving at night...single lane rd, not much lighting and it is pitch black out there. the wedding planner is wonderful, but you will start by renting the place for over 3k (from when i went), they don't have a dance floor to rent, you have to bring your own and you have to pay a park ranger to direct traffic if you have over 75 guests. It's a beautiful place with lots of history...

    good luck planning!
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  • mrsdovelmrsdovel
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I'm getting married at the Ribault Club on April 1, 2011!! We just adore it. The history, oak trees, rustic charm, and wonder of it was just perfection. You can choose to rent the entire venue or half of it. I didn't like the idea of having guests eating in two seperate rooms anyway, so we only booked  the grand ballroom which seats 200-250 guests. The price was like $2700 and that is for 6 hours. Vendors can come 3 horus before the start of the ceremony too. They provide the chairs and tables and that is it. So when looking at other places it was MUCH cheaper than club conitnental, winterbourne, palm valley gardens etc. I am a wedding photographer so I have the luck to see many venues. The Ribault club was something else... extraordinary and charming! GL!

    www.elleheartphotography.com
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