This Middle Georgia city is one of the best places for outdoor weddings. See where & why

Chelsea Madden
·1 min read

Summer is here and with it comes heat, sunshine and outdoor weddings.

Outdoor weddings have always been a favorite among couples tying the knot. In 2019, 57% of weddings were held outdoors or partially outdoors.

The pandemic only increased these odds. In 2020, 68% of weddings were held outside.

Of course, some places are better than others when it comes to having a ceremony or reception outside.

But if you’re a Macon local, you don’t have to travel too far for your dream outdoor wedding.

According to Lawn Love, Macon is one of the best cities in the U.S. for outdoor weddings.

Lawn Love’s study, “2023’s Best Cities for Outdoor Weddings,” compared 200 of the biggest U.S. cities in eight categories: venue access, venue quality, affordability, professional services, reception needs, wedding look, accommodations and climate.

Cities were ranked according to overall scores. Overall, Macon ranked 80th of the 200 cities.

Here’s how Macon ranked in each category:

  • Professional services: 16

  • Accommodations: 17

  • Reception needs: 40

  • Wedding look: 72

  • Venue access: 116

  • Affordability: 140

  • Climate: 142

  • Venue quality: 165

In addition, Macon had the biggest average yard square footage out of all the other cities. Backyard wedding, anyone?

Other cities in Georgia that made the list are:

  • Savannah, Georgia ranked number 4

  • Atlanta ranked 23

  • Augusta ranked 138

  • Columbus ranked 164

The top five best cities for outdoor weddings include:

  • Charleston, South Carolina ranked 1st

  • Fort Lauderdale, Florida ranked 2nd

  • Orlando, Florida ranked 3rd

  • Savannah, Georgia ranked 4th

  • Hollywood, Florida ranked 5th

Lawn Love’s full report is online.

We want to know: what are some of the best outdoor wedding venues in Macon? Email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com