If you’ve been dreaming of a wedding with water views, fresh air, and unforgettable charm, this one’s for you. Forget the standard ballroom or barn—Historic Downtown Sanford is offering couples something entirely different.
On a breezy April afternoon, I Said Yes! FL PROS hosted its latest networking luncheon, “Beyond the Shore,” at one of Sanford’s most scenic and surprising wedding venues: The Sanford Galleon. Surprise! Guess what’s right next door? A literal riverboat venue: the St. Johns Rivership Co.
Tucked along the shoreline of the St. Johns River, the Sanford Galleon is a 5,000+ square foot indoor/outdoor event venue offering picturesque water views, a blank canvas interior, and the flexibility to host everything from weddings and rehearsal dinners to large social gatherings.
With dark interiors and oversized windows, the Galleon is perfect for couples who want to bring in their own flair while still keeping it classic and elegant…with the water just steps away, the vibe: all tucked in!
Just next door floats 1 of Central Florida’s most one-of-a-kind reception spaces: the St. Johns Rivership Co., a fully operational paddlewheel steamboat that hosts weddings, dinner cruises, and private events right on the river.
Couples can choose to dock-and-dine or set sail down the St. Johns River, giving guests a totally immersive wedding experience they’ll never forget. Whether you’re planning a welcome party or an intimate elopement, this is where coastal romance meets vintage charm.
Bonus? Both the Galleon and the Rivership are significantly more affordable than most private estate or resort venues, with no compromise on location, vibe, or amenities.
The April luncheon was beautifully brought to life by some of Sanford’s top-tier wedding professionals, making this event not only gorgeous but expert-approved:
Together, they curated a dreamy and nautical afternoon on the water!
Curious about Sanford’s walkable wedding scene and vibrant vendor community? Be sure to read our Historic Downtown Sanford Wedding Pub Crawl Recap from earlier this spring! It was an industry-first for I Said Yes! FL, where pros explored Downtown Sanford’s venues, distilleries, and glam teams on foot with cocktails, coffee, and whatever they wanted to sip as we crawled our way around Sanford’s finest!
When you’re ready to plan a Central Florida wedding that’s rooted in charm and rich in experience, don’t overlook Sanford. From scenic docks and paddlewheel cruises to mystical venues on the water, distilleries, and legendary restaurants, this hidden gem delivers personality, practicality, and unmatched waterfront vibes.
To tour the Sanford Galleon or the St. Johns Rivership Co., contact the venues directly.🎉 Stay tuned for more I Said Yes! FL luncheons, pub crawls, and creative showcases to give you a behind-the-scenes and insider discovery into Central Florida’s most inspired wedding creatives, event venues, and everything in between!
Venue
Capacity
Catering
Features
Sanford Galleon
200 seated / 300 cocktail
On-site & outside options
Indoor / outdoor, water view, private bar
St. Johns Rivership Co.
Up to 150
On-board catering
River cruise, dance floor, full bar
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.
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.
Awe Glammed Up provides comprehensive bridal beauty packages tailored to each bride’s vision. Services include:
NEXT on the Pub Crawl?!
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.
Final stop with ALL ATTENDEES?!
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.
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!
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.
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:
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!
Looking for the perfect setting for your special day? Look no further than Central Florida, where endless stunning wedding venues await you. From the vibrant city of Orlando to the serene shores of Daytona Beach, and every charming spot in between, we’ve curated a list of the finest wedding venues to make your dream wedding a reality.
At I Said Yes!, we understand that choosing the right venue is crucial, as it sets the tone for your entire celebration. That’s why we’ve handpicked a diverse range of venues to suit every style and preference, ensuring that your wedding day is nothing short of perfect.
Explore our carefully curated selection of wedding venues, each offering its own unique charm and ambiance. Whether you envision an elegant ballroom affair, a romantic garden ceremony, or a picturesque waterfront celebration, we have the ideal venue for you.
Our featured venues boast professional wedding experts who are dedicated to helping you bring your vision to life. From the initial tour to the final details, they’ll be by your side every step of the way, ensuring a seamless and stress-free planning process.
Take a closer look at our featured wedding venues below, and click on the links to learn more about each one. Ready to take the next step? Contact the venues directly to inquire about pricing, availability, and to schedule a tour.
We’re thrilled to be a part of your journey to finding the perfect wedding venue. Let’s make your dream wedding a reality together.
(cover photo venue: Villa Festa)
105 S Riverside Dr
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
Set directly on the water, the Brannon Center offers stunning views of the beautiful Intracoastal waterway with floor-to-ceiling windows. Let your guests mingle on our outdoor waterfront private terrace, and entertain up to 500 inside our Grand Ballroom.
352 S Nova Rd
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Immerse yourself in art, culture, and romance at this unique venue offering a variety of indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception options.
1871 Minnesota Ave
Winter Park, FL
407-960-2853
Experience the epitome of elegance at this indoor/outdoor venue, surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful flowers year-round.
5472 Gateway Village Cir,
Orlando, FL 32812
Host your wedding at this modern hotel near Orlando airport, featuring flexible meeting spaces, beautiful outdoor lawn space, and expert assistance for seamless planning.
590 Bennet Rd,
Pierson, FL 32180
Experience rustic charm at this waterfront event venue, complete with a summer kitchen, open-air barn, and stunning property for a truly memorable celebration.
37245 County Rd 439,
Eustis, FL 32736
Located near the historic town of Mount Dora, this versatile venue offers spacious indoor and outdoor spaces, ancient oak trees, and picturesque gardens for your perfect event.
5750 T.G. Lee Blvd,
Orlando, FL 32822
Step into modern elegance at this hotel boasting flexible event spaces perfect for both intimate gatherings and grand celebrations.
11306 South Bay Lake Rd,
Groveland, FL 34736
Nestled on the shores of Twin Lake, this lakefront venue seamlessly blends indoor comfort with outdoor beauty, offering stunning views and serene surroundings.
200 S Disston Ave,
Tavares, FL 32778
Exchange vows over the water at this breathtaking event facility located at the end of a picturesque pier, offering unparalleled views for your special day.
1590 Evermore Wy,
Orlando, FL 32836
Let the dedicated team at Evermore Orlando Resort guide you through every step of your wedding journey, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.
Need inspiration and ideas for picking your perfect wedding venue. Then read
Real Weddings and Styled Shoots featured on the I Said Yes! FL Blog.
Then meet venues in person at the next I Said Yes! FL Wedding Expo and I DOs and BREWS wedding planning date nights.
You must check out this Central Florida hidden gem wedding venue. Without a doubt it is your go to option for indoor and outdoor event space. Therefore, we introduce to you, The Barn at Hidden Oaks Farm. It’s location in the heart of Lake Mary, FL means it is convenient to lodging, the airport and major roads to make attending the event easier for your guests.
In this blog feature, we are highlighting the very first event in this venue. Pave Weddings designed two different décor styles to showoff the versatility of the space.
First, is the deep jewel tones, paired with more rustic wooden chairs and chargers. Unquestionably nodding toward the idea of a barn wedding theme.
Second, the planner and designer created a more elegant feel to the space. Thus adding soft pink and white floral arrangements. Coupled with beaded glass chargers silver accents.
Similarly, Cake Designers created two different wedding cake designs. Each design was specific to the themes in the room. One elegant with pearls and bling. In contrast, the other was rustic, with cake peeking through the buttercream frosting. Coupled with a log cake stand.
Without a doubt we are in love with both of these fantastic wedding designs. And we hope you can see how this brand new, hiden gem wedding venue can be transformed to fit your wedding style.
Arthur’s Catering prepared a wonderful flatbread along with a compressed melon and burrata salad (not pictured) and a pork tenderloin roulade (not pictured). A meal wouldn’t be complete without dessert and this trio was sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. With a tiramisu dessert shooter, French macaron, and a pomegranate almond chocolate pyramid you will be left wanting more. Unquestionably your wedding guests will be dreaming of this delectable meal.
Woollco Prosecco is a mobile bartending service that can follow you wherever you choose to have your wedding. The Barn at Hidden Oaks Farm has large outdoor areas with ample room for you to have all your favorite mobile vendors. Further, the forested area surrounding this hidden gem wedding venue makes for a very a beautiful back drop to an outdoor ceremony. Likewise it is a relaxing setting to enjoy your drinks in.
If you think this hidden gem wedding venue in Central Florida is perfect for your big day, Click Here to schedule a tour and see for yourself why we fell in love with this event space.
Featured wedding vendors:
Venue: The Barn at Hidden Oaks Farm | Planner: Pave Weddings | Photo: Steven Miller Photography | Catering: Arthur’s Catering | Floral: Juluxe Events | DJ + Photobooth: Party Springs Entertainment | Rentals: EventWorks | Mobile Bar: Woollco Prosecco | Cake Artist: Cake Designers
Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter filled with helpful articles, local wedding pro events and exclusive I Said Yes! opportunities.
