Savannah Elopements vs Savannah Weddings
The Savannah wedding industry has changed A LOT over the years. Trends come and go. People’s wants and needs are vastly different from years past. Couples are prioritizing non-traditional approaches to their weddings. I’ve had a lot of clients ditch the large, traditional Savannah weddings for something smaller and more intimate.
Savannah has become a place for destination weddings, especially elopements! All of the gorgeous squares and parks make it easy to have a small wedding.
What’s the difference between a wedding and an elopement? In short, they’re both weddings! However, historically an elopement is a wedding that happens secretly, without any friends or family around. This definition has changed over time. People are now blurring the line between elopements and larger weddings. Instead of it being a secret or a sudden wedding, elopements have just turned into “micro-weddings” or small weddings. Large, traditional weddings tend to take place in a local venue, have a large guest count and are usually an all day event.
Are you wondering if you should have a Savannah wedding or Savannah elopement? Here are some tips on how to choose:
Amount of Guests
This is a big indicator on if you need a large wedding or elopement. I would say anything under 20 guests would be considered an elopement or micro-wedding. You probably don’t need all of the bells and whistles of a large wedding for a small guest list. In Savannah, the city allows you to elope in one of the 22 squares for free (without a permit) if your guest list is under 50. If your guest list is growing, you’ll probably want to consider chairs and a permit to block off a section of the square for privacy purposes or even an actual venue. If you have a larger guest, a local venue might be the way to go because they usually have both indoor and outdoor options, bridal suits for getting ready, and have enough space to accommodate a big group.
How Many Hours
This is probably the biggest indicator of an elopement vs. a traditional Savannah wedding. An elopement is short - usually just a ceremony (lasting anywhere from 15-30 minutes) and some family/couples photos afterwards. Some people want to take couples photos at multiple places around town, so adding additional time for those purposes is typical. I offer 1, 2, and 3 hour Savannah elopement packages and that’s usually plenty of time for what my clients are looking for. For traditional weddings, I offer 6, 8 and 10 hour wedding packages that all come with: timeline creation, complimentary engagement sessions and more!
Pro Tip: Savannah is small, but parking can be tricky. The best way to get around town to multiple locations is to hire pedicabs (bike taxis) to take us around quickly so we don’t have to worry about walking in the heat or searching for parking.
Planning, Coordination + Officiant: Savannah Custom Weddings & Elopements
Yours Wants + Needs
A lot of clients in the past have said “well I just want a small elopement,” but then they also want: getting ready photos, full family formals, first dances, etc. In my opinion, an elopement is short - usually just a ceremony + some time for a few family and couples photos. If you think you’ll regret having those special moments captured like getting ready photos, reception photos, etc, I highly suggest adding time and making your wedding bigger than an elopement. If you’re wondering the best places to elope in Savannah click here.
If you’re looking to get married in Savannah, Ga, I would love to capture your special day. Whether it is a large wedding at a local venue or just you and your partner in a square, we will create images that will last a lifetime. Contact me today!