Elope in Tennessee

Whether you’re looking to experience the renowned “Music City,” or if you’d rather take to the mountains and explore the endless, forested ridges of the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee has something to offer for everyone. Planning an elopement in Nashville or Gatlinburg is about as easy as saying “I Do,” but there are a few things to consider before tying the knot in this gorgeous state. Beyond choosing the perfect venue, you’ll want to think about who your vendors will be, how to make your ceremony legal, and when you should elope in Tennessee.

Finding the right Tennessee vendors

Imagine yourself looking into the eyes of the one you love, surrounded by beauty, promising forever. Today is the most beautiful day of your life, and your hair and makeup is set to match. Perhaps you’ve chosen a bouquet of flowers to compliment your look. Your officiant is there to guide you through the ceremony, with words woven perfectly to match the unique fabric of your relationship. Moments like these always seem to happen so quickly – but your photographer is there to preserve the memories that will last you a lifetime.

Your vendors are there to ensure your big day is as special as your love, and will be some of your greatest assets in planning your elopement. Tennessee has so much to offer, and choosing local vendors will guarantee you have access to the best information and insider tips and tricks to creating your dream elopement.

Finding the perfect Tennessee elopement location

When considering where to elope in Nashville or Gatlinburg, you’ll want to think about what draws you in most. Is it the art and culture that is integral to Nasheville, or is it the astoundingly diverse and beautiful forests of the mountains in Gatlinburg? Would you rather have an intimate venue near the city of music, or an adventurous ceremony beside a waterfall? Keeping your preferences in mind will help you choose the location that best fits your dream elopement.

Making it legal

Tennessee marriage licenses are valid throughout the state, so while it will probably be easiest to obtain your license in the county where you are getting married, you can easily get your license in any county in Tennessee and bring it to your ceremony. You can start the process online, but ultimately, both you and your sweetie must be present when picking up the marriage license. There is no waiting period, and no witnesses are required. The state of Tennessee requires proof of birth – either birth certificate or state issued ID, and social security number. Marriage licenses are valid for 30 days after issuance.

So you’ve explored the elopement packages in Nashville and you’ve got your location all figured out, but now you need to think about when to elope in Tennessee. Depending on the places to get married in Nashville, you’ll want to consider the best time of year for your location, as well as the time of day. Temperatures and weather can have a huge impact on your special day, so be sure to research these things when planning your elopement!

What time of year should you elope in Tennessee?

With a relatively moderate climate through all four seasons, Tennessee is a great place for elopements year-round. You’ll find the most moderate temperatures and the least rain in the fall, making that the best time of year for a Tennessee elopement. But winters are generally mild, and springtime in Tennessee brings blooming flowers and modest temperatures. Summers in Tennessee tend to be a little more hot and humid, but are still a great time for recreation.

What time of day should you elope in Tennessee?

Knowing a little more about your location will contribute to choosing the best time of day for your elopement. If your venue is closer to the city and has less coverage from the sun, you’ll want to avoid the harsh lighting that can come with a midday ceremony. On the flip side, if you’re eloping in a more heavily forested area or among high mountain peaks, you might want to consider an early to mid-afternoon ceremony to avoid losing light as the sun descends. Generally, ceremonies happening in the hours surrounding sunrise and sunset will give you that perfect, golden lighting. If you’re not sure what the best time of day will be for your given location, be sure to check in with your Tennessee elopement photographer to get recommendations on what time to begin. With experience photographing elopements all over Tennessee, they know when and where the best lighting is for each location.