.Perfect wedding venues are like a theater.
Perfect wedding venues are tasteful and subtle. You walk into it and admire the architectural and decorative details, but once the fanfare begins, the interior fades away and all that matters are the people in front of you. It doesn’t add too much or take away from the scene and it’s catered to you and your betrothed-to-be.
Picking that one-of-a-kind wedding venue for you and your future spouse sometimes means going a little bit off the beaten path. It means flying into an aviation museum, tying the knot at a massive plantation, a family-run farm or saying “I Do” in the deeper, more hidden areas. Discover the Southern charm and rich history of Georgia’s First City by saying your vows at one of these wedding venues off the beaten path in Savannah:
1. Red Gate Farms
A family-owned farm and 4,000 square-foot wedding and special event space, Red Gate is only a turn or two off the beaten path, about 10 minutes away from Downtown Savannah. It’s the perfect place to bring all your kin. Whether you dress up or down the barn, have the party inside or outside, a few decorations will transform this rustic Savannah wedding venue from a bland barn to a booming bash. Choose between the barn and its genuine stables, the meadow overlooking the water with its 300-year-old oak or the pavilion and its screen-in interior with waterfront views.
2. Bethesda Academy
A 650-acre boys school campus with historic buildings, marsh front views, lakes, timber land, a cattle farm and an organic garden all just 12 miles from the Historic District. No place like a youthful and bustling boys academy with large grounds for you to party, play and promise each other a lifetime of laughter and love. You can go to the Whitefield Chapel and get married or choose between the many outdoor options, such as the amphitheater, Tribble Plaza, H. Burroughs-Lawton patio and The Berne.
3. Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum
Drive just 20 minutes out of Savannah and fly straight into the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. Here you will find The Rotunda Room, an expansive circular room with a sweeping staircase and sky high ceilings, as well as the Art Gallery Room, where you can celebrate among a selection of aviation art. If you’re looking for something more intimate, squeeze 80 guests into The High Wycombe Room and if you’d prefer something more traditional, then opt for the chapel, tucked in the Memorial Gardens with a pond, gazebos and vine-trimmed archways.
4. Cohen’s Retreat
Cohen’s Retreat is just the place for an exuberant couple to dance down the aisle. It is lively, bursting with color and a hub for artistic inspiration. It is named after Mr. Percival (Percy) Randolph Cohen, the philanthropists behind Bethesda. Cohen’s Retreat was requested in Cohen’s will for a facility “where men would not die old and lonely.” The Art Tank services a guest list of 100 or more. The Porch or Library Bar are perfect for smaller more intimate gatherings. You can even rent out the entire space if you feel like splurging on your special day.
5. The Ford Field & River Club
The Ford Field & River Club is more than a little ways off the Savannah pathway, but most definitely worth the excursion. Nothing like 1,800 acres of South Georgia. Non-members are offered the main house wedding venue site along with a complimentary stay for two nights. This includes breakfast, pool access, bicycles, access to the spa and the dressing room. Discounts on golf or fishing outings, fitness classes, spa appointments and other amenities also come with the venue. Wed in style and celebrate lavishly with exquisite views of the Ogeechee River. The plantation boasts five-star catering and complete privacy to enjoy the wedding with your closest friends and family.
Getting to these locations may mean straying off Savannah’s straight paths, but it’s worth the wander. Plantations, retreats, farms, museums and academies make for an unforgettable festivity.