Marywood Retreat & Conference Center

I cannot say enough great things about Marywood. It is a beautiful venue and very convenient for Catholic brides. We had about 150 guests attend our wedding and they were all able to stay on the property, which is a game changer. Very kid and family friendly. Brianna is extremely professional and so helpful. The food is outstanding and the service was fantastic. I’d recommend this venue to anyone.

If you're considering choosing Marywood as your wedding venue, consider your choice made! We got married Saturday October 22, 2022 and were blown away with how the day went. For weeks after our wedding, our guests were raving to us about how beautiful the Marywood campus is, the quality of the food, how the night flowed so well, and the service of the staff. Marywood was the first venue we toured where we Ansley, and we knew it was right venue for us. Ansley's knowledge, charisma, and honestly made us feel confident in our choice. She was incredible to work with, prompt with all of our phone calls, emails, and questions, and helped keep on us track with making decisions. On the day of the wedding, she was there bright and early and stayed late into the night. She and Matt worked to ensure that all the things we wanted were executed, and communicated with us throughout the day and evening. The staff that served us were so friendly, and the food was incredible. For what was included in their wedding package, Marywood was priced very reasonably and we were happy to pay what they were asking. We booked a lot of rooms in the villas so our guests could stay on campus overnight and that's another thing that made our wedding night unforgettable. It took a lot of concern off our backs to not have to worry about guests driving late at night to a hotel or back home after a night of celebrating. The villas are beautiful and go for a great price per night. Marywood is a very special place and I recommend them to anyone looking to host their wedding!

We cannot say enough good things about this place and it's people from not only our point of view as the bride and groom, but also from our friends and family. The property is easily walkable from the lodging in the Villas to the venue hall and the back lawn. The view of the St. Johns River with the sunset made a great background for our wedding. The Villas provided ample space for anyone staying on the property. It was clean and modern with a common area with couches and a separate dining/gathering room that can hold about 50 people. The venue hall was spacious with great lighting and the whole back wall of glass doors created an excellent view of the back lawn and river. The food was incredible and everyone wanted seconds. We heard from family and friends all weekend how awesome the food and everything about our venue was! Servers were attentive and polite, they did an excellent job. We had our ceremony in the church up front of the property which was equally as beautiful as our surroundings. The biggest thank you to Ansley Beaver who helped us through the entire planning process. She was always in contact with us no matter how many questions we had and helped us get everything organized down to the smallest details. She really made the entire experience unforgettable. Ansley and her coworker Brianna were also ABSOLUTELY amazing on our wedding day. From bringing us food, to helping the bride get changed, to other random requests during the weekend....they were phenomenal. We have no doubts in recommending this place to anyone looking to get married at a place that really has it all. It was like a dream come true and we hope that other couples looking to get married get to experience what an incredibly amazing place this is!

Marywood was the most exquist place to hold our wedding. I knew from the moment I met the event coordinator Ansley that this was where I wanted my wedding. This venue goes over and beyond to accommodate your hopes and dreams. I am extremely grateful for the timely, organization, and thoroughness of Ansley and her staff. Ansley was there for us throughout the whole planning process and made us feel relaxed when the crunch time arrived. As an organizer and control person, Ansley was very attentive and understanding to all of my questions and emails. When the special day arrived everything was perfect and the staff was phenomenal. The attention to detail from check in throughout the night, personal servers for my husband and I, and the atmosphere that our wedding had was beyond my wildest dreams. If you are looking for a gorgeous venue where out of town guest can stay at for a low rate and a waterfront back drop you have found your spot.

Marywood gave us the most perfect wedding!! Ansley is the best and she worked with us to make sure our dreams came true. We had a brunch-style, outside wedding. The food was amazing, and the venue is set on the riverbank surrounded by old trees. It was so beautiful. All of our guests had a wonderful time. One of my guests got engaged shortly after and she wants to have her wedding here as well! It was also super affordable and all inclusive, which made planning that much easier.

Marywood is so great! Working with Ansley and all the staff was amazing. They kept everything run so smoothly... it was perfect! Our friends and family all raved about how beautiful the venue was... and most of that was Marywood not anything we did! Thank you, Marywood, for the best wedding :)

We could not ask for a more perfect wedding! The location, staff, attention to detail, food, and atmosphere was beyond our expectations. Ansely and her crew are the best! They met with us several times throughout the planning, always a phone call or email away with quick questions, always made us feel comfortable and were very attentive to all our guest. We could go on and on... Highly recommend!

Ansley was wonderful to work with throughout the entire planning process and was so much help on our special day! Her team executed our wedding flawlessly and without any hiccups for the day! The Marywood team went above and beyond at the end of the night for us and I couldn’t have imagined a better crew to work with. The catering staff were fantastic and our guests have been raving about the food still months after! They really do care and take pride in everything they do. They really make the day beautiful, wonderful, and as stress free as possible.

Marywood was the third venue my now husband and I toured and it was an immediate yes for us! Not only were the grounds beautiful, but there was so much included with the pricing that made it affordable for us as two 30-somethings paying for most of our wedding. We absolutely loved working with Ansley, Matt, and the rest of the staff. They were hospitable, professional, and went above and beyond on our big day. We didn’t have to worry about a thing and our guests and wedding party were blown away by the villas, getting ready suites, scenery, service, and catering. I can now look back and know I had everything I wanted in a wedding thanks to Marywood!

The most beautiful place to get married! From the initial tour to our wedding reception exit everything was done perfectly! Ansley is amazing at what she does and is such a pleasure to work with. Everyone there went above and beyond for our special day and will forever be grateful for them!

Marywood was very easy to work with and everything turned out exactly how we wanted.Ansley was very knowledgeable and easy to work with, she made us feel comfortable and understood. We got so many compliments on the food, how friendly the staff was, and the beautiful venue. We couldn’t be happier!

The staff here at Marywood were so wonderful! Ansley is the best, she made sure my day was stress free and made all of my dreams a reality. I did not have to worry about a single thing, everything was taken care of. Everything beyond exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend Marywood, the location is to die for and the team is even better. The chef was flexible and willing to make accommodations to the menu to allow for some of our cultural requests. Looking back I honestly would not change a thing.

We looked at a few venues for our wedding day, but when we toured the Marywood we knew immediately this was where we wanted to get married! If you’re looking for a stunning outdoor venue (or indoor) this place has it all with the gorgeous St John’s River backdrop. It was reasonable in cost and for our smaller (50 people) event we were able to have the ceremony & reception outdoors. Our guests raved about the beauty of Marywood & the comfortable on site lodging. This created such an easy wedding day with the bridal suite, lodging and everything all in one place. The event coordinator, Ansley, is so helpful and kept up with us via phone calls and emails in a timely manner. I told her what I envisioned for our day & she went above & beyond! Her attention to detail is spot on & so helpful throughout the planning process—what could have been stressful was so easy thanks to her! :) Marywood, you have a special place in our hearts and if you’re on the fence about booking your event with them, just do it—I promise you you will not regret it! Love, The Callahans

Our wedding was an absolute dream—and a lot of that we owe to Marywood! I really don’t think we could have chosen a better venue, and many of our guests have told us the same thing. This is an unbeatable venue for an affordable price. The first time we toured Marywood, Ansley and Matt were easy-going and filled with warmth. While leaving, my mom looked at me and said “we’re definitely choosing Marywood right?”. Throughout the entire process, Ansley was responsive to emails and went above and beyond to be helpful. My Grandpa and my mom stopped by to ask her questions probably way too many times and she always kept this kind demeanor! Ansley was there throughout the whole wedding to make sure everything was perfect—she coordinated with our vendors, she made sure my luggage was ready to go for our departure, she made sure everything was in order. Marywood is the prime location to have a wedding—the bridal suite was big enough for my 12 bridesmaids to get ready in and there were multiple rooms for privacy! Having the villas filled with rooms for guests was one of the best parts and something our families really appreciated—nobody had to leave all day! The food was absolutely amazing—I’ve gotten so many comments about it from guests and I only wish I could go to a wedding there as a guest so I can have it again!Marywood is truly beautiful and I’ve always felt the presence of God there. The natural beauty, the presence of the chapel, and the warmth were more than I could have asked for in a venue. Thank you so much!

We had the MOST amazing reception!! Ansley and the team helped plan the wedding of our dreams. I cannot thank them enough for their guidance. The property is beautiful and our guests enjoyed the common areas at the villas each night after festivities. We had so many out of town guests that were able to stay all weekend and take in the gorgeous atmosphere.

Marywood made my dreams come true as far as a perfect wedding!! The grounds are marvelous, and all the staff are professional and very attentive to myself as a bride and the rest of our guest!!! Ansley is a doll!! She made everything possible and kept everything running smooth throughout the day. Best wedding planner ever!!!

There aren't enough good things we could say about Marywood. From the very start of our wedding planning process, Marywood stood out as our ideal venue because of the immediate kindness we felt from the staff. Ansley and Matt took the time to give us a tour of the venue, review menu ideas, and discuss our wedding vision. They wanted to make sure Marywood could make our wedding dreams a reality. Their in-house catering is convenient and absolutely delicious. All our wedding guests could talk about after the wedding was how incredible the food was, even for our guests with strict dietary restrictions. The venue speaks for itself with the large oak trees, Spanish moss, and the beautiful dock that leads into the river. Our wedding photos came out spectacular because of all the unique settings available. Guests have the option to stay at the on-site villas, allowing guests the convenience of being steps away from the reception venue. Additionally, there is a beautiful Spanish inn that allows for the perfect place for the bridal party to get ready on wedding day. From the initial wedding planning, to the tasting, to every question in-between, the Marywood team was extremely responsive and will answer every question or concern with professionalism. Our wedding was impacted by COVID-19, but because of the support from Marywood and their team, we were able to easily modify our plans and have the perfect wedding. Working with Marywood felt like working with close friends that only wanted what was best for my fiance and I. We highly recommend Marywood to any couple getting married in the St. John's area!

Marywood is everything I could’ve asked for in a venue. We are both Catholic and worried about having to do the ceremony and reception at different places. Marywood allowed us to have a dream outdoor Catholic wedding ceremony and reception surrounded by big beautiful trees and right next to the river with the beautiful dock. The venue is absolutely beautiful and made for many photo opportunities. Ansley, Matt and the staff are extremely helpful and wonderful and friendly. Ansley is truly the MVP and we were very lucky to have her because she was so helpful with everything from set up, tables and equipment we might need such as a phone adapter we need for the speakers, all the details months prior to the wedding, giving us something proving that Catholic ceremonies are allowed because my officiant was hesitant about performing an outside Catholic wedding, allowing us to add some cultural adjustments to the menu, Helping our guests book rooms in the building next-door, and making sure you were taken care of on the day of. When we had hectic work schedule Ansley did her very best to be accommodating when we had to meet which was great. Everyone absolutely loved the venue and food and had a great time! Food and setting were a big hit with guests. If any of my Catholic friends are getting married I would most certainly recommend this truly beautiful and unique venue.

Everything about Marywood was absolutely perfect! Loved that we could have a Catholic ceremony outdoors (the place is technically Catholic grounds and owned by the diocese so you’re allowed to have a Catholic ceremony outside and not in a church) so we had the river and a bunch of oak trees as our backdrop for the ceremony. The reception area and villas are so beautiful after all the renovations. We spent the whole wedding weekend there with all our guests. We had the rehearsal dinner out on the dock with around 60 people there was plenty of room and the sunset was beautiful out on the water. The bonfire and open space was the perfect setup for after the rehearsal dinner and the reception. Everyone loved the food for both the rehearsal dinner and reception. Last but not least Ansley!! She was absolutely amazing to work with and is the sweetest person you’ll ever meet! She dealt with all my emails and met with us multiple times and was so accommodating! We didn’t have to worry about anything on our wedding day because she was on top of everything and had everything handled. Everyone loved her!

We had our daughter’s reception at the beautiful Marywood Retreat Center. I can’t say enough about the entire staff and Ansley, Matt and the chef. From the moment we called Marywood to inquire about the venue to the day of the reception, Ansley (and Matt) were always very responsive, going above and beyond to meet any requests and handle last minute changes. Ansley was a blessing during the entire process always providing recommendations and suggestions to make this a truly perfect reception! The bridal suite was perfect for all of the bridal party to get ready and the breakfast and brunch provided by the chef was so delicious! We have received many compliments from our guests on how beautiful the riverfront property, the River Room and everything was, the tentativeness of the staff during cocktail hour through dinner until the grand exit. The food was so delicious and the chef was accommodating to special requests. We also had many guests stay in the lovely renovated overnight villas, and they had a very comfortable stay with great service provided by the staff at Marywood. I would highly recommend Marywood, Ansley, Matt, the chef, and the entire staff at Marywood for any wedding or other event. They are the best in the business for providing top notch service and a truly memorable event!

Marywood was the perfect place for our wedding! Ansley and Matt were so easy to work with and always so genuinely happy for us! They made it clear that they wanted to do whatever they could to make our day special and reflect our vision for the reception. Also, with so many out-of-town guests, it was perfect to have the Villas on site for our friends to have easy access to their rooms and the reception. We absolutely loved the natural beauty of the property and the rustic charm of the buildings. And THE FOOD! From the appetizers to desserts, everything was delicious. Marywood staff was so diligent to make sure my husband and I got food that night, so we didn't miss out on any of our meal! Overall, Marywood was amazing and we would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a beautiful venue and accommodating staff.

Marywood was such a blessing on our wedding day! My husband and I had already booked another reception venue, but when they had to cancel the booking due to renovations, we were sent in a scramble. Marywood came to mind, and I am so glad that it did! They were able to accommodate our larger wedding (about 300) and they did it with ease! We didn't think we would end up with a waterfront reception! The bridal party was able to get ready the day of the wedding at the inn at Marywood. It was so nice having a large space for all 11 of the bridesmaids! The beautiful views made for some awesome bridal party pictures! Some guests were even able to stay at Marywood in their hotel style rooms that weekend. That was such an added bonus after the reception. The reception went so smoothly, and I've received countless compliments on how beautiful and fun the party was! We had an indoor/ outdoor party, and the feedback from guests has been awesome. People loved the stunning view of the St. John's River, and the breeze off the water is unbeatable! Ansley and Matt (along with the chef) made this day the best ever! They were awesome with assisting with anything they needed to, and they knew how to make it perfect when I asked their opinions and thoughts. They were so kind and so professional. The food was INCREDIBLE. We did stations, and people have gone on and on about the quality of the food. I've been suggesting Marywood as a venue to anyone who asks. It is unbeatable. You will NOT regret it!

My husband and I loved every minute of our wedding at Marywood. Ansley and Matt were so easy to work with and met our every need! This venue has at all, a church, reception hall, hotel rooms all on the same property! Our guests loved the convince and the view of the river is beautiful. The food was also amazing. We couldn’t have asked for a better venue and staff. Ansley and Matt made our wedding everything we hoped it would be and more!!!!

Marywood is absolutely PERFECT for a wedding! The property is beautiful (right on the St Johns River), the chapel is lovely, the food delicious, and Ansley the coordinator is the Best in the Business!!! She assured me everything would be perfect, and it was! She and Matt were fantastic, and the food was the best I'd ever had at a wedding reception. I have no hesitation recommending Marywood. Everything was FANTASTIC from initial meeting through the wedding day.

Maywood venue and the staff was amazing! Ansley is the sweetest person ever! During a very stressful time, she worked diligently with me to make every detail of my wedding perfect. The venue is newly remodeled and is absolutely beautiful. I could not have dreamed of a better venue for my wedding. The food was amazing, setting was amazing, Ansley was amazing, and all of the other Marywood staff was amazing!!

My husband and I cannot say enough positive things about our experience with Marywood. We had a beautiful ceremony at San Juan Del Rio Catholic Church (where we were welcomed with open arms even though we are parishioners at a Church across town) and then had the most enjoyable wedding reception at Marywood. We really enjoyed the convenience of having the ceremony and the reception all in the same area. The reception room at Marywood overlooks a beautiful landscape and has a water view. The wedding pictures we were able to take have breathtaking backdrops due to the landscaping. My favorite pictures from our wedding day have massive, majestic trees in the background. If you love photography in nature then Marywood is perfect for you. I also have to compliment the catering. Marywood outdid themselves with the variety of food options they give brides. Everything is delicious. I had 150 guests and a dance floor and we had plenty of space plus enough room for the buffet tables. Marywood also takes care of setting up tables, providing tablecloths, seat covers, and all dishes and cutlery. They literally make everything so easy for the bride. I also loved the uniqueness of this venue. None of my wedding guests had ever been here, so it was really nice to show everyone such a hidden gem!