Planning a wedding is one of the most stressful things you’ll ever have to do. There are so many different decisions to be made, and you just want to make the right choices so that everything will be perfect on you and your love’s big day.
One of the first – and biggest – decisions you have to make is which venue to book. Maybe a destination wedding is more your thing, or maybe you’ve had somewhere in mind since you were little, but many couples just want to find a nice place near home so that travel isn’t a concern leading up to the wedding.
If you’re a Jacksonville couple looking for a local venue, here’s several great places to get you started!
THE RIVER CLUB
If you’re looking for amazing views, The River Club is your ideal venue. Located in Suite 3500 of the Wells Fargo Center, the club offers unbeatable views of the river and the city’s skyline.
Rental of The River Club for a wedding includes a wedding planner from their selected team, food and drink by the club’s staff, equipment rental, floral arrangements, complimentary parking, and referrals for entertainment options. They do require you to use their food and drink services – so if you’re looking for autonomy on vendor selection, it might not be the right fit for you.
You can learn more about The River Club at their website’s wedding page. https://www.jaxriverclub.com/weddings
EPPING FOREST YACHT & COUNTRY CLUB
Located at 1830 Epping Forest Drive and managed by the same company as The River Club, Epping Forest Yacht & Country Club is great for fans of historic properties. The club was originally built in 1926 as a private mansion for the affluent duPont family.
As with The River Club, they require that you use their food and drink services, as well as their coordinator, floral services, and event staff. They’ll also provide transportation for guests, a photographer, and even a cake.
And for those looking for a special cultural or religious ceremony, Epping Forest offers unique packages including a traditional Indian wedding as well as South Asian and Jewish ceremonies.
Learn more about Epping Forest’s wedding services at https://www.efyc.com/weddings
THE GLASS FACTORY
Another great pick for history buffs is The Glass Factory, located at 601 North Myrtle Avenue. The building was designed by the city’s storied architect, Henry J. Klutho, in 1936 after being commissioned by Pittsburg Plate Glass.
The Glass Factory offers 16,000 square feet of space, including a kitchen and rooms for the bride and groom parties. Your rental would include full-day use of the venue, an on-site manager, and security. They require you to have a wedding planner, but you can choose your own – and you can also choose all of your own vendors.
Learn more about The Glass Factory at https://theglassfactory.com/
SIX HUNDRED KING
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If you’d rather find a more low-key space or a bare-bones rental package, Six Hundred King is the perfect fit. The smaller, more intimate restored warehouse space features two 2,500 square foot sections which can be rented together or separately. In total, it can still fit up to 200 guests.
Your rental of the space, which was designed by artist Christina Karst, includes only the venue. That means you get to pick everything else yourself – there’s no preferred vendor list.
Learn more about Six Hundred King at their website: http://sixhundredking.com
THE KEELER PROPERTY
Looking for a more rustic venue? The Keeler Property, located at 17255 Normandy Boulevard, could work well for you. The former country estate has been converted into a wedding venue featuring a 9,500 square foot barn full of rustic charm.
The venue offers wedding coordination services, but you can also choose to hire your own. They have a preferred vendor list, and they do require that you use their linens, tables, and chairs.
Learn more about The Keeler Property at their website: http://thekeelerproperty.com
BOWING OAKS PLANTATION
Another great option for lovers of nature and rustic charm is Bowing Oaks Plantation, a 5-acre stretch of land at 7743 Alphons Street in the Bayard area. It features a 6,000 square foot event building complete with a 3,400 square foot ballroom, as well as a giant, sprawling oak tree reminiscent of the Treaty Oak that acts as the perfect canopy for a beautiful outdoor ceremony. And for more formal ceremonies, they also have a fully-covered ceremony pavilion.
The venue has a list of approved caterers, bartenders, and wedding planners you must choose from, but all other vendors are up to you.
Learn more about Bowing Oaks Plantation here: https://bowingoaksplantation.com/
