Amelia Island, Florida's Best Kept Wedding Destination Secret
by Norm Goldman, artwork by Lily Goldman

Mea Culpa! Up until recently I admit I had never heard of Florida`s Amelia Island.

Someone mentioned to me that it was in Georgia--an unpardonable sin, as I later discovered when conversing with one of the islanders.
 
My thirst for knowledge ever present, I decided to do a little research before venturing to this barrier island to find out why well over a hundred brides are lured here every year. First though, a very brief orientation.
 
Amelia is 13 miles long and two miles wide bordering on the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. In other words, it would be very difficult to get lost! Its rich history can boast that it is the only territory in the United States to have been under eight different flags -- France, Spain, England, the Patriots of Amelia Island, the Green Cross of Florida, Mexico, the Confederacy and the United States. No folks, it is not located in Georgia, although it is minutes away from the state line of Georgia driving south along I-95.

It is little wonder that this destination attracts brides and honeymooners from around the globe, for life here floats at a leisurely pace-nature is enjoyed, as it should be.

As we checked out the various wedding venue options, we noticed that each generated its own unique superlative. We concluded that choosing an appropriate wedding venue in Amelia Island is a no brainer. The only difficulty is deciding which one to choose. Here is just a sampling of some of the endless locations we discovered.    

Ribault Club

Amelia Island Plantation
 
The 1350-acre Amelia Island Plantation is much loved among many couples, and it can even boast that it has on site an  inter denominational chapel (not affiliated with the Plantation).
 
We were particularly impressed with the resort's Walker's Landing venue located along the marsh side of the resort, providing a kind of intimacy with its natural surroundings.

Surely there is something to be said about a backdrop of natural sea marshes with its lush vegetation along the Intracoastal Waterway teaming with exotic birds and plants, wild flowers, and trees popping with exotic leaves. There is even an Indian Burial Mound and a recently discovered Spanish Mission site located on Walker's Landing.

The facilities of Walker Landing can accommodate up to 175 persons within a very spacious clubhouse.

Other venues within the resort are its several ballrooms, as well as the beach club, beachside locations, sunrise terrace-a grass terrace over looking the ocean and the golf course, sabal palm, adjacent to the inn`s dining room and an ocean view, and sandcastle deck for small receptions
 
Ribault Club
 
If you are a nature lover, you will fall in love with the Ribault Club .Although part of Jacksonville, but within minutes from Amelia Island, the National Historic Ribault Club located at Fort George Island State Park is something special. Dare I use mere words to describe its unbelievable beauty! A photo of the property and the 100-acre stretch of protected parkland, where it sits overlooking Little Talbot Island and the banks of the Fort George River, would not do justice to it.

The history of this wedding destination dates back to 1927 when access to Fort George was facilitated with the construction of Heckscher Drive. It was at this time that a group of businessmen decided to build a private club that would be similar to the well-known Jekyll Island Club in Georgia, and they even hired the famous society architect Maurice Fatio to design the club.
 
Their objective was to attract the well heeled from New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Pittsburgh and elsewhere. At the outset, this private enclave that was named after Jean Ribault, the French Huguenot explorer, proved to be the place to be. Throughout the 1920's and 1930's it had been a sought after playground for the rich and famous, who had a blast of a time enjoying its surroundings -- particularly its 9-hole golf course, yacht basin, skeet shooting and its clay tennis courts.
 
Unfortunately, consumed by the depression and coupled with the fact that the railroad by passed Amelia in favor of Miami, interest in the club waned over the ensuing decades. By the 1980s until its recent reopening the property fell into severe disrepair -- a mere decaying shell of its original structure.

Fortunately, through the efforts of a passionate civic spirit, the State of Florida, the National Park System, and the City of Jacksonville, the club was reopened and its glory of bygone days reincarnated within its idyllic setting.  
 
As we drove to its front door along a narrow road lined with old live oaks dripping with Spanish moss, we were amazed at the astounding splendor of its exterior and interior architecture.

From the outside the architecture seems to be a combination of elements of Plantation, Georgian and Farmhouse verandah style. The interior presents a neo-classical theme with its terrazzo flooring, cypress woodwork, high ceilings, classic arches and entablatures, and paneled doors.
 
The Ribault Club is managed by Amelia Occasions,  and their gifted team of expert personnel comprising Managing Partner, Leana Gallagher, Director of events Lorna Meehan, and General Manager Maggie Kirkland provide the very finest in service, attending to every detail in assuring your wedding event will be unforgettable.
 
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