getting there
getting to Sea Island
Where your guests fly in, how long the drive is, and how to plan a wedding weekend on an island you reach by private access. Every travel fact links to where it came from.
the airports
Three ways in by air
- Brunswick Golden IslesAbout a twenty minute drive, served by Delta, per Sea Island. Golden Isles tourism lists daily Delta Connection service to and from Atlanta. Sea Island directions
- JacksonvilleAbout a one hour drive from Jacksonville International Airport, per Sea Island. Sea Island directions
- SavannahAbout an hour and fifteen minutes from Savannah International Airport, per Sea Island. Sea Island directions
- Private AircraftSea Island says the McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport is a ten minute drive from The Cloister. Sea Island directions
Which Airport For Your Guests
The closest airport is not always the easiest one.
Brunswick is the shortest drive, but its scheduled flights connect through Atlanta. Jacksonville and Savannah are bigger airports with more direct flights, an hour or so away by car. Many weekends end up with guests using all three.
Put all three on your wedding website with the drive times, and let guests choose by price and schedule. Anyone flying in on the day of the welcome dinner should give themselves room for the drive.
Onto The Island
Golden Isles tourism says Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island are reached by causeway, while Sea Island and Little St. Simons Island are reached by private access or by boat. That shapes the weekend. Ask the Sea Island wedding team how guests, shuttles and vendors come and go, and put the answer on your wedding website so nobody is surprised at the gate. Source Golden Isles tourism.
Where Everyone Stays
The Cloister and The Lodge both have rooms, and Sea Island lists them as separate wedding settings. If your guests spread out across St. Simons too, plan one meeting point for shuttles and give everyone the time it leaves. For photographs, the best getting ready rooms have big windows and a little space to move.
Your Marriage License
Glynn County Probate Court issues licenses by appointment only at 701 G Street in Brunswick, Monday to Friday. If either of you lives in Georgia, any Georgia probate court can issue it. If neither of you does, it has to come from the county where the ceremony is held. Golden Isles tourism suggests starting three to four weeks ahead and says a license is valid for up to six months. Sources Glynn County Probate Court and Golden Isles tourism.
How I Travel To You
My studio is at 1918 Howard Street in Savannah, and I travel the coast for weddings, with about ten so far on Jekyll Island just down the shore. I plan the drive the day before when the timeline calls for it, so the morning of your wedding starts calm. Weekend coverage, from the welcome dinner to the farewell brunch, is planned with you before the trip.
A Sample Island Weekend
Friday, guests land in Brunswick, Jacksonville or Savannah and drive in through the afternoon. A welcome dinner in the evening, and Sea Island uses Rainbow Island over the Black Banks River for exactly that. Saturday, getting ready by the windows, the ceremony in the late afternoon, family photographs, portraits in the last hour of light and then the party. Sunday, a farewell brunch before the drive home.
I plan the photographs around that shape, so each event gets the coverage it deserves and nobody spends the weekend waiting on a camera.
Guests arrive tired and leave in love with the place. The photographs should show both halves of that weekend.
travel questions
before you Book Flights
Which airport is closest to Sea Island?
Sea Island says Brunswick Golden Isles Airport is a twenty minute drive, served by Delta, and that the private McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport is ten minutes from The Cloister.
Can guests fly into Jacksonville or Savannah?
Yes. Sea Island puts Jacksonville International Airport about an hour away and Savannah about an hour and fifteen minutes by car.
Is Sea Island private?
Golden Isles tourism says St. Simons is reached by causeway, while Sea Island is reached by private access or boat. Ask your Sea Island wedding team how guests and vendors arrive.
Do you travel to Sea Island?
Yes. My studio is in Savannah, and I travel the coast for weddings. The drive is planned so it never touches your timeline.