Getting Married In A Savannah Square Or Forsyth Park
This is what most people picture when they think of a Savannah wedding. It is also the part with the most rules. Everything here comes from the City of Savannah.
Try It
how many Guests
0 Savannah squares and parks can hold 50 guests under the City's list.
- Chatham SquareUp to 50
- Chippewa SquareUp to 50
- Columbia SquareUp to 50
- Crawford SquareUp to 50
- Ellis SquareUp to 750
- Emmett ParkUp to 800
- Forsyth ParkNo stated limit on one side
- Fragrant Garden (Forsyth Park)Up to 25
- Franklin SquareUp to 50
- Greene SquareUp to 50
- Johnson SquareUp to 350
- Lafayette SquareUp to 50
- Madison SquareUp to 50
- Monterey SquareUp to 50
- Morrell ParkUp to 400
- Oglethorpe SquareUp to 50
- Orleans SquareUp to 50
- Pulaski SquareUp to 50
- Reynolds SquareUp to 100
- Taylor SquareUp to 50
- Telfair SquareUp to 100
- Troup SquareUp to 50
- Warren SquareUp to 50
- Washington SquareUp to 50
- Whitfield SquareUp to 50
- Wright SquareUp to 25
From the City of Savannah guest capacity list. Limits can differ by side of a square. Permit rules are in the squares and parks guide.
Do You Need A Permit
You need one if you will have chairs, aisle runners, tents, tables or any other decor. The City says a wedding with fewer than fifty people and no setup at all may go ahead without a permit, first come first served in the squares. Check the City's special event calendar first so you don't end up sharing your square with another event.
What It Costs
| Application | $30 |
|---|---|
| Permit, four hour minimum, resident | $350 any time of year |
| Permit, non resident, peak season | $725 in March, April, May, September, October and November |
| Permit, non resident, off peak | $575 in the other six months |
| Extra time | $60 an hour |
| Police | You must also hire an off duty Savannah Police Officer for the length of the event |
When To Apply
You can apply as early as one year out, and the application must be in at least 90 days before your date. Parks and squares allow up to two events a day.
Rules That Catch People
- No balloon releases and no confetti of any kind.
- The permitted area is secured, but the park around you keeps going. Tours, performers and a farmers market may still be heard.
- You are responsible for cleanup and any damage.
- Alcohol is a separate question. The City's temporary alcohol permit page says to apply 14 business days ahead.
Guest Limits By Location
These come from the City's list of permitted locations. N, S, E and W mean the north, south, east and west sections.
| Location | Maximum Guests |
|---|---|
| Forsyth Park | 250 (N), Unlimited (S) |
| Fragrant Garden (Forsyth Park) | 25 |
| Chippewa Square | 50 (N or S) |
| Columbia Square | 50 |
| Madison Square | 50 (N or S) |
| Monterey Square | 50 |
| Oglethorpe Square | 50 |
| Orleans Square | 50 |
| Pulaski Square | 50 |
| Troup Square | 50 |
| Whitfield Square | 50 |
| Lafayette Square | 50 |
| Greene Square | 50 |
| Washington Square | 50 |
| Warren Square | 50 |
| Chatham Square | 50 |
| Taylor Square | 50 |
| Crawford Square | 50 |
| Franklin Square | 50 (N or S) |
| Telfair Square | 100 |
| Reynolds Square | 100 |
| Wright Square | 25 (N or S) |
| Johnson Square | 250 (S), 350 (E), or 250 (W) |
| Ellis Square | 750 |
| Emmett Park | 800 |
| Morrell Park | 400 |
Amplified Sound
Allowed in Crawford, Ellis, Franklin, Johnson, Reynolds and Wright Squares, plus Forsyth Park, the Fragrant Garden, Emmett Park, Morrell Park, M.L.K. Park and Eastern Wharf. Not allowed in Chippewa, Columbia, Madison, Monterey, Oglethorpe, Orleans, Pulaski, Troup, Whitfield, Lafayette, Greene, Washington, Warren, Chatham, Taylor or Telfair Squares. So a guitar in Lafayette Square is fine, and a speaker is not.
Who To Call
City of Savannah Special Events, Film and Tourism, 1 Waring Drive, Savannah, GA 31404. Phone (912) 351-3837, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm. Start at the City weddings page.
From My Side Of The Camera
Pick your square by the time of day. Some of them fill with sun late in the afternoon, and others stay in shade. I wrote about shooting in the squares here.
