The Ringling College of Art and Design campus offers one of Sarasota's most creatively inspiring and surprisingly affordable wedding settings — a world-renowned art and design school campus where student murals, sculpture installations, tropical courtyard gardens, and the Selby Auditorium create a wedding environment infused with genuine creative energy and artistic character. The outdoor courtyard spaces, lush landscaping, and the auditorium's event capabilities make it a compelling choice for couples connected to the arts, design, and creative industries who want their venue to reflect those values — and for anyone who wants Sarasota's cultural sophistication without Ritz-Carlton pricing.
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 | 5:57 PM | 3:57 PM | 2.7″ |
| February | 6:21 PM | 4:21 PM | 2.0″ |
| March | 7:38 PM | 5:38 PM | 3.0″ |
| April | 7:53 PM | 5:53 PM | 2.5″ |
| May | 8:10 PM | 6:10 PM | 3.3″ |
| June | 8:25 PM | 6:25 PM | 7.8″ |
| July | 8:26 PM | 6:26 PM | 7.4″ |
| August | 8:08 PM | 6:08 PM | 8.3″ |
| September | 7:35 PM | 5:35 PM | 7.2″ |
| October | 7:01 PM | 5:01 PM | 3.4″ |
| November | 5:39 PM | 3:39 PM | 1.5″ |
| December | 5:38 PM | 3:38 PM | 2.3″ |
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 VENICE, 8.3 miles away.
Amenities & Inclusions
Catering
Approved caterers
Bar / Alcohol
Licensed bartenders required
Music Curfew
11:00 PM
Rental Hours
6 hrs included
Vendors
Approved vendors
Rain Backup Plan
Selby Auditorium indoor space
Hurricane Season Note
June–November; inland campus; lower storm exposure than coastal venues
Verify Before You Book
Art school — confirm event rental process with campus events office and academic calendar conflicts
Rob Craven
Lead Photographer
Sunset Direction
West-facing campus grounds
Shade Coverage
Campus tropical plantings and covered outdoor areas
Best Shots & Hidden Gems
Student art murals and sculptures, tropical campus courtyards, auditorium interior, outdoor garden ceremony spaces, creative arts campus character unique in Florida
2700 N Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL
Parking
On-site campus lot
Nearest Airport
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) · 8 mi
Guest Hotels
Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, Hyatt Regency Sarasota, Westin Sarasota
