What is the best time of year to elope in Tennessee?
Tennessee sees four distinct seasons each year, so decide which kind of weather makes you the happiest before deciding on a date for your elopement. Autumn tends to be the most popular season for weddings in Tennessee, while winter is typically the quietest season — except in Gatlinburg, which is home to the state’s only ski resort.
Spring in Tennessee is all wildflowers and fields of green. Temperatures are wonderfully mild, hovering between 50 to 70 degrees, but the flowers do tend to bring the showers, as rain is more likely in the spring than the rest of the year. Thankfully Old Tennessee lore purports that you can keep the rain away on your special day if you bury a bottle of bourbon upside down at your venue one month before the big day.
If you are sensitive to the heat, it may be best to avoid a summer elopement in Tennessee. The average temperature during the day is 83 degrees and the heat is seemingly elevated by the humidity, making for pretty brutal sunny days. To beat the heat, you can plan your elopement ceremony around sunrise or sunset or even pass out parasols to keep everyone cool.
What’s not to love about fall in Tennessee? Temperatures start to dip in mid-September and the beautifully mild weather sticks around through the middle of November. Wait until at least the end of October to elope here if you’re a fan of the fall foliage.
The winter months in Tennessee are uniquely beautiful, especially throughout the state’s vast park system. To see snow, stick to the north, as temperatures further south don’t often drop below freezing. And if you’re big on intimacy, winter will likely offer more privacy unless you’re eloping in Gatlinburg around the winter holidays.
Speaking of privacy, keep in mind that Tennessee is home to some amazing festivals each year. This can add another layer of adventure to your elopement, but it can also bring crowds, street closures, and venue competition, so be sure to check out your desired dates for any overlap with the state’s annual festivities, like Bonnaroo and the CMA Music Festival in early June, the Fourth of July, and Oktoberfest.
How to Change Your Name in Tennessee
If you choose to change your last name during your elopement process, first you’ll need to get a new Social Security card. To do this, you will need to submit a valid identification, birth certificate, and a certified copy of your marriage license to a Social Security Office, either in person or by mail. Once you’ve received your new Social Security card, you can use it to get a new driver’s license by bringing your current driver’s license and a certified copy of your marriage license to a DMV.
