{"id":20733,"name":"Savannah","state_id":16,"county_id":782,"created_at":"2019-08-20T10:37:51.378-07:00","updated_at":"2021-09-20T17:02:39.249-07:00","meta_description":"Learn about officiating weddings and planning wedding ceremonies in Savannah, Georgia","head_tag":"A Savannah Guide to Planning and Officiating Wedding Ceremonies for Couples and Ministers","tagline":"Hosting your wedding in the ‘Hostess of the South’","intro_section":"\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s hard to argue that there\u0026rsquo;s a better spot to get married in the state of Georgia than its oldest and most storied City: Savannah. Some say it\u0026rsquo;s less exciting than its bigger sister Atlanta, but for whatever it lacks in terms of metropolitan appeal, it more than makes up for in classic Southern architecture, history, seafood and nature. So, if you\u0026rsquo;re looking for city amenities and charm, Savannah is where it\u0026rsquo;s at.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOur guide has all the need-to-know info about getting married and officiating weddings in the Hostess of the South -- from getting your marriage license to ordaining your officiant-of-choice -- plus some extra Savannah-specific wedding tips to make sure your big day goes off without a hitch.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003ch3\u003eStep\u0026nbsp;1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLet\u0026rsquo;s start with the ordainment process. Judges, city recorders, magistrates, the state governor or a former Georgia state governor are qualified to perform weddings in the state -- and so are ministers, of course.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you\u0026rsquo;ve been asked to officiate a friend\u0026rsquo;s wedding and you do not fall into any of these categories, no sweat. AMM\u0026rsquo;s ministerial credentials are indeed recognized in Georgia. You can \u003ca href=\"/ordination-application\"\u003eget ordained\u003c/a\u003e with us for free in just a few minutes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eStep\u0026nbsp;2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Chatham County\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow that the easy part is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but can feel like a lot of pressure. You will appreciate our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to \u0026nbsp;brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eStep\u0026nbsp;3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes time to the marriage license, it\u0026rsquo;s the couple\u0026rsquo;s responsibility to obtain it at the probate court\u0026rsquo;s office before the wedding. Make sure they know to head into the office at least three days before the ceremony to apply. Then, help them fill it out correctly and notarize it.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want to score extra points as an officiant, you can offer to drop the notarized marriage license back off at the probate court\u0026rsquo;s office in which the couple applied so they have one less thing on their to-do list. (One of the members of the couple, a family member or the officiant are all allowed to return it after the wedding.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003cp\u003eTo obtain your marriage license, you members of the couple will have to visit the Chatham Probate Court\u0026rsquo;s office at 133 Montgomery Street in room 509. You can either print out the application and fill it out before you head down to save yourself a few minutes, but the office also has copies for you on hand if you don\u0026rsquo;t have a printer at home.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no waiting period to get married once you apply, but the probate course advises coming in at least three days before your wedding day.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen you go, just remember to bring:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eState-issued ID (driver\u0026#39;s license, passport, or birth certificate)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e$66 application fee in credit/debit card, cashier\u0026rsquo;s check, money order or cash (no larger than $20 denominations accepted)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePremarital education course certificate of completion (optional)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePrevious divorce/death certificate documentation if either party was previously married\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have all of your required documents, your appointment will take about 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the office is that day, and then you\u0026rsquo;ll be issued your marriage license!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFill it out with your officiant and then make sure to either bring it back in person, have the officiant or a family member turn it in, or mail it in to P.O. Box is 8344 Savannah, Georgia 31412. You have six months to do so before it expires.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","wedding_tips":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Basics\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes to wedding venues, there are so many options to choose from in and around the Savannah area. If you\u0026rsquo;re thinking of getting married downtown, skip the ballrooms and take advantage of the incredible Victorian architecture the city offers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://gingerbreadhouseevents.com/\"\u003eThe Gingerbread House \u003c/a\u003eis perhaps one of the most visually stunning, unique mansions in the historic district, built back in 1899. Before you start clicking through its photo gallery, be prepared to fall in love with its charm. With this venue, you can also take advantage of a free night\u0026rsquo;s stay in the mansion for the bride and the bridal party if you book a wedding day between Monday and Friday. \u003ca href=\"https://thewhitmansavannah.com/\"\u003eThe Whitman \u003c/a\u003eis another impeccably maintained, unimaginably elegant option in the same neighborhood that you\u0026rsquo;ll definitely want to compare. Or if you\u0026rsquo;re looking for a similar style of venue outside the busy downtown area, \u003ca href=\"https://mackeyhouse.com/\"\u003eMackey House\u003c/a\u003e is for you; it\u0026rsquo;s just 15 minutes from the city center.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eForsyth Park is another super popular spot to say \u0026ldquo;I do\u0026rdquo; in the city, and it\u0026rsquo;s no wonder why. The park\u0026rsquo;s lush greenery, Spanish moss and historic fountain make for an incredibly romantic backdrop for your special day right in the middle of town. You can call the city park services to get a permit to have your actual ceremony in the park, or you can host your festivities at one of the surrounding venues (the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kesslercollection.com/mansion/exceptional-events/weddings/\"\u003eMansion on Forsyth Park \u003c/a\u003eor the \u003ca href=\"https://www.forsythparkinn.com/SavannahWedding\"\u003eForsyth Park Inn\u003c/a\u003e) and opt to take photos in the actual park between your ceremony and reception. When it comes to Forsyth Park, it\u0026rsquo;s best to steer clear of Saturday and Sunday if you want to avoid crowds.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSavannah is also a paradise of golfers. Whether or not you like to swing the club yourself, these joints make for excellent venues. The grounds of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.marriott.com/hotels/event-planning/wedding-planning/savwi-the-westin-savannah-harbor-golf-resort-and-spa/\"\u003eWestin Golf Resort \u0026amp; Spa\u003c/a\u003e are truly beautiful at sunset. Nearby, the Club at Savannah Harbor is another one with epic views of the river.There\u0026rsquo;s also the \u003ca href=\"https://theclubatsavannahharbor.com/weddings/\"\u003eClub at Savannah Quarters \u003c/a\u003e-- about a 25 minute drive east of town -- which has excellent facilities and an even more exclusive feel. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut if you\u0026rsquo;re feeling more of a beach vibe, Tybee Island has you covered. The three-and-a-half square mile area is home to one of Georgia\u0026rsquo;s most beautiful beaches and just half an hour from Savannah and a perfect little getaway from the hussle and bussle. Follow \u003ca href=\"https://tybeeisland.com/wed/\"\u003ethis link\u003c/a\u003e to its tourist page to check out the venues and vendors it offers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eTransportation\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGetting around Savannah is a breeze. The downtown area is super walkable/bikeable. But if you\u0026rsquo;re venturing outside the inner city area, you may want to utilize the public transit system. Rideshare services like Lyft and Uber are handy and prevalent in Savannah. Check out a comprehensive list of transportation options on the city\u0026rsquo;s tourism page \u003ca href=\"https://www.visitsavannah.com/getting-around\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eWeather\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Savannah area has a subtropical climate (read: warm and wet!) It\u0026rsquo;s known for its scorching hot summers and accompanying humidity. Spring can be unpredictably hot or cool and often rainy, but is still a beautiful season to plan a wedding as long as you choose a venue with an indoor option in case of showers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn June, things really start to heat up. Summer afternoon temperatures often exceed 90 degrees, and during the late summer, thunderstorms roll in almost every afternoon. Most couples choose to plan their weddings when things cool down in the fall, but that\u0026rsquo;s when venue rental rates will likely be the highest.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWinter, however, is quite mild. You can even get some beautiful 65-degree days, although, this is not the usual. Average highs in the winter range from 50 to 60 degrees. But since most couples opt for fall, you\u0026rsquo;ll find that venues are willing to offer better rates November through March, so perhaps don\u0026rsquo;t be so quick to write a winter date off.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eDates To Avoid\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter narrowing down what season you and your partner want to celebrate, keep in mind some of the major events and festivals that take place each year, drawing in attendees from all over the world. There\u0026rsquo;s the Savannah Book Festival in February, the Savannah Jazz Festival in September, the Food And Wine Festival in November, and don\u0026rsquo;t forget about the craziness that St. Patty\u0026rsquo;s Day brings. If you\u0026rsquo;re choosing a venue outside of the city, you probably don\u0026rsquo;t have to worry about the traffic and parking challenges that these events pose, but just be sure to thoroughly check Georgia\u0026rsquo;s events pages so that your guests don\u0026#39;t end up competing for parking on your wedding day.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","faq":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo we have to take a premarital preparation course to get married?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNo, but it does reduce the fee from $66 to $26.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere do we get the marriage license?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYou can either print out the application and fill it out before you head down to save yourself a few minutes, but the office also has copies for you on hand if you don\u0026rsquo;t have a printer at home.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo we have to pay for our marriage license in cash?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The probate court\u0026rsquo;s office of Savannah accepts debit/credit cards, money orders, cashier\u0026rsquo;s checks and cash -- but no higher denominations than $20 bills.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho can return the marriage license to the Chatham Probate Court\u0026rsquo;s Office after the wedding?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce the marriage license has been properly filled out and notarized, the officiant, one of the members of the couple or a family member may return it to the probate court\u0026rsquo;s office.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the officiant have to register with the state of Georgia to perform the ceremony?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNo, as long as the officiant is licensed by a qualified religious organization like AMM, there is no further registration required in Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office:\u003c/strong\u003e 133 Montgomery Street, Room 509\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFee:\u003c/strong\u003e $26 - $66*\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaiting Period:\u003c/strong\u003e None\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpiration:\u003c/strong\u003e None\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReturn:\u003c/strong\u003e By officiant, couple or by mail\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","meta_description_esp":null,"head_tag_esp":null,"tagline_esp":null,"intro_section_esp":null,"officiant_section_esp":null,"couple_section_esp":null,"wedding_tips_esp":null,"faq_esp":null,"content_live_esp":false,"marriage_licensing_info_esp":null}