St. Augustine Beach
Guy Harvey Resort Wedding Photographer
The Guy Harvey Resort sits directly on St. Augustine Beach, which means the ocean is not a short drive away, it is through the door. For photographs that changes the whole shape of the day.
I have photographed a wedding here, so the advice below comes from having actually worked the space rather than from looking at the website.
A selection of recent wedding work rather than a single wedding. Ask me and I will send a full gallery from this venue.
About the venue
It is an oceanfront resort on A1A Beach Boulevard with direct beach access, an oceanfront lawn and pool deck, and indoor reception space. Ceremonies happen on the beach itself or on the lawn depending on the size of the party and the weather.
Because guests can stay on site, a beach wedding here avoids the usual problem of moving people in formal clothes across sand and car parks.
Photographing a wedding on the beach
Beach weddings are won or lost on timing. Midday sun on white sand is the hardest light there is, and late afternoon on the same spot is the easiest. I will push for the later slot every time.
The other thing worth knowing is that a public beach has a public on it. Late in the day the crowd thins considerably, which is another argument for a later ceremony.
Best spots for photographs
Everything here is within a couple of minutes of everything else, which makes the portrait window unusually efficient.
- The sand directly in front of the resort, late in the day
- The oceanfront lawn and deck, which hold up better in wind than the beach does
- The dune line and sea oats for something with more texture than open sand
- Indoor reception space once the light goes
Timeline advice for this venue
If you are marrying on the sand, a ceremony roughly an hour and a half before sunset gives you a calm beach, warm light and time for portraits without rushing the reception.
Note that beach ceremonies above a certain group size need a permit. The resort will know the current rule, and it is worth confirming early rather than the week before.
Wedding packages
$200 deposit reserves your date. Every option includes a private digital gallery.
Package One
$2,299
6 hours, private digital gallery
Package Two
$2,499
8 hours, private digital gallery
Complete
$3,500
10 hours, private digital gallery
Common questions
Have you photographed at the Guy Harvey Resort?
Yes. Ask and I will send a full gallery from a wedding there rather than a handful of favourites.
Do you charge travel to St. Augustine Beach?
No. St. Augustine Beach is a few minutes from where I am based and carries no travel charge.
Is a permit needed for a beach ceremony?
For a group above a certain size, yes. The resort handles this regularly and will know the current requirement, so ask them early.
What is the best time of day for a beach wedding here?
Late afternoon. Around ninety minutes before sunset gives you softer light, a thinner crowd and enough time for portraits before the reception.
What if it is windy?
It usually is, a little, and that is often a good thing in photographs. For hair and veils the lawn and deck are more forgiving than open sand, so we use those when the wind is genuinely strong.
Keep looking
Let’s create something beautiful
Tell me your date and what you have in mind. If I am free, I will tell you straight away.
Or call 904-710-4560