Journal
Tips & Inspiration
PlanningHow to Plan Your Elopement: A Complete Guide
A step-by-step guide to planning your dream elopement — from choosing a destination to finding the right package and photographer.
The 5 Best Elopement Destinations for 2026
The top elopement destinations for 2026: Nashville, Gatlinburg, Sedona, Charleston, and Savannah with all-inclusive packages.
Elopement vs. Micro Wedding: What's the Difference?
Key differences between elopements and micro weddings — guest counts, timelines, costs, and which style is right for you.
What to Wear to Your Elopement
Elopement outfit ideas for brides and grooms: flowing dresses, tailored suits, weather-proof shoes and how to look like yourself on the day.
The Ultimate Nashville Elopement Guide
Complete Nashville elopement guide: 4 historic venues, packages from $575, Tennessee marriage license rules, where to stay and how to plan your day.
How to Get Stunning Elopement Photos
Expert tips for stunning elopement photos — golden hour timing, natural posing, and choosing the most photogenic locations.
The Complete Gatlinburg Elopement Guide
Complete Gatlinburg elopement guide: 3 Smoky Mountain venues, packages from $1,275, Tennessee marriage license rules and how to plan your day.
The Complete Charleston Elopement Guide
Complete Charleston elopement guide: Cypress Gardens & Hampton Park venues, packages from $1,275, South Carolina marriage license rules, where to stay.
The Complete Savannah Elopement Guide
Complete Savannah elopement guide: Forsyth Park & Davenport House venues, packages from $1,275, Georgia marriage license rules, where to stay.
The Complete Sedona Elopement Guide
Complete Sedona elopement guide: 4 red rock venues, Cathedral Rock backdrop, packages from $1,875, Arizona marriage license rules, where to stay.
Elopement Timeline: An Hour-by-Hour Guide to Your Day
What does an elopement day actually look like? A realistic hour-by-hour timeline from getting ready through dinner, based on 8,000+ ceremonies.
How to Elope on a Budget: Real Numbers
Elope for under $3,500 total. A realistic budget breakdown, the line items that matter, what you can safely cut and what you should not.
Honeymoon Ideas After Eloping: Combine Ceremony and Trip
Turn your elopement into a full honeymoon: stay-in-destination ideas for Nashville, Gatlinburg, Sedona, Charleston and Savannah, plus longer tours.How to Tell Your Family You're Eloping
Telling your family you're eloping doesn't have to be hard. Proven scripts, the right timing and reaction strategies from 8,000+ ceremonies.How Much Does It Cost to Elope in 2026? A Real Breakdown
Real elopement costs for 2026: actual package prices by city ($575 to $2,975), what's included, hidden costs and the realistic total couples spend.
Elopement Vow Examples & How to Write Yours
Real elopement vow examples and a step-by-step framework for writing your own in 30 minutes. No clichés, just words that sound like you.
Should You Have a Reception After Eloping? An Honest Answer
How to decide whether to throw a reception after eloping: when it makes sense, when to skip, five formats, real budgets and family expectations.
Belmont Mansion Elopement Guide
Everything you need to elope at Belmont Mansion in Nashville — history, gardens, ceremony spaces, nearby attractions, photo locations, and how to book your day.
Nashville Wedding Chapel Elopement Guide
Elope at Nashville Wedding Chapel (Skinner Chapel): our own stained-glass chapel seating 16, photo spots and a complete Music City planning guide.
Spring Haven Mansion Elopement Guide
Plan a Spring Haven Mansion elopement near Nashville: Greek Revival architecture, garden ceremony spaces, photo locations and package details.
Centennial Park Elopement Guide
Elope in Centennial Park's Sunken Garden near Nashville's Parthenon replica: the ceremony spot, photo locations, license basics and how to book.
Foothills Parkway Elopement Guide
Elope along Foothills Parkway in the Smoky Mountains: panoramic overlooks, NPS permit basics, photo locations and complete planning details.
Gatlinburg Wedding Chapel Elopement Guide
Plan a Gatlinburg Wedding Chapel elopement at Little Valley Mountain: a pine-paneled indoor chapel for up to 20 guests, photo spots and full planning details.
Willow Ridge Elopement Guide
Plan your Willow Ridge elopement: a private event center near Gatlinburg with a willow pond lawn, a ceremony pavilion, mountain-view portraits and package details.
Yavapai Vista Elopement Guide
Plan a Yavapai Vista elopement in Sedona: panoramic red rock views, a Cathedral Rock backdrop, photo locations and complete package details.
Secret Slick Rock Elopement Guide
Elope at Secret Slick Rock in Sedona — private red rock setting along Oak Creek, dramatic formations, photo opportunities, and full planning details.
Crescent Moon Ranch Elopement Guide
Elope at Crescent Moon Ranch in Sedona — Cathedral Rock directly behind your ceremony, creek-side setting, photo locations, and full planning details.
Baby Bell Rock Elopement Guide
Plan your Baby Bell Rock elopement in Sedona — intimate red rock setting, natural amphitheater acoustics, photo locations, and complete package details.
Cypress Gardens Elopement Guide
Elope at Cypress Gardens near Charleston: bald cypress swamp, blackwater reflections, the famous Notebook setting and full planning details.
Hampton Park Elopement Guide
Plan a Hampton Park elopement in Charleston: 60 acres of live oaks and formal gardens, photo spots, license basics and complete planning details.
Forsyth Park Elopement Guide
Elope at Forsyth Park in Savannah: the famous white fountain, Spanish moss oaks, photo spots and complete historic district planning details.
Davenport House Elopement Guide
Elope at the Davenport House in Savannah: an 1820 Federal mansion with a private garden courtyard, photo spots and complete planning details.Marriage License Guide: TN, GA, SC & AZ
2026 marriage license guide for Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina and Arizona: costs, waiting periods, where to apply and what to bring.All-Inclusive Elopement Package vs. Hiring Solo Vendors: Real Cost Breakdown
All-inclusive elopement package vs. booking a photographer, officiant, venue and coordinator separately — real 2026 cost and time comparison.Charleston Elopement Cost Breakdown — What $1,275 Actually Includes (2026)
Charleston, SC elopement cost breakdown for 2026: what the $1,275 base package includes, what add-ons cost and how it compares to a wedding.How to Elope in Charleston: License, Venues and Rules
How to elope in Charleston, SC: the 100% online marriage license, the 24-hour waiting period, venue rules, Hampton Park vs. Cypress Gardens.Gatlinburg Elopement Cost Breakdown — Smoky Mountain Packages 2026
Gatlinburg, TN elopement cost breakdown for 2026: what each Smoky Mountain package includes, add-on prices and how it compares to a wedding.How to Elope in Gatlinburg: NPS Permits, License, and 3 Venues
How to elope in Gatlinburg, TN: the Tennessee marriage license with no waiting period, NPS permits and how to pick between three Smokies venues.Nashville Elopement Cost Breakdown — What $575 Actually Includes (2026)
Nashville, TN elopement cost breakdown for 2026: what the $575 base package includes, what add-ons cost and how it compares to a wedding.How to Elope in Nashville: License, Venues, and the 4 Best Options
How to elope in Nashville, TN: the Davidson County marriage license, no waiting period, venue permits and the 4 best Nashville venues.Sedona Elopement Cost Breakdown — Red Rock Packages 2026
Sedona, AZ elopement cost breakdown for 2026: what the $1,875 base package includes, what USFS permits cost and how it compares to a wedding.How to Elope in Sedona: USFS Permits, License, and 4 Red Rock Venues
How to elope in Sedona, AZ: the Arizona marriage license, Coconino National Forest USFS permits and how to choose between four red rock venues.Savannah Elopement Cost Breakdown — Historic Square Packages 2026
Savannah, GA elopement cost breakdown for 2026: what the $1,275-$2,775 Forsyth Park and Davenport House packages include, plus license fees.How to Elope in Savannah: License and 2 Historic Venues
How to elope in Savannah, GA: the Chatham County marriage license with no waiting period, venue rules, and Forsyth Park vs. Davenport House.Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Elopements Inc. Journal cover?
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.
Where should we start if we are just beginning to plan?
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.
Which posts explain what an elopement costs in each city?
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.
Does the Journal cover marriage license requirements?
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.
Are there guides for specific venues?
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.
Do you cover the day itself, not just planning?
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.