The Atlanta Wedding Guide to Getting Married in Georgia
Ready to plan your Atlanta wedding? Check out this guide for everything you need to know about getting married in the ATL.
If you’re looking to get married in a city that combines Southern charm with a hip vibe, an Atlanta wedding is ideal. Whether you’re from the area or planning a destination wedding in the ATL, there are so many decisions to make and vendors to hire (the average Atlanta, Georgia couple hires 13 vendors, from wedding planners to photographers and more, to help with their big day!). And from the best wedding venues in Atlanta to the top attractions for your out-of-town guests, we’re here to help you with wedding planning, every step of the way.
Ready to start planning your Atlanta wedding? Check out this handy guide for everything you need to know.
The Basics
If you’re on a budget and getting married in the Atlanta area, you’re in luck. The average cost of an Atlanta wedding comes in at under the national average, at $26,000. Fall weddings are particularly popular in Atlanta, with October being the most popular month to marry in the metro area. Couples host an average of 119 guests to their Atlanta weddings, which is just under the national average of 127 guests.
Atlanta is a popular tourist destination, with several special events throughout the year to be aware of. These events can cause hotels to book up fast and snarl traffic, making hosting a wedding on these weekends less than ideal. Some of these popular events include the Martin Luther King March & Rally in January, the Atlanta Film Festival in March, Atlanta Pride in October, and music festivals such as the Atlanta Jazz Festival (May), the Shaky Knees and Shaky Beats festivals (May), and Music Midtown (September), among others.
Getting There and Getting Around
It’s commonly known that the Atlanta airport, Hartsfield-Jackson, is the busiest airport in the world, so your out-of-town guests should be able to find flights to and from this hub. It’s conveniently located about 20 minutes south of Downtown Atlanta—and your guests can take MARTA, the rapid transit rail system, to easily get to the city. There’s also DeKalb-Peachtree Airport as an alternative, which is located about 20 minutes north of Downtown.
While there are public transportation options in Atlanta, including MARTA and a new streetcar system, it isn’t always the most convenient, depending on where your guests are staying. Your family and friends might find themselves using taxis, Uber, and Lyft to get around—or renting a car. Consider providing transportation to and from your Atlanta wedding as a convenience to your loved ones.
Weather
Atlanta is known for its mild winters and hot and humid summers. While snow is uncommon, it does happen from time to time, and there are about 117 days of rain in the city per year. The coldest month is January, with an average temperature of 51 degrees, and the hottest month is July with an average temperature of 87 degrees. If you’re dreaming of an outdoor Atlanta wedding, spring and fall tend to the be the safest months, as it’s neither too hot nor too cold. While the Atlanta area isn’t a particularly active hurricane zone, storms have hit the city in recent years, typically in August and September.
Wedding Venues
If you’re hosting your special day in the ATL, there are lots of incredible Atlanta wedding venues to choose from, whether you’re looking for a romantic outdoor venue or a hip industrial event space. Here are some of the best wedding venue types in Atlanta:
Unique Atlanta Wedding Venues
For some couples, a standard ballroom won’t do. These out-of-the-box wedding venues include outdoor waterfalls, art galleries, aquariums, and more!
Check out unique wedding venues in Atlanta »
Outdoor Atlanta Wedding Venues
There’s something so romantic about an outdoor wedding. Fortunately, some of the best wedding venues in the Atlanta area feature outdoor space. If your idea of an amazing wedding venue is a garden, a country club, or even a winery, these outdoor Atlanta wedding venues are worth a look.
Check out outdoor wedding venues in Atlanta »
Small Atlanta Wedding Venues
Your Atlanta wedding doesn’t have to be huge to be memorable. In fact, there are lots of amazing venues that are on the more intimate side, including manors, gardens, clubs, historic sites, and more.
Check out small wedding venues in Atlanta »
Rooftop Atlanta Wedding Venues
If you’re hosting a lot of out-of-town guests, a rooftop wedding in Atlanta can provide a unique view of the city. Venues with rooftop space are few and far between, but those breathtaking views make them among the most sought-after in the area.
Check out rooftop wedding venues in Atlanta »
Industrial Atlanta Wedding Venues
Industrial chic wedding venues are among the most on-trend Atlanta wedding venues. These venues often come with a unique history, lots of character, and super-cool décor details like exposed brick and wood beams.
Check out industrial wedding venues in Atlanta »
Rehearsal Dinner Venues
Don’t forget about your night-before celebration! Whether you’re hosting an intimate rehearsal dinner or a huge celebration, these venues will make sure your pre-party is just as memorable as the main event.
Check out Atlanta rehearsal dinner venues »
Marriage Requirements
Whether you're a local or from out of town, it’s important to know the local laws and marriage requirements so you can ensure that your union is actually legal! In Atlanta, you and your partner must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a license without parental consent. You can fill out your marriage license application online, but do need to appear in person at one of three government buildings to provide two forms of identification and pick up your license. The cost is $56 for a marriage license, but if you complete a premarital course, you only have to pay $16. There is no waiting period and no expiration date, so you can host your Atlanta wedding whenever you like after receiving your marriage license!
Things to Do in Atlanta
With so much to do and see in the Atlanta area, your out-of-town guests are in luck! To help narrow down all of the options, we recommend creating a list of your favorite attractions and sharing it with your guests in a welcome bag.
Georgia Aquarium
With more than 100,000 animals, this aquarium is widely known as one of the best in the country.
The World of Coca-Cola
Whether or not you’re a soda fan, this museum is definitely a good time.
Piedmont Park
For guests who love the outdoors, this park is an oasis in the midst of the city. From a Saturday farmer’s market to gardens, sports fields, pools, and more, there’s plenty to do in Piedmont Park.
Centennial Olympic Park
The site of the 1996 Olympics, this park offers lots of fun attractions, from live music to delicious food, and fun events. There’s also an audio walking tour for your guests to enjoy.
High Museum of Art
Art lovers will be delighted to explore this highly-regarded museum. Located on Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta, this museum is home to more than 16,000 works of art, from classic to contemporary.
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
Learn about the life of this civil rights leader through several buildings that were important to his life, from his childhood home to the church where he was a pastor.
Atlanta History Center
Guests of all ages will enjoy this museum, which celebrates the history of the region.
Atlanta Wedding Inspiration
If you’re hosting an Atlanta wedding, we recommend looking at real weddings from the area to gain valuable inspiration. Here are some of our favorites:
Megan and Max’s spring estate wedding»
Alexandra and Drew’s classic ballroom wedding »
