If you're looking for an Ancient Spanish Monastery wedding photographer, you're in the right place. The Ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach is one of my favorite places to photograph a wedding in Miami. I've had the chance to document two full weddings there, Allie & Dillon's and Georgette & Christian's, and every time I walk through those cloisters I find something new.
As a Miami wedding photographer, the Ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach is one of my favorite venues to shoot, and this guide is everything I've learned there.
If you're planning a Monastery wedding, this is my Ancient Spanish Monastery wedding guide: a little history, my favorite photo spots, timing tips, and real weddings so you can picture what your day could look like.
About the Ancient Spanish Monastery
The Monastery was originally built in the 12th century in Sacramenia, Spain. In 1925 William Randolph Hearst bought it and shipped it to the United States in thousands of crates, and it was later rebuilt stone by stone in North Miami Beach. Today it's home to the Church of St. Bernard de Clairvaux, and it's often called one of the oldest buildings in the Western Hemisphere.
For a wedding, that means centuries-old stone, vaulted cloisters and lush gardens all in one place, just minutes from the beach.
Location: 16711 W Dixie Hwy, North Miami Beach, FL 33160
The Best Wedding Photo Spots at the Ancient Spanish Monastery
1. The Cloisters
The covered stone walkways are the heart of the Monastery. The arches give you natural framing, soft open shade even in the middle of the day, and that timeless, European feel. It's my go-to spot for first looks and bridal portraits. Both of my Monastery couples had their first looks here.
2. The Stone Halls
Inside, the light falls off quickly into darker stone, which is perfect for moody, editorial portraits. A long veil or train against those floors photographs beautifully, and at night a little flash turns the stone walls into a backdrop that feels straight out of a magazine.
3. The Gardens
Garden ceremonies at the Monastery happen under big oak trees and royal palms, with greenery all around. It photographs beautifully both up close and from wide angles that show off the whole setting.
4. The Lawn and Stone Tower
Right before sunset, the lawn in front of the Monastery glows. This is where I take couples for golden hour portraits, and it's the perfect backdrop if you're planning a vintage getaway car.
5. The Cloisters and Courtyard at Night
Once the sun goes down, candlelight takes over. Long tables inside the cloister, candles along the stone walls and a first dance in the courtyard make for some of my favorite images I've ever created.
Tips for Your Ancient Spanish Monastery Wedding Photos
Do a first look in the cloisters. It's shaded and private, and it gets most of your portraits done before the ceremony so you can actually enjoy cocktail hour.
Plan for the Miami heat. For daytime ceremonies, parasols or fans for your guests and short portrait sessions in the shade of the cloisters keep everyone comfortable.
Save 15 to 20 minutes for golden hour. The light on the lawn and tower right before sunset is worth stepping away from your reception for.
Go big on candles. The stone walls and arches glow with candlelight and make your reception photos feel timeless.
Bring a long veil. Cathedral veils and long trains look incredible on the stone floors and down the garden aisle.
Work with a planner who knows the venue. Both of these weddings were planned by Leiton & Co, and a team that knows the timing and flow of the property makes a huge difference.
Real Weddings at the Ancient Spanish Monastery
Allie & Dillon had a romantic, candlelit wedding with a cloister first look, a garden ceremony under a greenery arch, and burgundy florals with silver candelabras.
Georgette & Christian had an editorial wedding weekend with a lace mantilla veil, a vintage convertible, and a first dance with cold sparklers and fog in the courtyard. You can also see their rooftop session the night before the wedding and their one-year anniversary session.
Planning a wedding at another historic Miami venue? See my Biltmore Hotel wedding guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Ancient Spanish Monastery?
The Ancient Spanish Monastery is at 16711 W Dixie Highway in North Miami Beach, Florida, a short drive from Aventura, Sunny Isles and Miami Beach.
Can you have both the ceremony and reception at the Ancient Spanish Monastery?
Yes. Both of my Monastery couples had a garden ceremony on the grounds and then celebrated with candlelit tables in the cloister and a first dance in the courtyard.
What is the best time for photos at the Ancient Spanish Monastery?
The covered cloisters give soft, shaded light during the day, which makes them perfect for a first look. For portraits on the lawn and in front of the stone tower, golden hour, roughly the last hour before sunset, is my favorite.
How many hours of wedding photography do I need at the Monastery?
For a full Monastery wedding I recommend at least 8 hours of coverage, so there's time for getting ready, a first look in the cloisters, the garden ceremony, golden hour and the candlelit reception.
How much does an Ancient Spanish Monastery wedding photographer cost?
My wedding collections start at $6,900. Send me your date and details and I'll share the collection that fits your day.
Book Your Ancient Spanish Monastery Wedding Photographer
If you're getting married at the Ancient Spanish Monastery, I'd love to hear about your plans. I'm now booking 2027 and 2028 weddings in Miami, South Florida and beyond. Start your inquiry here, or read my wedding photography FAQ first.