Lush Nuptials: Getting Married or Honeymooning in Savannah

Head to Savannah for a backdrop of lush floral gardens (and the setting of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil") where historical architecture reigns supreme. Wedding and honeymoon opportunities abound amid thousands of examples of Victorian Regency, Gothic Revival, Federal, and Italianate designs.

One of the most spectacular is the Azalea Inn and Villas, where Southern charm is paired with modern amenities. Each room is unique, but favorites include the Gentleman's Parlor, an Asian-inspired sanctuary with a hand-carved mantle, Shoji screen-enclosed bath and walk-in shower. For your own private escape, the Wisteria Cottage Suite features a private patio, king bed and open floor plan with rustic brick floors.

With so much to discover, we asked local Anastasia Stevenson, creator of the Gay Wedding Planner app and www.mysavannahwedding.com, to offer her picks for the best of this charming Georgian city.

An Affair to Remember

Document your visit with amazing photos from Savannah's most picture-perfect wedding backdrops, including Forsyth Park, one of the top venues for outdoor wedding ceremonies. The 30-acre park's most beloved spot is Forsyth Park Fountain, which dates back to 1858. Emmet Park is another showstopper. It sits above the Savannah River's southern shore and features historic mossy oaks. For a "destination within a destination wedding," head east toward the Atlantic, and you'll discover an idyllic setting for a romantic beach wedding or honeymoon on Tybee Island.

"Tybee Island has long been a destination for the LGBT community as a vacation destination. Many Tybee Island business owners are a part of that community," says Stacye C. Jarrell, owner of Tybee Island Wedding Chapel and Oceanfront Cottage Rentals.

"Tybee Wedding Chapel has proudly hosted commitment ceremonies and looks forward to hosting many weddings and receptions at our venue. Oceanfront Cottage Rentals, LLC, our sister vacation rental company, has a large LGBT following for family vacations," says Jarrell. "As the owner of both businesses, I look forward to welcoming more wedding parties and families to our venue, our vacation rentals and our beautiful island."

Eat Like a Local

Savannah is a coastal city, and Stevenson says a visit wouldn't be complete without experiencing the local seafood. For a casual meal, head to the Crab Shack on Tybee Island for blue crabs and a "low country boil" (shrimp, corn, potatoes and sausage.) For a taste of history, dine at Savannah's only 18th-century mansion, the Olde Pink House, at Planters Inn. The southern-inspired menu offers classics like she-crab soup, blackened oysters on the half shell, and bourbon molasses-grilled pork tenderloin.

When the Sun Sets
Historic Savannah Carriage Tours offers a unique way to take in the local sights. Whether it's a romantic ride for two or your entire wedding party, the handcrafted carriages will leisurely guide you through the city streets. Book a ghost tour for an insider's look at one of America's most haunted cities.

Afterward, enjoy cocktails and dessert and the gay-friendly martini bar, Jen's and Friends. And when you're ready to dance the night away, you can stay out until the wee hours at Club One, where drag reigns supreme and you might just catch the "Grand Empress of Savannah," Lady Chablis, who's been a legend for more than two decades.

Resource Guide

Visit Savannah
www.visitsavannah.com

Creative Savannah Weddings
www.creativesavannahweddings.com

Azalea Inn and Villas
www.azaleainn.com

Forsyth Park
www.visithistoricsavannah.com

Tybee Wedding Chapel
www.tybeeweddingchapel.com

The Crab Shack
www.thecrabshack.com

The Olde Pink House
www.plantersinnsavannah.com

Historic Savannah Carriage Tours
www.savahhancarriage.com

Jen's and Friends
www.jensandfriendsbar.com