Five Sarasota Wedding Venues with Historical Charm

Journal and Imagery by Sarasota Wedding Photographers Popping Champaign Photography.

Sarasota, Florida is a popular destination for weddings due to its beautiful beaches, stunning sunsets, and warm weather. However, for couples looking for a unique wedding experience, there are also several historic wedding venues in the area that offer a timeless and elegant backdrop for their special day. Here are some of our favorite historic wedding venues in Sarasota, Florida to host a wedding your guests will never forget.

#1 Powel Crosley Estate

The Powel Crosley Estate Weddings are wonderful for modern couples that value vintage aesthetics. The Powel Crosley Estate is a beautiful Mediterranean Revival-style mansion built in 1929 by Powel Crosley, a prominent inventor and entrepreneur, that features the unique styling and architecture of a bygone era. The estate features stunning architecture, a grand ballroom, and several outdoor ceremony locations, including a picturesque lawn overlooking Sarasota Bay. The estate is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers a charming and elegant setting for weddings.

#2 The Ringling Museum

The Ringling Museum is a stunning cultural center that includes an art museum, circus museum, and historic mansion. The museum's Ca' d'Zan mansion was built in the 1920s by circus magnate John Ringling and features impressive Venetian Gothic architecture and breathtaking views of Sarasota Bay. The museum offers several indoor and outdoor wedding venues, including the courtyard and terrace overlooking the bay and the rose garden.

#3 Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a beautiful garden venue that includes a historic mansion built in 1925 in addition to 15 acres of lush, tropical gardens lining the Sarasota Bay and Hudson Bayou. The gardens are home to over 20,000 plants and several stunning outdoor ceremony locations, including the bayside lawn and the bamboo garden. This wedding venue provides the perfect escape from the commotion of urban life and an abundance of tranquility. While they have many stunning settings for any indoor or outdoor weddings, Marie Selby also provides one of the largest options of backdrops for formal wedding portraits, such as waterfalls, docks, mansions, greenhouses, a cafe, and many garden areas perfect for any wedding.

#4 The Edson Keith Mansion at Phillippi Estate Park

The Edson Keith Mansion at Phillippi Estate Park is a stunning venue that is perfect for timeless romantics and modern muses. The mansion was built in 1916 and features impressive Colonial Revival architecture, complete with a grand staircase and original woodwork. The venue offers indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception spaces, including a spacious lawn overlooking the Phillippi River, a covered patio area, and several indoor event spaces, including the grand ballroom and library. The mansion also features a bridal suite and groom's room, making it the perfect venue for couples looking for an all-in-one location for their wedding day. With its historic charm and beautiful surroundings, the Edson Keith Mansion at Phillippi Estate Park is a top choice for couples seeking a unique and elegant wedding experience in Sarasota.

#5 The Bay Preserve at Osprey

The Bay Preserve at Osprey the perfect waterfront oasis for couples who love historic venues and being surrounded by nature. This venue is situated on a 4.5-acre nature preserve along Little Sarasota Bay and features stunning waterfront views, lush foliage, an abundance of wildlife, and their stunning 1931 Burrows-Matson House. The Bay Preserve offers several outdoor ceremony and reception locations, including a beautiful lawn next to the Burrows-Matson house, a charming gazebo, and a waterfront pavilion. The Bay Preserve at Osprey is an ideal venue for couples looking to embrace the natural beauty of Florida and create a romantic and intimate atmosphere for their wedding day.

An Extra Pop: The Modern Hotel

While The Modern Hotel is not historic, it is one of the most unique, stylish and contemporary wedding venues located in downtown Sarasota, so we had to include it in our list of favorite venues! This hotel boasts a sleek and minimalist design that creates a chic and modern ambiance for weddings. The venue features multiple indoor and outdoor spaces, including a rooftop pool deck, a courtyard, and a ballroom, that can accommodate up to 150 guests. The Modern Hotel's elegant and modern decor, along with its panoramic views of the city, make it a unique and unforgettable location for a wedding.

Sarasota, Florida offers several historic wedding venues that provide a timeless and elegant backdrop for couples looking for a unique wedding experience. From grand mansions to lush botanical gardens, these venues offer a range of indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception locations to create an unforgettable wedding day.

What's Next?

Once you've selected a date and venue, you should  start looking for the right wedding photographer for you . Scroll down to read more about us, Zoe & Damara, who are Sarasota FL wedding photographers who elegantly tell our couple's love stories in joyful, whimsical, and timeless images.