The Don CeSar — nicknamed The Pink Palace for its rose-hued Mediterranean towers — is one of Florida's most beloved and recognizable grand hotels, a 1928 National Historic Landmark on St. Pete Beach that has welcomed F. Scott Fitzgerald, FDR, and generations of honeymooners for nearly a century. Its dramatic pink facade rising from white Gulf sand, grand ballrooms with ornate high ceilings, beachfront ceremony spaces overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, and genuine old-Florida grandeur make it one of the most romantic and historically resonant wedding venues on the entire Gulf Coast — instantly recognizable in photos and deeply meaningful as a setting.
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 | 3.0″ |
| February | 6:22 PM | 4:22 PM | 2.2″ |
| March | 7:39 PM | 5:39 PM | 2.9″ |
| April | 7:55 PM | 5:55 PM | 2.6″ |
| May | 8:12 PM | 6:12 PM | 2.5″ |
| June | 8:28 PM | 6:28 PM | 7.2″ |
| July | 8:28 PM | 6:28 PM | 8.3″ |
| August | 8:09 PM | 6:09 PM | 9.3″ |
| September | 7:36 PM | 5:36 PM | 7.5″ |
| October | 7:02 PM | 5:02 PM | 2.5″ |
| November | 5:39 PM | 3:39 PM | 1.6″ |
| December | 5:38 PM | 3:38 PM | 2.8″ |
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 ST PETERSBURG, 7.5 miles away.
Amenities & Inclusions
Catering
In-house resort catering
Bar / Alcohol
Full resort bar service
Music Curfew
11:00 PM
Rental Hours
6 hrs included
Vendors
Preferred vendor list
Rain Backup Plan
Multiple indoor ballrooms
Hurricane Season Note
June–November; Gulf beachfront; comprehensive resort storm protocols; Pink Palace has survived countless Florida storms
Verify Before You Book
Confirm current minimum event spend and available ballroom spaces after recent renovation work
Rob Craven
Lead Photographer
Sunset Direction
West-facing Gulf of Mexico; legendary St. Pete Beach sunsets
Shade Coverage
Multiple indoor ballrooms; covered Gulf-facing terraces
Best Shots & Hidden Gems
Iconic pink palace facade on Gulf Boulevard, Gulf of Mexico beach ceremonies, white sand and blue water backdrop, grand ballroom chandeliers, sunset over the Gulf from beach terrace
3400 Gulf Blvd
St. Pete Beach, FL
Parking
Valet and on-site parking
Nearest Airport
Tampa International Airport (TPA) · 22 mi
Guest Hotels
On-site; Hotel Zamora St. Pete Beach, TradeWinds Island Resorts nearby
