If you’re looking for a Miami wedding venue that feels completely different from anything else in South Florida, an Ancient Spanish Monastery wedding is hard to beat. Located in North Miami Beach, The Ancient Spanish Monastery feels like a piece of medieval Spain tucked into South Florida.

The history alone makes this venue incredible. Construction of the monastery began in Sacramenia, Spain, in 1133 AD. Nearly 800 years later, the entire structure was dismantled stone by stone, packed into more than 11,000 wooden crates, shipped to the United States, and eventually rebuilt in Miami in the 1950s. But the history is only part of what makes this venue so special. The stone cloisters, courtyards, gardens, and Spanish architecture create an atmosphere that feels intimate, romantic, and completely unlike a typical Miami wedding venue.

As a South Florida wedding photo and video team, we love venues that give us something unique to work with. The Ancient Spanish Monastery does exactly that. From the moment you arrive, there are beautiful textures, arches, gardens, and historic details everywhere you look. Here’s everything you need to know!

Why We Love Photographing an Ancient Spanish Monastery Wedding

One of the biggest reasons we love photographing an Ancient Spanish Monastery wedding is the variety.  The stone architecture gives the photos a timeless, European feel, while the surrounding gardens bring in lush greenery and softer, more romantic images. The covered cloisters are especially beautiful for portraits because the arches create natural framing.

We also love how well the property works for intimate weddings. Lillian and Eran’s celebration was intentionally small, and we leaned into that feeling throughout their experience. Instead of separating for the getting ready portion of the day, they got ready together. They then shared private vows with each other in the courtyard before celebrating with a small cake cutting and champagne. It was simple, personal, and completely centered around the two of them. The Ancient Spanish Monastery gave them a beautiful setting without needing a large production to make the day feel special.

What Makes an Ancient Spanish Monastery Wedding Experience Special

The history of this venue is something your guests will actually experience as they move through the property. The monastery was originally built in Spain in the 12th century and was occupied by Cistercian monks for nearly 700 years. After the structure was purchased by William Randolph Hearst in 1925, it was taken apart and shipped to the United States. The pieces eventually made their way to South Florida, where the monastery was reconstructed in the 1950s. It took 19 months to put everything back together. At the time, Time magazine called it “the biggest jigsaw puzzle in history.” When you get married here, you are celebrating inside a structure with centuries of history that has quite literally traveled across the world.

The property also gives couples plenty of flexibility. Weddings can take place in one of three chapels or in several outdoor garden spaces, with options for both intimate celebrations and larger guest lists.

Chapel and Garden Wedding Options at The Ancient Spanish Monastery

One of the best things about the venue is that couples can choose between a chapel wedding and an outdoor garden celebration.

The Main Chapel

The Main Chapel can accommodate up to 150 guests and includes the organist and pipe organ. For couples who want a traditional ceremony surrounded by historic architecture, this is a beautiful option.

The Chapter House

For something smaller, the Chapter House seats up to 80 guests. It has a more intimate feel while still giving couples the historic atmosphere that makes the monastery so special.

The French Altar

For couples planning something truly intimate, the French Altar accommodates up to 10 guests. This could be especially beautiful for a private ceremony followed by portraits and an intimate dinner or celebration.

The Outdoor Gardens

If you’d rather exchange vows outside, there are five garden spaces to choose from: the Loggia, Courtyard, Banyan Tree, Saviour Garden, and St. John Garden.

The gardens feature rare palms, Spanish oaks, cycads, banyans, and flowering trees. With the historic monastery as the backdrop, the setting feels romantic without needing a lot of additional décor.

Lillian and Eran’s private vows in the courtyard are a great example of how beautiful an intimate moment can feel here. The architecture gave the setting plenty of character while still allowing the focus to stay on them.

Reception Spaces at The Ancient Spanish Monastery

Receptions can take place in the Cloisters, Loggia, or Gardens, giving couples several different options for their celebration.

The Cloisters are especially unique. These covered passageways surround an open courtyard and create a beautiful transition between the indoor and outdoor portions of the property.

For couples who want an outdoor reception, the Gardens or Loggia offer a more open setting surrounded by greenery and historic architecture.

Another perk is the flexibility to bring in your own caterers, florists, and decorators. That gives couples plenty of room to personalize the experience and create a wedding that feels like their own.

What Type of Couple Will Love an Ancient Spanish Monastery Wedding?

From a photography and videography perspective, this venue is perfect for couples who want their wedding to feel intimate, historic, and completely different from a traditional Miami celebration.

This venue is especially great for couples who:

• Love European architecture and old-world details
• Want a garden or chapel wedding with plenty of character
• Are planning an intimate celebration
• Want lots of unique photo opportunities in one location

It also works beautifully for larger weddings. With garden spaces that can accommodate up to 300 guests, couples aren’t limited to a small guest list simply because they love the intimate feel of the property.

Insider Tips for Your Ancient Spanish Monastery Wedding

If you’re considering this venue, we’d recommend taking advantage of everything the property has to offer rather than limiting yourselves to one area.

Build in time for portraits. 

There are so many different backdrops here that you won’t want to rush through photos. The cloisters, courtyard, gardens, and stone architecture all give us something different to work with.

Consider a private moment together. Lillian and Eran’s private vows in the courtyard were a beautiful example of how you can create intentional moments throughout the day. 

Let the architecture do the work. 

The monastery already has so much texture and character. You can keep your décor simple and let the historic stone, arches, and gardens become part of the design.

Think about the light when planning your timeline. 

The combination of shaded cloisters and open garden spaces gives us different types of light throughout the day. A little flexibility around portraits can make a big difference.

Our Favorite Photo Locations at The Ancient Spanish Monastery

The Cloisters

The covered passageways are one of our favorite places for portraits. The repeating arches create beautiful leading lines and give the images that unmistakable European feel.

The Courtyard

The courtyard is perfect for intimate moments. It’s where Lillian and Eran shared their private vows, and it would also be beautiful for a first look, ceremony, or couples portraits.

The Gardens

The surrounding gardens bring a softer, more organic feel to the photos. The greenery creates contrast against the historic stone and gives us plenty of variety without having to leave the property.

The Stone Arches

There are so many architectural details throughout the monastery that make beautiful portrait backdrops. The arches can frame a couple naturally while adding depth and texture to both photos and video.

Client Love

“So happy we found Michelle & Pete to help document all of our special moments as a couple!

We’ve had the pleasure of working with them for several different events at this point and they’ve consistently blown us away each and every time with the beautiful work they produce.

In addition to being amazing photographers/videographers, you really couldn’t ask for kinder or more professional individuals to work with.

I would highly recommend (and have many times!) that anyone in need of photography/videography services for their wedding or special event reach out to them ASAP!” — Lillian & Eran

The Ancient Spanish Monastery at a Glance

Location: 16711 West Dixie Highway North Miami Beach, FL  33160
Phone: (305) 945-1461
Website: https://www.spanishmonastery.com/
Capacity: Up to 300 guests for garden weddings
Style: Historic, European, romantic, garden-inspired

Planning Your Ancient Spanish Monastery Wedding?

An Ancient Spanish Monastery wedding offers something you won’t find at many Miami venues: centuries of history combined with beautiful gardens and an intimate, romantic atmosphere.

Whether you’re planning a large garden celebration or a small ceremony with just your closest people, the property gives you plenty of ways to make the day feel personal. Lillian and Eran’s intimate celebration was a perfect example of that. Getting ready together, sharing private vows, cutting a small cake, and popping champagne felt just as meaningful as a much larger wedding could.

As a South Florida wedding photo and video team, we love documenting celebrations that feel true to the couples we’re working with. If you’re planning a wedding at The Ancient Spanish Monastery or another Miami wedding venue, get in touch to learn more about our wedding photography and videography services!

Vendors

Venue: Spanish Monastery
Cake: Frudeco
Bouquet: De La Fleur Miami