If you're considering a Westin Savannah Harbor wedding, you're in for one of the most unique wedding experiences in Savannah. Located directly across the Savannah River from Historic Downtown, The Westin Savannah Harbor combines waterfront views, resort-style amenities, and stunning event spaces all in one location.
As a Savannah wedding photographer, I've photographed multiple weddings at The Westin and it remains one of my favorite venues in the area. Between the skyline views, beautiful ceremony locations, and incredible photo opportunities, it's a venue that consistently creates an unforgettable experience for couples and guests alike. The views and location are unlike any other venue.
Why I Love Photographing Weddings at The Westin Savannah Harbor
As a Savannah wedding photographer, The Westin Savannah Harbor is one of my favorite venues to photograph because it offers so much variety in one location. Between the waterfront views, Savannah skyline backdrop, beautifully maintained grounds, and elegant indoor spaces, couples can enjoy a wedding day that feels both luxurious and uniquely Savannah. You can truly capture architecture, greenery and the water all in one place.
One of the things I love most about The Westin is that no two weddings here look exactly alike. I've photographed ceremonies overlooking the river, elegant ballroom receptions, ceremonies overlooking the golf course and sunset portraits with the Savannah skyline in the background. The venue gives couples plenty of flexibility while still providing a cohesive, upscale experience for their guests.
For destination wedding couples, The Westin is especially appealing because everything is conveniently located in one place. Guests can stay onsite, enjoy resort amenities, and even take the Savannah Belles Ferry across the river to explore Downtown Savannah. I love that you can be in downtown Savannah within minutes, but don't have the crowds of the city. It creates an entire wedding weekend experience rather than just a single-day event.
From a photography perspective, the property offers countless opportunities for beautiful portraits. The waterfront walkways, marina views, golf course surroundings, and perfectly kept grounds provide a variety of backdrops without ever needing to leave the venue. I always encourage couples to set aside time for sunset portraits because the light reflecting off the river with downtown Savannah in the distance is truly stunning.
What Makes a Westin Savannah Harbor Wedding Special?
One of the things that makes a Westin Savannah Harbor wedding so unique is its location. While many Savannah venues are located within the Historic District, The Westin offers something completely different — breathtaking waterfront views with the Savannah skyline as your backdrop.
The venue combines the charm of Savannah with the feel of a luxury resort. Couples and guests can enjoy an entire wedding weekend experience without ever needing to leave the property. From relaxing at the spa to enjoying the golf course or taking the Savannah Belles Ferry into Historic Downtown, there's plenty for guests to do before and after the wedding day.
Another feature that sets The Westin apart is its versatility. Couples can choose from multiple ceremony and reception spaces, allowing them to create a wedding day that fits their vision. Whether you're dreaming of a waterfront ceremony overlooking the river or an elegant ballroom reception, the venue can accommodate a variety of wedding styles and guest counts.
The combination of waterfront scenery, guest convenience, and incredible views makes The Westin Savannah Harbor one of the most distinctive wedding venues in the Savannah area.
CEREMONY LOCATIONS at The Westin Savannah Harbor
harbor lawn ceremony
The Harbor Lawn is one of the most popular ceremony locations at The Westin Savannah Harbor, and it's easy to see why. This beautiful waterfront lawn offers sweeping views of the Savannah River and the Historic Downtown Savannah skyline, creating an unforgettable backdrop for exchanging vows.
One of the things I love about this ceremony space is its flexibility. Couples can choose to have their guests seated facing the river and skyline, or turn the ceremony toward the palm trees and lush landscaping for a more tropical, resort-inspired feel.
The natural grass lawn provides plenty of room for guest seating while still feeling intimate. And if you're planning a sunset ceremony, the Harbor Lawn truly shines.
River lawn/esplanade Ceremony
For couples who want to be as close to the water as possible, the River Esplanade is a stunning ceremony location. Unlike the Harbor Lawn, which offers the flexibility of facing either the river or the palm trees, the River Esplanade is designed entirely around the waterfront views.
Located directly along the Savannah River, this ceremony space features a beautiful stone surface rather than a grass lawn, creating a polished and elegant look. Guests are seated facing the water, allowing everyone to enjoy unobstructed views of the river and the Historic Downtown Savannah skyline throughout the ceremony. The combination of the river, passing boats, and Savannah skyline creates a backdrop that feels uniquely Savannah while still offering the luxury resort atmosphere The Westin is known for. This location is especially beautiful during sunset when the warm light reflects across the river and the city skyline begins to glow in the background.
club lawn Ceremony
For couples who love the resort atmosphere of The Westin but prefer a greener backdrop, the Club Lawn offers a beautiful alternative to the waterfront ceremony locations. Surrounded by the lush fairways of the golf course, this ceremony space feels peaceful, open, and private.
Couples are surrounded by manicured greens, mature landscaping, and expansive views of the golf course. The iconic Talmadge Memorial Bridge can be seen in the distance, adding a subtle Savannah landmark to the backdrop without taking away from the natural scenery.
I especially love this location for couples who want a softer, garden-inspired feel while still enjoying the convenience and amenities of a resort wedding. The abundance of greenery photographs beautifully throughout the year and creates a timeless backdrop for ceremony photos.
reception Spaces at The Westin Savannah Harbor
harbor lawn reception
The Harbor Lawn isn't just a beautiful ceremony location — it also creates an incredible setting for an outdoor reception. With the Savannah River and Historic Downtown skyline serving as the backdrop, guests can enjoy dinner and dancing while taking in some of the best views in Savannah.
One of my favorite things about Harbor Lawn receptions is the atmosphere they create after sunset. As the city lights begin to reflect across the river, the space feels both elegant and uniquely Savannah. The combination of waterfront views, open air, and the downtown skyline makes it an unforgettable setting for couples who want an outdoor celebration.
From a photography perspective, the Harbor Lawn provides beautiful opportunities throughout the evening, from sunset portraits to reception photos with the illuminated skyline in the background. The Westin can add twinkle lights to the space and it's magical.
the pavilion reception
Located on the golf course side of the resort, The Pavilion offers an elegant indoor reception space with views of the surrounding greenery and lush fairways. Unlike many enclosed reception venues, The Pavilion still feels bright and open while providing the comfort of heating and air conditioning year-round.
One of my favorite things about this space is its versatility. The clean white interior works beautifully with virtually any wedding color palette, whether you're planning a classic black-tie celebration, soft coastal-inspired details, or something bold and colorful. The neutral design allows each couple's vision to truly shine.
From a photography perspective, The Pavilion is especially beautiful because of its bright white ceilings, which help reflect light throughout the room. This creates a bright atmosphere and photographs beautifully during receptions, speeches, first dances, and all of the moments in between.
What Type of Couple Will Love The Westin?
The Westin Savannah Harbor is one of the most versatile wedding venues in the Savannah area, but it's especially well-suited for couples who want a wedding weekend experience rather than just a wedding day. If any of the following sound like you, The Westin may be the perfect fit:
- Couples planning a destination wedding in Savannah
- Couples with a large number of out-of-town guests
- Couples who want onsite accommodations for family and friends
- Couples looking for a resort-style wedding experience
- Couples who love waterfront views and Savannah skyline backdrops
- Couples who want multiple ceremony and reception options at one venue
- Couples wanting everything in one place
MY FAVORITE PHOTO LOCATIONS AT THE WESTIN SAVANNAH HARBOr
One of the reasons I love photographing weddings at The Westin Savannah Harbor is the variety of portrait locations available throughout the property. Couples can enjoy waterfront views, skyline backdrops, golf course scenery, and resort-style architecture without ever leaving the venue.
Here are some of my favorite places for wedding portraits:
harbor lawn & gazebo
harbor & SAVANNAH SKYLINE
golf course
Insider Tips for a Westin Savannah Harbor Wedding
After photographing multiple weddings at The Westin Savannah Harbor, here are a few tips I share with couples planning their wedding here:
- Schedule time for sunset portraits. The waterfront views and Savannah skyline are especially beautiful during golden hour.
- Build extra time into your timeline for portraits around the property. There are so many beautiful locations throughout the resort that are worth taking advantage of.
- Consider a first look if you want the most variety in your portrait gallery. This allows us to explore more of the property before guests arrive.
- If you're hosting an outdoor ceremony or reception, have a weather backup plan in place. One of the advantages of The Westin is having beautiful indoor options available if needed.
- Ask the Westin if there are other weddings on the property the same day as yours. For example, if someone booked the Harbor Lawn, you may only be able to get photos at the gazebo earlier on in the day.
Westin Savannah Harbor Wedding Cost
One of the most common questions couples ask when researching The Westin Savannah Harbor is how much a wedding costs.
Wedding pricing can vary significantly based on your guest count, wedding date, ceremony and reception locations, catering selections, and overall vision for the weekend.
From my experience photographing weddings there, The Westin is best suited for couples planning a full-service wedding experience with a moderate to luxury-level budget. The venue offers accommodations, event spaces, catering, and guest amenities all in one location, making it a popular choice for destination weddings and larger celebrations.
I always recommend contacting The Westin's wedding team directly for the most up-to-date pricing and package information, as rates and offerings can change over time. A venue tour is also a great opportunity to compare the different ceremony and reception spaces and determine which options best fit your vision and guest count.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Westin Savannah Harbor a good venue for destination weddings?
Yes. The resort setting, guest accommodations, and proximity to downtown Savannah make it one of the best destination wedding venues in the area.
Can guests stay onsite?
Yes. The Westin offers onsite accommodations for wedding guests.
Is there a weather backup plan?
Yes. The venue offers beautiful indoor event spaces that can be used if weather becomes a concern.
final thoughts
The Westin Savannah Harbor is one of the most versatile wedding venues in Savannah. Whether you're planning an intimate waterfront celebration or a large destination wedding weekend, the combination of stunning views, guest convenience, and beautiful event spaces makes it a venue that consistently delivers an incredible experience.
As a Savannah wedding photographer, it's always a venue I'm excited to return to.
WESTIN SAVANNAH HARBOR AT A GLANCE
- Location: Hutchinson Island - Savannah, Georgia
- Address: 1 Resort Drive, Savannah, GA 31421
- Venue Type: Waterfront resort, hotel, golf club venue
- Phone: (912) 201-2000
- Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/savwi-the-westin-savannah-harbor-golf-resort-and-spa/
- Ceremony Options: Harbor Lawn, River Lawn and Club Lawn
- Reception Options: Harbor Ballroom, Harbor Lawn, Club Pavilion
- Accommodations: Onsite hotel rooms and suites
- Catering: In-house catering and bar services available
- Guest Capacity: From intimate celebrations to approximately 800 guests, depending on the event space selected
- Amenities: Spa, PGA championship golf course, gym, marina, riverfront pool and ferry access to Historic Downtown Savannah
