Picking a watery venue

What about like some type of gator farm?

View Quoted Comment Absolutely, that would be really cool! Do you have any in mind, or just putting forth the idea to think about? I will definitely look into that, I hadn’t considered it.

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No sorry. I just know that I have seen them the few times I have been but actually never been to any of them. Here are the results that came up when I searched for Gator Farm Wedding Florida that might help you get started. They definitely have the look you want.

https://www.google.com/search?q=gator+farm+wedding+florida&oq=gator+farm+wedding+florida&aqs=chrome..69i57j33l2.4144j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

I've never been to either of these but I came across them when I was originally searching for venues and thought they might fit what you're looking for https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/streamsong-resort-bowling-green/31ee98ce9505c88f.html and https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/estate-on-the-halifax-port-orange/25e1b01fa9c4d150.html

Another option might be River Ranch Resort near Kissimmee which has cabins onsite and lots of outdoor areas.

If none of those work, I would suggest searching for state parks and barn venues around Gainesville, Kissimmee or Naples. A lot of barn venues are located on big properties with many different location options for your ceremony. In Gainesville, I know there is Paynes Prairie which has wedding locations, but I'm not sure what other accommodations they offer for a reception space, etc.

View Quoted Comment These are all really good options, thank you!
Also, I love Payne’s prairie in Gainesville, I’ll definitely look into that! I didn’t know they had any options for weddings at all.

View Quoted Comment Thank you Sherry!

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I've been to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park a handful of times (I traveled there for a work event 5-6 years in a row) and it's more of a zoo with manmade habitats than a natural swamp. There is a natural rookery area that would be pretty cool and definitely has the "swamp" vibe going, but it has a narrow boardwalk through most of it and a viewing platform at the end that probably wouldn't accommodate more than 20 people at most. If you had a super small wedding it could be really cool, but it wouldn't work for a larger group. The areas that could accommodate more guests are indoor classrooms and outdoor amphitheater type areas for educational programs, but they aren't overlooking the swamp environments.

St. Augustine is an awesome town though with lots of historical interest and a really neat old town area with cobble pedestrian only streets and amazing architecture. I've only ever been there in late April and that time of year is really beautiful, with super pleasant weather and the air smells amazing because its when the confederate jasmine blooms and hibiscus too. It is however when all of the egrets, herons, ibis, and spoonbills are breeding at the rookery at the Alligator Farm, so that rookery/swamp part of the zoo would be prime for getting pooped on by a bird and is really loud with all the birds squawking that time of year.

I can't comment on any other places but I thought maybe some of that info would help narrow down your search since I know Florida is a big state and St. Augustine is not central at all.

View Quoted Comment Yeah, those are some good points for sure. Thanks Kari. I think I’m going to keep looking anyway because when I looked it up it did seem a little more manmade than what I had envisioned. Really cool place to visit though I bet!

We live in the Clearwater area. I would suggest John Chestnut Park, or I will make you a deal and you can use my backyard. No gators but we have Turkey, deer, bobcats.

https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/key-wests-best-beach-key-west/fdf086ae6a7b84c4.html

https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/key-west-tropical-forest-botanical-garden-key-west/8601b5fa3bc1055e.html

https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/the-hammock-at-highland-park-fish-camp-deland/b158b6521271542d.html

Our venue is in the Keys and the back area is all natural trees. It's ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. Baker's Cay Key Largo.

ww won't let me upload images right now, but it's to die for.

I am not sure if this is what you are looking for but here you go

The Addison

The Club Continental on the St. Johns River | Orange Park

Cross Creek Ranch

The Hilltop Club and Restaurant | Orange Park

Look
Into the living sanctuary in Davie