The Ancient Spanish Monastery is one of the most extraordinary and unexpected wedding venues in Florida — a genuine 12th-century Spanish monastery that was dismantled stone by stone and shipped to Miami by William Randolph Hearst in 1925. Its cloistered courtyard, ancient stone archways, and meticulous gardens create a European atmosphere unlike anything else in South Florida. Ceremonies in the courtyard or garden feel genuinely transported to another time and continent.
Best seasons to marry here
Plan your day here
When are you getting married?
Pick a day and I'll work out the light for it — sunset here, when golden hour opens, and the ceremony time that puts you inside it.
Planning your timeline
| Month | Sunset | Ceremony | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5:50 PM | 3:50 PM | 2.3″ |
| February | 6:13 PM | 4:13 PM | 2.7″ |
| March | 7:29 PM | 5:29 PM | 2.7″ |
| April | 7:43 PM | 5:43 PM | 3.5″ |
| May | 7:59 PM | 5:59 PM | 5.7″ |
| June | 8:13 PM | 6:13 PM | 9.0″ |
| July | 8:14 PM | 6:14 PM | 8.3″ |
| August | 7:57 PM | 5:57 PM | 9.3″ |
| September | 7:25 PM | 5:25 PM | 10.3″ |
| October | 6:53 PM | 4:53 PM | 7.3″ |
| November | 5:31 PM | 3:31 PM | 4.5″ |
| December | 5:31 PM | 3:31 PM | 2.7″ |
Sunset times are calculated for this venue's coordinates, shown in EDT for the 15th of each month in 2026. Golden hour is the 60 minutes before sunset. The ceremony start is my rule of thumb — about 2 hours before sunset, so a short ceremony and family photos still leave the two of you in golden light. Adjust it to your own timeline. Average temperatures and rainfall are NOAA 1991–2020 normals from N MIAMI BEACH #2, 3 miles away.
Amenities & Inclusions
Catering
Open vendor policy
Bar / Alcohol
Licensed bartenders required
Music Curfew
10:00 PM
Rental Hours
6 hrs included
Vendors
None
Rain Backup Plan
Limited indoor chapel space
Hurricane Season Note
June–November; outdoor venue; historic stone structure; confirm storm protocols
Verify Before You Book
Book well in advance — highly sought after; confirm current rental rates and event policies
Rob Craven
Lead Photographer
Sunset Direction
Northwest-facing garden; late afternoon light
Shade Coverage
Cloistered courtyard provides shade; garden exposed
Best Shots & Hidden Gems
12th-century stone cloisters, ancient Spanish archways, European monastery courtyard, lush walled garden, stone fountain
16711 W Dixie Hwy
North Miami Beach, FL
Parking
On-site lot
Nearest Airport
Miami International Airport (MIA) · 14 mi
Guest Hotels
Courtyard by Marriott North Miami Beach, Marriott Biscayne Bay, Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach
