14 minute read

SETTING THE VIBE

YOUR GUIDE TO PENSACOLA’S HOTTEST WEDDING VENUES

So, you’re going to do it. Settle down. Walk the aisle. Get hitched. Tie the knot. You’re getting married. Congrats! Now, where do you want to make those everlasting memories? More than just a chic backdrop, your wedding venue is the place you’ll associate with one of the best days of your life. From simple country settings to elegant ballrooms, we’ve put together this list of memorable venues in and around Pensacola.

FOUNTAIN PARK

Location: Downtown Pensacola Capacity: Up to 200 historicpensacola.org

Searching for a picturesque park to host your wedding? Try Fountain Park, located in the heart of downtown Pensacola and named for the three-tiered, seven-foot-tall Fleming Fountain donated to the park by the Fleming family. Engraved with a pictorial history of Pensacola, from the Blue Angels over the Naval Air Station to shrimp boats off of Fort Pickens, the fountain can serve as an interesting and beautiful center for any ceremony.

PARADISE BEACH HOMES

Location: Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach Capacity: Up to 37 people per house paradisebeachhomes.com

The beach is calling you, and Paradise Beach Homes can help you find a rental to host your wedding, serve as your honeymoon getaway or as a crash pad for when you take to the beach. Whether you just want the view of the horizon from a porch or are looking to get a little sand in your toes, you can find a house to fit your needs. Houses are as small as three bedrooms and up to 11 bedrooms to accommodate everyone in your wedding party.

GULF COAST GETAWAYS

Location: Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach Capacity: Up to 30 people per house floridagulfcoastgetaways.com

Planning to spend some time in the sand? Find a beach rental on Pensacola or Navarre Beach that will fit your style. Need something for the whole family? Done. Looking for something a little more intimate? Gulf Coast Getaways has you covered. Like the beach, but aren’t a fan of the waves? Rentals are available on the sound side of the beach, so you can skip the surf. If you are a fan of the ocean, rentals are also available facing out to sea. Wedding season is from September to April, so book your house early.

5ELEVEN PALAFOX

Location: Downtown Pensacola Capacity: Up to 200 people 5elevenpalafox.com

Housed in the former Trader Jon’s building with a view of Palafox Street, this historic space is a great spot for a downtown wedding. Its claim to fame is large windows allowing for beautiful natural lighting and a built-in bar, along with an adjacent kitchen space available for caterers to use. Need a bit more room for your party or looking for something outside? 5eleven has a courtyard and adjacent lawn that can be used during the event. 5eleven has a list of approved caterers, which can be found on their website.

OLD CHRIST CHURCH

Location: Downtown Pensacola Capacity: Up to 100 people historicpensacola.org

As one of the oldest surviving Protestant church buildings in all of Florida, Old Christ Church has all the historic charm enhanced by careful preservation and renovations throughout the years. Pristine white on the outside, the church boasts a unique Norman-Gothic style with early stained glass windows for a very classic feel. With high wooden ceilings, the natural acoustics of the church will enhance any vocal or instrumental sounds and music for your wedding party to enjoy.

PALAFOX HOUSE

Location: Downtown Pensacola Capacity: Up to 125 people for a sit-down meal and up to 175 for a mix and mingle event palafoxhouse.com

If modern flair in a historic location is what you are looking for, then the sleek and stylish Palafox House may be a good fit. This 1912 historic building has a panoramic view of Palafox Street with high windows, exposed original brick walls and gorgeous chandeliers. Along with the main event space, there is an additional room with a built-in bar and reception area and an adjacent kitchen for caterers. As a part of Great Southern Weddings, Palafox House also offers full-service wedding planning.

PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF ART

Location: Downtown Pensacola Capacity: Up to 100 historicpensacola.org

Want to be surrounded by great art and modern decor? The Pensacola Museum of Art may serve as the perfect venue for you. With exhibits rotating out every two to three months and your choice of gallery for your wedding day, you can find almost anything artistic style for your wedding backdrop at the museum.

DRIFT MODERN COASTAL CUISINE

Location: Pensacola Beach Capacity: Varies driftpcola.com

Siting atop the iconic Casino Beach Bar And Grill, the upscale Drift offers a sleek, modern design, breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico and the ability to host rehearsal dinners, weddings and receptions—all while soaking up the beach life.

NEW WORLD INN

Location: Downtown Pensacola Capacity: Up to 120 people newworldlanding.com

Hosting a downtown wedding and need enough space for a small army while still being a beautiful location? One of the most classic venues in Pensacola can be found at New World Landing, a gorgeous event space that is all Pensacola. Celebrate your special day with the charm and atmosphere of Florida’s oldest settlement. As a bonus, the venue is a historic inn, with 15 boutique hotel rooms and a bridal suite available for out-of-town guests.

MARGARITAVILLE BEACH HOTEL

Location: Pensacola Beach Capacity: Up to 150 people margaritavillehotel.com

Ready to relax or want a more casual wedding experience? Or maybe you want a grand affair for your wedding but a fun reception on the beach afterward. Margaritaville Beach Hotel offers both with a gorgeous overlook of the beach as a bonus. Boasting an expertise in island style weddings, get all the glamour and relaxation of a destination wedding without ever leaving Pensacola Beach. With both an outdoor and an indoor option for your wedding and reception, you’ll be comfortable and ready to walk down the aisle in style.

LIVE OAK PLANTATION

Location: Beulah Capacity: Up to 180 people liveoakplantation.com

For those looking for rustic charm and perhaps a bit of grandeur for their wedding, Live Oak Plantation might be just the spot for your big day. Located just 22 minutes from downtown Pensacola on a 22-acre lumber farm and pecan orchard-turned event space, the plantation has all the natural beauty and privacy you could want. With a huge selection of views on the plantation grounds, including the Cathedral of Live Oaks, Duck Island and, for when rain happens, the Cotton House, you’re sure to find that magical spot to take your vows.

HOLLAND FARMS

Location: Milton Capacity: Up to 200 people hollandfarmsonline.com

Need something that is off the beaten path and away from the hustle and bustle of the city? Have your wedding on an actual working farm. Holland Farms offers all the natural beauty of the countryside with their Heaven’s Trail event barn. This venue is air conditioned, equipped with bathrooms and a kitchen with all the atmosphere of a big wooden barn. Although the barn has large windows and high ceilings for natural light, it also has chandeliers and electric lighting for any late night shindigs you have planned.

SANDERS BEACH-CORRINE JONES RESOURCE CENTER

Location: Downtown Pensacola Capacity: Up to 350 people cityofpensacola.com/ facilities

Looking for a beautiful location for a smaller budget? The Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center boasts a spectacular view of Pensacola Bay and is located just west of historic downtown Pensacola. With a large capacity ballroom, the center is able to host some of the largest private events in all of Pensacola.

BARKLEY HOUSE

Location: Downtown Pensacola Capacity: Up to 200 people historicpensacola.org

One of the oldest venues available in Pensacola is the beautiful high-house overlooking Pensacola Bay, Barkley House. As one of the most popular wedding venues in Pensacola, Barkley House knows how to do weddings, specifically southern Gulf Coast weddings. With vintage furniture and heart-pine flooring inside the house and a gorgeous view on the porch or on the lawn, this venue is a good choice for someone looking for a classic beach feel with less sand.

BANANA CABANA

Location: Fort Morgan, Alabama Capactiy: Up to 100 banana-cabana.com

Banana Cabana 2.0 is the perfect beach wedding command center and the ideal backdrop for a dream coastal wedding. The 6,100 square foot, 3-story, 9-bedroom, 9.5-bath Gulf front house stretches some 40 feet in the air delivering breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico. Banana Cabana 2.0 is designed to sleep 28 comfortably and can accommodate up 100 wedding guests. Outside, the Brazilian hardwood deck is raised 20 feet above sea level and features one of the largest pools on the Gulf as well as Cabana bar. The property boasts a 100-foot private beach walk down to the sugar white sands of the Gulf. Corporate level wifi allows you to stream your wedding live right on the beach.

OYSTER BAY BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Location: Downtown Pensacola Capacity: Up to 250 people stayoysterbay.com

Trying to find the one perfect place for your entire wedding experience? Accommodate out of town guests, serve rehearsal dinner and host your wedding ceremony and reception all without ever leaving downtown Pensacola at the stunning Oyster Bay Boutique Hotel. With stunningly landscaped outdoor spaces and indoor spaces to accommodate 10 to 250 people, the Oyster Boutique Hotel is one of the most beautiful and flexible venues in all of downtown Pensacola. The elegant hotel offers sweeping views of Pensacola Bay, luxuriously appointed room and plenty of southern hospitality.

MUSEUM OF COMMERCE

Location: Downtown Pensacola Capacity: Up to 250 historicpensacola.org

Want something unique for your wedding venue? Try the Pensacola Museum of Commerce. Inside this brick turn-of-the-century warehouse is a reconstructed 1890s era streetscape complete with historic shops featuring toys, hardware, music, households, and leather goods. An interesting collection of horse drawn buggies and an antique local trolley car are also part of this nostalgic recreation of yesteryear.

THE POINTE

Location: Gulf Breeze Capacity: 200+ thepointegb.com

The newest addition to the Tiger Point Golf Club, The Pointe, is a picture perfect venue for weddings and receptions. Nestled in a lush gulf coast setting in Gulf Breeze, The Pointe offers over 11,000 square feet of space and accommodates seating for over 200 guests. Multiple venues options include the Soundside dining hall, an outdoor space under the oaks and a New Orleans inspired courtyard. A lovely powder room is also available for the bridal party. With panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico, Santa Rosa Sound, and the manicured fairways of Tiger Point Golf Club, The Pointe offers a stunning backdrop for any event.

SOWELL FARMS

Location: Milton Capacity: Up to 275 people sowellfarms.com

Sowell Farms, a working farm located on 100 charming acres, also doubles as one of the most natural, rustic wedding locales in the Florida Panhandle. As a family-run farm, the hosts strive to treat every bride and groom as their daughter, son, brother or sister, with all the southern hospitality and country charm included. If you need something indoors, Sowell Farms also has a converted barn that can serve as the center for your wedding, or you can take to the fields for the natural farm setting.

PERFECT PLAIN BREWING CO.

Location: Downtown Pensacola Capacity: up to 350 people perfectplain.com

If you’re looking for a cool and laid-back downtown venue that captures the heart of Pensacola, look no further than Perfect Plain. This hip brewery offers an old Florida vibe and features 5 different event spaces within its sprawling complex of brewery, cocktail lounge and outdoor garden bar. The private Grain House includes a bar, kitchen area, and restrooms.

PENSACOLA YACHT CLUB

Location: Downtown Pensacola Capacity: Up to 400 people pensacolayachtclub.org

Nothing says Pensacola more than water views, salty air and uniquely historic buildings. The Pensacola Yacht Club checks all those boxes as one of the premier wedding and event venues in Pensacola. With space for a huge dance party reception or a small wedding ceremony and more than 100 years of experience hosting events, the Club will provide for all your needs with professionalism and southern hospitality.

EMERALD REPUBLIC BREWING CO.

Location: Downtown Pensacola Capactiy: up to 99 people inside, unlimited capacity outdoors emeraldrepublicbrewing.com

For the alternative couple, Emerald Republic Brewing Co. is the grownup Goth’s dream come true. Moody interiors feature local artwork while nostalgic rock playlists bring the inside of the taproom to life. Plush velvet seating, arcade games and a coffin for photo ops are all staples of Emerald Republic’s unique style and brand. The pet-friendly outdoor space features a stage, seating for large groups, pop culture murals and food truck accommodations.

ODD COLONY BREWING COMPANY

Location: Downtown Pensacola Capacity: up to 100 people oddcolony.com

Located on North Palafox Street, Odd Colony embodies the eclectic farmhouse aesthetic while championing community and individuality. A favorite of locals for its passionately hand crafted beers, Odd Colony recently began offering its space up for weddings. Gather your loved ones for an unforgettable experience that combines the rustic appeal of historic architecture with the immersion of downtown’s vibrant nightlife.

SUPPOSEY WAREHOUSE & GARDENS

Location: Downtown Pensacola Capacity: 300+ supposeyvenue.com

Supposey Warehouse & Gardens made a name for themselves with stunning floral arrangements and grand, creative wedding designs, rentals, planning and more. Now the creative powerhouse has added a wedding venue big enough to make all your bridal dreams come true. The venue is a restored historic mill warehouse in downtown Pensacola offering more than 5,500 square feet of historic space. The warehouse features exposed wood beams and a stunning 26-foot tall vaulted ceiling, natural skylights, and antique chandeliers to make the space truly dreamy. Supposey provides tables, chairs, bar, dance floor, and lighting. The adjoining gardens and courtyard boast an additional 4,000 square feet of natural beauty in a private tree-lined garden, with string lights, fountains, lush landscaping and olive trees—all bursting with southern charm.

PENSACOLA COUNTRY CLUB

Location: Westside Pensacola Capacity: 300+ pensacolacountryclub.com

Since 1902, the timeless and romantic elegance of Pensacola Country Club has made this waterfront location a premiere venue for weddings on the Gulf Coast. A favorite among traditionalists, the Pensacola Country Club offers classic wedding vibes in their large banquet and event facility with views of both the golf course and Pensacola Bay. The Bayview Room can hold up to 300 guests and the grounds offer plenty of backdrops for gorgeous photos. Golf enthusiasts can even exchange vows under the oak tree at the 18th hole. A member of the club must sponsor all events.

HELLCAT HANGAR

Location: Westside Pensacola Capacity: Up to180 hellcathangar.com

Hellcat Hangar is sure to pique the interest of history, military, and music buffs’ alike. Over the years, Hellcat Hangar has been home to a military hangar, an Army surplus, a movie theater, and now, it is the premiere production studio in Northwest Florida. Hellcat Hangar also makes an excellent event space, offering 4,000 square feet of interior space and an additional 2,000 square feet of outdoor space. Other amenities include a state of the art sound system, a jumbotron and live streaming capabilities. If you’re looking for a hip, high-tech, streaming-friendly wedding venue, Hellcat might just be for you. New, and unique, to Hellcat is a flight simulator to honor the location’s history and entertain guests.

GATHER AT ALYSSA’S

Location: Pace, FL Capacity: 75 gatheratalyssas.com

If you’re looking for a small, intimate, customizable space, look no further than Gather at Alyssa’s. The beloved Pace retailer has added an intimate event space with seating for up to 75 people. Alyssa’s provides tables and seating, a warming oven, refrigerator and freezer and farmhouse sink to accommodate professional catering or self-prepared food and drink. Alyssa’s also provides an additional service in which event specialists can help choose the decor to bring your vision of the space to life in “signature Alyssa’s style.”

PENSACOLA LITTLE THEATRE / THE CENTER

Location: Downtown Pensacola Capacity: Varies pensacolalittletheatre.com

Housed in the historic landmark building that was once the Escambia County Court of Records and Jail, The Pensacola Little Theatre and it’s home, The Pensacola Cultural Center, hold a special place in the hearts of the Pensacola community. With rental spaces in the theatre, atrium, courtroom, gallery and board room, the Little Theatre is perfect place to host your big day. Stay tuned for upcoming renovations that will add a rooftop space—perfect for engagements and receptions.

This article is from: