Essential details for a Southern Coastal wedding, from forecasts to forms
Written by HANNAH BUCHMAN & JULIA MULLER
SOUTHERN COASTAL WEDDINGS covers some of the most beautiful geography in the world. Although each area of the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire bears its own distinctive mark, they all share certain signatures: stately oaks draped with romantic Spanish moss, preserved historic structures and a cultural reverence for the art of hospitality.
Beaufort, South Carolina, in upper Beaufort County, is awash with romance and history — a quintessential small Southern town. At the southern end of Beaufort County, cross the bridge to Hilton Head Island. This island is an ode to meticulously planned high-end residences and manicured golf courses all coming together with understated elegance. Bluffton is Hilton Head’s mainland sister — an eclectic community with an artist’s soul.
Travel over the Savannah River, and you’re in Chatham County, Georgia. Savannah’s massive historic district and tree-filled squares are top-of-mind when it comes to planning a wedding here, but Savannah-area brides are spoiled for choice — beach weddings on Tybee Island, historic venues well away from the bustle of the city and even rustic farm settings make the Hostess City a versatile site for any celebration.
About an hour to the south of Savannah, you’ll find Glynn County, Georgia, home of the Golden Isles — Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Sea Island and Little St. Simons Island, plus the mainland town of Brunswick, which offers a picturesque historic district. It’s easy to see why these islands inspired poet Sidney Lanier’s famed “Marshes of Glynn” — they offer an array of wedding venues, from elegant and exclusive villas to earthy, exquisite driftwood beaches.
COASTAL WEATHER
TEMPERATURES: Humidity is a year-round presence. High temps have occurred in mid-January, lows in June. Spring, 75/58; Summer, 90/75; Fall, 77/62; Winter, 60/43.
RAINFALL: You can expect the heaviest in August (7.2 inches), lightest in November (2.4 inches). Although hurricane season runs June-November, August-October have historically been active months to watch.
TIDES: Beach weddings are wonderful, but be aware that there can be a 7-foot difference between high and low tides, and even greater during so-called supermoons, which usually occur in August and September. You can monitor the tides at tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/tide_predictions.html by clicking on Georgia or South Carolina.
GETTING A MARRIAGE LICENSE
SAVANNAH, TYBEE ISLAND AND ELSEWHERE IN CHATHAM COUNTY: Marriage license applications for Chatham County can be found at courts.chathamcountyga.gov/probate/marriagelicenses. It is a three-step process: apply, schedule an appointment, then show up at the courthouse at 133 Montgomery St., Room 509, in downtown Savannah with all pertinent information. The fee is $66, and payment may be made with credit/debit card, cash, money order or cashier’s check. 912.652.7264.
GOLDEN ISLES: Glynn County Probate Court is located at 701 G St. in downtown Brunswick. Information can be found under “Services”at glynncounty.org/138/probate-court. An appointment must be made by calling 912.554.7234 or 912.554.7235 or by emailing [email protected]. The fee is $76 for adults without premarital education/counseling and $36 for adults with a premarital education/counseling certificate (Georgia residents only).
HILTON HEAD ISLAND AND BLUFFTON: Visit beaufortcountysc.gov/probate-court/index.html to locate information on Beaufort County marriage license applications. They are accepted from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. by appointment only. The main location is at 102 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, South Carolina, with two satellite offices: 539 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, and 4819 Bluffton Parkway, Bluffton. The fees for a license range from $50 to $95, depending on residency status. All fees must be paid in cash.
BEACH WEDDINGS
TYBEE ISLAND: Head to cityoftybee.org/161/special-events-planning for detailed information to plan your beach wedding. The required fee is $25. For questions, contact Robyn Rosner by emailing [email protected].
GOLDEN ISLES: St. Simons Island beaches do not require reservations or permits for weddings. For information about getting married on Jekyll Island beaches, including the picturesque Driftwood Beach, visit jekyllisland.com/venues/weddings. Permits are not required, but there are certain things you need to know. For example, you can only throw natural materials, like petals (otherwise it’s considered littering), and there is a beach lighting ordinance from May 1-October 31 for sea turtle nesting beaches.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND: A permit is required, but there is no fee. Check details at hiltonheadislandsc.gov/beach/wedding.cfm or call 843.342.4580.
RENTING PUBLIC AREAS/HISTORIC SITES
SAVANNAH: If you always dreamed of a wedding in one of Savannah’s parks or squares, go to savannahga.gov/3607/weddings or call 912.351.3837. A permit is required. A wedding permit provides you the assurance that the space you want for your special day will be guaranteed for you and that the general public will not interfere with your ceremony. The application fee is $25. Permit fees (for 4 hours minimum) range from $350 to $725 with additional rental time of $60 per hour. You must hire an off-duty Savannah police officer for security. Having chairs, aisle runners, tents, etc., require special permission and can be obtained during the permitting process. If you are planning a small wedding with fewer than 50 people, you don’t need a permit. Activities in the squares are on a first-come, first-served basis. Check the city’s special event calendar to see if there is already a permitted event on that day in the area you are interested in.
GOLDEN ISLES: For historic venues available on Jekyll Island, go to jekyllisland.com/venues/historic-rentals. You can send in the request form via the link provided at the top. For a list of pavilion and outdoor spaces, go to jekyllisland.com/venues/pavillions-outdoor-spaces. You can find more information by contacting the sales manager at [email protected] or 912.635.6400.
ALCOHOL LAWS FOR PUBLIC AREAS
SAVANNAH: For wine or beer, go to savannahga.gov/2805/temporary-alcohol-event-permits for an application for a temporary permit. There is a $50 fee, and the permit must be applied for 14 business days before the event.
TYBEE ISLAND: Although alcohol is allowed on the beach, it can’t be in a glass container. Kegs are also prohibited. Also, be aware that smoking/vaping is not allowed on the beach, with fines up to $300 for violations.
GOLDEN ISLES: Alcohol is allowed on the beach but not in glass containers. Kegs are also prohibited.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND: Alcohol is prohibited on all beaches.
PET LAWS ON BEACHES
TYBEE ISLAND: Dogs aren’t allowed on any of Tybee’s four beach areas (North, Mid, South and Backriver). It’s best to keep your furry friend at home or the beach rental lest you face a $300 fine and court costs. Learn more, including information about Georgia’s laws on service dogs and emotional support animals, at cityoftybee.org.
GOLDEN ISLES: You can bring your four-legged companions to most beaches on Jekyll Island, but they must be leashed. Check the rules at jekyllisland.com/visiting/safety-tips. St. Simons allows dogs on some beaches but are prohibited the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, roughly May to September. Other restrictions can be found here: glynncounty.org/1522/beach-qr-page-2.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND: From October to March, dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash or under voice control. From April through Memorial Day and then on through Labor Day and September, there are different schedules for when pets can be on leashes versus under voice control. There is a defined timeframe, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, when dogs are prohibited. For the full schedule and other rules, see hiltonheadislandsc.gov/beach/animals.cfm.
