Ships of the Sea MaritimeMuseum
The Scarbrough House was built in 1819 for William Scarbrough, one of the merchants behind the SS Savannah, the first steamship to cross the Atlantic.
Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is a garden destination wedding venue in Savannah, United States, hosting 50 to 250 guests in the $$$ price range, reached from Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV), ~20 minutes by car. Best months: April, May, June, October.
Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum in Savannah, open April – June, October.
The Scarbrough House was built in 1819 for William Scarbrough, one of the merchants behind the SS Savannah, the first steamship to cross the Atlantic.
It is Greek Revival, it is white, and behind it are two acres of walled garden in the middle of Savannah’s Historic District, which is what couples actually book.
One rental takes the whole site: the Scarbrough Garden, the pergola and the maple grove, the North Garden Assembly Room, and the museum galleries after public hours by arrangement.
The Assembly Room seats 250 for dinner and dancing, so ceremonies happen outside under the trees and everyone moves indoors when the plates come out.
4 notes of our own.
The 1819 Scarbrough House, Greek Revival, in the Historic District
Two acres of walled garden, pergola and maple grove
North Garden Assembly Room seats 250 for dinner and dancing
One flat rental fee, whatever the season or the day
Best held in April, May, June.
The months the weather, and the local rhythm, is kindest to a stay at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum.
Ask about a date.
Choose a day from the calendar.
Nothing is reserved until the venue confirms. A first note comes back within two business days.
How the weekend usually runs.
Yours will be different, nothing below is required. Every planning begins with the three meals you most want to eat, and builds outward.
- 19:00Welcome dinner at a restaurant on Broughton Street, ten minutes on foot
- 11:00Guests walk the squares, Forsyth Park and the riverfront
- 17:30Ceremony under the pergola in the maple grove
- 18:15Drinks in the Scarbrough Garden, museum galleries open
- 19:30Dinner and dancing in the North Garden Assembly Room
- 11:00Farewell brunch in the district before flights from Savannah
Things worth knowing.
SAV · ~20 minutes by car
Guests fly into Savannah/Hilton Head International. Our team arranges every transfer.
$45,000
The flat-fee structure and the deposit terms come from the museum. The $14,300 figure for 50 guests is planner-reported. The per-head, hotel rate and total are our estimates from Savannah catering norms and are not quotes.
See the full figure+
$45,000 to $85,000 for 120 guests, venue and catering (estimated)
$14,300
A one-time licence and setup fee, paid to the venue.
See the full figure+
One flat venue rental covering ceremony and reception, from around $14,300 for 50 guests (planner-reported)
$150 / head
A seated dinner with wine and service, by headcount.
See the full figure+
$150 to $250 per guest through an outside caterer (estimated)
$250 / night
A standard room in the wedding window. Group rates on request.
See the full figure+
Historic District hotels from about $250 per night in season (estimated)
April – June, October
The 4 months the weather is kindest. Shoulder dates soften the light and the rates.
Figures are estimates, modeled from regional rates and public sources, not a quote from the venue. Once the venue claims this page, their own rates take precedence.
Asked along the way.
How many guests can Ships of the Sea hold?+
The North Garden Assembly Room seats 250 for dinner and dancing, and the gardens hold more for a standing reception. Ceremonies usually happen outside in the Scarbrough Garden or under the pergola in the maple grove.
What does a wedding here cost?+
The museum charges one flat fee whatever the season and whatever the day of the week, with weddings reported from around $14,300 for 50 guests. Catering, drinks, rentals and music are all extra and are yours to bring in.
What does the rental include?+
Exclusive use of the full site for the evening: the Scarbrough Garden, the pergola and maple grove, the North Garden Assembly Room, the car park, and the museum galleries after public hours if you arrange it in advance.
Do we need our own caterer?+
Yes. The museum has no kitchen of its own, so you appoint a Savannah caterer and they work from the service areas on site. That is more work than a hotel and it is also why the food at weddings here is often better.
Where do guests stay?+
In the Historic District, which starts at the museum gate. Hotels on Bay, Bryan and Broughton Street are a five to fifteen minute walk, so guests can leave their cars where they land and never move them again.
When is the best time of year to marry in Savannah?+
March to May, when the azaleas are out and the evenings are warm without being heavy, and October to November. Summer is hot and humid with afternoon storms, and the garden has shade but no air conditioning.
Others to weigh.
Ask about dates at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum.
A note to us with a rough season and guest count. Nothing is reserved until the venue confirms. A reply comes within two business days, from a person by name.