Planning an elopement should feel exciting, not overwhelming. Whether you've dreamed of exchanging vows on a mountaintop in Gatlinburg or beneath the Spanish moss of Savannah, this guide walks you through every step of planning the perfect elopement—from choosing a destination to saying “I do.”
Step 1: Decide What Your Elopement Looks Like
The beauty of eloping is that there are no rules. Some couples want a just-the-two-of-us ceremony at sunrise. Others envision a small gathering of their closest family and friends. Before you start planning, take a moment to talk about what matters most. Do you want dramatic scenery? A charming chapel? An intimate garden setting? Your vision will shape every decision that follows.
Step 2: Choose Your Destination
Location sets the tone for your entire day. At Elopements Inc., we specialize in five of the most stunning elopement destinations in the country:
- Nashville — Southern elegance meets Music City charm at venues like Belmont Mansion and Centennial Park
- Gatlinburg — Breathtaking Smoky Mountain backdrops at Foothills Parkway and beyond
- Sedona — Red rock formations and desert sunsets at Secret Slick Rock
- Charleston — Historic charm and lush gardens at Cypress Gardens
- Savannah — Timeless Southern beauty at Forsyth Park
Step 3: Pick Your Elopement Package
One of the biggest advantages of working with an all-inclusive elopement company is that you don't have to piece together separate vendors. Our elopement packages bundle your venue, photographer, officiant, and coordination into one seamless experience. Choose from packages designed for just the two of you, small groups of up to six guests, or intimate celebrations with up to twelve.
Step 4: Handle the Legal Details
Every state has different requirements for marriage licenses. In Tennessee, for example, both partners apply in person at any county clerk's office and there is no waiting period; Charleston County, South Carolina, is the one place we serve where the whole application is online. We recommend researching your destination's specific requirements at least a month before your ceremony date. Your Elopements Inc. coordinator will guide you through the entire process so nothing falls through the cracks.
Step 5: Plan the Personal Details
This is where your elopement becomes uniquely yours. Think about writing personal vows, choosing a meaningful first-dance song, or incorporating a family heirloom. Some couples bring a picnic to enjoy after the ceremony. Others book a dinner reservation at their favorite restaurant. There's no right or wrong—only what feels true to you.
Step 6: Create Your Day-of Timeline
Even a simple elopement benefits from a loose schedule. Plan when you'll get ready, when the ceremony will begin, and how much time you'd like for photos. Our team handles the coordination so your day flows effortlessly, but having a general timeline ensures you can relax and stay present for every moment.
Ready to Start Planning?
Planning an elopement doesn't have to be complicated. With the right team behind you, it can be the most joyful, stress-free experience of your life. Browse our destinations and packages to find your perfect setting, or call us at 629.333.0037 to start the conversation.
A Realistic Timeline
Most couples book 6–12 weeks ahead. That is not a required minimum — we have married couples who booked and eloped inside two weeks — but it is the window where you get your first-choice date and venue instead of whatever is left.
12 to 8 weeks out. Pick the city and the venue, and book the date. This is the only genuinely competitive step; everything after it is logistics. Autumn dates at Foothills Parkway and spring dates at Belmont Mansion go first.
8 to 4 weeks out.Your planner walks you through the ceremony structure and timeline. Book hair and makeup now if you want it — we do not sell it, but your coordinator will recommend trusted local artists. Decide on videography and RAW files, the only two paid add-ons we offer.
4 weeks to the week of.Handle the marriage license. This is the one step we legally cannot do for you. In Tennessee, Georgia and Arizona both partners apply in person at a county clerk with photo ID and Social Security numbers, and the license issues the same day. In Charleston County, South Carolina, the whole application is online — but South Carolina requires 24 hours between issuance and the ceremony, so file before you travel.
Ceremony day. Arrive at the venue. That is the entire list. The venue, permits, officiant, photographer and coordination are already handled under one booking.
What You Pay For, and What You Do Not
One flat package price covers the venue and any required permits, a licensed officiant, a professional photographer with edited high-resolution images in a private gallery, ceremony coordination and timeline planning, and step-by-step marriage license guidance. Packages run $575 to $2,975 depending on city, venue and tier, with coverage from 15 minutes to three hours.
Two things sit outside that price. The marriage license fee goes directly to the county — $100 in Tennessee, $95 in South Carolina, $83 in Arizona, $66 or $86 in Georgia. And there are exactly two optional add-ons: videography on Getaway Plus and larger ($675 to $1,475 by tier) and RAW photo files ($100 to $300 by tier). We do not sell florals, hair and makeup, chair rentals or extended hours, and nothing is upsold on the day.
The Decisions That Actually Matter
Three choices determine your day, and the rest is detail. Guest countcomes first, because it constrains the venue — Belmont Mansion in Nashville is the only venue in our network that holds 40; everywhere else caps at 20. State comes second, because it sets your license timing and whether a same-day ceremony is legally possible. Venue comes last, even though it is the part everyone wants to decide first.
Couples who plan in that order tend to book once. Couples who start from a photograph they liked tend to discover a guest cap or a waiting period late and have to start over.
If you want the numbers before you talk to anyone, the cost calculator prices a real total by city, guest count and add-ons, and the how it works page walks the whole process end to end.