Planning a wedding – even a small one – is A LOT of work. There are so many details to remember and execute on – especially for a destination wedding! One of the reasons we decided to get married on Tybee Island and have a reception in Savannah was that it was close enough to Atlanta for us to visit if needed.
We took a weekend to do just that: scope out many of the things we’ve been working on for the wedding festivities later this year. We also had a great trip at the same time. It didn’t feel like work at all – just the two of us looking forward, together.
I usually stay with a friend in the beautiful Ardsley Park neighborhood when I go to Savannah, but he moved away. It was certainly different to go to Savannah and not only not see him, but stay in a different part of town. Hotels are pricey in Savannah so we opted to try out Airbnb. It was the right price, with a low-key couple in a convenient location a few blocks from the park. That part of town can be a little sketchy – beautiful mansions next to boarded up houses and old gas stations alongside trendy cafes, but I knew that going in so there were NO surprises when we pulled up. Pretty perfect!
After going to a local favorite, Green Truck Pub, for a yummy dinner of grass-fed burgers and The Distillery for drinks the night before, we spent Saturday morning on the charming porch. The live oak was gorgeous and the people-watching kept us entertained for a long time.
We headed out to Tybee to tour our rental house – it’s amazing and even nicer in-person than the pictures show. We’re so excited!
We walked out to the beach from the house – there is an access point for the community and the majority of the walkway is a boardwalk, complete with charming gazebo and a little lake. This part of the island is a little more remote – perfect for us.
As the rain clouds rolled in, we decided to head back to the car and grab some lunch at Tybee Island Social Club. It’s a favorite of mine anytime I’m on the island and I was glad I got to introduce it to Sean. The laid-back island atmosphere, great porch, craft beer and live music made for a most enjoyable lunch. 
The rain never came so we stopped at the famous Bonaventure Cemetery for a stroll before heading back downtown. The azaleas were in bright bloom, giving a cheery and creepy feeling at the same.
We checked out Back in the Day Bakery for a sweet snack (Sean had the famous ‘nana pudding and I had a cupcake) before relaxing at the house before dinner. I sat on the porch swing with my book and a glass of wine. Ahhhh, relaxation at its finest.
We walked up to Forsyth Park then headed over to Local11Ten for dinner. This is the site of our reception and we were so excited to try it out. I’d been up to the rooftop bar previously, but hadn’t dined at the restaurant. The restaurant’s event coordinator sat us in the space that we booked for our reception (it’s used for additional seating when it’s not booked). It’s the perfect space for a wedding dinner for a small group like ours. 
The food was also pretty darn amazing. This is Savannah’s farm-to-table restaurant and the freshness and quality of the food came through in every bite. We shared an onion and duck broth soup with meatballs that was out of this world and some yummy mussels in a spicy broth with mint, chorizo and tomatoes.
We opted to try some of the proteins that would be on the menu for the wedding, so we chose the chef’s fish of the day and the roasted chicken. The chicken was perfectly cooked and flavorful, as was the fish which was a sea bass. The accompaniments were simple yet inventive, making each taste interesting. After dinner we met up with a friend of mine who lives in Savannah and we had drinks on the rooftop, Perch. We loved every minute of our experience there and can’t wait to share this wonderful place that feels so “us” with our closest family and friends.
Sunday morning was a little chilly but that didn’t stop us from walking around and taking in all the striking shades of color in the azaleas. I can’t get enough!
We checked out Sisters of the New South for lunch, trying to get some ideas for food while we are in town for our wedding week. The fried chicken was solid but the sides left a lot to be desired, unfortunately. But hey – we came down to Savannah to try things out and knew we wouldn’t necessarily love everything. 
We strolled around some more after lunch, taking in the pretty old homes, the beautiful spring blooms and the sunny weather. 
After some shopping on Broughton Street at some of my favorite spots like Nourish and The Spice & Tea Exchange, Sean and I strolled through City Market. 
My time in Savannah is never enough and I was as sad to leave as ever. I can’t wait to spend an entire week here later this year and make more incredible memories. 🙂 <3