Epping Forest Yacht and Country Club is an exclusive waterfront estate on the St. Johns River in Jacksonville's storied Ortega neighborhood, anchored by a magnificent 1927 Spanish Mediterranean mansion built by Alfred du Pont. The estate's double curved staircase, riverside ceremony lawn, and wide colonnaded veranda create a ceremony setting of genuine grandeur, with the broad St. Johns River providing a natural panoramic backdrop. The mansion's grand ballroom and bayfront terrace accommodate receptions from 100 to 250 guests with white-glove private-club service. Weddings at Epping Forest combine the exclusivity of a private estate with the polish of a full-service event team in one of Jacksonville's most historically significant properties.
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 | 5:47 PM | 3:47 PM | 2.9″ |
| February | 6:14 PM | 4:14 PM | 2.3″ |
| March | 7:34 PM | 5:34 PM | 3.1″ |
| April | 7:53 PM | 5:53 PM | 2.4″ |
| May | 8:13 PM | 6:13 PM | 3.2″ |
| June | 8:29 PM | 6:29 PM | 7.3″ |
| July | 8:29 PM | 6:29 PM | 6.0″ |
| August | 8:08 PM | 6:08 PM | 6.3″ |
| September | 7:32 PM | 5:32 PM | 6.1″ |
| October | 6:55 PM | 4:55 PM | 3.5″ |
| November | 5:30 PM | 3:30 PM | 2.0″ |
| December | 5:27 PM | 3:27 PM | 2.5″ |
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 JACKSONVILLE NAS, 2.6 miles away.
Amenities & Inclusions
Catering
In-house catering preferred
Bar / Alcohol
Full in-house bar service
Music Curfew
11:00 PM
Rental Hours
6 hrs included
Vendors
Preferred vendor list applies
Rain Backup Plan
Indoor clubhouse and event rooms
Hurricane Season Note
June–November; riverfront exposure; have contingency plans; confirm flood zone
Verify Before You Book
Private club — verify non-member event policies and current fees
Rob Craven
Lead Photographer
Sunset Direction
West-facing St. Johns River; spectacular sunsets
Shade Coverage
Live oak tree canopy and indoor spaces
Best Shots & Hidden Gems
St. Johns River panoramas, riverfront ceremony lawn, yacht marina, historic Spanish-moss-draped club grounds, sunset river reflections
1830 Epping Forest Dr
Jacksonville, FL
Parking
On-site lot and valet available
Nearest Airport
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) · 18 mi
Guest Hotels
Marriott Jacksonville, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville, Omni Jacksonville Hotel