ULTIMATE GUIDE | UPDATED FOR 2023
North Georgia is an absolutely beautiful part of the state, and it’s no wonder that so many couples look to get married here. If you’re looking for the perfect place for your wedding day, look no further! Here are some of the best wedding venues in North Georgia.
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Barnsley Resort is an exquisite retreat in North Georgia. Complete with rolling hills, historic ruins of a former manor house, and breathtaking gardens. It encompasses Southern refinement, charm, and a love of nature. Creating an elegant wedding venue with both indoor and outdoor spaces for your event.
The resort itself became recognized as one of the Top 10 Resorts in the South by Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. As well as “One of the South’s Best Wedding Venues” by Southern Living magazine. With 142 guest rooms available, your guests can enjoy the convenience of staying onsite for your wedding. They will also be taking advantage of the resort’s amenities, including golf, a world-class spa, horseback riding, and so much more.
Barnsley Resort has a variety of outdoor wedding spaces, including the Meditation Garden, a quiet and secluded area beneath a canopy of muscadine vines. However, its true gem is the incomparable Manor House Ruins. Featuring the estate’s iconic 19th-century ruins, a beautiful lawn perfect for an outdoor ceremony. Additionally, the covered Manor House Pavilion is perfect for a refined outdoor reception.
As a sweet touch, couples may take part in the Southern tradition of “Burying the Bourbon.” Where a couple buries a wrapped bottle of bourbon upside down in order to keep rain away on their wedding day. On the night of your rehearsal dinner at Barnsley Resort, your bourbon bottle will be unearthed and opened for you to share with your closest friends and family.
Address: 597 Barnsley Gardens Rd NW, Adairsville, GA 30103
Price Range: $$$
Guest Count: Up to 400
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The Ruins at Kellum Valley outdoor wedding venue carry a unique story in North Georgia History, beginning with its origins back in 1922. The wealthy and prominent Kellum family fell in love with the land on a family visit, and after purchasing a parcel of over 1000 acres, they established a working farm and a school and dormitory for underprivileged children. In 1924, the Kellum family left to sail the world on their yacht, and in 1928, the entire school and dormitory burned, leaving only stone foundations and chimneys as proof of its existence.
Purchased in 1996 by a woman named DeAnne Major and renovated into a luxury event venue, today, The Ruins is an exclusive venue that hosts only 15 all-inclusive weddings per year. Their wedding packages include a wedding day coordinator, rehearsal, ceremony site, white wedding tent, full catering, and so much more - truly, almost everything you could possibly need for a dreamy, elegant wedding.
Their enchanting reception space features the unique stone ruins of a 40’ chimney and is equipped with a band stage and romantic string lights. You’ll be surrounded by beautiful green trees and stone walls covered in ivy, perfect for an intimate outdoor celebration. You have to see the space to understand its beauty, so be sure to schedule a tour to see it for yourself sooner rather than later!
Address: 705 Kellum Valley Rd, Cleveland, GA 30528
Price Range: $$
Guest Count: Up to 200
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The Atlanta History Center is an exquisite venue for outdoor weddings full of grandeur and opulence. Built in 1928, the Swan House is a spectacular historic estate now owned and preserved by Atlanta History Center. The house serves as a museum for curious guests, and the grounds surrounding the house have become a breathtaking site for magnificent outdoor weddings.
At the back of Swan House are two grand stone staircases, each curved around a five-tiered fountain. At the foot of the staircases is a rolling green lawn, ideal for chairs for your guests as you and your partner say “I do” in front of the grand mansion.
Your reception can take place in the front of the house, spread out across the beautiful lawn. The house itself features stately stone columns and intricate carvings, an elegant backdrop for your celebration. The property also features several smaller outdoor areas for more intimate weddings or to be used for fanciful cocktail hours amidst fountains and elegant gardens.
While no events are hosted inside the Swan House, your guests will receive access to wander through the museum, a unique added perk to hosting your wedding at the Atlanta History Center.
Address: 130 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
Price Range: $$$$
Guest Count: Up to 300
The average cost of a wedding today in North Georgia is around $20,000, though that can change considerably with each couple. It’s certainly easy to spend over $30,000 (the national average cost of a wedding), especially when splurging on venue costs or additional desires, though taking into consideration options like having a weekday wedding or a Sunday morning event can help to cut down on expenses.
Wedding venues can charge anywhere between $1000 to $10,000, although some that exclusively offer inclusive packages can be much higher (and save you a lot more work and expenses elsewhere!) Higher guest counts can also affect venue fees, as well as the time of year and week, so if you’re flexible with your date, you can definitely find better pricing in your venue search!
Take it from me, for outdoor weddings, you’ll definitely want to avoid the summer months of July and August. Simply due to extreme heat and humidity. Indoor weddings in air-conditioned spaces would be totally fine in the summer!
If you’re planning on an outdoor ceremony or reception, then April and May are perfect for a beautiful wedding. However, September through early November are perfect for taking advantage of extraordinary fall colors and slightly cooler weather.
If you’re looking for beautiful outdoor wedding venues in North Georgia, I hope you’ll consider some of these exquisite locations!
I’ve created different packages for couples seeking elopement, intimate weddings, traditional weddings, or wedding event weekends. Investment begins at $3,000.
I’m always happy to help you with payment plans, extra hours, a second photographer, or other add-ons to enhance your wedding day!
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Meet
KIM
Some call me an old soul — maybe because I’ve shared a connection with my grandmother from an early age. I’ve carried her love of photography, florals, and family into my career as an Atlanta wedding photographer.
My passion is finding the emotion in a photo: that organic moment of surprise, delight, or pure devotion between you and your partner. Whatever your wedding day looks like, I’m here to capture it exactly as you’ve dreamed.
This guide will help you feel confident in your decision and investment when booking your dream wedding photographer by knowing what questions you should be asking to make sure your memories are beautifully preserved.