Savnnah is one of the most romantic cities in the South–made for intimate weddings and breathtaking portraits. Planning a beautiful Savannah elopement is easier than you think.
You need a fabulous dress. You need a gorgeous bouquet. And Savannah will do the rest!
Here are 10 steps to plan a perfect Savannah elopement.
1. Choose the Perfect Season
Savannah is stunning year-round, but we do have a lot of summer here in the South.
If you are considering July or August, plan for a 9a.m. ceremony. The morning air is cooler, the humidity is lower, a the light is absolutely gorgeous. You will also avoid the quick summer rain showers that tend to pop up in the afternoon.
Fall, winter and spring are beautifully mild, making Savannah one of the few places where you can comfortably eople almost any time of year.
2. Pick the Rigth Day of the Week
If you want the very best wedding professionals as the best value, consider eloping on a Friday, Sunday or even a weekday.
There are only 52 Saturdays n a year, and most wedidng vendors reserve those for large, full-day celebrations. Choosing a non-Saturday give syou greater flexability, better availabilyty, and often better pricing–while still receiveing exceptional service.
3. Select Your Savannah Elopement Location
Savannah offers some of the most iconic backdrops in the country. From Forsyth Park with its iconic white fountain to one of the city’s historic squares there are endless romantic settings.
If you have alwyas dreamed of a beach wedding, Tybee Island offers beautiful beach elopements. Simple ceremonies typically don’t require a permit unless you are setting up chairs or arches. You can also consider hte charming Tybee Island Wedidng Chapel.
Savannah’s historic homes offer timeless elegance such as The Gastonian, Kehoe House or Hamilton-Turner Inn. These venues offer beauty, history and romance, perfect for your Savannah elopemnt.
For something truly iconic, Wormsloe Historic Site features a breathtaking mile-long avenue of oak trees forming a natural cathedral of Spanish moss. Although they no longer allow weddings, it is a great locatoin for portratis.
4. Find the Dress
A fabulous dress is non-negotialbe. Even for an elopement.
Savannah has wonderful bridal boutiques that specialize in timeless, romantic gowns such as Ivory & Beau, BlueBelle Bridal and Mary Elizabeth’s Bridal.
When choosing your gown, find something that makes you feel beautiful-0whether its classic lace, sleek satin or soft and flowing for a beach ceremony.
5. Book and Officiant
You’ll need sometong to make it official. Two wonderful officiants in Savannah are Rev. Steve Schulte and Rev. Mark Wadas. They both bring warmth and professionalism to intimate ceremonies.
6. Invest in a Stunning Bouquet
How many times in your life do you get to walk around carring a bouquet of flowers? Not many!
Don’t skimp here. A lush, professionally designed bouquet elevates your entire look and photographsy beautufilly. Trust your florists expertise–they know what’s in season and what will hold up in Savannah’s climate. Here are some of Savannah’s great florists: Garden on the Square, PUT MORE HERE. Gray Harper Florsit, Urban Poppy and Ivory & Beau.
7. Add a Touch of Music
If you want a classic, romantic touch, consider live violin music. Michael Houston is one of the bes it he area and adds an elegant atmostpher to intimate ceremonies.
8. Hire a Photographer Who KNows Savannah
Your elopement deserves to be documented beautifully–the big mometns, the quiet momeents, the emotion, the way the light filters through the oaks.
That’s where I come in .
At Esther Griffin Photograpy, I specialize in capturing botht he beauty of your love and the beauty of Savannah. Knowing the city, the hidden cornes, the best light, the quietest times, makes all the different in your final gallery.
9. Consider an All-Inclusive Package
Even a small elopemnt can feel overwhelming to pla from afar.
That’s why I offer an all-inclusive Savannah elopment package. My team handsles the corrdination, recommends trusted vendors and secures the details–you simply arrive, get dressed and marry the love of your live.
Simple. Joyful. Stress-free.
10. Bring the Groom
And I assume yuou already have one–or your wouldn’t have read this far.
So truly, what are you waiting for?
Savanna is ready. The moss is draped. The fountains are flowing. The ocean breeze is waiting.
It’s time to plan a beautufl Savannah elopement!
So, let’s break this down:
- Pick a season. We’re in the South, and we have a LOT of summer. Yes, we do get an ocean breeze out on Tybee Island, but honey, it’s straight up HOT here in July and August. People ask if August is hotter than July, and all I know is that by August, we’re pretty tired of it. SO, here’s the trick. If you are planning a Savannah elopement in the summer, have it at 9 a.m. It’s cooler, less humid, and your face won’t melt off. You’ll have less chance of a summer rain shower. And the morning light is glorious, my dear! Glorious. Our fall, winter and spring are all relatively mild, so you can elope in Savannah comfortably all year long!
- Pick a date / day of the week. Choose any day other than Saturday if you want to get the very best wedding pros. Here’s why. Many wedding vendors – like me – specialize in weddings, both intimate and full day. We have only 52 Saturdays a year, and we have to reserve those for the larger events. BUT want to book me on a Friday, Sunday or Tuesday? I’ll be able to give you my very best services at my very best price.
- Now, let’s think about Savannah elopement venues:
- Parks and squares. Iconic Forsyth Park, with it’s large white fountain, and the grid of park-like squares in our historic district are very popular places for elopements. If you’re having a small wedding, you most likely do NOT need a permit. In addition to Forsyth Park, I love Whitefield Square with it’s gazebo and Lafayette Square with its green fountain for elopements. Read more here.
- Tybee Island: You can get married on the beach without a permit if you are setting up chairs, arches, etc. We also have the gorgeous Tybee Island Wedding Chapel.
- Historic homes and museums: Savannah has beautiful historic homes, many of which are now museums or inns, and many of them host elopements. Here are a few: The Gastonian, The Kehoe House, and Hamilton Turner Inn.
- Wormsloe Historic Site is truly epic with its mile-long avenue of old oak trees creating a perfect canopy over sandy drive.
- Next you need a fabulous dress. We have several amazing bridal salons in Savannah: Ivory & Beau, Bleu Belle, and Mary Elizabeth’s Bridal.
- You’re going to need an officiant. And here are my favorites: Rev. Schulte and Rev. Wadas.
- You’re going to want a fabulous bouquet. How many times in life do you get to walk around carrying a bouquet of flowers? Not many, my dear, so don’t skimp on the bouquet. It’s an important part of being a bride. And it will make such a difference to have a gorgeous one. I would suggest not trying to make it yourself and not using artificial flowers. Splurge just this once. We have great florists who will guide you if you tell them the look you want and ask them to use their expertise to create it. Don’t get too stuck on certain flowers. Florist know what’s in season and what will hold up in the Savannah weather. Here are some of my favorite Savannah florists: Garden on the Square, Gray Harper, Urban Poppy and Ivory & Beau.
- Maybe you want a violinist to add a classic touch. Michael Houston is the best around.
- Now you need a fantastic photographer to capture it all: the beauty of your love, the beauty of Savannah, the big moments, the quiet moments, the emotions, every detail of the day. Honey, that’s me: Esther Griffin Photography. Here are some of my favorite elopement galleries. Just click Elopement at the top of this page.
- Okay, now my dear bride, you need a groom. And I assume you have one or you wouldn’t have read this far. So, we’re almost done.
- One last thing. Even planning a small elopement / intimate wedding can be stressful and time-consuming. That’s why I offer an all-inclusive elopement package. I’ll do all the groundwork for you. You just bring yourself and your future spouse. Read more here.
Okay, what are we waiting for? Let’s elope to Savannah! Ready to go? Contact me and let’s get started.
