Although outdoor wedding ceremonies have grown in popularity over the last few years, Florida’s unpredictable weather can (quite literally) rain on your parade. As a result, many couples are opting for indoor wedding ceremonies to avoid the need for a backup plan.
Some wedding venues have such a gorgeous indoor space for a wedding ceremony that you just have to take advantage of it!
With lofty ceilings, wrought-iron balconies, and plenty of room to accommodate your guests, the Lightner Museum’s historic pool is a beautiful location for wedding ceremonies for up to 225 guests. One of the best things about this St. Augustine wedding venue is the way it complements a variety of wedding décor styles.
We’ve selected five of our favorite past ceremonies to help inspire your own indoor wedding decoration ideas. These distinct, yet equally amazing, wedding styles each highlight the space in a different way, while still paying homage to this incredible venue.
1. Boho Chic Indoor Ceremony
Planner: Coastal Coordinating | Florist: Marble and Pine | Photography: We Are The Bowers | Rentals: St. Johns Illuminations
Although our historic St. Augustine wedding venue doesn’t typically scream “boho,” we love it when couples take our venue and personalize it to make it their own.
The Marble and Pine team says, “What is fun and unique about a boho styled wedding is that the arrangements and bouquets are more free-flowing and mimic more of what you would find in nature, opposed to an arrangement created with a round shape or traditional style.”
Planner: Coastal Coordinating | Florist: Marble and Pine | Photography: We Are The Bowers | Rentals: St. Johns Illuminations
Rather than hosting their wedding ceremony outdoors, Lauren and Logan used a stage, white drapery, and eye-catching floral arrangements filled with pampas grass to make their vision come to life. By replacing structured florals with more organic styles, they transformed our venue into a boho-chic dream!
2. Bright and Colorful Indoor Wedding Ceremony
Planner: Coastal Celebrations | Florist: Simply the Best Creations | Photography: Nate Puhr
While many couples believe inside ceremonies are dim and moody, Linda and Matt’s Indian-American wedding proves that this isn’t always the case!
With extravagant greenery arches, bold florals, and an aisle lined with candles, this indoor ceremony felt drenched in light.
Planner: Coastal Celebrations | Florist: Simply the Best Creations | Photography: Nate Puhr
Marble and Pine suggests, “When hosting an indoor ceremony, we always like to encourage our couples to bring as much nature inside as they can, to make space feel more lively and welcoming.”
When looking for your own indoor wedding decoration ideas, Michelle Guthrie, Senior Wedding Event Coordinator of Coastal Celebrations suggests, “Inspiration photos are the first place to start, choosing the style and then adding personal preferences and touches. We can do this by partnering with local vendors for staging, florals, lighting to create the style and vision.”
3. Classic Religious Ceremony
Planner: Coastal Celebrations | Florist: Tula Rose Events | Photographer: Katie McLeod Photography
All faith-based ceremonies are welcome at the Lightner Museum! As Madison and Isaac proved, it’s possible to host your wedding outside of a traditional church while still honoring your faith.
When it comes to hosting faith-based weddings, there are many ways to bring in your religion and spiritual background. Madison & Isaac started with a clean and classic background, then added a wooden cross as a focal point.
Planner: Coastal Celebrations | Florist: Tula Rose Events | Photographer: Katie McLeod Photography
A stage is another great way to “elevate” an indoor ceremony! This detail allows all guests to see the ceremony regardless of their seating arrangements. If you are hosting a large wedding, guests will appreciate having a clear view of the memorable moments from their seats.
4. Seasonal-Inspired Wedding Ceremony
Planner: The Wedding Authority | Florist: Tula Rose Events | Photography: Life + Love Studio
Sometimes, when it comes to selecting the perfect ceremony style, your wedding date will choose it for you! This was definitely the case for Kim and Rockwell, whose Halloween wedding date set the tone for their cozy fall wedding. To bring their ceremony together, Kim and Rockwell chose a color scheme that stayed true to the spooky holiday.
Planner: The Wedding Authority | Florist: Tula Rose Events | Photography: Life + Love Studio
“Their inspiration came from the colors they chose and the season & holiday. The bride and groom both love Halloween, but they didn’t want cheesy Halloween decorations around. They went a more creative route and chose colors that tied into the holiday without it being too dark.” Says, Karli Ecker, Lead Coordinator, The Wedding Authority.
Hosting a seasonal wedding allows couples to have fun with their wedding décor, while staying true to their own style. If you are interested in hosting a seasonal-themed wedding like Halloween, Christmas, or New Year, you can find plenty of indoor wedding decoration ideas on Pinterest or Instagram.
5. Romantic Wedding Ceremony with Pops of Pastels
Planner: Coastal Celebrations | Florist: Ever After Vintage | Photographer: Dewitt for Love | Rentals: St. Johns Illuminations
Stephanie and Filip decorated their wedding venue with a color scheme of white and soft pastels, accented by pops of richly-colored blooms. A wooden arch covered in greenery was the perfect backdrop for their ceremony.
What we loved most about their summery colors was their selection of different tones of blue and pink. These colors create a timeless look that will look gorgeous in photos for years to come.
Planner: Coastal Celebrations | Florist: Ever After Vintage | Photographer: Dewitt for Love | Rentals: St. Johns Illuminations
For a romantic vibe, integrating a soft color alongside the traditional white and green will add another layer of dimension to your floral and décor designs. Unsure of which additional colors to add? Ask your wedding planner! With their insight on current trends and awareness of your venue, they will be an excellent resource for wedding ceremony décor inspiration.
The Great Indoors
Outdoor ceremonies have the benefit of lush, natural surroundings, but indoor weddings can be just as beautiful—and help you avoid the stress of worrying about Mother Nature!
Whether you want to escape the heat, avoid the need for a backup plan in the event of rain, or you simply fell in love with the design of your ceremony venue, an indoor wedding can be the best of both worlds.
Creating a beautiful ambiance through lighting, a stage, floral arrangements, and décor, couples can have the wedding ceremony of their dreams without the need for a Plan B.
Hosting your wedding at the Lightner Museum will give you peace of mind. Not only do we have several gorgeous options in case of inclement weather, but our amazing team is also dedicated to making your day special from start to finish.
Schedule a tour to come see us in person to get the full effect of this historic event venue.
