Journal
Tips & Inspiration
Frequently Asked Questions
The Journal publishes elopement planning tips, venue guides, city cost breakdowns, and marriage license walkthroughs for Nashville, Gatlinburg, Charleston, Savannah, and Sedona, drawn from 8,000+ ceremonies since 2006. Categories include Planning, Cost, Venue Guides, Destinations, Marriage License, Ceremony, Photography, Style, Tips, and one for each city.
Start with “How to Plan Your Elopement: A Complete Guide,” which covers everything from choosing a destination to what to wear. Then read “The 5 Best Elopement Destinations for 2026” to compare cities, and “How Much Does It Cost to Elope in 2026?” for real package prices by destination and the hidden costs nobody mentions.
There is a cost breakdown post for every destination: Nashville (what the $575 base includes), Charleston (what $1,275 includes), Gatlinburg (Smoky Mountain packages), Savannah (historic square packages), and Sedona (what the $1,875 base and USFS permits cost). Most also compare the all-inclusive package to a traditional wedding in that city.
Yes. The “Marriage License Guide for Elopements” covers costs, waiting periods, where to apply, and what to bring for Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and Arizona. Each city's “How to Elope in…” post also walks through its license process, for example Charleston's 24-hour waiting period and Nashville's no-wait Davidson County license.
Yes. The Venue Guides category has a dedicated planning guide for each of the 15 venues: Belmont Mansion, Nashville Wedding Chapel, Spring Haven Mansion, Centennial Park, Foothills Parkway, Gatlinburg Wedding Chapel, Willow Ridge, Yavapai Vista, Secret Slick Rock, Crescent Moon Ranch, Baby Bell Rock, Cypress Gardens, Hampton Park, Forsyth Park, and Davenport House.
Yes. “Elopement Timeline: An Hour-by-Hour Guide to Your Day” walks through a realistic day from breakfast to dinner with shorter and longer variants by package. “Elopement Vow Examples” offers four vow structures and a 30-minute writing exercise, and “How to Get Stunning Elopement Photos” shares photographer tips on lighting and looking natural.