Weddings in North Georgia
Mountains, waterfalls, and wine? Oh my! If you're the outdoorsy type with a penchant for natural wonders and wineries, you'll find them here in North Georgia. (Or find gorgeous wedding venues in other parts of Georgia here.)
Average Wedding Cost:
$19,000 per 100 guests
Average Number of Weddings:
3,800 per year
Average Sunny Days:
222
Peak Wedding Seasons:
Fall and Spring
Popular Wedding Styles:
Traditional, Rustic, Outdoorsy
Just an hour north of the hustle and bustle of Atlanta, North Georgia is a nature lover's paradise. Home to the Chattahoochee National Forest, the Appalachian Mountains, and cascading waterfalls at Amicalola Falls, it offers a surplus of sightseeing and outdoor excursions.
More the indoorsy type? You can whet your whistle at the various local wineries in what's considered The Heart of Georgia Wine Country. Whatever your fancy, there's something that will appeal to you in North Georgia—which makes it a fantastic destination for weddings.
Did You Know?
Georgia has seven official natural wonders: Amicalola Falls, the Okefenokee Swamp, Providence Canyon, Radium Springs, Stone Mountain, Tallulah Gorge, and Warm Springs.
Tying the knot in North Georgia? Check out some of our fave North GA Wedding Venues!
Top 5 Reasons To Wed In North GA:
1 } North Georgia is a mecca for outdoor wedding venues. Imagine saying your vows framed by panoramic mountain views, or taking incredible photos in front of vibrant fall foliage. With nature's bounty as your backdrop, your wedding will truly be a sight to behold.
2 } There's an abundance of lodging options. From resorts and private estates to barns and farms, there's no shortage of unique venues where you can stay the entire weekend with your guests.
3 } There are so many outdoor excursions to be had! Arrive a couple days early to speed through the wilderness on the North Georgia Zip Line or hike the Amicalola Falls trail to the top of the state's tallest waterfall. Talk about an adrenaline rush—and an experience you and your guests won't soon forget!
4 } North Georgia is full of charming towns. Visit Dahlonega—the site of America's first major gold rush—to see a historic town square. Then venture to Helen, a mock Bavarian village complete with lederhosen-wearing shopkeepers. From Blairsville to Blue Ridge, you'll find everything from antique shops in century-old buildings to farm-to-table restaurants and more.
5 } The wine. With a soil composition comparable to that of the Italian wine region, North Georgia produces high-quality European grapes and fantastic wine. The town of Dahlonega has the highest concentration of wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms in the state, so take advantage and serve some award-winning local wines at your wedding!
Insider Tips for your North GA Wedding
Marriage License Requirements
In Georgia, marriage license fees vary by county; however, your fee can be discounted—or waived!—if you earn a premarital education program certificate. This is obtained through a 6-hour class that reviews basic marriage fundamentals, such as conflict resolution and budgeting.
Good news is, Georgia marriage license requirements are pretty straightforward (blood tests are no longer required under GA law, whew!). Both you and your fiancé must appear at the county probate court together. You'll have to provide your photo IDs, documentation of any previous marriages, and payment (or your premarital education program certificate).
You can apply for a marriage license in any county probate court in Georgia, as long as one of you is a resident of the State of Georgia. Though if neither of you is a Georgia resident, you must apply in the county in which the wedding ceremony is to be performed.
There's no waiting period for getting married in the State of Georgia, and marriage licenses don't have an expiration date.
The Corner District | Kelly Anne Photography
Annual Events
Besides the holidays, you'll want to be aware of these popular annual events if you're hosting your wedding in North Georgia:
- Bear on the Square Mountain Festival → April: Held in and around Dahlonega's Historic Public Square, this authentic Appalachian Festival features bluegrass and old-time music and an Artists Marketplace featuring traditional mountain crafts, storytelling, an old-time mountain dance, and more.
- The Georgia Apple Festival → October: The Georgia Apple Festival takes place over the second and third weekends of the month and features vendors hawking every type of apple-based recipe and food product imaginable.
- The Gold Rush Days Festival → October: This Dahlonega festival spotlights the town's gold mining history with parades, gold panning contests, and arts & crafts booths lining the town square.
- Oktoberfest → Sept–Oct: Georgia's famous Oktoberfest transforms Helen into a party town! The fun includes authentic German bands, polka dance performances with native costumes, and traditional Bavarian food and beer.
Got Georgia on your mind? See more wedding venues from around The Peach State.
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Some clients may have paid to be placed in our editorial and some of these links may be affiliate; however, we never include a venue, vendor, or product unless they have a proper place here. This is part of our Core Values. We create our website first and foremost to be good for the couples using it to plan their Big Day. We won't stray from that for a few advertising dollars. #scoutshonor