TIPS FOR CHOOSING A VENUE

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  1. LEVEL OF FORMALITY of your wedding. Beach weddings lean to be more informal than church weddings.

  2. TIME OF YEAR. Will the grass be brown or will the azaleas be blooming? When will the sun set, and what will the temperature be? Also, temperatures tend to soar in late summer, so August might not be the best time, especially if many older adults and children will be attending.

  3. HAVE A VISION. For example, some locations have restrictions on caterers. For long, formal veil, a poolside or beachside bash might not be ideal. If you want elaborate decorations, ask the church about rules.

  4. CLEANUP. If you have an outdoor wedding, you may need to hire someone to do this.

  5. How many can the venue accommodate? There may be seating for 50, but can hold twice that number standing? Is there enough parking?

  6. SEPARATE SITES FOR CEREMONY AND RECEPTION. Entertain having the two nearby, so guests don't have to travel far.

  7. OUTDOOR WEDDING. A sound system may be essential.

  8. KEEP YOUR GUESTS COMFORTABLE. Do they have enough shade and water if it's hot? Fans and bug spray might be necessary. Do you have a way to keep the food fresh and the drinks cold?

  9. BACK-UP PLAN. Especially for lousy weather. If a lightning storm interrupts your reception, will there be a covered area where guests can go? What's the cancellation policy if a hurricane heads this way?

  10. Sample the venue's food to ensure food and drink prices fit your budget.

THE PERFECT VENUE

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Finding the perfect venue isn't easy.

Here are a few favorites.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN PENSACOLA

THE UWF HISTORIC TRUST OPERATES SEVERAL VENUES, EACH BOASTING AWE-INSPIRING ENVIRONMENTS FOR ANY GATHERING.  BELOW ARE A FEW EXAMPLES

• Old Christ Church, 120 Church St. A beacon of historic preservation, the church is one of the oldest surviving church buildings in Florida and has served as an Episcopal Church, public library and museum. Extensive work in 1998 restored the church interior to its Victorian appearance. Features Norman Gothic arches, Venetian windows, and stained-glass artistry. 

• Barkley House, 410 S. Florida Blanca St. One of the oldest masonry houses in Florida and the last remaining early 19th-century example of a High House in Pensacola, the Barkley House was built by George Barkley in 1825 from bricks salvaged from Pensacola's British fortifications.

• Museum of Commerce, 201 E. Zaragoza St. Inside this brick turn-of-the-century warehouse is a reconstructed 1890s-era streetscape. Quaint shops, trolley that once travelled to North Hill and horse-drawn buggies are part of nostalgic recreation of yesteryear's commerce. 

• Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Built-in 1906 as a jail, then in 1954 transitioned to an arts center. Fantastic space for art-centric weddings.

• Fountain Park. This picturesque park, just below Seville Square, overlooks Pensacola Bay.

ADDITIONAL VENUES

• Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 Jefferson St. Historic brick building sits on Main Street, Pensacola. Home to the Pensacola Little Theatre, it has three rooms for events and can accommodate up to 400. 

• Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Originally the City Jail, a Spanish Revival building constructed in 1906. Three large open galleries upstairs and two downstairs. The museum can accommodate up to 150 people for a seated dinner and for a standing event 200. The site has a PA system for music, and DJs and acoustic bands are allowed. Brides and grooms bring in their caterers, and a small kitchen is available for food preparation. www.pensacolamuseum.org.

• Polonza Bistro, 286 N. Palafox St. Named after what early Spanish explorers called Pensacola Bay, Polonza is a restaurant that can accommodate events up to 75. www.Polonza.com.

• Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Seville's facilities have seven rooms and two courtyards with a New Orleans flair. In-house perks include catering, notary service and entertainment. www.rosies.com.

• Seville Square. Nearly 2 acres bordered by Government, Zaragossa, Alcaniz and Adams streets, Seville Square was the location of a 1752 Spanish outpost. The park is filled with magnolia trees and a gazebo with electricity panels. Permitting is through the City of Pensacola.