A St. Simons Island Coastal Wedding Weekend at Forbes Farm

Oct 30

St. Simons Island, Georgia

McCartney + Toby

Okay, friends, grab a coffee, because this one is a weekend. McCartney and Toby’s wedding had everything I love: good food, great people, coastal Savannah vibes, and a dance floor that never emptied. I’m so excited to share this beautiful St. Simons Island coastal wedding weekend at Forbes Farm with all of you!

The Welcome Dinner at Bennie’s Red Barn

Every great wedding weekend starts the night before. McCartney and Toby kicked things off with a rehearsal and welcome dinner at Bennie’s Red Barn, and the food was delectable. Everyone was relaxed, laughing, and already in celebration mode.

This is exactly why I tell couples not to skip the welcome dinner. On the wedding day, you’re pulled in a hundred directions, and a lot of your guests traveled to be there. A welcome dinner gives you a slower, more intimate moment to actually talk to the people you love. It’s also where the toasts happen. Guests gave welcome speeches that had everyone laughing and tearing up before the wedding even began. It sets the tone for the whole weekend, and it takes pressure off the big day because you’ve already hugged everybody.

If you’re planning a Georgia wedding with out-of-town guests, consider this your sign to host one.

Getting ready

Fast forward to the wedding day, McCartney got ready at one of her bridesmaids’ houses, and the morning was exactly what a wedding morning should be: slow, fun, and full of girl time. No rushing, just coffee, music, and soaking up these hours with her favorite people. Those unhurried moments make some of my favorite photos, because everyone is truly relaxed. Meanwhile, Toby was getting ready at one of his groomsmen’s houses, with the guys doing their own thing.

McCartney’s gown was from White Swan Bridal Boutique, and everything down to the big bow on the back stopped me in my tracks. It was timeless, elegant, and so her. Their wedding palette was classic with soft hues of light blue, giving the day that effortless southern coastal feel that paired beautifully with her dress.

A First Touch Instead of a First Look

Before the ceremony, McCartney and Toby chose a first touch. If you haven’t heard of one, it’s a private moment where the couple stands back to back (or with a wall or door between them) and holds hands, without seeing each other yet. You get to talk, pray, exchange vows, really anything you want, and you still save the big reveal for the aisle.

Couples choose a first touch over a traditional first look for a few reasons. Some love the tradition of seeing each other for the first time walking down the aisle, but still want a calm moment together to settle their nerves. It’s the best of both worlds: the connection of a private moment and the anticipation of the ceremony. It was a sweet, intimate, and emotional moment between McCartney and Toby, and it set us up for an even better time at their ceremony.

The Ceremony at Wesley Church on St. Simons Island

The ceremony took place at Wesley Church with 200 of their closest people watching their love unfold. A church full of family and friends makes for such a special, energetic atmosphere. You could feel how supported they were through every moment.

Portraits at Wesley Memorial & Gardens in St. Simons

After the ceremony, we headed to Wesley Memorial & Gardens for portraits, right across the street from the church. The mossy trees, lush greenery, and historic charm give you that timeless, romantic backdrop that’s so quintessentially Georgia. McCartney and Toby took it all in, and it was the perfect chance for them to exhale after the ceremony and enjoy being newlyweds.

Forbes Farm: A St. Simons Island Coastal Wedding Venue

Next up was the reception at Forbes Farm, and walking in felt like stepping into a dream. Dinner tables glowed with candlelight, and the space was filled with an abundance of white florals by Jim Roberts Designs and Ashley Stafford. The all-white blooms against the light blue color story were soft, romantic, and very coastal.

Forbes Farm is the type of venue for couples who want a relaxed but elevated reception with a true Georgia feel. The open, airy setting is perfect for golden hour, candlelit dinners, and a night of dancing. Since there is so much natural beauty, you can really design the space to fit your wedding vision to a T, which is one of the many things I love about Forbes Farm.

Dancing, a Dress Change, and a Williams Send-Off

Following the delectable dinner catered by Halyards Catering, it was time to dance! The night was full of energy, and McCartney had an epic dress change before heading right back out to the dance floor. The light-up signs and custom Mr. and Mrs. hats added so much fun, and everyone was all in. The send-off of the newly married Williams was the perfect ending, with the biggest smiles and plenty of cheering to end the day on the best high note.

Why You Should Hire a Photographer for the Whole Wedding Weekend

Looking back at McCartney and Toby’s weekend, it’s the full story that makes the gallery so special: the welcome dinner toasts, the slow morning with the girls, the first touch, portraits amongst the mossy green trees, the dancing. When I’m there from the welcome dinner to the send-off, I can capture how everything flows together, and you get to relive the whole celebration, not just one day of it.

Congratulations again, McCartney and Toby!

About the writer

Hey, it’s Steph! I’m an Atlanta Wedding Photographer focusing on candid editorial imagery, valuing real over perfect, and whose bags are always packed for travel. If you’re planning a wedding weekend on St. Simons Island or anywhere in Georgia, I’d love to be part of it.

Let's Work Together