Take A Tour With Us: Historic Downtown Sanford
Downtown Sanford is known for its charming streets, riverfront sunsets, and vibrant creative community. It is quickly becoming one of Central Florida’s hottest hidden gems for weddings, and we toured some of the best during our historic downtown Sanford wedding pub crawl.
This spring, wedding and event professionals took over the historic Sanford district in style, thanks to I Said Yes! FL. They hosted a wedding-themed pub crawl, the first of its kind! The event kicked off at Awe Glammed Up, a full-service hair salon with a mobile glam team that travels to brides across Central Florida.
The goal? To spotlight Sanford’s thriving wedding and event scene through real-time experiences with local pros from Sanford pub to pub. Throughout the historic Sanford wedding pub crawl, guests explored everything that makes Sanford a dream destination for engaged couples. From venues like The Sanford Galleon to small-batch spirits from Loggerhead Distillery, and elevated catering by Hollerbach’s Upstairs, this event had it all.
We began with craft spirit samples from Loggerhead Distillery, served right inside Awe Glammed Up. Meanwhile, Sequoia Beats (aka DJ extraordinaire) set the tone with music, and Sigrid’s Savory Bites offered delicious grab-and-go charcuterie cups.
For guests looking to skip the cocktails? KINEO Coffee stepped in with a pop-up espresso bar that stole the show, and The Cookie Jar Orlando joined us as a Member Gallery pro and served CAKE. From there, we were OFF!
Throughout the crawl, we mixed and mingled with photographers, planners, DJs, caterers, florists, and more. All of our sponsors and pub crawl hosts came together to highlight the creative powerhouse that is Historic Downtown Sanford. This pub crawl was a celebration of local talent, walkable charm, and the collaborative heart behind Sanford’s growing wedding community.
Awe Glammed Up: Elevating Bridal Beauty in Historic Downtown Sanford
Located in the heart of Historic Downtown Sanford, Awe Glammed Up is a premier salon and mobile beauty team specializing in personalized glam for weddings and special events. With a commitment to making every client feel radiant and confident, Awe Glammed Up offers both in-salon experiences and on-location services throughout Central Florida.
Bridal & Wedding Services
Awe Glammed Up provides comprehensive bridal beauty packages tailored to each bride’s vision. Services include:
- Bridal Hair Design: Formal styling with a preview session included.
- Bridal Makeup Application: Airbrush or traditional foundation with lashes, plus a trial session.
- Attendant Services: Hair and makeup for bridesmaids, mothers, and grandmothers.
- Flower Girl & Junior Bridesmaid Styling: Light makeup and hair styling for ages 12 and under.
- Awe Glammed Up also offers add-ons like lash extensions, brow waxing, extensions & more!
NEXT on the Pub Crawl?!
Loggerhead Distillery: A Spirited Addition to Sanford's Event Scene
A private showing of Loggerhead Distillery was our first stop on this historic downtown Sanford wedding pub crawl, and it was a true hidden gem. Their exquisite tasting room (complete with a view of the actual distillery) is nestled right in the heart of Historic Downtown Sanford.
Moreover, this boutique craft distillery is known for its small-batch, Florida-inspired spirits. It was founded by two Florida natives who share a deep passion for both the ocean and their community. Additionally, Loggerhead infuses locally sourced ingredients—like sugar cane, citrus, and botanicals—into every handcrafted bottle of vodka, rum, gin, bourbon, and even moonshine.
Event Services & Offerings
- Tasting Room & Tours: Guests can enjoy complimentary tastings and guided tours, offering an inside look at the distillation process and the stories behind each spirit. Visit Florida
- Cocktail Classes & Private Events: Loggerhead hosts cocktail classes and is available for private events, making it an ideal venue for intimate gatherings, bridal showers, or corporate events. loggerheaddistillery.com
- In-House Bar: Thanks to recent Florida legislation, Loggerhead now serves craft cocktails on-site, allowing visitors to savor their spirits in curated drinks like the Key Lime Gin and Elderflower Tonic or the Cranberry Sour featuring their 7x distilled vodka. historicdowntownsanford.com
- Annual Events: The distillery organizes events like the “Loggerhead Cocktail Crawl,” collaborating with local bars and restaurants to showcase their spirits in unique cocktails across Sanford.
Final stop with ALL ATTENDEES?!
Hollerbach's German Restaurant & Lodge: A Gemütlich Venue for Memorable Events in Downtown Sanford
Up next?! Hollerbach’s Restaurant and Lodge, where we toured their upstairs event spaces and enjoyed complimentary Jagermeister shots! Thank you again to Sebastian & ENGLISH DAVE!!
If there’s ONE establishment Sanford is known for, it’s Hollerbach’s German Restaurant + Lodge (they have the entire block + offer catering!) affectionately known as Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café. They offer an authentic German dining experience infused with warmth, hospitality, and a Bavarian flair. Beyond its renowned cuisine, Hollerbach’s provides versatile event spaces perfect for weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate gatherings, and private celebrations. This was by far one of our favorite spots along our historic downtown Sanford wedding pub crawl.
Event Spaces
- Upstairs Venue & Rooftop Biergarten: Ideal for larger gatherings, this space accommodates up to 80 guests and includes exclusive access to the rooftop biergarten and a full-service bar. With no room fee and only a minimum spend requirement, it’s both elegant and affordable. Hollerbach’s
- Knight’s Hall: For more intimate affairs, Knight’s Hall offers a medieval-inspired setting for up to 26 guests. Available for luncheons and private dinners, it provides a unique ambiance reminiscent of a German castle. Hollerbach’s+1Hollerbach’s+1
Why Historic Downtown Sanford Is Perfect for Weddings
Choosing Sanford for your wedding isn’t just about location, it’s about soul. With its vintage architecture, eclectic local businesses, and mossy oak walkable downtown streets, Sanford offers couples an intimate, customizable wedding experience. Historic downtown Sanford feels worlds away from traditional ballroom weddings and the chaos that can surround Orlando! It’s unique and all its own!
- Waterfront ceremony spots
- Boutique venues + breweries
- Historic inns, Airbnbs, shopping, dining, + photo-perfect streets
The Wedding-Themed Sanford Pub Crawl: Community in Action
This wedding-themed pub crawl wasn’t just a blast; it was a celebration of collaboration. It reminded us that planning your wedding isn’t just about finding wedding vendors, it’s about the community that brings your vision to life.
Your wedding dream team is only a few historic blocks away in Sanford, Florida.
Pro Tip: Map Out Sanford Wedding Creatives and Professionals
When planning your wedding, don’t just settle for the obvious options. Instead, take time to explore the local businesses tucked into historic neighborhoods—you might be surprised by what you find. For example, the Sanford Chamber of Commerce, located right in Historic Downtown Sanford, is an incredible resource. Whether you’re just getting started or fine-tuning the details, they’re ready to provide electronic, print, and in-person support to help guide your planning process.
You’ll find:
- Boutique beauty services
- Artisan bakeries
- Bespoke florists
- Distilleries + breweries
- Talented photographers who know every secret alley + mural in town
- Local restaurants are ready to personalize your reception, catering, entertainment, Airbnb, and more!
Looking for wedding professionals in Sanford and can’t find what you need? Review the I Said Yes! FL online directory to find YOUR FLORIDA wedding team! Explore the I Said Yes! FL blog for MORE inspo! Additionally, don’t miss the NEXT blog post: Sanford Weddings BEYOND THE SHORE and subscribe to our wedding newsletter to never miss a giveaway, sale, Central Florida wedding blogs, and more!
