The Amelia River Club: A Setting for Elevated Destination Wedding Weekends
The most unforgettable destination wedding weekends share certain feelings. Time moves more slowly. The experience unfolds naturally. Moments take shape in a way that creates space for connection and memory, without feeling staged or overworked.
When we think of The Preserve at the Amelia River Club, this is exactly the type of celebration we envision.
Set on historic Amelia Island, the southernmost of the Sea Islands, The Amelia River Club offers a rare combination of privacy, natural beauty, and refined ease. With the debut of its riverfront preserve, the property has become one of the region’s most compelling settings for couples seeking a destination wedding experience that feels deeply considered and thoughtfully composed.
The Preserve at the Amelia River Club is a newly completed, permanent structure designed to support both intimate gatherings and large-scale celebrations. Opened in 2025, the building spans more than 6,000 square feet and can accommodate up to 400 guests. The facility offers full climate control, utilities, security, and an open vendor policy, giving couples complete flexibility in shaping their wedding weekend.
Experiencing The Preserve at the Amelia River Club
The experience of The Amelia River Club begins well before guests reach the ceremony site. Upon arrival, visitors are guided down a long, private drive framed by historic water oaks draped in Spanish moss. The setting is natural yet dramatic, creating a sense of calm and anticipation that sets the tone for the celebration ahead.
As guests move through the grounds, the preserve lawn opens first, followed by the riverfront ceremony setting just beyond. After vows are exchanged, guests intuitively flow to cocktail hour on the adjacent patio, where hors d’oeuvres are served as the sun begins to dip toward the water. As dinner and dancing approach, guests move indoors through the open-air façade, with panoramic sliding glass walls connecting the celebration seamlessly.
Inside, a dramatic exposed-beam ceiling brings scale and architectural presence. The architecture provides structure without prescribing style, creating a setting that holds design beautifully while each celebration remains distinct and personal.
In addition to the preserve, the grounds support a versatile tented option for weather coverage, secondary events, or late-night after-parties. Extended access to the property before and after the wedding day supports a relaxed pace, with setup, rehearsal moments, and farewells unfolding thoughtfully rather than under pressure.
Getting Ready at The Amelia River Club
The getting-ready suites at The Preserve at the Amelia River Club are designed to support the flow of the day rather than compete for attention. Both spaces are generously sized and outfitted with full-scale salon counters, professional seating, and ample room for hair, makeup, photography, and quiet moments before the ceremony.
The layout supports efficient collaboration while giving couples space to remain present, calm, and unhurried as the day begins, a subtle detail that meaningfully shapes how the wedding day unfolds from the inside.
Beyond the Celebration: Golf at The Amelia River Club
While the Preserve has become a sought-after wedding destination, The Amelia River Club is first and foremost a golf club, and that distinction adds depth to the destination experience.
The Tom Jackson–designed championship course winds through live oaks, sabal palms, pines, and native landscape, offering a par-72 layout that balances challenge and playability across 6,808 yards. Known for its pristine TifEagle greens and signature water-framed holes, the course maintains a polished, private-club feel while remaining welcoming to a wide range of skill levels.
Amelia Island Destination Wedding Weekend Accommodations
For a destination wedding weekend, where guests stay is nearly as important as the venue itself. The Amelia River Club is conveniently located near a range of beachside resorts and accommodations that invite guests to extend their stay and experience the island at an easy, unhurried pace.
Where to Stay on Amelia Island
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Set along a pristine stretch of coastline, The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island offers oceanfront rooms with private balconies, a world-class spa, championship golf, and direct beach access. The property blends relaxed coastal elegance with refined service, making it an ideal anchor for a wedding weekend centered on rest, restoration, and indulgence. Its proximity to historic downtown Fernandina Beach creates an effortless balance between resort living and local charm.
Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa
Sprawled across expansive oceanfront grounds, the Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa offers a lively resort experience with multiple dining options, pools, and premier golf facilities. With a wide range of room types and amenities, it is especially well-suited for larger guest lists and families.
Hampton Inn & Suites Amelia Island–Historic Harbor Front
Located directly in historic downtown Fernandina Beach, the Hampton Inn & Suites Amelia Island is a harbor-front hotel that offers exceptional walkability to shops, restaurants, the marina, and sunset views. It is a budget-friendly option for guests who value location and character, providing strong value while keeping guests close to the heart of town.
Where to Eat & What to Do on Amelia Island
Dining and leisure play an important role in shaping the wedding weekend experience. Amelia Island offers a thoughtful mix of refined dining, local favorites, and relaxed coastal experiences that encourage guests to explore at their own pace.
For elevated dining, Salt Restaurant delivers a polished, destination-worthy experience ideal for rehearsal dinners or celebratory evenings. Bob’s Steak & Chop House offers a classic steakhouse atmosphere well suited for larger groups, while Lagniappe brings a lively, Southern-influenced energy that feels distinctly local.
Beyond dining, guests can enjoy beach walks, biking, kayaking, spa visits, time on the golf course, and exploring the historic downtown. For couples planning a multi-day celebration, these elements naturally come together to create a weekend that feels full, varied, and unhurried, especially when paired with a thoughtfully paced itinerary.
For couples interested in thinking more intentionally about how welcome events, downtime, local activities, and farewells fit together, our guide to building a destination wedding weekend itinerary offers a helpful starting point.
A Setting That Invites You to Stay Awhile
When selecting venues for destination wedding weekends, we look for places that support thoughtful pacing, architectural clarity, and a seamless guest experience from arrival through farewell.
The Amelia River Club and Amelia Island offer exactly that. A setting that is immersive yet easy, composed yet welcoming, and elevated without feeling formal. For couples drawn to the Sea Islands, it represents an opportunity to host a celebration that feels personal, intentional, and quietly transportive.
Planning a Destination Wedding Weekend?
Planning a destination wedding can feel complex, especially when coordinating travel, venues, and multi-day experiences. Our approach combines calm, considered planning with deep experience designing destination celebrations around the world.
Learn more about how City & Terrace makes destination wedding planning feel a little closer to home.