Jekyll
 

My mother-in-law is pushing for us to marry in Georgia -- I have looked into Jekyll Island, among others. It seems very nice and appears to have lots of outdoor activities, but I can't seem to get a feel for the nightlife/town life. What is there to do there? Is there a central "town" area? Are there any good restaurants, bars or dance clubs nearby for my younger guests (25-30 y/o)? One or two would suffice (we like to have fun, but not too much fun!). Is there anyhere else along the Georgia coast that might be more conducive to such an event? Thanks!

Actually, the biggest attraction of Jekyll Island is its natural state. There is hardly any development or resorts. There are no discos, nightclubs, etc.

There are a few very nice bars on the island, but don't expect rock bands, etc. The Jekyll Island Club Hotel has a few bars of varying from very informal to ritsy - highly recommended.

http://www.jekyllclub.com

Here's a general website for Jekyll Island that list the other hotels - some of which have bars.

http://www.jekyllisland.com/index.html

We spent three nights on Jekyll island about a year ago. It was a nice quiet family vacation (I think we stayed at the comfort inn). Nightlife is pretty much non existent. There were a few restaurants but not a lot. The Jekyll island club is the place to be, but not a party atmosphere by any means. It was fine for our low key family vacation but other than beach, golf, and history there is not much to do there.

Savannah...with the nearby Tybee Island beach..is a better bet, IMHO. Abundant opportunities for things to do.

If you want to stick to Jekyll, there's plenty going on for young folks on St. Simons, right "next door."

This entire region is beautiful and , for the wedding itsef, you can't go wrong choosing any of the beaches....ummmm, wait. When's the wedding and will it be outside?Sometimes the gnats are fierce!

I agree that if you choose that area, there's more to do on St. Simon's than Jekyll, but it's all relatively low key.

I was thinking about May (hopefully not too many bugs!) I would love to marry on/near the beach and there are some very nice places on Jekyll Island, but I don't want to invite people to travel all the way there only to have them be in their rooms by 8:30 every night because there is nothing to do...fun restaurants and shopping would be great. I will check out St. Simons and Savannah, too.

Better set the rules with your mother in law now or you're in for trouble the rest of your life! Who's wedding is it anyway?

That said, I'd have it in Savannah!

Your MIL is trying to establish herself as the head hen in your marriage. If you bow down to this you will have to marry her.

You would be better off in your marriage if you got married in a phone booth in Vegas.

Does she live in Georgia and just hates to travel? Does she have a good reason for her request?

Otherwise, have it where it is most convenient for you, your groom and your friends. Of course, if she's the type to carry a grudge, you may hear about this for the rest of her life.

Savannah or St. Simons would be much better that Jekyll if you want some nightlife. There is no a central town area. Brunswick is the city across the causeway from the Island.

hmmmmm, eloping to Vegas might not be a bad idea. Do it now while it's too cold for a beach wedding.

I've been to Jekyll Island many times and it is very beautiful but there is not much in the way of night life or bars. It is very quiet and very casual and laid back. If you are looking for nightlife, you will need to go to Saint Simons or go to Savannah. I would definitely not go there if you are looking for excitement.

Avoid Jekyll. You'll need to pass out bug repellant to everyone to deal with the sand fleas and gnats.
The only nice place to stay is the Club.
A friend's brother got married there - it was a disaster.
Try Savannah area instead.

Geez. I wondered about Ginger's first (negative) posting regarding a B&B in AL. Now this one.

I can only share that I have gone to Jekyll at least once a year for probably 20 years and have not shared similar experiences. The last time, we took a horse drawn carriage ride through the historic area and saw the wedding parties of two weddings strolling along the water's edge and grassy lawns. It was a scene from a beautiful wedding. The little girl with us already felt like a fairy princess in her carriage but really felt like Cinderella with all the wedding and bridesmaids gowns around.

Jekyll, as a whole, is the simplest of the coastal islands, but can be a lovely location for a wedding. We watched (from afar) a sunset oceanfront wedding and reception under a tent on the grounds of a small hotel.

I'm glad JFK Jr and Caroline B didn't receive such dire warnings against weddings on coastal Georgia islands.

It has been a long time since I've posted anything on this site, but I really wanted to get the word out about my AL experience since there was nothing about the place here. I have written many nice things in the past.

I really do not like Jekyll and have had to go there many times for events. I think we have better places in GA.

I rely heavily on this site and others when planning trips.

I have been to Jekyll Island several times. The Jekyll Island club hotel is a beautifull historic hotel. I think having a wedding there would be lovely. The island itself is very scenic and full of good outdoor opportunities. However, like the other posts have pointed out, there is not much a night life.

On the other hand, I attended a really fun and wonderful wedding in the nearby St. Simons Island in July. The ceremony was held at at the Epworth by the sea. The reception was at the King and Price. Most wedding guests were around 20-30 y/o. We played beach volleyball during the day and hanged out in the downtown at night. The day after the reception, the wedding couple arranged a kayaking trip for everyone along the GA golden isles and it was a blast! It you mon-in-law insists in GA, why not consider St Simons?

Jekyll is indeed a simple island experience without much nightlife. There is no central "town" area. There are restaurants - but no real bars or dance clubs. The Jekyll Island Club would be the nicest place for a wedding - and is more self-contained. There is a good restaurant in walking distance - but the island experience itself is quiet.

St. Simons is posher with more night optios.

Now, if you want posh, then go where the moneyed Southerners have gone for honeymoons for generations - The Cloister on Sea Island. They do beautiful weddings. Again, not much night life though.

One other idea might be the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island - just over the state line in Florida. You may find more of what you are looking for there.

Good luck!

We were married on Jekyll 5 years ago in June and have been vacationing there since before I was born. There are no dance clubs and the bars will close around 11 in high season. It is a family place.
We actually rent houses there and had our own nightlufe, which is what you would have to do and if you aren't familiar with the island, it would be difficult.
I was married at Faith Chapel and reception at the Jekyll Island Club and loved all of it-it was a wonderful experience for everyone and my friends still tell me how much fun it was, but it certainly isn't Amelia (however the prices on Jekyll are MUCH more reasonable, but Amelia is more posh as another poster noted)
We are extremely familiar with the island, so if you are interested, let me know and I can e-mail you with our experience/advice. However, I would get married where you want to-I always dreamed of getting married there.
Regarding Ginger's response....certainly not everyone loves a location, for example we really dislike Florence Italy, and it is good to get another opinion, but perhaps it would be helpful is she were more specific about the issues so you could get a clearer picture.
I would not recommend getting married on the beach at Jekyll unless you have a very small group-crowd control will be too difficult-not that there are a large number of people there, but part of the beach is public. Oh, also if you are married over a holiday, like Memorial Day weekend, all of the islands have a three night minimum and charge premium rates.

I meant the hotels on the island have three night minimums, not the actual islands!! :)

Lotus:

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a road trip is priceless. Why don't you and your beloved take a road trip. Make some memories and find a place that YOU both love.