Beyond the Venue (Stockyard)

Ever After Farms Stockyard is located in a serene farming town in Okeechobee, FL a short drive from from Fort Pierce, Port St Lucie and Vero Beach, as well as easily accessible for couples in Ft Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Ever After Farms Stockyard is a working cattle farm featuring cattle, beautiful landscaping, and panoramic pasture views.  Take a step away from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the naturalistic peacefulness that envelops this serene Florida Wedding Barn. The surrounding towns offer tons of unique local amenities, amazing food, and awesome experiences for you and your guests to enjoy together. Here is what Makes Ever After Farms Stockyard Barn extraordinary, beyond the venue.

Staycation

A wedding trend that may be here to stay is the planning of a Staycation Wedding. Local Experience: It offers guests a chance to explore and enjoy the local attractions, dining, and activities, creating a memorable experience without the need for long-distance travel.

Getting to Know Okeechobee and St. Lucie County

One of the great things about our Stockyard Barn location, is it’s proximity to all of the best local towns in Okeechobee County and St. Lucie County. Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties offer a mix of rural charm and coastal living in Florida. Okeechobee County:

*Rural Atmosphere:* Known for its agricultural roots, Okeechobee is often associated with cattle ranching and farming. The landscape is dotted with large expanses of farmland and open spaces.

*Lake Okeechobee:* The county is home to Lake Okeechobee, the largest freshwater lake in Florida, which is a popular spot for fishing, boating, and birdwatching. The lake plays a significant role in the local culture and economy.

*Outdoor Activities:* Beyond the lake, the area offers other outdoor activities, including hunting, hiking, and airboat tours in nearby swamps and marshes.

*Community Events:* The county hosts various events like rodeos, fairs, and fishing tournaments, reflecting its strong community spirit.

St. Lucie County: – *Coastal Living:* St. Lucie County is more coastal and urbanized, with a diverse mix of beaches, waterways, and residential areas. It includes the cities of Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie.

*Port St. Lucie:* One of the largest cities in the county, known for its growing population, planned communities, and amenities like golf courses and shopping centers.

*Fort Pierce:* Offers a more historic vibe with its downtown area, marina, and the popular Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, which is great for beachgoers, surfers, and anglers.

*Cultural Sites:* The area is home to the Sunrise Theatre, the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, and the Heathcote Botanical Gardens, offering a mix of cultural and recreational attractions.

*Natural Areas:* St. Lucie County has several natural preserves and parks, such as Savannas Preserve State Park and the Oxbow Eco-Center, which provide opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and birdwatching. Both counties have unique characteristics, with Okeechobee offering a more laid-back, rural lifestyle and St. Lucie offering a blend of coastal and suburban living

Lodging near the Stockyard Barn

Whether you are planning on staying overnight, a few days, or more, it is important to find the best local lodging options for guests traveling to your wedding. That is why, in order to save our couples time and money, we have compiled a list of some of the very best local hotels Okeechobee County and St Lucie County have to offer, all within a short driving distance to Ever After Farms Stockyard.

Hampton Inn Okeechobee – Lake Okeechobee
A friendly staff and clean accommodations only 15 minutes from the Stockyard Barn!
Address: 1200 FL-70 east, Okeechobee, FL 34972
Phone: 863-824-0003

OK Corral Gun Club Cabins & More
The cabins at OK Corral offers its guests an amazingly refined lodging experience in Okeechobee making it one of the best resorts in Florida.
Address: 9441 48th St NE, Okeechobee, FL 34972
Phone: 863-532-6267

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lake Okeechobee
While you stay in Lake Okeechobee, our hotel’s wonderful amenities, including free high-speed, wireless Internet access, an outdoor pool and whirlpool, fitness center and the free, hot Breakfast Bar.
Address: 3101 US Hwy, US-441, Okeechobee, FL 34974
Phone: 863-357-3529

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lake Okeechobee
While you stay in Lake Okeechobee, our hotel’s wonderful amenities, including free high-speed, wireless Internet access, an outdoor pool and whirlpool, fitness center and the free, hot Breakfast Bar.
Address: 3101 US Hwy, US-441, Okeechobee, FL 34974
Phone: 863-357-3529

Two Luxury Rentals at 1 Price
This Stuart Airbnb is the ultimate rental for a large group looking to enjoy the Florida Sunshine, Beach, and Water activities. This enormous rental features TWO houses with a total of 37 beds and is a great way to save money, while still affording luxury, if your wedding Party Splits the cost together. One of the best things about this rental, is the amount of extras they supply including kayaks, beach supplies, volleyball, cornhole, and more. It is the perfect place to hang while not enjoying Wedding Festivities.

AirBNBs

We have compiled a list of home rentals in the area that are great lodging options for your guests. These, in addition to the hotel recommendations on our Preferred Vendors List give you additional choices in the surrounding area.

• Lakehouse in Okeechobee (Okeechobee, FL)
• Modern farmhouse cottage with dock & lake access (Okeechobee, FL)
• Seclusion and fun book now for saving (Okeechobee, FL)
• LUXURY Waterfront Beach House – dock & heated pool (Fort Pierce, FL)
• North Island Retreat (Fort Pierce, FL)
• Your Retro Beach Escape w/Pool (Fort Pierce, FL)

Restaurants Near Ever After Farms Stockyard

Whether you are searching for the perfect place to order coffee from for your big day, or the ultimate Reception Dinner experience, Okeechobee County and St. Lucie County have amazing options for local cuisine. We have compiled a list of just some of the few delicious local restaurants in the area below.

Serenity Coffee Shop
Delicious coffee can sometimes be a must have on your wedding day and Serenity Coffee shop is here to provide! Only 15 minutes from the venue and even closer if you are happen to be staying in town.

Nutmeg’s Cafe
Serving unique sandwiches, paninis, salads, soups, 12 Flavors of hand-dipped ice cream, cakeballs, cheesecake, hot teas and more!!! They proudly make everything from scratch in their kitchens using fresh ingredients and a whole lotta love.

Old Florida Coffee Company
Old Florida Coffee Co is located in the historic PP Cobb building in downtown Ft. Pierce. Built in 1882, our location originally served as the Cantown trading post, and became the PP Cobb General Store in 1897. A step inside is a like a journey back in time, and a taste of our fresh roasted specialty coffees and street crepes will have you coming back for more!

Cool Beans Brew
Cool Beans is a full-service coffee meetinghouse and art gallery serving the best coffee, espresso-based hot and iced drinks, cold brew coffee, and much more. Sit back and enjoy your drinks inside our historic house, or take it slow on the front porch on one of our comfy rocking chairs.

12A Buoy
For fresh local seafood and a locals style atmosphere on the water, look no further. The food is constantly top notch with seasonal favorites. Eat where the locals do at 12A!

Things to Do in Okeechobee County and St Lucie County

There are plenty of activities and places to explore surrounding our Ranch barn We have listed a few options suitable for adults, children, families, morning, and night! We want your entire experience in Martin County & St Lucie County to be full of adventure and fun, as you create memories with your favorite people, during this celebratory time in your lives.

Beaches, Beaches, and more Beaches
What is a Florida Staycation without some time spent on the beach? The treasure coast is a beach lover’s paradise with boating, snorkeling, surfing, and more available on over 22 miles of uncrowded natural beaches. You can learn more about the different beaches nearby by reading this local article. 

OK Corral 
The OK Corral Gun Club is Florida’s premier outdoor shooting range, restaurant, and events facility. Shooting venues include two sporting clay courses, trap & skeet , wobble deck, 5-stand,covered pistol & rifle ranges, 10 cowboy action stages, Doc’s .22 shooting gallery and competition park. Come out and spend the day with family and friends enjoying all of the modern comforts and amenities that the OK Corral Gun Club has to offer.

Summer Crush Vineyard & Winery
Another fun adventure is a trip to the local Vineyard Winery in Ft Pierce, Florida. Summer Crush Vineyard beholds panoramic views, vineyard tours, and tastings of some of the best wines made right here in the state. Check out their calendar for special events and live music schedules.

Ever After Farms Stockyard Beyond the Venue

We hope this helps you and your guests get the most out of the area surrounding our Ranch location. Another helpful resource is the Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce  and the St Lucie Chamber of Commerce. Also, if you have any special requests or creative ideas for the people traveling to your big event, feel free to reach out to our wedding team!