Big Weddings at the Casa Monica!

This weekend we have a wedding for 320 people here at the Casa Monica. Michelle and Richard are beginning their special journey with their ceremony at the Cathedral Basilica followed a trolley bringing their guests to the hotel. They will start their celebration with a cocktail hour of signature drinks, (Sangria and Mojitos), and butler passed hors d'oeuvres in the Flagler Ballroom. Following cocktail hour they will have their Queen Sophia sit down dinner on the Sultan's Pavilion and Pool Deck, and then dance the night away in the Casa Monica Ballroom! Following their reception, their guests will wish them well on the front steps of the hotel and see them off on a horse-drawn carriage. How beautiful!

Exciting News from the Casa Monica Wedding Team

It truly has been a tremendous holiday season around St. Augustine and the Casa Monica Hotel! We have some exciting news to announce, I was proposed to by my boyfriend on Sunday night the 23rd. I am very excited to start the wedding planning and it is great to really know how a current bride feels. We will be getting married in St. Augustine and I can't wait!

A Beautiful Wedding Weekend

To go along with the wonderful 75 degree weather, perfect clear blue skies and the stars shining above, the Casa Monica hosted three weddings this weekend, two of which were outdoor. On Saturday night, Ashley and Matthew, along with their 215 guests danced the night away with Diggin' in Dreamland on the Sultan's Pavilion. Their menu included a raw oyster bar, butler passed hors d'douveres of lump crab cakes and mojito marinated shrimp cocktail with plantains, a delicious cheese display and the Queen Sophia Sit Down Dinner. While their guests enjoyed the music from a harpist and violinist during the cocktail hour, Ashley and Matthew enjoyed cheeseburgers, french fries and champagne in their suite before being introduced to their excited guests. Ashley is one of four girls in her family and her sister is getting married here as well in May. We're looking forward to hosting another Altenburger Wedding soon!

Latest Wedding Trends Spotted at the Casa Monica Hotel!

One of the most fun aspects of hosting weddings each weekend at the hotel is seeing how different couples interpret the unique setting of the Casa Monica for their event. No two weddings are ever the same - with a variety of different color schemes, food and beverage choices, themes, entertainment and so much more!

Recently we have seen some of the hottest trends in weddings hit our ballrooms - including cupcake wedding cakes, long 'family style' tables instead of traditional rounds, vibrant color palettes, whimsical wedding cakes, horse & carriage entrances and exits and dining under the moon and stars on our amazing pool deck! We will share more so be sure to check back often!

Two Amazing REAL Weddings!

Be sure to check out two amazing REAL Casa Monica Hotel weddings that have recently been profiled on the special Weddings Section of our website!

The profiles share the stories of the unique weddings of Christy and Michael of New Orleans and their fun-filled destination celebration and Kristin and Ben from New York City and their spectacular and vibrant event!

Thank you to these wonderful couples for sharing the images and details of their personal St. Augustine wedding celebrations and to their photographers for capturing each and every moment!

[Photo Credits: Christy + Michael: Agnes Lopez; Kristin + Ben: Darice Michelle]

Casa Monica Wedding Locations: Sultan's Pavilion and Pool Deck

We are often asked about the various locations available at the Casa Monica for weddings. One of the most popular and certainly most unique venues for weddings in St. Augustine is the Sultan's Pavilion and Pool Deck.

Accomodating up to 175 for a sit-down dinner on the pool deck and under the permanently tented pavilion, this outdoor venue is flexible for wedding ceremonies, cocktail receptions and dinner followed by dancing [although county noise ordinances do require live music to be completed no later than 10:00pm].

Be sure to inquire about this one-of-a-kind location for your St. Augustine wedding!

[photos top to bottom courtesy of: Damon Tucci, Damon Tucci, Agnes Lopez, Agnes Lopez and Kris Graham]

In The News!

Casa Monica Hotel weddings are often featured in bridal publications and leading wedding websites - Here are links to our weddings featured on TheKnot:

Jennifer and Adam

Anna and Hector

Crystal and Chad

Karen and David

Enjoy!!!!

Real Wedding: Kris Graham Photography

Kris Graham Photography recently shot this gorgeous outdoor wedding at Casa Monica. The entire event took place under clear blue skies on our pool deck and under the opulent tent of our Sultan's Pavilion. We just loved the bright gold and lime green orchid color palette selected by this stylish bride and groom. The guests danced under a starry night sky as hundreds of votive candles flickered around them...magic!

Real Wedding: Jessica + Jason

Jessica and Jason took full advantage of the many unique indoor and outdoor locations at Casa Monica for their wedding pictures. The fabulous Meg Baisden captured it all! Check out her Blog for even more details of their special day!

Fun Transportation for Your Guests!

A really fun and unique transportation option for your guests to get around St. Augustine is by a chartered open air Trolley! There are a few different options in the city and we are happy to recommend one for you - a great way to get guests to and from the wedding ceremony location!

Casa Monica Wedding on TV!

Be sure to check local listings and set your TIVO's to see the Casa Monica Hotel featured on the top-rated show "Whose Wedding is it Anyway?" airing on the STYLE Network - episode 411!

Casa Monica Rehearsal Dinners: 95 Cordova Restaurant

While we focus a great deal of time on the blog talking about and showcasing St. Augustine weddings at the Casa Monica Hotel - we should let you know that a really wonderful option that many couples choose is to host their rehearsal dinner with us.

We will soon be sharing some exciting new Rehearsal Dinner experiences that will be available beginning in '08, so be sure to check back for more details!

A few of the locations at the hotel that are ideal for a memorable rehearsal dinner are in the award-winning 95 Cordova Restaurant. There are 3 private rooms to choose from depending on the size of your group - from 10 guests to 50 guests: The Gold Room, The Wine Room and The Sultan's Room. A masterful blend of American, Asian, Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Moroccan influences, 95 Cordova's award-winning New World Eclectic Cuisine is redefining innovative fine dining and introducing patrons to a new world of flavors.

We would be delighted to create a customized rehearsal dinner for you and your guests!

Featured Wedding: AnneMarie + William

Another stunning wedding at the Casa Monica Hotel! Anne Marie and William assembled the 'who's who' of fantastic Florida wedding professionals for a breathtaking St. Augustine Wedding celebration on a recent Friday night. From the formal ceremony at the historic Cathedral Basilica to the Casa Monica Ballroom transformed into an opulent wonderland - it was first class all the way.

Guests feasted on a 5-course meal prepared by the award-winning Casa Monica chef's. The elegant table settings featured custom linens, chargers, silver chivari chairs and organza sashes with a silver and white color palette. The bride and groom dined at a sweetheart table for two while the ballroom was set with alternating square tables and rounds to create variety and interest. The Buzzcatz provided live entertainment and had the crowd on their feet the whole night!

See many more photos of this incredible wedding on photographer Garrett Nudd's Blog!

Congratulations Anne Marie and William!

[all photos courtesy of Garrett Nudd]

Recent Wedding: Lisa + John

Congratulations to Lisa & John who were recently married at The Oldest House - a truly unique setting in historic St. Augustine and then celebrated their wedding reception with us at Casa Monica! The amazingly talented Agnes Lopez featured them on her blog - check out some of the highlights here.

We loved their color scheme of chocolate brown and tiffany blue - the Casa Monica Ballroom looked amazing and the bride and groom were gorgeous!

Unique Wedding Entrances + Exits

Couples marrying at the Casa Monica have a wealth of choices available to them for grand entrances and exits for their weddings! From one of our vintage model A convertibles to a horse-drawn carriage you can arrive and depart in style from your St. Augustine wedding! And, since St. Augustine is the home of some of the country's oldest and most historic churches all within walking distance to the Casa Monica - many couples choose to walk with their guests from ceremony to reception in parade-like fashion! A real traffic-stopper!

[photos top to bottom: DianneWiles, Darice Michelle and Darice Michelle]

Real Wedding: Jen + Jon

Jen + Jon held their dreamy wedding at Grace United Methodist Church followed by their reception at Casa Monica Hotel. The nighttime wedding made for a romantic trip from the church just down King Street to the hotel - what a dramatic entrance they made! The ballroom just glowed that night - we especially loved the set up of the cake table!

You can view an entire slideshow of images from their wedding by talented photographer Matt Adcock here.

Congrats to Jen + Jon for their recently celebrated first wedding anniversary!!

Casa Monica Wedding Locations: Casa Monica Ballroom

The grand Casa Monica Ballroom is one of the most exclusive, sought after St. Augustine wedding venues. Able to seat up to 220 guests for a formal dinner and dance, the ballroom features rich tones of golds with deep burgundy accents. The atmosphere is intimate and warm with influences of spanish and moroccan decor throughout. Couples choose to accent the ballroom by adding custom linen, upgraded chairs and table centerpieces ranging from simply elegant to over-the-top opulence!

The ballroom is just off the Casa Monica Hotel's valet entrance and main lobby which provides the perfect setting for guest arrivals, cocktails and horsdeourves and spectacular bridal portraits with it's spanish style iridescent organza sheers, hand tiled fountain, historical antiques dating back to the 1400's and hand-painted gilded ceilings.

[photos top to bottom: Damon Tucci, Damon Tucci, Karla Fountain and Damon Tucci]

Real Wedding: Tori + Scott

Check out the entire slideshow of images from Tori and Scott's Casa Monica Hotel wedding at photographer John Michael Payton's site. We love the classic elegance of the black & white photography and really enjoyed their grand exit amidst a sea of sparklers! Congrats!

Real Wedding: Melissa + Adam

Melissa and Adam had a sweet, gorgeous wedding in the gardens of The Lightner Museum [located right next door to the Casa Monica Hotel!] followed by a hip pink + brown inspired reception in the Casa Monica Ballroom. Their whimsical cake was truly a work of art and a real crowd pleaser! Congratulations to you both and thank you for sharing your special day with us!

[Photos courtesy of the incredible Meg Baisden Photography - view many more from this wedding on her Blog!]