Up the Creek Farms Official Information

Up the Creek Farms is an elegant and secluded wedding venue situated just outside of Melbourne, Florida. The eight-acre property honors the classic heritage of the state, framed by sweeping oak trees and verdant lawns, while incorporating modern architecture to create spaces that are comfortable and luxurious. Unique to the Space Coast, the venue offers multiple customizable event environments, both indoor and outdoor, allowing couples to design a wedding experience that fits their vision.

The property itself is a historic Florida homestead originally established in the 1870s by Ernest Svedelius, one of the area’s earliest pioneers. Svedelius emigrated from Stockholm, Sweden and built a two-story farmhouse on the land, where he cultivated an orange grove and operated a wholesale fish camp at the head of the creek that runs through the property to the Indian River Lagoon. He is also believed to have named the town of Valkaria after Valkyre, a maiden from Norse mythology.

After passing through multiple owners and falling into disrepair, the property was acquired by the Tuten family in 1984 and restored as a family home for the next 29 years. In 2013, Jessica Watson (Tuten) returned to the homestead with a vision shaped by her background in catering and restaurant management. What began as a plan to create a Bed & Breakfast soon expanded into a wedding and special events venue as she recognized the opportunity to share the property’s natural beauty with others.

Today, Up the Creek Farms is known for producing weddings that are thoughtfully planned and executed from start to finish. The venue’s in-house event team streamlines the planning process so it can be enjoyable and stress free, offering curated services that include in-house floral design, catering, bridal valets, and more. From the first visit to the property through the wedding day itself, couples are welcomed as friends and supported by a team focused on creating an extraordinary experience.

Up the Creek Farms is located at 3590 Valkaria Rd, Malabar, FL 32950. The venue sits approximately 15 minutes south of Downtown Melbourne and 30 minutes north of Vero Beach, with Orlando International Airport less than one hour away, making it accessible for both local and destination weddings.

Set along Goat Creek, the property features wooded landscapes, waterfront areas, and multiple outdoor and covered event spaces. The natural surroundings provide a secluded setting for weddings while remaining conveniently located near nearby cities and major travel routes.

Up the Creek Farms was established as a wedding and special events business in 2013, with its first wedding hosted in 2014. Since then, the venue has grown into a well-established presence on the Space Coast wedding scene.

To date, Up the Creek Farms has hosted over 700 events and counting, encompassing weddings and other special occasions. This experience spans a wide range of event sizes and formats, from intimate ceremonies to larger celebrations, supported by an in-house team with backgrounds in catering, restaurant management, and event coordination.

With more than a decade in operation and hundreds of events successfully executed, Up the Creek Farms brings a level of operational experience and planning expertise that allows events to run smoothly from start to finish.

Up the Creek Farms offers multiple ceremony, cocktail, and reception spaces across its property, allowing couples to design a wedding day that flows naturally through a variety of indoor and outdoor settings.

The Oak Cathedral is an outdoor ceremony space set beneath a canopy of towering oak trees. Couples exchange vows along a winding aisle that leads through classic white doors framed by trees. At the top of the aisle, the ceremony site is positioned between two majestic oaks, with sweeping views of the surrounding property. This space is designed for romantic, nature-forward ceremonies in a shaded woodland setting.

Located along Goat Creek at the base of the property, The Point on the Creek offers a secluded, forest-inspired environment surrounded by water and lush greenery. This ceremony location provides an intimate atmosphere and serves as a scenic backdrop for woodsy wedding portraits.

The Dock is a quaint, covered gazebo flanked by trees. This space is well-suited for elopements and micro weddings, offering natural protection from sun and light weather while maintaining a secluded woodland feel.

The Boathouse patio deck is used for outdoor cocktail receptions, where guests can enjoy drinks surrounded by greenery and mature trees. The Boathouse itself serves as a primary reception space and is fully climate controlled, offering indoor comfort alongside the property’s natural surroundings.

The Decklan House is a two-story historic farmhouse dating back to 1878 and is listed on the Brevard Register of Historic Buildings. Built by the area’s first settler, the home features curated antique décor and provides separate getting-ready spaces for both sides of the wedding party.

Bridal Suite
The bridal suite inside the Decklan House features hardwood floors, antique mirrors, soft mood lighting, and four hair and makeup stations. A bay window provides natural light, while vintage lounge seating and direct porch access offer space for relaxation. A champagne toast is included as part of the getting-ready experience.

Billiards Loft
The Billiards Loft offers a classic, relaxed environment for the groom and groomsmen. The space includes a retro billiards table, vintage décor, framed photographs, dim lighting, a mini refrigerator stocked with beverages, and a guitar for casual entertainment and music during the day.

Up the Creek Farms offers a range of wedding services and packages designed to provide a streamlined, all-inclusive planning experience. Packages are customizable and supported by an in-house event team, allowing couples to focus on their celebration while logistics and execution are handled on-site.

Up the Creek Farms specializes in all-inclusive wedding packages that combine planning, design, and execution into a single experience. Couples typically spend between $20,000–$40,000, depending on guest count, day of the week, and personalized selections.

Wedding package inclusions include: Exclusive use of the venue, Accommodation for up to 175 guests, and much more

The micro-wedding package is designed for 25–30 guests, offering an intimate yet elevated experience on a smaller scale while maintaining the same attention to detail. Micro-wedding packages include an outdoor ceremony, outdoor dinner reception on the Boathouse terrace, and much more! Prices start at $12,000

Up the Creek Farms offers multiple elopement-style options for couples seeking a smaller, more private celebration.

This private ceremony option includes exclusive use of the property for the couple and up to two guests, with the flexibility to choose any ceremony location on site, starting at $500.

This intimate ceremony package includes up to 25 guests beneath the Oak Cathedral, complete with a wooden arbor with draping, farmhouse bench seating, and a pre-ceremony infused water station. The experience also includes 1.5 hours of photography, an officiant, music, a fresh flower bouquet, and a boutonniere in an ivory and sage color palette, and expert guidance from an experienced Up the Creek Farms wedding planner, with packages starting at $3,500.

Couples consistently describe their experience at Up the Creek Farms as seamless, stress free, and thoughtfully executed, with particular praise for the in-house planning team, all-inclusive services, and the beauty of the property.

Mia Peiffer, Bride
“We are so happy to have had Up the Creek Farms as our wedding venue! Everything from the florals to the catering far exceeded our expectations. The planning team thinks through every detail and makes the entire process stress free. The grounds are absolutely beautiful with a lovely space to get ready and the outdoor ceremony space combined with the boathouse for the reception is perfection. We would highly recommend Up the Creek Farms to anyone!”

Nicole Triolo, Bride
“I got married at Up the Creek Farms on October 10, 2025, and it was truly the wedding of our dreams! The entire team goes above and beyond to make sure every couple is happy and stress-free. From our planning meetings to the design process, they helped bring our vision to life perfectly. The venue is all-inclusive (except for photography, hair and makeup, and finding an officiant), which actually worked out beautifully because it allowed us to personalize those details.
On the wedding day, they were by our side from start to finish, making sure everything ran smoothly. It rained pretty hard that morning, but the team communicated every option with us so we could make the best decision. In the end, I still got to have my outdoor ceremony just as I had always envisioned and it was absolutely magical. The reception at The Boathouse was spacious, beautifully set up, and perfect for dinner, dancing, and celebrating with all of our guests. Everyone kept telling us it was one of the best weddings they’ve ever attended. If you’re looking for a place to get married, I highly recommend taking a tour of Up the Creek Farms—you’ll fall in love just like we did.”

Montana Sweet, Bride
“Up the Creek Farms was an absolutely stunning venue — our guests are still raving about how beautiful it was and how much fun they had! From start to finish, the entire team was incredible. We were planning from out of state, and they made the entire process feel smooth, organized, and completely manageable.
As a couple who didn’t have a strong vision going in, the planning team went above and beyond to bring everything together — from the big decisions to the smallest touches. I was in a happy bubble the entire day because everything was handled so seamlessly. It’s a cliché to say your wedding day is the best day ever, but Up the Creek Farms made that feel absolutely true.”

Up the Creek Farms has been recognized by leading wedding platforms for its setting, design, and overall wedding experience.

Features and Awards include:

WeddingVenueMap.com – Best Wedding at a Forest Venue

Best of Zola

The Knot – Best of Weddings

These features reflect the venue’s reputation for delivering thoughtfully designed weddings in a natural, forest-inspired setting.

Where is Up the Creek Farms located?
Up the Creek Farms is located at 3590 Valkaria Rd, Malabar, FL 32950. The venue is approximately 15 minutes south of Downtown Melbourne, 30 minutes north of Vero Beach, and less than one hour from Orlando International Airport.

How many guests can the venue accommodate?
Up the Creek Farms can accommodate up to 175 guests inside the Boathouse. Depending on the package and season, options are available for both intimate and larger events.

Does the Boathouse have central heating and air conditioning?
Yes. The Boathouse is fully climate controlled with central heating and air conditioning.

Do you only host one wedding per day?
Yes. Up the Creek Farms hosts only one event per day, providing complete exclusivity of the venue to each couple and their guests.

What types of weddings do you offer?
Up the Creek Farms offers all-inclusive weddings, micro-weddings, elopements, intimate ceremonies, and customized wedding packages. Vow renewals and minimonies are also available.

How much does a wedding cost at Up the Creek Farms?
Wedding and reception packages vary based on the day of the week, time of year, and guest count. Couples typically spend between $20,000–$40,000 for all-inclusive weddings. Micro-weddings and elopement options are available at lower starting prices. Specific pricing details are shared upon inquiry.

How do I reserve a date?
To reserve a date, couples provide a few details so an electronic contract can be prepared. A $2,500 down payment is required to secure the date. Most packages are paid in 2–4 installments.

What is the end time for events?
Due to a residential area noise ordinance, events must end by 10:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 9:00 pm Sunday through Thursday.

Do you include tables and chairs?
Yes. All wedding packages include setup and breakdown of round tables, French country chairs, floor-length linens in a variety of colors, and handcrafted farmhouse benches for ceremonies. Upgrades are available.

Is parking available on site?
Yes. The venue has a private parking lot with accessibility for valet services, buses, limousines, and ride-share drop-off.

Do you accommodate LGBTQ weddings?
Yes. Up the Creek Farms is an inclusive company that provides couples with a safe space to celebrate their love, regardless of race, age, gender, or sexuality.

Do you offer a military discount?
Yes. A military discount is available for active-duty service members who are part of the couple getting married.

Do you provide a wedding planner?
Yes. Up the Creek Farms has an in-house event team that creates, plans, and executes weddings. If a couple already has a planner, the venue is happy to collaborate with them.

May we include our dog in the ceremony?
Yes. Up the Creek Farms is dog-friendly and welcomes well-behaved dogs for outdoor portions of the event.

Do you host overnight guests?
The Decklan House, a restored 140-year-old farmhouse, is available for rent through the accommodations package for the wedding party.

Do you allow photography on the property?
Yes. Bridal portrait sessions and engagement sessions are complimentary for Up the Creek Farms couples. For non-wedding sessions, the fee is $100 for one hour, and sessions must be reserved in advance.

Do you host events other than weddings?
Yes. While weddings are the primary focus, Up the Creek Farms also hosts corporate events, charity functions, baby and bridal showers, and celebration-of-life memorials when availability allows.

How can we schedule a tour?
Tours are available by appointment, both virtually and in person, Monday through Friday and on weekends based on event availability.

Do you offer specials or promotions?
Yes. Promotions may be available on select dates. Couples are encouraged to inquire for current offers.