Complete Wedding Guide
Getting Married in Georgia: Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about marriage licenses, requirements, costs, and planning your wedding in Georgia. Georgia brings iconic Southern romance with Savannah's moss-draped squares, Atlanta's modern skyline, and rolling countryside dotted with peach orchards and historic plantations.
Georgia weddings split into three settings: Savannah's Historic District gardens and squares, barrier island resorts in the Golden Isles, and vineyard weekends in the North Georgia mountains around Dahlonega. Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum in Savannah rents what it calls the city's largest private gardens, and Jekyll Island Club Resort offers historic cottages alongside its beachfront Jekyll Ocean Club. License fees vary by probate court and drop sharply with premarital education ($76 or $36 in Chatham County), and couples who do not live in Georgia must buy the license in the county where the ceremony will happen.
Georgia Marriage License Requirements
Georgia probate courts in Fulton, Barrow and Macon-Bibb counties state that the license does not have an expiration date, which is unusually generous compared to most states, though couples should confirm with their own county. Fees vary by county and whether the couple completed a state-approved premarital education program: Paulding County charges $16 with a certificate/$56 without, Bryan County charges $37 with a certificate/$77 without. A 17-year-old may marry only with documentary proof of legal emancipation (not simple parental consent), a completed premarital education certificate, at least 15 days elapsed since emancipation, and no more than a 4-year age gap between partners; no license is issued to anyone under 17 for any reason (2019 amendment). Common-law marriages formed before January 1, 1997 remain valid and recognized; none can be newly created in Georgia on or after that date.
Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Georgia?
Ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders. Judges of any court, justices of the peace, and retired judges. Any religious society can designate a person to perform marriages according to their customs.
Wedding Costs in Georgia
Average Wedding Cost
$32,000
This includes venue, catering, photography, attire, and other typical wedding expenses in Georgia.
Average Guest Count
150
The typical Georgia wedding hosts 150 guests. Plan your seating, catering, and photo sharing accordingly.
Best Seasons
Spring, Fall
The most popular seasons to get married in Georgia. Book venues early during peak season.
First dance
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From Mom
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THE ALBUM
Emma & Jack
June 21, 2026
647 photos · 95 guests
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Coastal Wedding Tips for Georgia
Secure your beach or waterfront permit early
Many coastal and beach ceremony sites in Georgia require permits from the county parks department, the National Park Service, or the state coastal commission. Permit availability is limited and often opens months in advance. Apply as soon as your date is confirmed.
Always plan a weather backup
Coastal weather in Georgia can shift quickly. Even if the forecast looks clear, have an indoor or tented backup venue confirmed before you send invitations. Many beachfront venues include a backup space in the contract.
Time the tide and the sun
For a beach ceremony, check both the tide table and the sunset time for your specific date. A low tide gives you more sand space, and a ceremony that ends 30 to 45 minutes before sunset positions you perfectly for golden-hour portraits with your photographer.
Protect your guests from wind and glare
Coastal ceremonies in Georgia frequently deal with ocean wind that disrupts officiant scripts and guests' comfort. Provide printed ceremony programs so guests can follow along, and orient seating so the sun is behind the couple rather than in guests' eyes.
Popular Wedding Regions in Georgia
Atlanta
A booming metro with rooftop venues, converted warehouses, botanical gardens, and world-class catering.
Savannah
One of the most romantic cities in America with cobblestone streets, historic squares, and coastal elegance.
North Georgia Mountains
Blue Ridge and Dahlonega offer vineyard weddings, mountain lodges, and waterfall backdrops.
Top Wedding Venues in Georgia
First dance
You guys!!
Planning a Georgia wedding? Collect every guest photo in one album
Free QR photo album your guests use without an app. 20 uploads free, no card.
From Mom
Scan to join the album
No app, no account
UPLOADING
Saving your moment
THE ALBUM
Emma & Jack
June 21, 2026
647 photos · 95 guests
SCAN TO TRY
pix.wedding/
your-wedding
How to Get Married in Georgia: Step by Step
Apply for Your Marriage License
Visit the Probate Court in Georgia with your partner. Bring valid photo ID (driver's license or passport), proof of age, and the license fee of $16 to $77, varies by county. Both partners must appear in person.
No Waiting Period
Georgia has no waiting period, so you can hold your ceremony the same day you receive your license. Your license does not expire.
Choose Your Officiant
In Georgia, your wedding can be officiated by ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders. Make sure your officiant is properly authorized before the ceremony.
Hold Your Ceremony
Have your ceremony at your chosen Georgia venue. Georgia does not require witnesses, though many couples still choose to have them.
File Your Marriage Certificate
After the ceremony, your officiant will sign the marriage license and return it to the Probate Court. Once filed, you will receive your official marriage certificate. This is your legal proof of marriage.
Georgia Wedding Planning Tips
Savannah books up fast for March through May when the azaleas are in bloom
North Georgia vineyards offer stunning fall color in October and November
Atlanta's food scene means exceptional catering options at competitive prices
Georgia probate courts issue licenses on the spot with no waiting period, so a same-day license and ceremony is possible; if neither partner lives in Georgia, the license must come from the county where the ceremony will take place.
Explore Georgia Wedding Venues
Browse our guide to the best wedding venues across Georgia.
Wedding Photo Sharing in Georgia
Learn how to collect every guest photo at your Georgia wedding.
What Makes Getting Married in Georgia Unique
Georgia splits into three wedding regions that feel like different states. Savannah's Historic District offers garden and square settings within walking distance of downtown hotels, the Golden Isles bring barrier island resorts like the Jekyll Island Club Resort with its historic cottages and beachfront Jekyll Ocean Club, and North Georgia around Dahlonega and Helen turns toward vineyard and mountain weekends at estates such as Montaluce Winery. Atlanta sits between them as the main airport hub for fly-in guests. The legal side rewards planning ahead in a way most states do not: couples who finish a qualifying premarital education program pay a lower license fee at the probate court, and couples who do not live in Georgia must buy their license in the county where the ceremony will happen.
In Chatham County, home to Savannah, a marriage license costs $76, or $36 for couples who bring a certificate from a qualifying premarital education program of at least six hours. Both fees include one certified copy.
Source: Chatham County Probate Court, Marriage Licenses, 2026
Georgia Marriage Law: What You Need to Know
Georgia marriage licenses come from the county probate court, and fees vary by county under a structure that rewards premarital education: Chatham County lists $76 without it and $36 with it, and Athens-Clarke County lists $66 and $26, each including a certified copy. Both applicants must appear together with proper identification, and anyone previously married must bring the final divorce decree signed by a judge, or a death certificate. If either applicant is a Georgia resident, any Georgia county can issue the license; if neither is, the license must come from the county where the ceremony will take place, and a Georgia license can only be used for a ceremony performed in Georgia. There is no waiting period once the license is issued, and blood tests have not been required since July 1, 2003. Applicants must be at least 18, and Chatham County Probate Court notes that a 17-year-old must prove emancipation. Each applicant also designates on the application the surname they will use after marriage. Confirm how long the license remains valid with the issuing probate court when you pick it up.
Signature Georgia Wedding Angles
Verified Places to Get Married in Georgia
Each venue below was checked against its own website. The notes cover planning details only, so confirm dates and current rules directly with the venue.
Jekyll Island, GA
The resort's wedding venue page lists three historic Island Cottages, Cherokee Cottage, Crane Cottage and Sans Souci, alongside the beachfront Jekyll Ocean Club and the main Jekyll Island Club, giving couples a choice between cottage privacy, the historic clubhouse and a beach setting.
Savannah, GA
Promotes Savannah's largest private gardens, in the Historic District one block west of City Market. Spaces include the Scarbrough Garden, the 19th Century Parlor Garden, the North Garden and a Covered Assembly Room, with a bridal suite, catering room and on-site parking. The venue hosts one event at a time and offers a weekday ceremony-only option from 5 to 7 p.m.
Dahlonega, GA
A Tuscany-inspired winery at 501 Hightower Church Road in the North Georgia mountains with several ceremony and reception sites. It runs two restaurants on the property, Le Vigne for fine dining and Trattoria di Montaluce, and shares a wedding packet, lodging guide and preferred vendor list with couples.
Georgia Wedding Season: What Locals Know
Spring and fall carry most Georgia wedding calendars. Spring bloom makes April and early May popular in Savannah and Atlanta, and fall brings cooler evenings plus mountain color in North Georgia, with peak foliage timing that shifts by year and elevation. Summer heat and humidity push many coastal and Atlanta couples toward evening ceremonies or indoor receptions from late June through August. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, and the National Hurricane Center puts most activity between mid-August and mid-October, so Golden Isles and Savannah couples booking late summer or early fall should read each venue's weather and rescheduling terms closely.
Georgia-Specific Wedding Questions
How much cheaper is a Georgia marriage license with premarital education?
Each probate court publishes its own fees, and the gap is large. Chatham County Probate Court in Savannah charges $76 without premarital education and $36 with it, and Athens-Clarke County lists $66 and $26, with each fee including a certified copy of the completed license. Chatham County requires the certificate to come from a qualifying program of at least six hours of instruction. Both applicants must appear in person, and Athens-Clarke County notes that blood tests have not been required since July 1, 2003.
Where should out-of-state couples buy a Georgia marriage license?
It depends on residency. Athens-Clarke County Probate Court explains that if either applicant is a Georgia resident, the license may be bought in any Georgia county, but if neither applicant lives in Georgia, the license must come from the county where the ceremony will be performed. For a destination wedding on Jekyll Island or in Savannah, that means planning a stop at the probate court for the ceremony county rather than a court near the airport. A Georgia license can only be used for a ceremony performed in Georgia.
Can we get married in Georgia the same day we get the license?
Yes. Athens-Clarke County Probate Court states that the license is issued at the time of application unless a problem comes up, that processing typically takes 10 to 30 minutes, and that there is no waiting period before the ceremony. Court hours set the practical limit: Athens-Clarke accepts applications Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and its probate court does not perform ceremonies, so you still need an officiant lined up. Check the hours and ceremony options of the probate court in your county before planning a same-day wedding.
What should we ask before booking Jekyll Island or a Savannah garden venue?
Both are built around historic settings, so the logistics matter. Jekyll Island Club Resort lists three historic Island Cottages (Cherokee Cottage, Crane Cottage and Sans Souci) plus the beachfront Jekyll Ocean Club and the main Jekyll Island Club as wedding settings. In Savannah, Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum rents its gardens and covered Assembly Room for one event at a time and offers a weekday ceremony-only slot from 5 to 7 p.m. Ask each venue what the rental includes, which space serves as the rain plan and when your vendors can start setup.
One Shared Album From Savannah Squares to North Georgia Vineyards
Georgia wedding weekends tend to move: a welcome dinner in Savannah's Historic District, a ceremony at a garden or island venue, or a vineyard day in the mountains before the reception. Guests capture all of it on their own phones and rarely send the photos afterward. A Pix Wedding QR album gives them one place to upload: they scan the code on a sign or table card, add photos and videos from the phone browser without installing an app, and the couple gets every angle from the weekend in one gallery.
See Georgia photo sharingPopular Wedding Searches in Georgia
Wedding Guides for Other States
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Marriage laws and requirements can change. Always verify current requirements with your local Probate Court in Georgia before making plans. Last reviewed: 2026.
Georgia Marriage & Wedding FAQ
Straight answers to the questions people ask most about this topic.
A marriage license in Georgia costs $16 to $77, varies by county. You can apply at the Probate Court. No residency requirement, so out-of-state couples can apply as well.
Georgia has no waiting period. You can get married the same day you receive your marriage license. The license does not expire.
Ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders. Judges of any court, justices of the peace, and retired judges. Any religious society can designate a person to perform marriages according to their customs.
The minimum age to marry without parental consent in Georgia is 18. Only a 17-year-old who has been emancipated, by court order or by operation of law, at least 15 days before applying can marry. The other party can be no more than four years older, premarital education is required, and no one under 17 can marry.
The most popular wedding seasons in Georgia are Spring and Fall. During these windows, top venues in regions like Atlanta and Savannah book out months in advance. Fall weddings benefit from cooler temperatures and, in some regions, stunning foliage color.
The average wedding in Georgia costs $32,000 with an average guest count of 150. Spring and Fall are the most popular seasons for weddings in Georgia. Popular wedding regions include Atlanta, Savannah, North Georgia Mountains.
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