The brides, standing with their officiant, share a joyful moment during the ceremony. Both are smiling, surrounded by large floral arrangements.

A Rooftop Wedding at Perry Lane Hotel

This stunning rooftop wedding at the Perry Lane Hotel in Savannah, Georgia, perfectly blended elegance and comfort. With breathtaking city views as their backdrop, the couple celebrated with an intimate ceremony surrounded by loved ones. From the chic vibe of the venue to the memorable drag performance at the reception, this downtown Savannah wedding was a stylish and unforgettable celebration.

Tell us about the low-key proposal that led to your long engagement.

We both knew pretty early on that we wanted to get married, but the actual proposal wasn’t something we had a grand plan for. It just felt right one day, so we went for it. 

I (Laura) was the one who popped the question first. We were at home, nothing fancy, just hanging out, and I turned to Shani and said, “Do you want to get married?” It was as simple as that. There wasn’t any big moment or elaborate setup – just us being us, and it felt perfect that way.

Shani, of course, said yes, and a few weeks later, she decided to ask me, too. She did it in a similar way – no grand gestures, just the two of us talking about our future. We both had the mindset that we didn’t need a proposal to define our commitment, but it was a nice way to officially start planning our life together. We laugh about it now because we both proposed to each other in the most low-key way possible, but that’s just us, no fuss, just love.

Why did you choose to have a long engagement?

We note work schedules, travel schedules and careers. We didn’t want to rush anything and wanted to ensure we had time to think thoughtfully about our selections throughout the entire process. 

We started with a really clear budget and prioritized what was important to us. Then, towards the end we decided we wanted ‘all the things’ and threw the budget out the window! 

Why did you choose to marry at the Perry Lane Hotel in Savannah, Georgia?

We chose Perry Lane Hotel for our wedding because we wanted a spot that felt like a blend of elegance and comfort, and it checked all our boxes. Savannah has always been a special place for us, with its charm and history, so finding a venue right in the heart of the city was perfect. 

Plus, the rooftop ceremony space at Perry Lane just blew us away, it gave us those city views with a touch of greenery, which felt unique. Working with their inclusive team made everything so easy, and we loved that our guests could stay on-site and enjoy the hotel’s luxury while being in the middle of downtown Savannah.

Two women are standing side by side in a sunlit area, casting shadows against a beige wall. The woman on the left wears a sleek, all-black outfit, while the woman on the right wears a white and silver sequined dress with an asymmetrical one-shoulder design. Both are holding hands, looking directly at the camera.
A group of people seated around a dark, glossy table raise their cocktails in a toast. The setting appears intimate, with a warm atmosphere, and includes both men and women, with various drinks and menus visible on the table.
Two women, seated next to each other at a dinner table, share a light-hearted moment. The woman on the left wears a black outfit and is caught mid-laughter, while the woman on the right, wearing a sequined dress, is laughing heartily, with her head tilted back.
Close-up of two vow booklets placed on a lace-covered round table. One booklet is white with gold "Vows" lettering, while the other is black with the same gold text. Surrounding the booklets are a dark purple calla lily, rings, and wax seals.
A flat lay of wedding details on a marble-topped table. Two pairs of white heart-shaped sunglasses with pearl trim, an invitation suite with “Shani & Laura” embossed, and a small white boutonnière are carefully arranged.
A black and white close-up of a woman’s hands as she holds a bouquet of flowers. She wears two rings on her fingers, and the bouquet features lush greenery.
A rooftop scene shows a woman in a white halter-style wedding dress walking toward an older man in a suit, who stands with his back to her. The woman is smiling as she approaches, and the rooftop is decorated with modern furniture and greenery.
The same rooftop scene, with a focus on the woman in the white dress who now raises her hand to wipe away a tear as she stands before the older man. The man faces her, and the setting retains its intimate and modern vibe.
A black and white photo of two women standing close together. One is wearing a white halter dress, while the other is in a strapless wedding gown. They are smiling and looking off-camera, holding their bouquets, while standing in front of a curtain.
Two women stand together indoors, holding hands. One wears a white halter-style dress with a pleated skirt, and the other wears a strapless lace gown with a long, detailed train. They both hold bouquets of flowers, and the background features curtains, a couch, and a lamp.
The two women are seated on a curved, velvet couch. Both are holding bouquets; one is in a halter dress, and the other in a strapless lace gown. They are sitting close together, facing each other in a softly lit room with floor-length curtains.
Close-up shot of the two women smiling at each other while seated on a couch. The woman on the left wears a halter-style dress, and the woman on the right is in a strapless lace gown, both holding lush floral bouquets.
The two women, both holding bouquets, stand closely together in front of a wooden bookshelf. One wears a white halter dress, and the other is in a strapless lace gown, both smiling as they look at each other.
Rows of wooden chairs are arranged outdoors on a rooftop lawn, facing toward a decorated altar area with pampas grass arrangements. Overhead string lights are strung across the ceremony space, with a view of the city skyline in the background.
A display of empty champagne glasses arranged in neat rows on a wooden bar, with a large ice bucket filled with bottles of champagne nearby. The background features colorful wall art.
A view of the Savannah Theater marquee, displaying congratulatory text for Shani and Laura’s wedding day. The theater sign is visible against the backdrop of trees and buildings in Savannah’s downtown area.
The two women stand together outside the Savannah Theater, holding hands and smiling. One wears a halter-style dress, and the other is in a strapless lace gown, with the theater marquee displaying their wedding details above them.
The two women stand facing each other and share a kiss while standing outside, beneath the Savannah Theater marquee. They hold hands, and one wears a halter-style dress while the other is in a lace gown with a long train.
The two women walk hand-in-hand outside, both holding bouquets. One is in a halter-style dress, and the other is in a lace gown. They are walking past a modern building with large windows.
A black-and-white photo of one of the brides, dressed in a satin gown, wiping away a tear during the ceremony. The background includes the officiant and floral arrangements.
A wide view of the rooftop ceremony, overlooking a cityscape with buildings, trees, and bridges in the distance. Guests are seated facing the brides and the officiant.
The brides, standing with their officiant, share a joyful moment during the ceremony. Both are smiling, surrounded by large floral arrangements.

Tell us about your unique wedding outfits. 

When it came to choosing our wedding outfits, we wanted to make sure we felt like ourselves, just a bit more elevated. 

Laura went with a classic wedding gown that had just the right amount of detail – something that felt timeless but also had a bit of modern flair. It made her feel like a total queen. 

I (Shani) knew I wanted something sleek and chic, so I opted for a tailored suit. I felt confident and comfortable, which was key for me. We didn’t want to match too much but still wanted our looks to complement each other, and I think we nailed it!

Tell us about the wedding day. 

Our wedding day was exactly what we wanted, filled with love, laughter, and our favorite people. We decided on a rooftop ceremony at the Perry Lane Hotel because the views of Savannah were stunning, and the vibe was just right. We kept things intimate, surrounded by our closest family and friends. The ceremony itself was personal and meaningful, and we couldn’t stop smiling. 

From the moment we walked down the aisle to the final kiss, it felt like pure joy. We were lucky enough to have our friend, Adam, officiate, which made it even more special.

The reception was all about celebrating with good food, drinks, and dancing. We worked with Savannah Vintage & Event Rentals to create a cozy yet elegant setup for our guests. We wanted everyone to feel comfortable, so we made sure there were plenty of spots for people to sit and chat while enjoying the evening. 

The highlight had to be the drag performance, which really brought the energy up a notch. Everyone was up on their feet, cheering and dancing. The night flew by, but we wouldn’t have changed a thing.

We finished the evening with some classic late-night eats, including sliders and fries, which were an absolute hit. 

By the time we wrapped up, we felt like the day couldn’t have gone any better. The entire wedding felt like one big celebration of us, and that’s exactly how we wanted it to be. 

From the ceremony to the reception, everything flowed perfectly, and we wouldn’t trade those memories for anything.

The brides raise their joined hands triumphantly at the end of the ceremony, surrounded by clapping guests and floral decor on the rooftop.
The brides walk down the aisle amid cheering guests, with bubbles floating in the air around them. One bride raises her arm in excitement, leading the way.
A seating chart displayed on an acrylic stand with "Shani & Laura, April 6, 2024, Savannah, Georgia" at the top. The chart lists the table numbers and guest names.
An outdoor reception lounge setup featuring cream-colored tufted couches and armchairs with wooden frames, placed on a rooftop under string lights.
A white, three-tiered wedding cake decorated with white and purple flowers, resting on a gold cake stand. The cake table is adorned with small, lit candles and flowers.
A reception dining area with round tables set for dinner, featuring tall floral centerpieces with white hydrangeas, roses, and greenery. Elegant lighting fixtures hang overhead.
A close-up of a reception table setting with small floral arrangements, glasses, candles, and a menu with the couple's names "Shani & Laura" printed on it.
A couple walks hand in hand on a black-and-white marble floor; one wears a tuxedo while the other is in a high-low lace wedding dress, smiling.
The couple sits on a velvet couch, holding hands and gazing at each other, with a painting on the wall behind them in an intimate moment.
The couple energetically enters the reception space, holding hands and smiling widely as they are cheered on by guests.
The couple dances together in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by seated guests and elegant floral arrangements.
One partner lifts the other on the dance floor while guests watch, the sunset visible through the large windows in the background.
A wide shot of the reception hall shows guests seated at round tables, enjoying dinner under a high ceiling adorned with modern chandeliers.
The DJ, dressed in a black suit and tie, stands behind his equipment, wearing sunglasses and adjusting a knob on the mixing board.
A drag queen in a colorful sequined outfit with bright blue hair interacts with one of the brides on the dance floor, as guests cheer and watch.
The couple shares a kiss while one of them holds a forkful of cake, and guests look on with smiles at a nearby table.

Photography by David O’Donohue

DJ All About You Entertainment
Florist Jardiniere Events
Hair Stylist The Blushing Belle
Live Music Richmond Punch
Make Up Artist The Blushing Belle & Glam By Amber Cherre
Rental and Decor Emma Martin Events & Design & McCoy’s Event Professionals
Signage Emma Martin Events & Design
Stationery Emma Martin Events & Design
Venue Perry Lane Hotel
Wedding Planner Emma Martin Events & Design

Similar Posts