Ca' d'Zan — 'House of John' in Venetian dialect — is the opulent 1926 bayfront mansion of circus magnate John Ringling, a 56-room Venetian Gothic palace on the shores of Sarasota Bay that ranks among America's great Gilded Age estates. Its glittering terra-cotta facade, hand-painted ceilings, Venetian Gothic arched windows, and private bayside terrace make it one of the most visually extraordinary venues in the entire South. Ceremonies on the loggia and terrace overlooking Sarasota Bay at sunset are genuinely unforgettable. Available through the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art for exclusive private events of up to 150 guests, Ca' d'Zan combines world-class architecture with full-service event coordination.
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 | 2.8″ |
| February | 6:21 PM | 4:21 PM | 1.9″ |
| March | 7:38 PM | 5:38 PM | 2.9″ |
| April | 7:54 PM | 5:54 PM | 2.5″ |
| May | 8:11 PM | 6:11 PM | 2.6″ |
| June | 8:26 PM | 6:26 PM | 7.0″ |
| July | 8:27 PM | 6:27 PM | 7.4″ |
| August | 8:08 PM | 6:08 PM | 9.1″ |
| September | 7:35 PM | 5:35 PM | 6.0″ |
| October | 7:01 PM | 5:01 PM | 2.8″ |
| November | 5:39 PM | 3:39 PM | 1.8″ |
| 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 SARASOTA BRADENTON AP, 1.3 miles away.
Amenities & Inclusions
Catering
Approved caterers from museum list
Bar / Alcohol
Licensed in-house bar; outside bar with approval
Music Curfew
11:00 PM
Rental Hours
6 hrs included
Vendors
Strict approved vendor list; FSU museum regulations apply
Rain Backup Plan
Museum galleries and historic circus building
Hurricane Season Note
June–November; bayfront historic estate; strict storm protocols as FSU state property
Verify Before You Book
State university property — expect unique permitting; book 12-18 months out; confirm FSU catering restrictions
Rob Craven
Lead Photographer
Sunset Direction
West-facing Sarasota Bay; extraordinary sunset backdrop
Shade Coverage
Garden shade trees; covered terrace
Best Shots & Hidden Gems
Venetian Gothic Ca d'Zan facade, Sarasota Bay waterfront terrace, circus museum interior, rose garden, formal Italian garden, bayfront sunset
5401 Bay Shore Rd
Sarasota, FL
Parking
Museum lot and overflow parking
Nearest Airport
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) · 8 mi
Guest Hotels
Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, The Francis, Hotel Indigo Sarasota
