Elope in Tennessee: 2023 Guide to Tennessee Elopement Packages.

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We couldn’t have chose a better company for our elopement! They kept us informed every step of the way about everything. Our pictures are so amazing!! I just can’t believe how easy and stress free everything was!

Jessica and Steven

The best choice that my husband and I have ever made was choosing Simply Eloped. The whole team was a dream to work with and all of my questions and concerns were answered immediately. I didn’t want to stress about my wedding and I never did. The process was amazing and I would recommend Simply Eloped to everyone.

Brittany and Johnathan

I couldn’t say enough amazing things about this company. Amazing communication, everyone who was involved with our special day was so friendly and delivered amazing services!

Theresa and Joshua

I have recommended Simply Eloped to several people since our ceremony and I would do it over and over again! We loved every minute of the ceremony,l and the experience.

Hannah and Natalie

Janessa, Sarah and Gianna, all are amazing and deserve so much more than me saying Thank you for the most amazing experience.

Priscila and Jaquin

Couldn’t ask for a better service… You all went above and beyond to make our day and time in New York one to remember and we will always be extremely grateful!

Sammie and Chris

Thank y’all so much for making our day so special! We will remember this for the rest of our lives:)

Madison and Eric

Everything was amazing I’m super happy something like Simply Eloped exists.

Rachel and Chance

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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.

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.

Article written by

Kimberli Gunn

Kimberli Gunn is a customer experience and elopement specialist for Simply Eloped and has planned small weddings all over the US. In Kimberli's spare time she loves to sing.