The heart of country music, Tennessee is an amazing state filled with rolling hills, stunning mountains and infamously delicious foods. From Nashville to Gatlinburg, Tennessee has something for every couple. It’s also one of the best places to elope or have a micro wedding. The question is — how to elope in Tennessee?

The steps to make your marriage legal, whether an elopement, a micro wedding or a traditional wedding, can feel complicated and tedious. With some planning and a little bit of help, it can be done quickly and stress free! Here, we’ll review:

• How to obtain a marriage license 
• Witnesses required for your Tennessee elopement
• All inclusive Tennessee elopement packages
• Top booked venues in Tennessee on Simply Eloped
• Post elopement: getting a marriage certificate
• Post elopement: changing your last name

How to Get your Marriage License

Your marriage license is the most important part of your marriage process. This is because to elope in Tennessee, or really anywhere in the US, you legally need a marriage license. To obtain that, you need to head to the County Clerk after submitting your application for a marriage license online.

In addition to showing proof of age (you must be at least 18,) you’ll need to bring the following to your marriage license appointment: 

• You and your partner! It’s important that both parties are present 
• Application, if you completed it online. Application can be done on-site and is typically easier than starting the process online 
• Valid driver’s license, government issued photo ID or passport
• Proof of social security number
• Payment for fee, cash or card though there is an additional fee for card. Pro tip: you’ll save $60.00 if you take a pre-marital counseling class and submit the certification at the time of your application

Once you have your marriage license, you have 30 days to get married! After you’ve been married, you’ll need to send the signed marriage license back to the county clerk to seal the deal. To request a certified copy of your marriage license, which you’ll need to change your name, you’ll need to submit a request by mail with a check of $7.00 for fees. You’ll send a written request, including both names of the applicants on the marriage license, the date of the marriage, and $5.00 per copy requested, as well as a mail fee of $2.00. 

Obtaining a Wedding Officiant and Witnesses

Tennessee has quite an extensive list of individuals who are legally able to solemnize a marriage. They range from all leaders of religious beliefs to mayors, the county clerk of each county and certain members of the military and law enforcement. See an extensive list of who can officiate your elopement here. If however, coordinating an officiant is not something you’re looking to do – we can help you there. When working with Simply Eloped, we coordinate your officiant for you!

All Inclusive Tennessee Elopement Packages

Simply Eloped offers a number of customizable elopement packages for your Tennessee elopement! Our Seed, Simply Photographed, Sprout, Bloom, and Oasis packages are all available. This provides each couple the unique opportunity to build their perfect, customizable elopement package from top to bottom. Here are a few details on each package. To see more information on each of these Tennessee elopement packages, click here.

• Seed Package Details: Includes professional officiant, personalized ceremony, advice on obtaining your marriage license and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Simply Photographed Details: Covers one hour of professional photography and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Sprout Package Details: Offers a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Bloom Package Details: Includes a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Oasis Package Details: Covers professional officiant, two hours of photography, one hour of videography, hair and make up for one person, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere and dedicated Elopement Specialist.

Places to Elope in Tennessee

Ely’s Mill

For those seeking a romantic, woodsy elopement in the heart of Gatlinburg, Ely’s Mill will catch you by the heartstrings. A pavilion area adorned with twinkle lights and a view of a waterfall, Ely’s Mill has a woodland charm that is perfect for an elopement or micro wedding. This beautiful venue is located just outside of Great Smoky Mountain National Park and gladly hosts wedding ceremonies of 20 guests or less.

Ely’s Mill welcomes leashed pets, streaming, alcohol, chairs and decorations. It’s also wheelchair accessible, has an on site bathroom, parking, and requires an on site helper. Please note that drones, candles, sparklers, flower petals, rice and confetti are not permitted.

Foothills Parkway West – Mile 21

Just outside of Smoky Mountain National Park is a stunning view that looks over both the mountains and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The Foothills Parkway West – Mile 21 is perfect for couples looking for an intimate micro wedding or elopement surrounded by nature. This venue currently welcomes ceremonies of 20 guests or less. Please note this venue requires a permit, which Simply Eloped will coordinate on your behalf.

The Foothills Parkway welcomes streaming and leashed pets. It’s also wheelchair accessible and has parking. Please note that chairs, alcohol, drones, candles and sparklers are not permitted.

Cataract Falls in Smoky Mountain NP

A venue that is both in the heart of Gatlinburg and in Smoky Mountain National Park? Cataract Falls has it all. This outdoor elopement or micro wedding venue is perfect for couples seeking an intimate outdoor ceremony. Cataract Falls currently welcomes wedding ceremonies of 11 guests or less. This venue requires a permit, which Simply Eloped will apply for on your behalf.

Cataract Falls welcomes leashed pets and streaming. It’s wheelchair accessible, has an on site bathroom and has parking available. Please note that chairs, alcohol, drones, candles, sparklers, confetti, flower petals and rice are not permitted.

The Old Mill

This historic mill used to be the heart of Gatlinburg. Now, a beautiful elopement venue with both a pavilion and a waterfall, the Old Mill is perfect for those seeking old world charm in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The Old Mill welcomes intimate wedding ceremonies of 11 guests or less and no permit is required.

The Old Mill is wheelchair accessible, has on site bathrooms and has a parking lot available. Please note that drones, chairs, alcohol, pets, candles and sparklers are not permitted.

The Lodge at Brothers Cove Resort

Twenty minutes north of Gatlinburg, Tennessee is the Lodge at Brothers Cove Resort. This beautiful pavilion overlooks the Smoky Mountains, and gives you excellent proximity to downtown Gatlinburg. Please note that reservation is required for this venue, which Simply Eloped will coordinate on your behalf.

The Lodge at Brothers Cove Resort welcomes decor, leashed pets, streaming and chairs. It is also wheelchair accessible, has an on site bathroom, and parking is available. Please note that alcohol, drones and candles or sparklers are not permitted.

Get Your Marriage Certificate

The process of getting a marriage certificate starts at your marriage license appointment, where you will pay for the amount of certificates you’d like to have. After paying for your marriage license, an additional $10.00 is required for a certified copy of your marriage certificate. It is recommended to get two. This is because as you’re changing your name, you’ll be using this document a lot. While in transition, it’s always good to have a backup in the event of an emergency. 

How to Change your Last Name in Tennessee

After you’ve had your elopement or micro wedding and received a certified copy of your marriage certificate, there’s three steps to legally change your name: social security, your driver’s license, and your passport.

1. Change your name with Social Security: The first legal step in changing your name is with the Social Security office. To do so, complete the application and present it at your appointment along with a copy of your marriage certificate, divorce certificate (if applicable,) driver’s license, passport (if you have one,) and current Social Security card. After your appointment, your new card will be mailed directly to you in a matter of weeks.
2. Change your name on your driver’s license: After you’ve received your new social security card, you’re ready to change your ID. Make an appointment at your local Driver Services Center. At that appointment, be sure to bring your current license, an original copy of your marriage certificate, and divorce decree (if applicable.) There will be a fee to update your license, which ranges from $8.00 to $16.00 dollars, depending on the type of license you have.
3. Change your name on your passport: If you have a passport, updating your name will be your last step in legally changing your name. You will need to wait until your new driver’s license comes in to do so. Travel.state.gov has a great deal of information on how to change your last name on your passport. This process will change depending on if your passport is current or expired, as well if it was updated more or less than a year after your name was legally changed. You’ll fill out your application and mail it to Passport Services with your marriage certificate, a color photo, and the associated fees via check. If you’re not eligible to renew by mail, you may apply in person with the same documents as well as a valid ID. Once your application is accepted, it can take several weeks to receive your updated passport in the mail.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ve done the tallest task of completing your legal name change. You’ll then want to go through your accounts, credit cards, bank accounts, employers and insurance to make sure your name is up to date. It seems like a lot because it is! Take this process step by step, and it should all go smoothly. There’s also many businesses that help with the name changing process.

Eloping is an exciting moment in you and your partner’s life! Though there’s a few steps to get you down the aisle, Simply Eloped is here to support you in the full process. To learn more about our packages and services, chat with one of our Personal Elopement Designers.

This article has been fact checked and reviewed for accuracy by a Simply Eloped Personal Specialist Planner in January 2026.

Written by Lisa Guglielmo

Lisa is the Marketing Manager at Simply Eloped. Having gotten married in 2022, she experienced the good (and not so good,) of traditional wedding planning. Here, she loves watching couples do their weddings their way.