St. Augustine is chock-full of gorgeous photoshoot locations, but there are a few favorites that stand out from the rest. From rolling natural landscapes to historic ruins, this is our list of the absolute BEST locations for your St. Augustine engagement photos. Keep in mind, that engagement photos are different than proposal shots … but some of these places would work well for both!
1. Anastasia State Park – St Augustine engagement photos
If you’re looking for dreamy engagement photos surrounded by some of the most stunning natural backdrops St. Augustine has to offer, then Anastasia Park is the way to go. The park is located on a picturesque peninsula on Anastasia Island along the Atlantic coastal plain. It’s brimming with plant life that truly showcases the vast variety of terrain Florida has to offer. Depending on your vision, you and your intended can pose along powder white beaches, using the ocean itself as a backdrop. Looking for a different feel? Make your engagement photos extra unique by posing along the park’s tidal salt marshes. You can even take a small hike to the King’s Coquina Quarries, where workers mined the material used to build many of St. Augustine’s most historic sites.
2. Castillo de San Marcos National Monument – St Augustine engagement photos
History lovers will love this one! The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United States. It was constructed by the Spanish to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade Route. Construction on the castle started in 1672 and didn’t totally finish until nearly 100 years later, in 1756. Today, the structure is STILL a sight to behold. The dated stone fortress makes a beautifully unique photo location for history buffs looking to add a touch of intrigue to their engagement photos. And who doesn’t want to pose in front of a literal castle, am I right?
3. St. Augustine Lighthouse – St Augustine engagement photos
Want your engagement photos to have a bit of nautical flair? Then head on over to the St. Augustine Lighthouse, standing tall on the north end of Anastasia Island. We at NS Photobook, know just how to get the perfect perspective for these shots! Bonus: The lighthouse is old (built in the 1870s), but it’s still ACTIVE! If you want some unforgettable shots, plan your engagement photos for the evening, or even the night, and capture the lighthouse shining bright in all its glory!
4. Lightner Museum – St Augustine engagement photos
When it comes to St Augustine engagement photos, the big draw of the Lightner Museum in downtown St. Augustine is the historic Hotel Alcazar building. This painstakingly crafted, beautiful 1887 Spanish Revival style building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But that’s not the only thing that makes the museum photoshoot worthy. The front lawn is home to a gorgeous stone fountain, as well as a forest of palm trees and tropical plants. At night, the site becomes a mesmerizing spectacle as the lawn, hedges, and buildings light up with thousands of twinkling lights. Trust us, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more romantic setting.
5. Colonial Quarter – St Augustine engagement photos
St. Augustine’s Colonial Quarter will transport you and your soon-to-be-spouse back in time and make for some adorable engagement photos. It makes for a quirky alternative to the cityscape photoshoots becoming more and more popular these days. The bright and vibrant buildings in the Colonial Quarter, along with the unique design of the shops and streets, make this the perfect spot to snap your engagement shots.
6. Bridge of Lions – St Augustine engagement photos
The Bridge of Lions is a sight to behold! The double-leaf, bascule bridge spans the Intercoastal Waterway in St. Augustine. It connects downtown to Anastasia Island, and it manages to do it in such a pretty way. This bridge is every photographer’s dream, especially since there are so many ways to pose with it. You don’t have to be on the bridge to include it in your engagement photos. You could be stationed in front of it, below it, on top of it … you get the idea! No matter what you do, the arched and swooping architecture of this historic structure will add an element of grace to your engagement photos.
7. Mission Nombre de Dios – St Augustine engagement photos
Located on the west side of Matanzas Bay, Mission Nombre de Dios is thought to be the oldest mission in the continental U.S. Steeped in history and beauty, this site makes the perfect setting for engagement photos. The outside walls of the historic mission are coated with luscious green ivy, crawling up the structure’s elegant shape. Tucked into the ivy is a centuries-old church bell, and above that a cross. The grounds surrounding the mission are equally gorgeous, and even house the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, considered the oldest shrine in the region.
You Can’t Go Wrong
These photoshoot locations are really just the tip of the iceberg! St. Augustine is full of beautiful architecture and unbelievable natural settings. To be honest, it’d be hard to take a bad picture here, no matter which site you decide to go with!
