Your Tybee Island Wedding: Eloping Diy-Style

Tybee Island is a popular destination for weddings, with its relaxed vibe, stunning natural scenery, wonderful weather, and gorgeous beaches. The island offers a range of venue options, from beach ceremonies to indoor venues, accommodating both intimate elopements and grand affairs. For those seeking a unique and memorable experience, Tybee Island provides the perfect backdrop for a dream beach wedding. Whether you're looking for a simple ceremony or a luxurious event, the island's wedding experts and all-inclusive packages can help create a warm and calming ambiance that your guests will talk about for years to come.

Tybee Island Wedding Chapel

Tybee Island is a beautiful place to hold a wedding, with its wonderful weather, gorgeous beaches, and laid-back southern elegance. The Tybee Island Wedding Chapel is an award-winning, premier wedding venue on the island, located near Savannah, Georgia. The chapel, a classic 1908 seaside building, offers a custom-built sanctuary, grand ballroom, cocktail lounge, bridal suite, groom's quarters, and two catering kitchens. It has been featured on the big screen in the film "The Last Song", starring Miley Cyrus.

The Tybee Island Wedding Chapel can accommodate more than 180 people and is designed to host your dream wedding ceremony and reception in the same location. The venue offers convenient lodging options, including luxury homes and beachfront properties, as well as a variety of other beautiful vacation rentals, making it a stress-free destination for your wedding. The chapel's experienced staff can help you plan for amenities, decorations, scheduling, and lodging, ensuring that your special day is memorable and runs smoothly.

If you are considering a smaller, more intimate wedding, Tybee Island is also a perfect choice for a micro wedding. The island offers a range of venues and accommodations to suit your needs, whether you prefer a traditional hotel setting or a more personal and quaint atmosphere. Tybee Island's five picturesque beaches provide a romantic backdrop for your ceremony, allowing you to exchange vows with the Atlantic Ocean as your music.

For those seeking a unique destination wedding experience, Tybee Island delivers with its stunning natural scenery, relaxed vibe, and all-in-one convenience. The island's wedding venues, including the Tybee Island Wedding Chapel, offer a range of options to make your special day unforgettable.

Beach wedding guidelines

Location

Firstly, choose your location. Tybee Island is home to five picturesque beaches, all of which are public. This means that while you can have an intimate ceremony with just 2 people, or a larger gathering of up to 125, you will be sharing the space with other beachgoers.

Permits

If you are setting up chairs or an archway, you will need a permit from the City of Tybee Island.

Parking

Parking is only permitted in designated parking spaces. For bigger parties, shuttle buses should be contracted. Parking is enforced from 8 am to 8 pm all year round.

Set-up

The sand dunes around the beach are protected areas and are off-limits to any foot traffic. No roping off areas is permitted.

Clean-up

You must clean up after yourself and your guests. Only your footprints should be left in the sand. Do not leave arches, ribbons, bubble bottles, beverage containers, decorative stones, seashells, or any other items. Do not use birdseed or rice, as it is hazardous to birds.

Flowers

Only real, un-dyed flower petals are permitted on the beach. Artificial flowers or petals are considered littering.

Photography

There are many natural and beautiful settings for wedding photos on Tybee's beaches. When choosing a site, obey environmental rules: keep off the rock jetties and stay out of the dunes.

Other Restrictions

• No fires
• No release of helium balloons or Chinese lanterns
• No generators
• No pets
• No silk flowers

Marriage license

If you're planning a wedding on Tybee Island, there are a few things to keep in mind to obtain your marriage license. Firstly, the cost of a marriage license in Chatham County is $66. To obtain the license, both parties must go in person to the Chatham County Probate Court, located in the Court House, Room #509, on Montgomery Street in Savannah, Georgia. The court can be contacted by phone at (912) 652-7267 or by fax at (912) 652-7262.

Each applicant must bring two valid forms of identification, such as a birth certificate, driver's license, U.S. passport, Armed Forces ID card, or Resident Alien ID card. Additionally, a brief form must be filled out. If applicable, bring a copy of your divorce decree or death certificate for any previous marriages that have ended. Obtaining the license usually takes between 20 to 25 minutes, and there is no waiting period or expiration date.

It's important to note that if you apply for a marriage license in Chatham County, your wedding ceremony must also take place in the same county. Also, both individuals must be at least 18 years old to apply for a marriage license without parental consent. If either party is under 18, they must be at least 16 years old and accompanied by both parents, who must provide written consent.

Wedding venues

Tybee Island is a popular destination for weddings, known for its relaxed vibe, stunning natural scenery, and sandy beaches. The island offers a range of wedding venues to suit different styles and budgets, from elegant indoor spaces to outdoor beach ceremonies.

One popular venue is the Tybee Island Wedding Chapel, which has been featured in the film "The Last Song" starring Miley Cyrus. The chapel offers a custom-built sanctuary, a grand ballroom, a cocktail lounge, and a bridal suite, among other amenities. For those seeking a more intimate setting, the Beachview Inn & Spa provides a quaint and quiet atmosphere for the wedding ceremony, rehearsal, and reception.

For couples who want a beachfront location, the Tybee Island Pier & Pavilion offers spectacular ocean views, a large space for dancing, picnic tables, and convenient access to nearby shops and restaurants. The Grandview at Hotel Tybee is another oceanfront venue that provides flexible event packages and the opportunity to customise your special day.

If you prefer a historical venue, the American Legion Post 154 offers its hall for 50 to 150 people, with a full catering menu and a customisable space. Another option is the Tybee Island Guardhouse, a charming venue located within Fort Screven that can accommodate up to 100 guests. Its bright yellow exterior and wrap-around porch set a relaxed and friendly tone for your celebration.

When planning your wedding on Tybee Island, it is important to note that a beach permit is required for any activities beyond those of typical beachgoers. Additionally, there are guidelines in place to preserve the natural beauty of the beach, including restrictions on signage, littering, access to sand dunes, flowers, and photography locations.

Honeymoon options

Tybee Island is a great place for a honeymoon, with its relaxed vibe, stunning natural scenery, and wonderful weather. Here are some options for things to do on your honeymoon on Tybee Island:

• Stay at a romantic Bed & Breakfast: Choose from historic quaintness to beautiful ocean views. One option is the Beachview Inn & Spa, which offers an all-inclusive package for wedding weekends, including use of the inn for the ceremony, rehearsal, and reception.
• Dine with a view: Tybee Island has several waterfront restaurants where you can enjoy a romantic dinner. Try A-J's Dockside Restaurant for oysters on ice and shrimp paired with champagne or cocktails.
• Go on a sunset cruise: Snuggle up with your loved one on a boat trip to watch the sunset. You might even spot some dolphins!
• Visit the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum: Learn about the history of the lighthouse and the role of Tybee Island during the Civil War.
• Spend the day at Tybee Island Beach: Enjoy the beautiful beach areas, go for a walk on the pier, or take a dip in the warm water.
• Take a boat tour: Try Captain Derek's Dolphin Adventure or Sundial Charters for an informative and entertaining tour of the waterways surrounding Tybee Island.
• Go paddleboarding: East Coast Paddleboarding provides all the gear and instructions you need for a great morning out on the water.
• Have a romantic picnic: Head to North Beach for a picnic with local fare and your favourite cocktail (in a plastic cup!).

Frequently asked questions