Wedding Information

W E D D I N G S
As an important site for all Americans, there are certain restrictions that you must consider before deciding to use our grounds. These restrictions, which are outlined below, are primarily designed to prevent harm to the park and to prevent impairment of the public’s ability to use park resources for the purpose that Congress intended. Additionally, approval of your request will depend upon several factors including but not limited to the availability of staff able to divert their efforts from the park’s primary missions, preservation and interpretation, to managing and monitoring your event. If you have any questions or would like to request an application, please call 904-829-6506, x254. Please allow at least four weeks lead-time to process your request.

Event: Wedding ceremony only; no receptions. Only one ceremony per day is permitted, with a starting time no earlier than 5:00 pm. Set up of materials may begin no earlier than 4:00 p.m. No ceremonies are permitted on holiday and special event weekends. All events are required to be monitored by park staff.

Location: Wedding ceremonies are only permitted on the north green adjacent to the sea wall. See attached map.

Restrictions: Wedding ceremonies will not mar or harm the park or interfere with visitor use or administration of the park. No tent stakes or other objects may be driven into the ground. Amplified sound systems are permitted but sound levels must comply with 36 CFR 2.12, which limit sound levels to 60db at 50 feet from their source. No alcohol is allowed and no materials such as rice or birdseed are permitted to be strewn on the ground. Flower petals may be strewn but must be collected after the ceremony. The use of any tents or overhead canopies is prohibited.

Services: The Park does not provide any equipment, materials, services, electrical outlets or general public parking. Up to six (6) parking spaces will be available for each permitted event. All vehicles must leave the premises at the conclusion of the event.

Permit Period: The permit will be issued for the amount of time required to set up, conduct, and clean up after the ceremony. Please note: it is the permittee's responsibility to have the designated area cleared and policed to the park's satisfaction by the expiration of the permit.

Costs: There is a non-refundable $100.00 application fee and all events require a monitor at a rate of $50.00 per hour per Park Ranger assigned to monitor your event. The number of monitors needed is dependent upon the estimated number of guests attending the event. Payment must be in the form of a check or money order payable to the National Park Service. Credit card payments can be processed over the phone by contacting the permitting office at [phone] ext 254. Other potential charges may include, but are not limited to, clean up and site restoration and recovery of administrative costs. Entrance to the Castillo by wedding attendees is subject to normal fees.

Procedure: Fill out the Special Use Permit Application and return it with the $100.00 application fee to: Special Use Permit Coordinator, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, 1 South Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32084. IMPORTANT: Please include as much detail about the wedding as possible because if some aspect of your ceremony is not in the permit, it may not be allowed. If approved, a Special Use Permit will be prepared and returned to you for your review. Sign and return it with payment of any additional charges. The final approval will be secured and the completed permit will be sent to you. IMPORTANT: You must have the permit with you at the wedding ceremony.