Tips For Getting Married on Tybee Island

One of my favorite places to photograph is Tybee Island. Tybee Island is a quiet beach, only a 20-minute drive outside of Savannah. Recently, I had the pleasure of being able to photograph a golden hour elopement on Tybee Island, and it turned out gorgeous! It took Heather and Joey time to find each other, but now they get to spend the rest of their lives together. I wanted to share their photos with you along with some tips for getting married on Tybee Island!

Know that Tybee is a public beach

Since Tybee is a public beach, so you will want to either rent a cottage on the beach or a condo like Heather and Joey did that has beach access! You will also need a permit for later events, especially if you plan on having any rentals on the beach. You can see more information about planning events on the city’s website.

You’ll also need to be careful of the beautiful natural surroundings. You have to stay off the dunes, and you can only use real flower petals. Also, dogs are not permitted on the beach.

Have a shuttle ready

If you are getting married at a venue, like Tybee Island Wedding Chapel, have a shuttle for guests who are staying downtown. Parking can be limited on the island, there is no free parking on the island, and it is a 20-minute drive depending on traffic. A shuttle will let guests stay downtown at one of the many hotels and still experience the beauty of Tybee for the day.

Plan for weather

Luckily, for Heather and Joey’s golden hour elopement, the weather stayed gorgeous all evening long. But that isn’t always the case! Have an indoor plan in the event of troublesome weather. It is a beach after all! While you can expect typical sunny days out on Tybee, there are often afternoon thunderstorms, especially in the summer. Weather can be unpredictable! So, make sure to have a backup plan for any outdoor events.

Pick the right time for your Tybee Island ceremony

Pick the early morning or right before sunset for your ceremony. The best times of day for a beach wedding are when the sun isn’t right above – it can get very bright with the white sandy beaches and ocean reflecting the sun! For Heather and Joey, we chose an hour before sunset, so that we got a beautiful evening glow and those perfect golden hour portraits!

Dress comfortably

If you plan on getting married on the sandy beaches, consider your outfit. While a ballgown is gorgeous, it will also get pretty dirty, and wool suits look incredible but may be too hot for the weather. A nice linen suit and a lighter gown are always a great choice.

Heather wore a stunning bohemian-inspired dress, covered in lace. The long bell sleeves were perfect for this fall evening, and the open back added some drama! She also had a handkerchief made with the same lace from her gown as an heirloom to pass on and treasure forever. She finished off her bridal outfit with stunning Badgley Mischka shoes, but she ended up just going barefoot! It’s nearly impossible to navigate the beach in heels, so this was a good choice.

Heather and Joey’s elopement is the perfect example of an ideal Tybee Island wedding. It was a simple elopement with Heather’s two kids, and Joey’s cousin as their officiant. I’m so glad I got to work with them and get those beautiful golden hour portraits. If you’re planning a Tybee Island wedding, I’d love to work with you! Say hello and tell me all about your big day!

Vendors:

Dress: SuPretty Bridal

Rings: Melanie Casey

Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Flowers: EstherSue Florals

Officiant: Mike Baldwin, Savannah Beach & Racquet Club

Location: Tybee Island, GA – beach accessed from Savannah Beach & Racquet Club