Savannah Intimate Destination Weddings: 13 Real Wedding Stories

Now that you’re engaged (YAY!), it’s time to plan how you will make your commitment to each other. Planning a wedding can seem stressful and complex. From deciding how many guests to invite, where to have your celebration, and what your overall budget should be… it can even feel impossible at times. You also have to make these decisions in the middle of an already busy life!

That’s where we’d like to help.

Choosing Savannah as the right place for your intimate wedding, and that we are the right team to help you make it all happen, is easier when you’re able to view the joyful experiences of couples who already made this choice. Enjoy these 13 stories of couples who chose our Intimate Destination Wedding package for 10-30 guests over the last three years. We chose to feature a diverse group of couples who were united in having the same vision we do- celebrating love should be beautiful, relaxing and empowering.

As one of our grooms put it in a comment on our Facebook page, he felt honored that “We are part of a special group of people, who worked with a very special group of people to make magic happen in a beautiful city.”

In addition to these couples, you can also view the Intimate Destination Weddings of Temprest & Joseph, which was featured on Offbeat Bride, and Cassandra & Armando and Monica and Evan, who were featured on our blog about our partnership with Royal Bike Taxi. We’re always posting galleries on Instagram, too!

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Couple Story : Sandee & Chris from Duluth, MN, July 2019

Sandee and Chris were married ten years ago on the beach at Tybee Island with a small handful of family members. Ten years later- after three cross-country moves and bringing their beautiful children, John, Savannah, and Emerson, into the world- they returned to Savannah to renew their vows and celebrate with a larger group of their family and friends.

Location: Monterey Square

Sandee even wrote a blog post about her experience with our team!

Couple Story: Hayley & Young from Jacksonville, FL, August 2019

Hayley and Young met unexpectedly when she made a quick trip to Jacksonville to shop at our closest IKEA. Their meeting led to an extended day trip, including a stop to play games together at Dave & Busters. After a year of traveling back and forth from Savannah to Jacksonville, they read heart filled vows to each other at their wedding ceremony.

Location: Troup Square

Couple Story: Rebecca & Robert from Waynesboro, Pa, March 2019

When Rebecca met Robert, she could not believe her luck that she met a guy that rode a motorcycle and LOVED the Gilmore Girls. Their ceremony featured a reading by Neil Gaiman and video diaries from their guests.

Location: Forsyth Park

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Couple Story: Heather & Andre from Ottawa, KS, October 2019

Heather and Andre met at a party when they were teenagers. The second time that Heather saw Andre, she knew she would grow old with him and a few days later, they shared their deepest secrets with each other. Twenty years later, they were handfasted in front of their families and their son Noah.

Location: Lafayette Square

Vendors: Officiant: Tracy Brisson | Photography: It’s Megan Jones | Hair & Makeup: Shea Hollister | Pedicab: Royal Bike Taxi | Celebration: Vic’s On The River

Couple Story: Taylor & Josh, from Dacula, GA, April 2019

Taylor & Josh met when they worked at a pizza place in high school. Their first date was after work at a Burger King. Let’s just say that their wedding was considerably fancier!

Location: Pulaski Square

Couple Story: Erica & Jonathan from Augusta GA, August 2018

Erica and Jonathan got to know each other over a number of Vietnamese and Tex-Mex meals. Soon, they were doing everything together and knew they wanted to spend the rest of their life together. During their intimate ceremony, Jonathan made vows to Erica’s son Jaxen, too.

Location: Savannah Botanical Gardens

Vendors: Officiant: Partner Buffy Nelson | Photography: Photos by Rick Burkhart | Flowers: Kato Floral Designs | Cake: Gigi’s Cupcakes of Savannah | Catering: Savannah Event Catering

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Couple Story: Dian & Ben from Houston, TX, September 2019

Dian and Ben met when Ben visited Indonesia for work and Dian worked at the consulate. They were sad when Ben returned to Houston, knowing the distance was too far for a relationship, but they continued messaging each other from afar. Soon, Dian found out she was being unexpectedly reassigned to a new consulate assignment in, of all places …Houston, TX! As Dian and Ben found out, the universe often has its own plans and two years later, they were married in a romantic ceremony in Savannah. Dian’s family participated in the event from across the world via video. As part of their ceremony, they placed love letters to each other in a box to read together on a future date.

Location: Wormsloe Historic Site

Vendors: Officiant: Tracy Brisson | Photography: It’s Megan Jones | Hair & Makeup: Royal Hair & Makeup | Flowers: Kato Floral Designs | Violin: Na @ Ocean Violinist

Couple Story: Nicole and Nancy from Orlando, FL, October 2018

Nicole and Nancy from Orlando, FL went to see Antman on their first date. Two years later, they were engaged in Savannah and the horse that led their carriage was named Batman. It was fate! We were excited that they returned to Savannah for their wedding that featured so many bright fall colors.

Location: Columbia Square

Couple Story: William & Megan from Douglasville, GA, July 2018

William and Megan wanted a ceremony that honored their Pagan beliefs, followed by a fun weekend with all of their friends and family in Savannah. They had a ritual filled ceremony in front of the marsh at Bonaventure Cemetery.

Location: Bonaventure Cemetery

Vendors: Officiant: Tracy Brisson | Photography: It’s Megan Jones | Hair & Makeup: Royal Hair & Makeup

Couple Story: Annie & Akash from Nashville TN, February 2019

Annie & Akash met like a lot of our couples do, on Bumble! Their goal was to create a very intimate ceremony experience that included expressions of deep gratitude to their families

Location: Orleans Square

Vendors: Partner Officiant: Molly Hayden | Photography: It’s Megan Jones | Pedicab: Royal Bike Taxi | Celebration: Husk

Couple Story: Sean & Ken from Savannah, GA, December 2019

When Sean and Ken relocated from Minnesota for Ken’s career and their families, they decided it would be the perfect place for a backyard wedding that in the Filipino tradition, celebrated the marriage of not only two people, but two families. They were lassoed for their ceremony and Ken’s nieces played music and read a poem as part of the ceremony.

Location: Private home

Vendors: Partner Officiant: Tara Kelly | Photography: Ashly McCoy, Wedding Photographer | Cake: Gigi’s Cupcakes of Savannah | Celebration: Alligator Soul

Couple Story: Julie & Chad from Milwaukee, WI, October 2019

Julie and Chad met when Julie was out with friends, ironically celebrating her friend’s breakup. They soon fell in love and moved in together during a stage they fondly call “The Takeover.” While they were originally going to be married at Forsyth Park, they moved their ceremony into Whitefield Square due to Tropical Storm Nestor and it was just as beautiful.

Location: Whitefield Square

Couple Story: Linda & JD from Atlanta, GA, November 2017

Linda & JD met 23 years ago when they flirted with each other on a film set, and after a 19 year engagement. We asked Linda’s dad if he was finally ready for Linda to be JD to be his official son-in-law and they tied a fisherman’s knot to symbolize the strength of their relationship.

Location: Tybee Island

Vendors: Officiant: Tracy Brisson | Photography: It’s Megan Jones | Flowers: Garden on the Square

Couple Story: Deyanira & Justin from Rex, GA, May 2019

Deyanira and Justin went to high school together and casually kept up with each other after graduation via Facebook. Years later, they reconnected in person where they had dinner and played the board game Life. The chemistry was undeniable and a few years later, they made their commitment to each other with extremely personal vows in front of their families and their children.

Location: Forsyth Park

Vendors: Officiant: Tracy Brisson | Photography: It’s Megan Jones | Pedicabs: Royal Bike Taxi

I hope you are just as inspired as we are by all of our couples. Have questions about your celebration in Savannah? Send us a note. We’d love to chat!

Until next time,

February 8, 2019

Introducing The New Adventure Hour Package Add-On!

Hey y’all! I am excited to announce a new offering we have called The Adventure Hour, a special add-on for clients who book the Savannah Elopement Experience.

Over the last year, we’ve encouraged our clients who want additional time with our photographers to book an extra hour with their photographer and to also book pedicabs with our partner, Royal Bike Taxi. Using pedicabs adds opportunities to get photos among more squares, options you can’t get by walking or driving. It is also creates a relaxed and fun vibe which is something we aim for with all of our offerings. Many of our couples have said that the pedicabs were one of their favorite parts of their entire experience!

Previously, we required couples to book their extra hour of photography and Royal Bike Taxi service separately, but now they can book them directly with us through the Adventure Hour add-on. You’ll see this as an option on your elopement order form for $495. As part of this add-on, we will take care of all the scheduling, confirmations, and vendor payments. Not only is this more convenient for our clients, it’s a reduced price compared to when they were booked separately.

In case you are on the fence about whether the Adventure Hour is worth it, here are some photos of two couples who elected to add an extra hour of photography with pedicabs and the beautiful photos they were able to take in so many gorgeous locations.

Monica & Evan, October 2018

Monica & Evan were married at Forsyth Park in front of their friends and family and then went on a photography adventure across the downtown area with Royal Bike Taxi and Megan Jones of It’s Megan Jones Photography. Monica’s hair and makeup were done by the artists at Royal Hair & Makeup.

Cassandra & Armando, August 2018

Cassandra & Armando were married in Chatham Square and included their son in their ceremony. Transportation was provided by Royal Bike Taxi and their photos were taken by Ashly of Matthew & Ashly Fine Art + Films. Cassandra’s hair and makeup were by Shea Hollister and florals were by Kato Floral Designs.

Weren’t all those photos all dreamy?!? We really do live and work in a beautiful city! We look forward to working with you on your wedding. You can fill out the form below if there are additional questions you’d like us to answer, too!

Until next time,

October 2, 2018

I’m Hiring a New Scheduling Manager & Client Concierge Job Description

UPDATE: This position was filled as of November 5, 2018. Thanks to all who applied!

Hey y’all-

I am very sad to report that our current Scheduling Manager & Client Concierge, Shannon, is leaving us in a few months for Japan where her family will be stationed for the foreseeable future. We are devastated to be losing her from our team, but excited for her new adventure.

But that means we need to find a new Scheduling Manager & Client Concierge and we have big shoes to fill. Please help us with our search!

Job Overview

The Savannah Custom Weddings & Elopements Scheduling Manager & Client Concierge is responsible for three categories of responsibilities for our business:

(1) qualifying leads who want to work with our business for their elopement or wedding and contact us via our online form, or by email or phone, and then following up and scheduling them, if appropriate,

(2) working with select clients to organize related vendor services (hair and makeup, flowers, restaurant reservations, etc.) for their wedding or elopement and helping the client book them, and

(3) managing our marketing assets, including photos and ceremony documents.

The Scheduling Manager & Client Concierge has intimate contact with our clients and his or her work is essential in helping our business maintain our 150+ 5 star rating online.

Responsibilities

Under the direction of the owner, this critical team member will …

Manage Our Officiant & Photographer Schedule for Client Booking

Answer leads, using templates and company knowledge, and qualify them for our services via our customer relationship management system, 17Hats
Review Google calendars of officiants and photographers to schedule services appropriately and message them as needed
Send booking forms to qualified leads
Follow-up on needed documents, like questionnaires and booking forms, from clients

Provide Client Concierge Services to Select Clients

Analyze client questionnaires and organize follow-up calls with clients around their requests
Contact appropriate vendors to obtain quotes or make reservations on behalf of clients
Maintain excellent relationships with all of our vendors
Monitor progress for each client’s project and conduct follow-ups with client or vendor as needed
Keep the business’s customer relationship management system up-to-date for every client

Manage our Marketing Assets

Review photo galleries of all of our elopements and weddings and select and organize photos to allow us to easily market our business across online platforms
Conduct a fine edit of select ceremony documents after they have been performed

Related tasks may be assigned.

Hours & Pay

The Scheduling Manager & Client Concierge will be an employee of the owner, not a contractor, and be paid $17 an hour. This employee works approximately 10-15 hours per week, with the busiest times in the spring and fall. Scheduling management work, including answering voicemails, must be done twice a day, in the morning and late afternoon/evening.

Additional Client Concierge work can be scheduled on a weekly basis, based on your schedule and the volume of clients, but all calls, texts and emails must be answered within 12 hours.

This is a remote position. If the final candidate is located in Savannah, there may be opportunities for in-person work at weddings, but not required or guaranteed.

We ask that the final candidate we choose commits to our business for at least one year.

Qualifications

Minimum:

Highly organized with excellent communication skills
Experience with using mobile applications for work
Experience in customer service
Experience working with difficult people and unique situations
Values promptness and establishing relationships with vendors
Owns a computer with access to high speed internet and a dedicated place to conduct work

Preferred:

Experience with self-employment or working for a small business
Familiarity with Savannah geography and tourism

Finally, our Scheduling Manager & Client Concierge must also believe in and share our company’s values about our work.

We believe that modern marriage ceremonies, in both language and action, are the perfect way for couples to express their unique commitment to each other.
ALL love is beautiful and there is no wrong way to be married.
We fiercely defend the right of same-sex couples to marry in our state and country.
Every wedding celebration, whether small and intimate, or grand and bold, deserves the same level of attention and love from their vendors.
We provide solutions to every client’s question and focus on successful outcomes, positivity, organization, and responsiveness in our work. We never say “I don’t know.”
We value the expertise of our internal partners and team members, and work with people who share our values in both thought and practice.
We take great pride in showcasing diverse forms of love and championing the beauty of elopements and intimate weddings to audiences across the globe.

Application Process

Interested applicants should send a resume or link to a LinkedIn profile via email to tracy [at] savannahcustomweddings [dot] com and tell us why you want to be our Scheduling Manager & Client Concierge AND why you would be great at it. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis and we hope to hire someone by mid-October for training with our team. Only fully-qualified applicants will be interviewed. We recommend all applicants view our Facebook Live video with Shannon about her experience with the position.

We look forward to your application!

September 28, 2018

Changes for 2019 for Savannah Custom Weddings & Elopements

Happy Friday!

If you caught my Facebook Live video a few weeks ago, you heard my announcement that I am making some adjustments to my business for 2019 and here is a quick recap. Beginning October 1, 2018, I will be focusing on the Ceremony + Photography packages that I organize and officiate, and taking limited Ceremony Only bookings over 50 guests for the foreseeable future. That means instead of being a wedding officiant who also offers elopement packages, I will be focusing on creating elopement and intimate wedding experiences that I also officiate. The difference may be nuanced, but is really important to me and how I run my business.

Since I began officiating, I have been proud of the fact that I have been a full-service officiant agency, meeting the needs of all couples who support modern love, but who may be having different types of celebrations. However, in 2018, a few things changed the officiating landscape for me, which is what is prompting me to make changes.

Photo by Matthew & Ashly Fine Art + Photos

One, is that over the last four years, my Ceremony + Photography packages have grown in popularity and have outpaced the Ceremony Only celebrations I am asked to do. From a business perspective, that increase alone is a good reason to focus on these!

I believe these packages are more popular for a few reasons. One, smaller weddings are on trend worldwide. A second is that as I have become more experienced and expanded my repertoire, my prices have increased to reflect my expertise and I have found that couples prefer less expensive officiating options in the Savannah market. Our local market also, in my opinion does not emphasize the importance of an authentic and meaningful, professional ceremony experience. Our local magazine, Southern Coastal Weddings, recently published an issue with a 20+ page planning feature. Of all the wedding components mentioned, from guest gifts to transportation, they NEVER mentioned the ceremony! That brand messaging about Savannah weddings makes it hard for me to reach couples planning larger events, as well makes it hard to be a profitable professional officiant.

Second, as I have expanded our Ceremony + Photography options, including the Intimate Destination Wedding package, I found that I love everything about small weddings that are ceremony focused. After many of these ceremonies, I find myself wanting to dance and yell to the rooftops about how much I love LOVE! I feel like I am championing a movement as much as I am offering a service and my gut tells me to listen to that and see where it takes me.

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

Third, and maybe most importantly, my larger Ceremony Only bookings mostly happen on Saturdays and as every weekend that I am gone passes, I find I miss my son, Alex, who is now two and goes to school during the week. Some Saturdays in 2018, I have been gone all day, hopping from ceremony to ceremony, and often miss bedtime when things run late at large events, which they often do.

Photo by Shannon Christopher Photography

It has been making my heart ache.

Alex is the most important thing in my life and while I want him to be proud of his mom and her accomplishments, the time I spend with him- and my husband, Josh- is even more important. Most of our Ceremony + Photography packages happen during the week while he is playing and learning at school and is a better fit for my family’s schedule.

Photo by Shannon Christopher Photography

While I am excited about these changes, they were not easy to make because I am an overachiever and like helping everyone. Tears were shed before I made up my mind as it is not in my nature to want to work less! But at the end of the day, I believe I am making the right decision.

So what does all this mean for our clients? Here is a summary.

If you are interested in our Ceremony + Photography packages, contact us as we are really excited to work with you! We are invested in constantly improving these experiences for you, too.

If you have a ceremony planned with under 50 guests and need a Ceremony Only officiant, nothing has changed with our Tracy’s Choice package.

I’ll be working fewer Saturdays personally, but my partners– are ready to celebrate with you if I am not available on your date, just like now.

If you have a ceremony planned with over 50 guests, I am offering one package, the new Create Your Story package, to reflect the type of service I am best at offering, and I will only take 15 per year. My Partner Officiants will be handling all Choose Your Own Adventure ceremonies. They are a great team!

Nothing is changing with Simple Signing Services.

I married our team’s 1,200th couple a few weeks ago (August 2018) and I am looking forward to marrying the next 1,200 under our new plan. Thanks for being with me on this journey!

August 14, 2018

Ask Tracy: How Our Client Concierge Service Works

Hey y’all! We get lots of questions about how our Client Concierge service works. I thought it makes the most sense to just show you examples of how awesome this service is! Our Client Concierge service is included in our Intimate Destination Wedding Package and Savannah Elopement Experience, and can be purchased as an add-on for our Popup Elopement and Create Your Story packages.

These services are managed by our Client Concierge, Jennifer Griffin Curts, who is a master of organization and vendor relationships. She spends her days texting, emailing and calling our partner vendors to get things ready for your wedding ceremony, with the occasional assist from me.

Jennifer Griffin Curts, Scheduling Manager & Client Concierge. Photo by It’s Megan Jones.

As your Client Concierge, Jennifer helps clients virtually with tasks in ten categories.

Research lodging options
Make dinner reservations
Complete permit applications
Order and have a bouquet delivered
Book a hair and makeup artist
Book an acoustic musician
Order and have a cake delivered
Book a videographer
Assist with reserving chair rentals and delivery
Make pedicab reservations for your extra hour of photography

Here is a summary of services we have booked for clients in each category.

Research lodging options and make dinner reservations.

Jennifer can conduct initial research for lodging options, based on your location preferences and budget, for both you and your guests. We can also get quotes for dinner and party options on the day of your wedding, as well as some other limited reservations for your stay.

We don’t take photos of the celebration after we end our couple’s photography session with you, but we have helped couples arrange for celebrations at all sorts of restaurants including The Olde Pink House, 700 Drayton at the Mansion, Rocks on the River, Vic’s on the River, Moon River, 45 Bistro, The Pirate’s House, The Chart House and the Savannah Riverboat, among others.

Kelsey & David at the Savannah Riverboat Cruise, March 2018. Photo by It’s Megan Jones.

We have also helped couples cater in their celebrations, whether it was for the couple staying at an AirBnB, or for 30 guests in a small venue. The possibilities are only limited by our imagination, the places available for your date, and your budget.

Complete permit applications (and assist with chair rentals).

For couples who have the number of guests where a permit is needed, we’ve helped dozens of them rent squares and Forsyth Park through the City of Savannah, as well as arrange permits for Bonaventure Cemetery and the Wormsloe Historic Site. We’ve also helped get quotes for chair rentals for those couples who have wanted chairs.

Julia & Zach, October 2017, Whitefield Square. Photo by Ashly McCoy, Wedding Photographer.

Jenna & Garrett, May 2018, Forsyth Park. Photo by It’s Megan Jones.

Kelsey & David, March 2018, Orleans Square. Photo by It’s Megan Jones.

Jodi & John, June 2018, Lafayette Square. Photo by It’s Megan Jones.

Greenwich Park at Bonaventure Cemetery, Bonaventure Cemetery and the Wormsloe Historic Site all require permits, even if it just the couple.

Jessica & Jonathan, December 2017, Greenwich Park. Photo by Ashly McCoy, Wedding Photographer.

Megan and William, July 2018, Bonaventure Cemetery. It’s Megan Jones Photography.

Karrie & Dan, April 2018, Wormsloe Historic Site. Photo by Ashly McCoy, Wedding Photographer..

Order and have a bouquet delivered.

We work with a few floral designers who create unique wedding and elopement bouquets. Here are a few of our favorites from the past winter and spring seasons.

Jessica & Jonathan, December 2017. Kato Floral Designs. Photo by Ashly McCoy, Wedding Photographer..

Jenna & Garrett, May 2018. Kato Floral Designs. Photo by It’s Megan Jones.

Kelsey & David, March 2018. Kristian Designs. Photo by It’s Megan Jones.

Jessica & Zach, April 2018. Kato Floral Designs. Photo by It’s Megan Jones.

We can also help you order flowers for the whole family, including corsages and boutonnieres.

Erica & Jonathan, August 2018. Kato Floral Designs. Photo by Photos by Rich.

Book a hair and makeup artist.

Hair and makeup is our most popular requested service for both our elopements and weddings. It’s fun to get glammed up for your photos! Here are some looks created by our most popular artists, with the brides’ directions.

Lauren & John, May 2018. Hair & Makeup by Shea Hollister. Photo by It’s Megan Jones.

kelsey & David, March 2018. Hair & Makeup by Shea Hollister. Photo by It’s Megan Jones.

Alexandria & Bijean, February 2018. Makeup by Devin Sade. Photo by Photos by RIch.

Jodi & John, May 2018. Hair & Makeup by Hustle and Blow Dry Bar. Photo by It’s Megan Jones.

Megan & William, July 2018. Hair & Makeup by Royal Makeup & Hair. Photo by It’s Megan Jones.

Jessica & Zach, April 2018. Hair & Makeup by Roots Southern Salon. Photo by It’s Megan Jones.

Rhonda & Duane, February 2018. Hair & Makeup by Roots Southern Salon. Photo by Ashly McCoy, Wedding Photographer.

Tieesh & Brian, February 2018. Makeup by Lindsey Wirht. Hair by Beauty by Brooke. Photo by Ashly McCoy, Wedding Photographer..

Book an acoustic musician.

We can book any type of musician for your ceremony, but our most popular, by far, are our violinists!

Alexandria & Bijean, February 2018. Ocean Violinist. Photo by Photos by Rich.

Kayte & Alan, April 2018. Violinist Chuck Dizinno. Photo by It’s Megan Jones.

Order and have a cake delivered.

We assist with lots of cake deliveries, but we don’t have many photos in our library because we’re not at the post-ceremony celebration. We did snag some photos from Erica & Jonathan’s Intimate Destination Wedding of these delicious desserts at the Savannah Botanical Gardens.

Erica & Jonathan, August 2018. Cupcakes by Gigi’s Cupcakes. Photo by Photos by Rich.

Erica & Jonathan, August 2018. Cake by Gigi’s Cupcakes. Photo by Photos by Rich.

Make pedicab reservations for your extra hour of photography.

And finally… if you have two hours of photography with us, we highly recommend that you let us book you pedicabs with Royal Bike Taxi. Chris and his team will drive you around town in their pedicabs so you can get photos with twice as many backgrounds, as well as relax and drink some champagne, feel a nice breeze and share some snuggles as you come down from the highs of making your lifetime commitment to each other. Our couples have reported it is one of their favorite experiences of their wedding.

Alexandria & Bijean, February 2018. Pedicabs by Royal Bike Taxi. Photo by Photos by Rich.

Hannah & Jason, February 2018. Pedicabs by Royal Bike Taxi. Photo by Ashly McCoy, Wedding Photographer..

Megan & Josh, April 2018. Pedicabs by Royal Bike Taxi. Photo by Itr’s Megan Jones.

We’re so excited to work with you and make your elopement or Intimate Destination Wedding in Savannah perfect! If you need more information to help you decide which package is for you, you can read our planning guide, too. You can also fill out the form below if there are additional questions you’d like us to answer.

Until next time,

July 30, 2018

Beautiful Rainy Elopements In Savannah

One of our most frequently asked questions we receive when someone books a Ceremony + Photography package is “What do you do when the weather gets rainy?” While I would love to be able to guarantee wonderful weather to every couple who marries in Savannah, I lack those super powers. I do track weather via multiple sources leading up to every ceremony to try to relieve as much stress as possible from the couple.

We, of course, have backup plans for your wedding in case it does end up being rainy on your wedding day! Here is a quick summary of those options.

As long as it is not completely stormy, we usually use one of three outdoor backup places for the ceremony. One is the bandshell at Forsyth Park, which is a big open space and completely covered outside theater. The second and third are the gazebos in Whitefield and Crawford Squares. These locations do have capacity limits.

Savannah’s weather is very temperamental, especially during the summer, and the weather changes frequently during a day. Depending on our schedule that day, we can also reschedule the time with you if rain is only predicted for a short period of time and it works with the rest of your plans.

If there is no way we can have your wedding outside safely, we also have an indoor venue, the Savannah Cozy Chapel, and we will do everything we can to have a great time with the space. If you have chosen the Intimate Destination Wedding package and are having a reception style celebration after your ceremony, you may also be able to use that location as backup.

The most important thing is to keep an open mind and commit to having fun, no matter what the circumstances. We have some clear umbrellas to have some fun with for the rest of your photos. One of the unexpected benefits of rainy day photos can be dreamy lighting.

Here are some photos of couples who rolled with the rain, had fun experiences, and received beautiful photographs.

Fannie & Clarence, May 2016. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Ceremony at Bandshell at Forsyth Park.

Fannie & Clarence, May 2016. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Forsyth Park.

Janice & Karen, December 2016. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Ceremony in Whitefield Square.

Janice & Karen, December 2016. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Forsyth Park.

Adrienne & Anna, May 2018. Photo by Photos by Rich. Ceremony in Whitefield Square.

Adrienne & Anna, May 2018. Photo by Photos by Rich. Whitefield Square.

Norma & Joseph, July 2017. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Ceremony in Whitefield Square.

Norma & Joseph, July 2017. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Whitefield Square.

Laura & Bo, April 2017. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Ceremony at Bandshell at Forsyth Park.

Laura & Bo, April 2017. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Forsyth Park.

Amber & Matt, October 2017. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Calhoun Square.

Amber & Matt, October 2017. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Jones Street.

Christy & April, April 2018. Photo by Matthew & Ashly Fine Art + Film. Ceremony in Crawford Square.

Christy & April, April 2018. Photo by Matthew & Ashly Fine Art + Film. Crawford Square.

Virginia & Robert, October 2018. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Ceremony in Whitefield Square.

Virginia & Robert, October 2018. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Forsyth Park

Amber & Trey, February 2018. Photo by Matthew & Ashly Fine Art + Film. Ceremony in Whitefield Square.

Amber & Trey, February 2018. Photo by Matthew & Ashly Fine Art + Film. Whitefield Square.

Kristen & Noe, September 2015. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Ceremony at Bandshell in Forsyth Park.

Kristen & Noe, September 2015. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Forsyth Park.

Emiley & Harrison, October 2017. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Orleans Square.

Jessica & Eric, June 2017. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Ceremony at Fountain at Forsyth Park.

Jessica & Eric, June 2017. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Jones Street.

Morgan & Brandon, February 2016. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Ceremony at Bandshell at Forsyth Park.

Morgan & Brandon, February 2016. Photo by It’s Megan Jones. Forsyth Park.

We look forward to working with you to make your day perfect!

Want more information on our services? Send us a note!

June 12, 2018

Ten Random Facts About Tracy, Your Savannah Wedding Officiant!

I recently updated my Meet Tracy page and as part of that project, had some copy that did not make the final cut, including some random facts and photos. The facts were fun to write so I decided to use the content for a blog post for those of you who would like to get to know more about my background before I became a professional wedding officiant and what I do in my spare time.

So without further ado … here are ten random facts about me!

1. I am a self-described high-achiever, just like Hermione Granger. My first career goal at 5 years old was to be a professional writer and I sold my first story to a national publication, ‘Teen Magazine, when I was a sophomore in high school. Luke Perry was on the cover and there was an insert for Beverly Hills 90210 perfume inside.

I am reminded every time I watch Riverdale how old I am.

Photo by The Empowerment Photographer

2. My first job after graduation from college was as a Teach for America corps member in the Washington Heights section of New York City. I am friends on Facebook with many of my students who are all now in their early 30s and living life to the fullest. I am proud to have even been a small part of their lives as I see them unfold in real time.

My experience as a teacher led me to two of my proudest professional achievements before I started this business- (1) helping to start the NYC Teaching Fellows program, which was the largest alternative teacher certification program in the country in the mid-2000’s, and (2) writing my book, Confessions of a Teacher Recruiter: How to Create an Extraordinary Resume and Hook Your Dream Job.

3. I have a Master’s in Public Administration from New York University, with a focus on economics and finance. It may seem like a strange skillset to bring to weddings, but I’ve found that absorbing and analyzing information to create stories is my jam, whether that data is numbers, words, or photos for my website.

4. I listen to Spotify playlists while I write ceremonies. My playlists include songs from The Vitamin String Quartet and Rockabye Baby, with a little Beastie Boys, New Edition, Janet Jackson and Tegan & Sara thrown in if I need an energy spike. I ask all my couples for a song to listen to while I write their ceremony and I’ve created a public playlist of all those songs on Spotify (10+ hours of music and counting!) .

5. I love Marvel comics and my hobby is to devour both vintage and new comics on the Marvel Unlimited app. I love Chris Claremont’s 1980s X-Men run, Dennis Hopeless’ and Javier Rodriguez’s take on Spider-Woman becoming a mom, and Brian Michale Bendis’ Alias (Jessica Jones). I wore my Captain Marvel jacket to lead Savannah’s Women’s March in 2017 and 2018 and CANNOT wait for that movie.

Photo by The Empowerment Photographer

6. My mom superpower is that I can make any lesson to my son sound like it is an original Daniel Tiger song. The secret is to channel your inner Tom Haverford.

7. When I am not working or mom’ing, I try to spend my time on civic activities that elevate other women in Savannah. I’ve run a number of women’s leadership groups and I am also a board member of a non-profit called Shelter from the Rain that provides mentoring and other support to low-income single moms in our community.

8. I grew up off the beaches of Cape Cod and will always prefer the Atlantic to the Pacific and the ocean to the mountains. When I lived in New York City, I rented a house every summer with friends on Fire Island, a secluded island off Long Island only accessible by ferry and we had a famous neighbor. Her name begins with a T, her book begins with a B and she has a TV show with a number in it. I found that celebrities REALLY are just like us. I love living close to Tybee Island and going around 5PM during the summer when you can see the dolphins swimming on by.

9. I love a good bourbon on the rocks, especially out on our deck in April or October. It is the quintessential Savannah experience.

Photo by Matthew & Ashly Fine Art + Films

10. Everyone ALWAYS wants to know my craziest wedding stories and two stand out. For the first, the bride was four hours late for her ceremony and was not bothered at all. It was my first wedding back from maternity leave and I almost took down my website and closed up shop when I got home!

The second involves a gentleman who showed up to his elopement with a marriage license, but without his bride, and told me that he didn’t think their wedding was important enough for her to ask for time off from work. I did eventually marry them- together- on another date … and less than two years later, he tried to schedule another elopement with me to marry someone else (I politely declined).

And I still love this job. The easygoing couples- and those that bring me challenges- make this experience the best. And yes, I plan to write a book all about it someday!

Photo by Matthew & Ashly Fine Art + Films

Thanks for reading! I can’t wait to learn more about you, too!

May 16, 2018

Ask Tracy: How We Prepare For Your Savannah Elopement or Wedding

Hey y’all! You may wonder how the process works once you have booked us for your wedding ceremony. It’s a great question! My goal is to make everything as stress-free and organized as possible, meaning I am big on processes and timelines. I also value responsiveness, so if you ever have a question you can’t find an answer to, or need to adjust something, email us and we’ll answer it as soon as possible.

Here is an overview of how we’ll work together.

For All Clients

After you have sent us an inquiry, had all your questions answered, and booked your package with us, we’ll send you an email with a basic timeline for your wedding. Within a few days after that, we’ll also send two emails. One email will include a link to our Client Portal, a collection of resources and wedding advice I have developed over the years, and a link to your personal Document Center. The Document Center hosts all your event information, contract(s), invoice(s) and questionnaire(s). I encourage my couples to create a special email folder for all the emails you might receive from us!

The second email you’ll receive is a questionnaire you’ll complete to tell us your ceremony preferences. This is an important one! Depending on which package you’ve purchased, the questions will be different. We recommend that you complete the questionnaire as a couple, as soon as you can, and make the experience as enjoyable and east as possible. The more information you give me, the better I can select or create a ceremony for you.

Photo by Shot by Somi. I get really excited every time I get an alert I have a new questionnaire to read!

Once I review your questionnaire, I may send you some follow-up emails with tips if you have selected a specific theme or have told me you’d like to write your own vows. If you are having an elopement and are unsure about the location, I’ll also follow-up to narrow down choices and talk through the pros and cons of each.

Throughout the planning process, you’ll receive emails from me or Jennifer, our Scheduling Manager & Client Concierge, to check in. Some will be automated, such as at 90 days before, and some will be specific emails to your experience, like at our 30 day check in where we make sure all your original wedding ceremony preferences are correct. If you have chosen a package that includes a video or in-person consultation (Create Your Story or Intimate Destination Wedding packages), we’ll schedule that 90 days out, unless you give us a different timeline for your appointment based on travel or other circumstances.

Photo by Shot by Somi.

After the 30-day mark passes, I’ll begin writing your wedding ceremony! If you chose the Tracy’s Choice or Popup Elopement Package, I’ll use the answers to your questionnaire to select a pre-written ceremony from my personal library for your event. If you choose any of my other packages, I’ll use your other information from your questionnaire, or my notes from our consulting session, to prepare your ceremony.

[FYI: I ask all my clients to provide a song I should listen to while I write their ceremony. I love these songs and keep them on a Spotify playlist!]

Photo by Shot by Somi. As you can see from my desk, I am a huge Carol Danvers fan. And if I could possess the powers of Storm from the X-Men, I’d definitely use them for your wedding!

About 14-7 days from your wedding, I will send you a copy of your ceremony with a final confirmation of any logistics, such as how to pay your balance (if you have one) and arrival times. If you are working with one of my Partner Officiants, you’ll receive a formal introduction and during that email exchange, I’ll transition your primary correspondence to her.

Photo by Shot by Somi at the Savannah Cozy Chapel.

Leading up to your wedding or elopement date, I’ll prepare for your ceremony! After the ceremony, I will take care of your marriage license based on the directions you provided during the planning process.

Photo by Shot by Somi in Troup Square.

Ceremony Plus Photography Clients

For our clients who choose a Ceremony Plus Photography package, the ceremony creation process is exactly the same, but other things may be also happening at the same time to make your day perfect.

If you chose the Savannah Elopement Experience or the Intimate Destination Wedding package, Jennifer, our Client Concierge and Scheduling Manager, will help you with all your wedding planning tasks so they are set up and confirmed for your wedding or elopement. She’’ll send you a separate questionnaire, and send you a timeline on her work before she contacts other amazing Savannah wedding vendors. You can also add on this service for the Popup Elopement Package.

Here are some of the tasks Jennifer can help you with.

Research lodging options
Make dinner reservations
Make pedicab reservations for your extra hour of photography
Order and have a bouquet delivered
Order and have a cake delivered
Book a hair and makeup artist
Book an acoustic musician
Book a videographer
Complete permit applications
Arrange for chair delivery for your wedding

On the day of your wedding or elopement, your photographer, Megan Jones from It’s Megan Jones Photography will capture your day! How long you’ll be with Megan will vary, based on the package you booked with us.

If you selected the Popup Elopement Package, Megan will photograph the ceremony as well as take portraits of the couple in the same location. The whole process is designed to be simple and only takes about 20-25 minutes!
If you are a couple who chose the Savannah Elopement Experience, you will spend an hour with Megan, including the ceremony, and you’ll take a newlywed walk where you’ll get photos in multiple squares.
If you are having an Intimate Destination Wedding, Megan will photograph you for two hours, including the ceremony. For this package, we recommend reserving pedicabs with Royal Bike Taxi for the second part of the package. Jennifer can book the pedicabs on your behalf.

Vanessa & Alfredo, photographed on their Royal Bike Taxi pedicab by It’s Megan Jones Photography.

You can also add an Adventure Hour of photography with pedicabs to your Savannah Elopement Experience package.

Within one to two weeks following the ceremony, Megan will cull through all the photos, edit her selections, and deliver an online gallery that you can use to share, download the digital files, and even order prints from. If you would like physical products with your photos, such as beautiful leather wedding albums, wall art in gallery wraps and gallery wrap clusters, she can send you a product guide and schedule a no-obligation, free consultation with you to review the options.

Photo by Shot by Somi.

If Megan is already booked for your requested date and time, you may work with one of our Partner Photographers- Matthew & Ashly Fine Art + Film and Photos by Rich Burkhardt. If that is the case, you’ll know when you book, and the rest of the process will be exactly the same.

I hope that gives you a good overview of our client process and we look forward to working with you to officiate your ceremony, or plan your elopement or intimate wedding! And special thanks to Somi Benson-Jaja from Shot by Somi for the wonderful photos he took of us during a fun shoot, and Lindsey Wirht who did my makeup.

Until next time,

March 8, 2018

What to Wear To Your Savannah Elopement: 34 Style Ideas!

Hey y’all! I get many questions on what to wear to an elopement here in Savannah. With 300+ Ceremony Plus Photo packages booked over the last three years, I have witnessed all sorts of wedding attire… and that is the way it should be! Your wedding ceremony with me is a space where I want you to be as authentic as possible and feel safe and excited to do so.

Most of our couples choose to wear conventional wedding wear- long, white or ivory dresses and dark suits and tuxes, with a small percentage electing for something very casual. Our couples always look perfect, whether they are wearing a dress that’s big and poofy- or sleek and form-fitting- or a suit that features a bow-tie. This particular blog post celebrates some of the more non-traditional choices we’ve seen from 2015 to 2017. It was hard to choose just a few highlights, but hopefully they give some inspiration to anyone planning a destination elopement who wants to try something different. I have separated these photos into categories: (1) Shimmer & Pink, (2) Vintage Love, (3) Pop of Color, (4) Elopement Style, (5) Unique & Awesome, and (6) Fashionable Grooms.

All photos are by It’s Megan Jones Photography unless otherwise noted. I am looking forward to seeing what all our 2018 couples (and beyond) wear to celebrate with us!

PS: Don’t forget to look at the shoes and the headpieces as you glance through these gorgeous elopement photos!

Shimmer & Pink

I’ve said before, on the blog and social media, that I don’t find myself very girly, but I am beside myself when someone shows up in an outfit that sparkles, shimmers, or is silver, pink or blush. Here are a few brides who selected dresses that made me squee.

Sophia & Forrest, December 2017. Forsyth Park.

I included an extra photo of Sophia because of her super glam jacket, too.

Sophia & Forrest, December 2017. Forsyth Park.

Sierra & Adam, September 2017. Forsyth Park.

Stephanie & Rick, June 2017. Lafayette Square.

Tiffany & Kenneth, February 2016. Whitefield Square.

Stephanie & Adam, October 2016. Lafayette Square.

Nicole & Michael, November 2016. Monterey Square.

Vintage Love

Many of our brides who choose to wear gowns still gravitate toward a vintage, or even boho look. These couples made it a whole theme or communicated to us that they found their decades-old dress in a thrift store or wore something given to them from their family.

Tiffany & Dakota, October 2017. Troup Square. Photo by Matthew & Ashly Fine Art Photography.

Lacey looks so sassy in this photo. I love it!

Lacey & Aaron, June 2017. Troup Square.

Sarah & Rhett, April 2015. Calhoun Square.

Linda & JD, November 2017. Tybee Island.

Turns out a stole is also convenient to wrap your new husband in during the first kiss!

Linda & JD, November 2017. Tybee Island.

Even Patrick and Kelly’s dog dressed up for their day.

Kelly & Patrick, April 2016. Lafayette Square.

We love dogs, and babies!

Nicole & Michael vow renewal, November 2017. Fragrance Garden in Forsyth Park.

And finally, you cannot get more vintage than a steampunk wedding.

Jessica & Brian, April 2016. Lafayette Square.

Pop of Color

I love when couples wear color to their elopement. More of this, please!

Alex & Ashley, June 2016. Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home.

Virginia & Robert, October 2017. Gaston Street.

Angela & Keith, November 2017. Green-Meldrim House.

Carissa & Augusta, February 2016. Forsyth Park.

What dreamy lighting these two ladies had for their portraits!

Candice & Kristianna, January 2016. Forsyth Park.

Surprisingly, Barbee is the only bride we’ve had wear black. I think it is an amazing option for anyone’s wedding day.

Barbee & Russell, October 2017. Forsyth Park.

Elopement Style

Many brides go with a short dress for an elopement. Here are just a few that rocked it. Lots of amazing outfits among these grooms, too!

Roy & Tereza, October 2016. Lafayette Square.

April & Steve, May 2017. Forsyth Park.

More sassiness in Troup Square! Check out those matching shoes, too.

Keisa & Sheldon, April 2017. Troup Square.

Charlotte & Rhys, November 2016. Bull Street.

Lucia & Pratik, September 2017. Forsyth Park.

Arin & Giles, October 2016. Colonial Cemetery.

Michelle’s dress was short and long and made for her to swish and swing all over Savannah!

Michelle & Charles, September 2017. Forsyth Park.

Unique and Awesome

These two brides did not fit into their own category so I had to make one just for them. First, we have Brandi who rocked a bridal pantsuit.

Brandi & Matt, February 2017. The Six Pence Pub.

Second, we have Amanda, who wore a custom made tutu for her special day.

Amanda & Timothy. May 2017. Pulaski Square.

And last, Victoria’s dress is in the unique category because of its design, and because it met a specific dress goal most women wish for: IT HAD POCKETS!

Victoria & Matthew, February 2017. Orleans Square

Fashionable Grooms

Grooms also have taken some risks, whether it is coordinating their outfits, wearing seersucker, or wearing a jacket that wasn’t a dark color.

Josh & Rob, May 2016. Jones Street.

Norma & Joseph, July 2017. Whitefield Square.

Tyler & Hillary, June 2017. Forsyth Park.

Victoria & Kevin, September 2016. Forsyth Park.

Eric & Jessica, June 2017. Gaston Street.

And that’s a wrap. I hope you loved these 34 couples as much as I did!

Until next time,

February 14, 2018

My Year in Review, Part 2: 2017 Had the BEST Savannah Weddings & Elopements!

It’s been a bit busy here, with booking 2018 weddings, but I am finally finishing Part 2 of our 2017 year-in-review! This post covers weddings and elopements that took place between July 2017 and December 2017, as well as professional and personal milestones. With so many couples, I can only include so many highlights, especially with our busy fall wedding season months, but I appreciated all the couples we worked with!

In Part One, I gave some overview stats about how many weddings we did and where they took place. Here are more statistics on 2017 wedding ceremonies and where destination wedding couples traveled from.

I prepared more ceremonies in 2017 (236) compared to 2016 (228). More people requested custom ceremonies, too. In 2017, I prepared 140 custom ceremonies compared to 122 in 2016. That is more than half a month of extra custom ceremonies!
Our officiants performed 24 sand ceremonies, 7 handfastings and 4 love letter box rituals. You can look at pictures of these rituals in our ritual guide.
As far as nerdy and geeky content, I said “You are only as strong as you are united, as weak as you are divided” (Harry Potter) 16 times, and also asked if you “liked and loved” your partner (Parks & Recreation), and quoted Game of Thrones, twice each.

Looking at the 111 couples who booked a Ceremony + Photo package with us, we had people visit us in Savannah from 25 states this year to be married with our team. Thanks for visiting us this year! As much as my job is in weddings, it is also a lot of tourism, too. Here is a handy map of where people visited from.

The couples who traveled the furthest were from Washington, Maine and Vermont. The closest were 4 local couples.
We were extremely popular with couples who live in Ohio (6).
Last year, we had a number of international couples, but zero this year. They do say international travel to the US is down nationwide.

And on to our month by month reviews of July 2017 through December 2017!

July 2017 Review

When I look back at July 2017, I could not believe how busy we were, for a month that is not traditionally associated with the Savannah wedding season. The first week of July brought us two lovely elopements with Sophie & Jeremy from Charlottesville, VA and Mallerie & Gregory from Moss Point, Mississippi.

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography.

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

In mid-July, we delivered our first Intimate Destination Wedding package with Rachael and Tye in Forsyth Park. Based on inquiries and experience working with couples the previous three years, we realized that many couples wanted a package for up to 30 guests that included the officiant and photographer, as well as some light planning assistance. Rachael and Tye were not the first who booked, but the first event that took place and we think it turned out lovely. If you want to learn more about their vendors and plans, you can check out our Intimate Destination Wedding Guide.

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

In mid-July, we married the lovely Carmen & Natalie at the Forsyth Park Fountain. Carmen was GORGEOUS and it felt like the Fountain was made for her to take pictures in front of! We were so proud when this picture was featured in HuffPost Wedding’s Most Beautiful Weddings of July 2017 and they even featured it on their Instagram.

Photo by It’s Megan Jones

Samantha and Jordan were married in Orleans Square with their 5 children present, as well as other family members and more children! It was the first wedding we had where the kids outnumbered the adults and it was amazing. You can tell from this ceremony photo, that they are both a lot of fun and see their “perfectly imperfect” (a quote they asked me to use in their ceremony) life as a great adventure.

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

And at the end of July, we worked with one of the CUTEST couples of the year, Norma & Joseph, from the Washington, DC area. We had plans to be married in Orleans Square, but rain (and an Uber) drove us to Whitefield Square where we held their intimate ceremony with lots of laughs and joyful tears. They met working at IKEA, which also tickled me pink.

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

In July, I also published a long form piece about officiating weddings, titled “The Wondrous and Womanly Job of Officiating Weddings.” My goal is to write a memoir about this time in my life someday and writing this was part of feeling that process out. I was really pleased when the online publication Athena Talks approached me to acquire the rights to republish it in their collection, helping it get a wider audience. If you read it, let me know what you think!

On a personal note ….

My son Alex turned one! He began walking two days before his first birthday and we have been chasing him ever since. This was the last milestone session we had with Andrea Krey photography. The cake was made by one of our favorites, The Cupcake Parlor.

August 2017 Review

I actually took August off from officiating weddings, though my partners officiated ceremonies I wrote from my office. August is generally a slow month for weddings so it felt like a good time to have wrist surgery that I had been delaying. I had a small, benign, ganglion cyst removed that was pushing on a nerve and making everyday tasks hard, like carrying my 26 pound child and even typing. After a few weeks of post-surgery recovery, I felt like I had a brand new body part!

I also attended WeddingWire World in August, a conference for wedding professionals. The main reason I attended was to meet other wedding officiants that I had become friends with on Facebook and spoke to all the time in groups. It was amazing to meet them in person!

While I was taking time off, our Partner Officiant Chris married Lee & Randall at their Intimate Destination Wedding in Greene Square and performed a 25th anniversary vow renewal for Christie & Jon at Forsyth Park, the location where Jon proposed 26 years before!

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

September 2017 Review

The beginning of September was all about Hurricane Irma, which was projected to hit Savannah and Tybee Island directly. Fortunately, it did not, but we were still evacuated, which changed a lot of people’s plans, including cancelling weddings. Fortunately, Michelle and Charles were able to drive up from Atlanta a few days early for their epic Savannah Elopement Experience. Both the lighting and weather were perfect, the day before the storm!

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

A few days after Irma passed our way, Megan and I were able to meet Marie and Geoffrey from Gainesville, FL who were married on Tybee Island before they went back to Florida for a celebration with their family. With so many folks still gone from the evacuation, we were some of the only people on the beach, despite the amazing weather!

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

The end of September brought Lucia and Pratik’s Intimate Destination Wedding in Whitefield Square, where they celebrated with their family. They met in medical school and everything about their ceremony was perfect, including where Pratik shared a special necklace with her, the Mangalsutra. If you want to learn more about their wedding, you can review a summary in our Intimate Destination Wedding Guide.

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

The last Savannah Elopement Experience of the month was the delightful Sierra & Adam from the Philadelphia, PA area. How amazing is Sierra’s dress? She brought her delightful mom and aunts who wore great hats, too. I loved them all!

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

On a personal note ….

September was really focused on our family and Irma. When bad weather comes around, I become an amateur meteorologist and wish I was Storm from the X-Men.

October 2017 Review

October was an incredible month for elopements and weddings. We married 47 couples and almost all were custom ceremonies in one way or another. It is hard to just pick a few highlights!

Jason and Lenzie and Ohio were one of our first couples of the month. They were fun to work throughout the whole process. Their song was Heaven is a Place on Earth and I wrote their ceremony right after I watched the San Junipero episode of Black Mirror so I was mess. They were so delightful on their wedding day, too!

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

Amber and Matt from Illinois visited us for their Savannah Elopement Experience. It ended up raining on their wedding day, but it did not stop them from looking fabulous and having fun. Her gorgeous bouquet was designed by Kato Floral Designs and her hair and makeup was by Brooke Marie & Lindsey Wirht. All of her services were sent up by Shannon, our Client Concierge.

On October 13th, I had three weddings across the city, from the Wormsloe Historic Site (Tiffany & Cody) to Orleans Square (Emiley & Harrison) and finally to Forsyth Park (Hannah & Cody), all under different weather conditions!

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

Photo by It’s Megan Jones

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

That weekend, I also married our 900th couple, Laura & Rhys from Maine, in a whimsical ceremony with Alice in Wonderland references. They were ridiculously in love.

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

Mid-October also brought us back to Tybee to work with Samantha and Kristopher from Maryland. When I pronounced them married, Samantha threw her hand in the air. This is definitely one of my favorite wedding pictures of all of 2017!

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography.

October 21st was the busiest day of the entire year. All of our officiants worked and all three of us officiated exactly at 5PM. We also worked for the first time with a new partner photographer, Ashly McCoy, Wedding Photographer. Here are pictures she took of the weddings for Zach & Julia in Whitefield Square and Tiffany & Dakota in Troup Square.

Photo by Ashly McCoy, Wedding Photographer

That weekend, I also married Jenny & Renee in the older part of Bonaventure Cemetery, overlooking the marsh, with Lyndi & Jason Photography. They included their puppy who was incredibly sweet!

Photo by Lyndi & Jason Photography

The end of October brought us another midwestern couple, Virginia & Robert, from Michigan. They told people that they were eloping, but not where, which I thought was brilliant! I also loved that Virginia wore a purple dress.

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

And finally, the last Sunday of October brought me back to the Wormsloe Historic Site with Kristy & Rob who had the perfect, intimate wedding with their family, planned by Savannah Wedding Dreams.

Photo by Apt B Photography

I was also inducted into the 100 Review Club for WeddingWire in October. This was a big deal because I have only been in business a few years, and I really appreciate all the amazing things my past clients have said about me. My clients make my job easy!

Also, random, but by the end of October, I was hired by my fourth female drill sergeant to plan and officiate their elopement or intimate wedding in 2017. I will not identify who they are to protect their privacy, but this really flattered me. There are not a lot of female drill sergeants and I appreciated that some of the most badass women in our country felt I was the person who would organize their wedding ceremony the best!

On a personal note ….

Alex started daycare, which theoretically allowed me to begin working full time again. In practice, that has not been the case as our entire family’s immune systems acclimate to daycare germs. As of February 2018, this is still a work in progress.

Halloween brought the 7th anniversary of my first visit to Savannah as a tourist. While the vibrancy of the city immediately impacted me, I had no idea this would be my home the way it became. I am grateful that the risks I took paid off.

November 2017 Review

Nationally, November is a slow period for weddings, but not in Savannah, where the weather is still mild. My first wedding of the month was with Amber & Paige in Columbia Square. Their ceremony had lots of Harry Potter references!

Photo by It’s Megan Jones

In mid November, we were revisited by Michael & Nicole for a vow renewal on the one year anniversary of their Savannah Elopement Experience! They brought their new addition to their family, Clementine, who was amazingly cute. We also burned a Carl Sagan candle. Their original wedding ceremony had quotes from Carl and their vow renewal featured his wife, Ann.

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

Linda & JD were married on a November Monday on the south side of Tybee Island in front of their family. They met in the film industry 19 years ago and finally decided it was time to make it official. Linda had two amazing dresses for the photos. They were the best, and had great lighting for their ceremony.

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

The last Saturday of November brought me two couples and the first was Bonni & Monika from Augusta, GA. They were so cute!

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

My second couple were Andrea & Paul who were married at the Coastal Botanical Gardens. They used my All In Package to create an extremely custom ceremony with readings, rituals, and personal vows that reflected their 30 year relationship as friends and then more. I actually Facebook lived their ceremony and you can view it on my Facebook business page.

In November, I found out that I won The Knot’s Best of The Year award and that I was the only Savannah wedding officiant to have won. That made me extremely proud!

My two new Partner Officiants, April and Molly also started officiating in November. April’s first ceremony was with Angela & Keith and their family. Molly officiated with Ashley & Joshua in an intimate elopement at the Wormsloe Historic Site.

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

On a personal note ….

November flew by! I was happy to host Thanksgiving at my home with friends and watch Alex smear himself in sweet potatoes.

December 2017 Review

December was much slower! One of the first couples of the months was Jessica & Kevin from Tennessee who eloped at Bonaventure. They used a vintage table from Savannah Vintage Rentals for their sand ceremony. How gorgeous is that background!

Photo by Ashly McCoy, Wedding Photographer.

The last few weeks of a year always brings us Simple Signing Services at the Savannah Cozy Chapel, too. We introduced a new officiant, Lindsey, to exclusively help us with Signing Service, and she started that week. Here are a few pictures of the couples that were married at the end of December.

The last weekend of the year brought us a Popup Elopement with Sophia & Forrest. Forrest had just returned from deployment and could not stop taking about how beautiful his new wife was.

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

And finally, our last couple of the year was Patricia and John from Minnesota, almost at the Canadian border. As you can see from how I am dressed, it was a bit cold for Savannah, but probably not for them. John said he did not like to smile, but we got a little upturn of his lips for his bride.

Photo by It’s Megan Jones Photography

On a personal note ….

Josh, Alex and I had some family photos with Esther Griffin Photography, also at the Fountain at Forsyth Park. Even after 70+ ceremonies in 2017 at that location, I couldn’t resist using it for my own photos.

And that is a wrap on my 2017, which you can see was an amazing year for my business. I look forward to working with all of my 2018 couples and reporting on our adventures at this time next year!