Elope in Tennessee

How to Elope in Tennessee

One of the most popular states in the U.S. for elopements, Tennessee has heaps of history, music, and mountains. Home to the Great Smoky Mountains at the heart of the country’s South, Tennessee stretches 450 miles from the Mississippi River in the west to the Appalachian Mountains in the east. Whether you seek historic estates, mountain peaks, or a vibrant music scene, Tennessee has got it all in spades.

If it’s a Smoky Mountain elopement you’re after, we’ve got the scoop on how to get married in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And if you have your heart set on a Music City fete, we know where to go to rock out and who does the best mint juleps in town. Read on to learn the best times of the year to elope in Tennessee, what paperwork you’ll need to legally get married here, and how bourbon might help you avoid rain on your big day.

How much does it cost to elope in Tennessee?

While Tennessee is home to one of the most popular cities in the U.S. for getting hitched, it is still far from one of the most expensive places to elope in the country. If you’re from out of state, you’ll have to factor in transportation costs, but otherwise, the cost of a visit to Tennessee is totally doable for most couples, even those with a budget! You can even get a $60 discount on the cost of your marriage license if you take a premarital preparation course in the year prior to your elopement date. Just make sure you bring your Certificate of Completion with you when you go to get your marriage license. Without a premarital course, your Tennessee marriage license should cost you about $100. And if you settle on an outdoor venue for your elopement ceremony, like the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, you might need to apply for additional permits and pay a fee to use public space. If you book an all-inclusive elopement package with us, however, those fees may already be included in your package.

What is required to get married in Tennessee?

To apply for your Tennessee marriage license, you don’t need to be a resident, but you do need to bring a valid form of identification and your Social Security number with you when you apply, and if either you or your partner are divorced, you will need to show a copy of the divorce decree. You can actually pre-apply online for your marriage license up to 30 days before your elopement, but both parties wishing to get married must go in person to pick up the marriage license at one of the Marriage License Centers in the state. Once your marriage license has been granted, you’re free to get married! There is no waiting period in Tennessee, but you should make sure that you get married within 30 days of receiving your marriage license or it will expire and you’ll be forced to reapply.

Do you need a witness to get married in Tennessee?

Tennessee keeps things simple. You don’t need any witnesses to legally get married here. That said, there is space on the marriage license for a witness to sign if you have someone special in mind that you would like to include in your elopement.