In summary: To elope in Savannah, Georgia you need three things — a Georgia marriage license from Chatham County Probate Court ($66 with premarital counseling cert, $86 without; no waiting period), a ceremony venue with the appropriate permit, and a licensed Georgia officiant. Elopements Inc. handles venue, permit, officiant, photographer, and timing across two flagship Savannah venues (Forsyth Park and Davenport House) starting at $1,275.
Step 1: Decide what kind of Savannah ceremony you want
The open-air historic-park ceremony
Venue: Forsyth Park, the 30-acre 1840s park in the heart of the historic district. Ceremony at the white cast-iron Forsyth Fountain or under the live-oak promenade draped in Spanish moss. Best for the visual icon of Savannah, larger guest counts up to 50, classic Lowcountry look. Starts at $1,275.
The intimate private-courtyard ceremony
Venue: Davenport House, the 1820 Federal-style mansion at Columbia Square operated by the Historic Savannah Foundation. Ceremony in the private walled garden courtyard. Best for fully private ceremony, no tourists in background, smaller guest counts (up to 20), built-in indoor rain plan. Starts at $1,875.
Step 2: Get your Georgia marriage license
- Where: Chatham County Probate Court, 133 Montgomery Street, Savannah, GA 31401. M–F 8:30am–5:00pm.
- Cost: $66 with a certificate of completion from a qualified premarital education program (six hours with a recognized provider) or $86 without. We send the list of approved Georgia premarital counseling providers during planning — many are online, $20 savings often covers the program cost.
- Waiting period: None. Same-day issuance.
- What to bring: Photo ID for both partners, SSNs, premarital counseling certificate if claiming the discount. No blood test.
- Validity: Valid statewide, no expiration.
- Residency: None required.
Step 3: Venue permits (we handle these)
- Forsyth Park: City of Savannah special-event permit (~$30, 14+ days in advance). Specifies ceremony spot, time, guest count.
- Davenport House: Historic Savannah Foundation private rental — not a City permit. Includes museum-staff coordination and rain-plan access to the interior parlor.
Restrictions: no amplified sound at Forsyth Park, no temp structures beyond chairs, no rice/confetti/glitter or releases, no decorations left on site.
Step 4: Hire the right officiant
Georgia requires officiants whose credentials are recognized by the state — ministers and clergy from recognized denominations, judges, and other government-authorized celebrants. Every Elopements Inc. Savannah package includes a licensed Georgia officiant whose credentials meet state requirements. Family member or friend can do a reading, unity ritual, or tribute — but the officiant of record will be one of our credentialed Georgia officiants so the marriage is unambiguously valid.
Step 5: The day-of timeline
- 9:00am — Get ready at hotel (The Marshall House, The Mansion on Forsyth Park, Perry Lane Hotel).
- 10:30am — Photographer arrives for getting-ready (Friends and Family).
- 11:00am — Arrive at venue.
- 11:15am — Ceremony begins. 15–30 min.
- 11:45am — Post-ceremony portraits. Forsyth: fountain, live-oak promenade, fragrant garden. Davenport: courtyard, front portico, walk down Bull Street.
- 12:30pm — Wrap. Walk to lunch.
Step 6: What to do in Savannah after the ceremony
- Dinner: The Olde Pink House (18th-century mansion, most-booked Savannah elopement dinner), Husk Savannah, or The Grey (Forbes-rated, restored 1938 Greyhound terminal). Book 2+ months ahead.
- Classic lunch: Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room — communal-table Southern cooking since 1943, lunch only, cash only.
- River Street stroll: Cobblestone waterfront promenade along the Savannah River. 10 min walk from either venue.
- Bonaventure Cemetery (next day): 100-acre Spanish-moss cemetery with marble statuary. Most-requested second-day photo location. 15 min from downtown.
- Ghost tour: Savannah is one of America's most haunted cities. Sorrel-Weed House tour or Hearse Ghost Tour.
- Tybee Island (day trip): 40-min drive east. Atlantic beach, 1736 Tybee Lighthouse, seafood at The Crab Shack or A-J's Dockside.
- Where to stay: The Marshall House (1851), The Mansion on Forsyth Park (walkable to both venues), or Perry Lane Hotel (modern boutique, rooftop bar).
Common questions
Should we elope in Charleston or Savannah?
Both produce Lowcountry photography with Spanish moss and live oaks. Georgia has no waiting period and a lower license fee with the counseling cert ($66 vs $95 in SC). Savannah's historic district is more walkable (22 squares packed into 2.5 sq mi). Charleston has Cypress Gardens boat-ceremony venue Savannah doesn't replicate. Want walkable ceremony-to-dinner: Savannah. Want cinematic swamp aesthetic: Charleston.
Forsyth Park or Davenport House?
Forsyth is open-air, public, larger-capacity (up to 50), built around the fountain and live-oak promenade. Davenport is private, walled, smaller-capacity (up to 20), original 1820 Federal architecture, built-in rain plan.
Do we need to be GA residents?
No. No residency requirement.
Can we bring guests?
Yes. Forsyth Park up to 20 (Friends and Family) or up to 50 (custom permit). Davenport House caps at 20.
How walkable is the historic district?
Extremely. Most couples don't use a car on ceremony day at all.
What's the best time of year?
Mid-March through early May (azaleas/dogwoods, 65–78°F, fullest Spanish moss). Mid-October–November (softer light, fewer tourists). Summer is humid with afternoon storms.
How much does a Savannah elopement actually cost?
See the full cost breakdown. Short version: $1,275–$2,775 all-inclusive plus $66–$86 license.