Coastal weddings in the barrier islands of South Georgia have a distinct charm. If you’re exploring Georgia coast wedding venues, you have to consider Sea Island for its amazing resort facilities and adjacent St. Simons for its coastal community, including darling historic churches. For couples seeking a memorable Sea Island destination wedding, The Cloister provides a luxury experience for your guests as well as scenic backdrops that combine both the appeal of a low country landscape, including live oaks, Spanish moss, intercoastal waterway sunsets, and beach vistas. Whether your dream wedding is a traditional Southern-style bash or a more intimate gathering, Sea Island offers a host of options for your coastal wedding celebration. 

About Sea Island, Georgia

Picture an oasis nestled amidst the Golden Isles of Georgia, a beacon of casual Southern sophistication that is Sea Island. As part of the illustrious Sea Island Resort, this private island promises several unparalleled venues.

From the historic Cloister to the classic Lodge, from the casually vibrant Beach Club to the sophisticated Ocean Forest Golf Club, each venue offers elegance and charm for your luxury wedding. 

Wedding Venues at Sea Island

Sea Island is not just another venue; it’s a tapestry of unique settings, each offering it’s own unique benefits. Whether you’re envisioning an intimate gathering or a grand soirée, here’s a glimpse of your many options.

The Cloister

The Cloister hotel is the historic heart of the island and of the resort overall. The Cloister building is set on 50 lush acres, surrounded by the river, saltwater marshes, and the sea, with five miles of private coastline across the street. There is also a chapel right on site as well as formal gardens and courtyards that are perfect for entertaining. Also included in the Cloister complex are ballrooms as well as many smaller rooms that can host gatherings such as a bridal luncheon or groom’s dinner. The Spanish Lounge is a favorite for its spectacular fireplace and original windows that were a part of the 1938 construction. 

The Lodge

Romance takes a tangible form at The Lodge. Known for its “Avenue of the Oaks” (perfect for Southern inspired wedding photos!) which leads up to the clubhouse, this classic Southern club is ideal for your Country Club style wedding on Sea Island. You can have all the amenities of a refined club with the Lodge’s charm and setting built into every moment. On top of the beautiful location, this wedding venue also features a candlelit wine cellar as an entertaining option for your smaller parties. 

Beach Club

For the quintessential destination Georgia beach wedding, The Beach Club at Sea Island should be at the top of your venue list. Not only is it situated on five miles of private beachfront but the smaller restaurant and ample patio provide a variety of spaces for different moments throughout the weekend. It’s a popular spot for many reasons so you’ll want to book early if the Beach Club is your vibe. 

Rainbow Island 

Often used for rehearsal dinners, this rustic stretch of land is located on the marsh just outside the gates of Sea Island. You’ll reach the venue by taking the “Jeep Train” from the Cloister and then walking along a dock from the road onto the island. What is revealed is a stunning landscape with amazing sunsets over the marsh. This is a more casual setting includes built-in fire pits and rustic, weather worn buildings. Rainbow island is perfect for casual gatherings, such as rehearsal dinners. 

Ocean Forest Club

Along the far end of Sea Island is another championship golf course with a charming lodge attached. The Ocean Forest Club has hosted many gorgeous weddings. Like the Beach Club, it’s situated right on the beach for the perfect sunset photo location. Although there is a generous covered space for a seated dinner, most clients also put up a tent on the Ocean Forest Lawn for dinner and dancing. 

The Retreat

With three championship golf courses surrounding The Retreat, you will get panoramic views of the greenway. The ballroom with a wrap-around veranda is the perfect setting for your outdoor cocktail hour reception.This Georgia wedding venue is conveniently located just minutes from The Cloister and The Lodge.

Wedding Services at Sea Island

Beyond the venues, Sea Island extends an array of services to elevate your experience.

Salon

Freshen up your look during your Sea Island honeymoon or have a transformational experience for your Georgia destination wedding at the Salon. The Salon offers haircuts, updos, color, makeup, manicures, and pedicures; everything you could need to spiff up for a wedding by the sea.

Spa

Who doesn’t love a great spa? The Spa at Sea Island can make your wedding into a bona fide vacation. The Spa offers hydrotherapy, foot reflexology paths, cold plunges, and hot pools. It is the perfect way to start and end your Sea Island Georgia wedding. I personally recommend making an appointment for the day after your wedding as you rest and recover from the reverie. 

Event Design

You may choose to bring in your own design team or The Sea Island wedding packages also include design, planning, and production of your event. Most of the events Liz shoots brings in a dedicated design team, which allows maximum attention to your individual needs of the decor and execution.

Catering

Award-winning chefs will take locally inspired flavors with high quality ingredients to create a sensational meal. This will compliment your beautiful wedding reception while sharing the tastes and flavors of the Low Country. 

Activities 

As a popular destination for families, you can find a host of available activities on Sea Island. Beyond the obvious water sports you can also play Golf, try Skeet Shooting, Tennis, Pickleball, Horseback Riding, Bowling, and Sea Island’s famous Bingo night. 

Wedding Celebrations

Apart from just the wedding day, you can extend your celebration at Sea Island by staying there as a guest. Enjoy a welcome dinner with your guests, a bridal luncheon, or a rehearsal dinner. 

Wedding Photography at Sea Island

Liz Banfield Published Weddings:

• Vogue: Wilson and Whitney Ford Wedding
• Martha Stewart Weddings: Nancy and Nathan
• Marcy Blum Events: Whitney and Wilson
• Sea Island Resorts: Patrick and Erin
• Tara Guerard Soiree: Erin and Ryan

When it comes to Sea Island weddings, photographer Liz Banfield has captured amazing Sea Island Georgia events and has been published in Vogue, Martha Stewart Weddings, BRIDES, and numerous blogs and publications. She has collaborated with top planners Marcy Blum, and Tara Guérard, among many others. She has been named a world top photographer by Harper’s BAZAAR, BRIDES, and Martha Stewart Weddings. 

The Cloister Sea Island Wedding presented a cathedral-like backdrop in the Cloister Lobby for Whitney Ford and Wilson Bowen’s black-tie wedding. An incredible ceremony was followed by a spectacular tented reception at The Beach Club. The after party was set up at Southern Tide, the on site restaurant. This wedding was planned by Marcy Blum and published in Vogue.  

Nancy and Nathan had one of the most gorgeous nature-inspired Sea Island weddings. Married in a church on St. Simons, the wedding party took photos at The Cloister before heading to a reception at Ocean Forest. Tara Guérard of Soiree created an incredible set of party tents to host this evening fete. This stylish wedding was featured in Martha Stewart Weddings. 

With Christmas right around the corner, the classic elegance of the red and green jewel tones inspired Patrick and Erin’s  Cloister wedding. The hotel lobby was decked out in full holiday style and provided a festive backdrop for photos. The Cloister courtyard ceremony was followed by a gorgeous al fresco reception at The Beach Club. This wedding was featured in FLOWER magazine as well as Sea Island magazine. 

When it comes to waterfront wedding venues, Georgia offered the best of Sea Island for this Tara Guérard Soiree wedding for Erin and Ryan. A welcome party at Rainbow Island kicked off the weekend. On the wedding day, the couple was married at a classic St. Simons church and was followed by an oceanside cocktail hour and  lush tented reception at Ocean Forest. 

Your Wedding at Sea Island

For the ultimate destination dream wedding weekend, it’s worth checking out all the options in St. Simons and Sea Island. I can recommend all that it has to offer throughout the year. 

Connect with Liz Banfield about your wedding photography here if you’d like to learn more about having her photograph your special event. Cheers!

All photos are the exclusive property of Liz Banfield and are protected by copyright.