St. Augustine is rich in history and beauty. But it comes together best at The Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The original site of Juan Ponce de Leon’s exploration of North America and said to be where the Fountain of Youth is located, this centuries-old establishment is a rare historical gem – and exceptionally beautiful, too. While the park itself is designed to educate the public about the area’s history and legacy, it’s also an incredible place to host a Fountain of Youth wedding! Enjoy a space full of Florida beauty – and even exotic peacocks!
11 Magnolia Avenue Saint Augustine, FL, 32084
The Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park and wedding venue is a fun and unusual attraction for visitors of all ages. Set on the site of the Nation’s oldest city, first explored by Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513, the theme park offers a unique insight into the area’s rich history and cultural heritage.
To give you a brief preview, beautiful St. Augustine is the oldest successful European settlement in the United States, dating back to 1565, which was 55 years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock! Centuries later, in 1865, a gentleman named Henry H. Williams purchased a large parcel of St. Augustine land, where he shortly thereafter unearthed a large stone cross. After finding out it wasn’t original to Ponce de Leon’s era, he reburied it, only to be dug up once again by the property’s next owner, Dr. Luella Day MacConnell. MacConnell had heard the property was home to Ponce de Leon’s claimed Fountain of Youth, and she spent much of the rest of her life searching for this miraculous legend.
After Dr. McConnell’s death, the land was purchased by Walter B. Fraser. He opened the property to educate the public on Ponce de Leon and the Fountain of Youth. In 1934, a work crew uncovered human remains from what appeared to be the first Christian burial of Native Americans, and from then on, the property became a rich archaeological site. Today, the Fountain of Youth continues to share the story of Juan Ponce de Leon and all of the incredible artifacts that have been discovered on the property.
The Ponce de Leon Fountain of Youth is a beautiful place for a wedding. Located on 15 acres that overlook the Matanzas River and St. Augustine Inlet, it has gorgeous water views surrounded by massive mature oak trees draped in Spanish moss. So it screams Florida at every turn. Host an outdoor ceremony overlooking the beautiful water while wild peacocks roam around and create a truly magical setting. It’s a beautiful Floridian setting for a wedding, looking out over a view that has been enjoyed for centuries.
The Magnolia Room is an enclosed event space with retractable bay doors that open out onto two open-air patios. With room for up to 150 seated guests, it’s a beautiful space with floor-to-ceiling windows, a gorgeous wooden ceiling, and strings of market lights. It’s a lovely, neutrally decorated space that can accommodate every color palette and decor choice. So go design a beautiful wedding that still feels authentic to you. There’s also a private bridal sitting room/dressing area and a caterer’s prep kitchen attached!
The Ponce de Leon Fountain of Youth is an incredible place for wedding photos. From the spectacular waterfront views to the majestic moss-covered trees, there are so many opportunities for photo backdrops! All of them incorporate Florida’s rich natural beauty. Plus, if we’re lucky, we’ll be able to grab a few photos with the peacocks. Then, we add an extra special touch to your wedding album!
The Fountain of Youth hosts a variety of events and knows how to make the process relatively easy. This always results in an incredible wedding you’ll never forget. Reach out to their events team to find out what’s included in their rentals. Then imagine how you can transform the Magnolia Room into the wedding of your dreams!
A Ponce de Leon Fountain of Youth wedding isn’t just for history lovers. It’s an event for anyone who can appreciate the majesty of Florida’s nature. I would love to help you fill a wedding album with incredible pictures. One that will forever be treasured as a family heirloom. Reach out so we can get this party started!