TL;DR: A 100-guest wedding in Savannah, GA typically runs $38,000 – $62,000 all-in, with most couples landing near $48,000. Expect roughly 45% of your budget to go to venue and catering combined, with historic downtown venues and peak-season (March–May, October) dates pushing you toward the high end.
Useful summary
Savannah is a destination-wedding market dressed up as a small Southern city. That means national-average pricing tools will undershoot you on venue, lodging, and Saturday-night photography, but you'll save on flowers (Lowcountry greenery is cheap and stunning) and on travel for vendors who already live within 20 minutes of the historic district.
For 100 guests, your three biggest line items are:
- Venue + rentals — $9,000 – $18,000
- Catering + bar — $12,000 – $22,000
- Photography + video — $5,500 – $9,500
Everything else combined (florals, attire, music, stationery, planner, transportation, beauty, gifts) usually adds $11,000 – $18,000. Build a 5–8% contingency line on top — Savannah weddings rarely come in under budget because of weather backup rentals and guest transport.
Variable data table
Realistic Savannah ranges for a 100-guest wedding, mid-tier vendors, Saturday evening:
| Category | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue (site fee) | $4,500 | $8,000 | $14,000 |
| Catering (food, $95–$165 pp) | $9,500 | $13,000 | $16,500 |
| Bar (5 hrs, beer/wine/spirits) | $2,500 | $4,000 | $6,000 |
| Photography | $3,800 | $5,500 | $7,500 |
| Videography | $2,200 | $3,200 | $4,800 |
| Florals + decor | $3,500 | $6,000 | $10,000 |
| Music (DJ or 4-pc band) | $1,800 | $3,500 | $7,500 |
| Attire (both partners) | $2,500 | $4,500 | $8,000 |
| Hair + makeup (party of 6) | $900 | $1,400 | $2,200 |
| Stationery + signage | $600 | $1,200 | $2,500 |
| Planner (full-service vs. month-of) | $1,800 | $4,000 | $8,500 |
| Transportation (trolleys, shuttles) | $800 | $1,500 | $2,800 |
| Cake + desserts | $500 | $900 | $1,800 |
| Officiant + ceremony fees | $300 | $600 | $1,200 |
| Rings, gifts, marriage license | $1,500 | $3,000 | $6,000 |
| Total | $36,200 | $60,300 | $99,300 |
Most 100-guest Savannah weddings cluster in the $45K–$55K band. Pure backyard or all-inclusive package weddings can land closer to $30K; full historic-mansion takeovers with a band push past $80K.
Local context
A few Savannah-specific things that swing your budget more than national guides admit:
- Historic district venue fees are higher. Properties like Whitefield Square area mansions, the Olde Pink House, Soho South, the Charles H. Morris Center, and Andaz rooftop sites typically run $6,000–$14,000 just for the space, before catering minimums.
- Square ceremonies are nearly free, but logistics aren't. A ceremony in Forsyth or one of the 22 historic squares requires a City of Savannah permit (~$250–$500), plus chair rental, sound, and a backup plan. Budget $1,500–$3,000 to do it well.
- Heat and humidity drive rentals. Late May through September, you'll need fans, tent sidewalls with AC, or a fully indoor backup. A climate-controlled tent for 100 guests runs $4,500–$8,000 on top of venue.
- Lodging blocks matter. Most Savannah weddings function as mini-destinations. You won't pay for guest rooms, but a welcome event at a River Street venue adds $2,000–$5,000, and a Sunday brunch adds $1,500–$3,500.
- Peak season is March, April, May, October, and the first half of November. Booking a Friday or Sunday in these months saves 10–20%. January, February, and August are the genuine off-season — expect 15–30% off venue and photography.
- Tybee Island is its own market. Beach ceremonies require a Tybee permit ($150–$300), beach setup adds rentals, and reception venues on the island are limited — most couples bus guests back to downtown, adding $1,200–$2,000 in transport.
Internal links
- For the full national framework, start with the Wedding Budget Guide.
- To plug your own numbers in and see what shifts, use the Wedding Budget Calculator.
- Compare Savannah pricing against other markets at smaller guest counts: Houston 25 guests, Houston 50 guests, and Houston 75 guests.
- Pair your budget with a timeline using the Wedding Checklist Guide.
Tool CTA
If you want a budget tailored to your guest count, venue type, and Savannah season — not a generic spreadsheet — the WeddingBot calculator builds it in about three minutes and flags line items that are unrealistically low for the local market.
FAQ
Is $40,000 enough for a 100-person wedding in Savannah?
Yes, if you're flexible. $40K works for a Friday or Sunday date, a venue with in-house catering, a DJ instead of a band, and modest florals. It does not work for a Saturday in April at a historic mansion with a full bar and a live band — that's a $60K+ wedding.
What's the average cost per guest in Savannah?
Plan on $380–$550 per guest for a typical mid-tier wedding, and $600–$800 per guest for a high-end historic district event. The per-guest figure goes down as guest count goes up because fixed costs (photography, attire, planner, music) get spread further.
When should I book my Savannah venue for a peak-season date?
12–16 months out for March, April, May, and October Saturdays. The most-requested historic venues book Saturdays a full 18 months ahead. Off-season dates can often be booked 6–9 months out.
Do I need a wedding planner in Savannah?
For a 100-guest wedding involving a square ceremony, transportation, and out-of-town guests — yes, at minimum a month-of coordinator ($1,800–$2,800). Permits, weather backup, and shuttle logistics are hard to manage alongside hosting guests in town for the weekend.
How much should I budget for guest transportation?
For 100 guests staying in 2–3 downtown hotels, $1,500–$2,800 covers two trolleys or a 56-passenger shuttle running 2–3 hours. Skipping shuttles is risky — parking in the historic district is genuinely difficult, and rideshare surges on Saturday nights.
What's the cheapest way to feed 100 guests well in Savannah?
Heavy passed appetizers and stations instead of a plated dinner runs $75–$95 per person versus $130+ for plated. Lowcountry boil stations are popular, regionally appropriate, and 20–30% cheaper than a steak-and-fish duet.
Are bar costs in Savannah higher than the national average?
Slightly. Georgia caterers typically require licensed bartenders even for BYO setups, which adds $300–$600 per bartender for 5 hours. A full open bar for 100 guests over 5 hours runs $3,500–$5,500 including alcohol, mixers, and labor.
Sources
- The Knot 2024 Real Weddings Study
- WeddingWire Newlywed Report 2024
- Visit Savannah Wedding & Event Permitting Office
- City of Savannah Park & Tree Department (square use permits)
Related
- Wedding Budget Calculator
- Wedding Budget Guide
- Houston Wedding Budget for 25 Guests
- Houston Wedding Budget for 50 Guests
- Houston Wedding Budget for 75 Guests
- Wedding Checklist Guide
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