I was born and raised in Virginia and I personally think it is a beautiful state. There are so many places that are off the beaten path where you can have a private moment to elope and have your special day take place. If you are considering this beautiful state to have your elopement I made this Virginia Elopement Guide to help you by taking out some of the guess work. In this article I will go over everything you need to know to be fully prepared.
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Explore the Virginia Elopement Guide
What is an Elopement?
An Elopement is…
A very intimate ceremony that is intricately designed for the bride and groom to have everything they want on their special day and nothing that they don’t. This can take any form they want it to with a specific set of activities and locations. They can include a small number of family members at the ceremony or it can be just them on a cliffside.
The possibilities are beautiful and endless. It throws away all the rules, gets rid of any production or performance. Literally the epitome of not being stressed. Simply the beautiful connecting of two souls with no fuss. More flexibility with dates and times because you don’t have to book a venue, plus your photographer literally becomes your wedding planner. Just a custom fit experience to last a lifetime’s worth of memories. Isn’t that what it’s all about, It is your day after all.
Why Elope?
So the thought of eloping sometime in the near future has crossed your mind, that is just so exciting. I know planning something as different as an elopement can be pretty scary and intimidating. You aren’t really sure where to begin or what to do. That is the coolest thing about eloping, there are no right or wrong answers. You can literally make the whole day tailor suited to your dreams. Planning every single detail and not compromise on anything at all. While still having that intimate ceremony.
You can invite family and your closest friends. It could be just the two of you standing under a waterfall or you could bring your kids and pets too. It is ultimately about just the two of you which is exactly what your wedding day should be. The saying goes “it’s your special day”, why not really make it your day? Try closing your eyes and just imagine what your perfect day would look like. You can plan a mix of ceremony and wedding activities that relate only to the two of you. If you want an unforgettable experience then let’s get started planning your greatest adventure. This Virginia Elopement Guide will walk you through everything.
Let’s get into the reasons to elope in Virginia!
Virginia is one of the easier states to elope in due to their minimal requirements. You can fill out the paperwork at the courthouse and then get married the same exact day with absolutely no waiting period.
Virginia also has 41 state parks, 2 national forests, countless waterfalls, and quite a few beaches. That is a lot of opportunity for some beautiful scenery. The state ranges from hikes in the rolling blue ridge mountains, roaring waterfalls, beautiful old cities in Alexandria, all the way to the Atlantic Ocean at First Landing State Park. So many opportunities to find a combination of exactly what you want. Continue reading this Virginia Elopement Guide to find out more.
Where to elope in Virginia:
Shenandoah National Park
This is an obvious choice as it is the only national park in Virginia. With its breathtaking mountain views, scenic drives, wildlife, flower fields, and endless woods this location is nothing short of amazing. Here are some of my favorite spots to consider:
-Stony Man
-Hawksbill Summit
-Dark Hollow Falls
-Blackrock Summit
-Big Meadows
-Raven’s Roost
-Any of the may overlooks on Skyline Drive
You will not need a permit if you have 15 people or less, and don’t require any set up such as chairs, tables, etc. If you do need a permit find the contact info here: For all other weddings or ceremonies in the Park, contact the permits office by emailing : shen_permits@nps.gov
There are some rules when eloping in the national park which are just good rules in general. You must practice all Leave No Trace Principles. Parking is first come, first serve. You cannot park in the road or block access. You need to stay on the trails at all times. Do not bring outside plant in, not even bouquets. Throwing rice, petals, etc. is prohibited. Extra decorations should be considered and approved in advance.
Photographer is limited to cameras and tripods. Audio playing devices are prohibited, however some musical instruments may be approved in advance. There will be no ceremonies allowed in or near the visitor centers. Keep in mind while these may seem a little strict they are in place to protect the nature so that we can enjoy it for many years to come.
Grayson Highlands
What isn’t there to love with this parks alpine like peaks, wildflower fields, rocky outcroppings, with wild ponies, roaring waterfalls and stunning mountain views. There is an overlook that boasts 180 degree views at Buzzard Rock Overlook which is a great spot for the ceremony.
Super cool Yurts are nearby that you can book in advance at a nearby campground or you can do some backcountry camping if that suits you better.
There is a small fee of $25 for a special use permit. As well as any regular parking fees you may have. Here is a link to the form you need to mail in: Grayson Highlands State Park Special Use Permit
For other contact information: For specific questions, please contact the park at 276-579-7092 or email graysonhighlands@dcr.virginia.gov. Reservations must be made by calling the Virginia State Parks Customer Service Center at 800-933-7275.
Hungry Mother State Park
This park has woods, mountains, and lakes with beaches, If you are looking for all these things this is the place for you to elope. Here is all the information you could need on how to elope here: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/wedding/hungry-mother
Blue Ridge Parkway
This beautiful stretch of road has many overlooks along the way. Some you can just get out of the car and some you have a little hiking to do to reach. Whether you are looking for an easy to reach view or a strenuous hike for an exceptional view and some privacy this location is the perfect spot.
Here are some super cool spots to keep in mind if you are thinking of this location.
-Rockfish Valley Overlook
-Greenstone Overlook
-Rock Point Overlook
-Ravens Roost
-Bluff Mountain
-Thunder Ridge
-Headforemost Mountain
-Pine Tree Overlook
-Montvale
-Iron Mile Hollow
-Quarry Overlook
-Mill Mountain Overlook
-Devil’s Backbone Overlook
-Rocky Knob
-Cold Mountain
-Cahas Mountain Overlook
Always check ahead to see if a section of the parkway is open. For instance right now they are not issuing special use permits in North Carolina right now due to damage from Hurricane Helene, which also means that forms may be delayed getting approved right now. They do require at least a 30 day notice for applications. The fee for the special use permit is $150. Permits are limited to 25 people. You can not block off the area as it will still be open to the public. Something else to keep in mind is that the Parkway is protected so you cannot bring live flowers of any kind into the park.
Here is the form to fill out and contact info you may need: 10-930s application form
Submit the completed application form the Blue Ridge Parkway Permits Coordinator via email at blri_permits@nps.gov
Virginia Beach (First Landing State Park)
This is one of the only beaches in the state with the sunset overlooking it. There is also a gazebo, pergola, on the beach, in the woods. These are all great options.
The special use permit needs to be applied for 30 days in advance. The special use permit costs $25. All guests will still need to pay the entrance fee to the park which can run from $7-$10. All weekend beach weddings must start after 5pm and they only allow 2 events per day on the beach side. If it is snowing in the winter time the park may be closed so you will need a backup plan.
Here is the link for the form to fill out: First Landing State Park Special Use Permit
Also, some more helpful information: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/wedding/first-landing
Chincoteague Island
Dreaming of getting hitched on the beautiful least coast? Look no further than this beautiful location. Wild ponies, lighthouses, pristine secluded ocean front and gorgeous sunsets.
Contact the National Park Service for permitting at haley_blizzard@nps.gov or 410-629-6603.
Old town Alexandria
You can choose from any of the secret gardens, old town neighborhoods or charming courtyards in this beautiful town. Here are some of my favs:
The Alexandrian Old Town Alexandria
Embassy Suites by Hilton Alexandria Old Town
Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria
Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant & Pub
Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
me of a waterfall in the Irish wild.
You will need a special use permit to elope here in the platform at Overlook 3. While you will have a permit you will not have exclusive access to the area so make sure to plan around less busy times. They also so not accept reservations for elopements or ceremonies.
Luray Caverns
Ever wanted to elope in the caverns deep underground? The Luray Caverns if the perfect place to do just that. It has some very unique formations and pretty affordable pricing.
Here is the contact info for Luray Weddings: https://luraycaverns.com/weddings-groups/
Charlottesville
There are some very romantic places to elope at in and around Charlottesville, VA. Here are a few of my favorites:
The Orchard House Bed & Breakfast
Charlottesville Reservoir
Roanoke
I love the Roanoke area, there are some very cool spots around the area. Here are a few of my favorites:
Best time of the year to elope in Virginia
Now to a super fun part of the Virginia Elopement Guide. Keep in mind that some public spaces may need special permits, check with your photographer for more information about this. A lot of these hikes and locations can be super busy on the weekends as Virginia residents tend to be pretty active. You can try and bypass this by avoiding the busy times and eloping on the weekdays. You can also shoot for sunrise or sunset instead of middle of the day.
The mountains will be busier in October months because of the fall foliage. We usually see the peak foliage colors around the third week of October. The beaches will be the busiest in the summer months as that is when the ocean is warm enough to swim in.
Winter
Winter can be a beautiful time to elope in Virginia. It can get cold and snow in the higher elevation areas. Due to these factors all the locations will be significantly less busy in this season. The scenery while bare can lend a magical quality about it, especially when covered in snow. If you plan it right you can see frozen waterfalls, go ice skating on private ponds or even play. into your childhood and have some fun tubing down the side of a mountain. One thing to consider when choosing the winter is that the wind can be pretty turbulent in the mountains in the winter.
Spring
Spring is magical where everything starts blooming. My favorite is all the dogwoods blooming with the clear view of the bluest mountains in the background. There are a lot of trees in the mountains so just make sure you consider the pollen as it can be quite thick during this season. One thing to consider is though it may be warm during the day it gets pretty cold in the night so pack accordingly. There are plenty of places where wildflowers bloom naturally along the trail which is an awesome view. There is also more chances to see wildlife in this season.
Summer
Summer is usually pretty busy as well this will be the busiest season at those beach locations. If at the beach in any season eloping I highly recommend shooting for a sunrise or sunset time. Sunrises are usually less busy. In the mountains everything is green/blue and warm again. The trails will be more crowded with people but you can work around this a little by eloping on weekdays or getting up early for the sunrise hikes. We get really bad mosquitos, ticks and no see-ums so plan to bring some bug spray and sunblock to stay comfortable.
Fall
Fall is actually my favorite and apparently a lot of others as well because this is the busiest season. Due to this there are some limitations at certain locations, such as SNP. If your heart is set on eloping during this beautiful season I would highly recommend on looking into locations with sunrise hikes especially during the week. Another option would be private venues or Airbnbs to avoid the crowds and have it be a little more private. There are less popular hikes that are still beautiful which would all be great options for avoiding the crowds as well. A great time for bonfires with smores.
Elopement Activity Ideas in Virginia
There are plenty of special elopement activities that you can choose to do and this Virginia Elopement Guide will walk you through a few of those ideas here…
- Ride bikes on the beach
- Play arcade games together
- Bask at a waterfall and take a dip
- Cliff dive
- Go sledding or skiing
- Bake your own wedding cake together
- Camp backcountry at an epic location
- Rent a unique out of the box place to stay
- Go off-roading
- Take a soak in a hot tub
- Get tattoos together
- Go canoeing, kayaking or paddle-boarding
- Rent a vintage car and drive around
- Pop some champagne
- Rent a private boat
- Stay after sunset for star photos
- Go horseback riding
- Hike to a secluded spot for the ceremony
- Cook breakfast together
- Take a hot air balloon ride
- Make a campfire with smores
- Hire a private chef
- Plant a tree together
- Go on an epic helicopter tour
Virginia Elopement Laws
Virginia is a fairly easy state to elope in. The marriage laws are statewide so it will be the same in every county. There are a few requirements for you to elope in this state. Continue reading the Virginia Elopement Guide to find out more.
-You must be 18 years old
-Have a valid government issued ID
-Must have both birth certificates
-Both need to be present
-You must have both parents full names
-You have to visit the county courthouse in the county where you will be eloping
More tips…
A few tips to help make things runs smoothly. Make sure you have any prior marriage and divorce paperwork with you.n Make sure you have your actual birth certificate and not a copy of it. There is a $30 application fee you will be responsible for paying and some of the smaller counties don’t have card readers so it is better to show up with cash in hand.
There is no waiting period you can get married the same day. Your marriage license is good for 60 days. There are no required blood tests or residency requirements. Also, no witness is required. The whole process at the courthouse can take around 20-30 minutes but you can fill out the paperwork in advance to help move this along.
When it comes to having an officiant this is the most difficult part about eloping in Virginia. The officiant cannot be just anybody, they have to be a minister, authorized by the commonwealth of Virginia to perform weddings or a civil celebrant.
Civil Celebrant
A civil celebrant is a trained professional who conducts non-religious or semi-religious ceremonies such as wedding, funeral, vow renewals (usually authorized by the government to perform marriages). Anyone can apply for a one-time civil officiant license to marry you if they are a Virginia resident who lives in the county where you will be married. This can take a couple months for approval so be sure to start the process early.
You could opt to do a symbolic elopement ceremony which is not legal but will allow you to have the elopement of your dreams while saying your official vows at a different place and location. Some people opt to do this since it is harder to find an officiant in this state.
A few other things you may want to know about Virginia elopements…
Same sex marriages are welcome in this state. Virginia doesn’t actually offer courthouse weddings so you would have to find an officiant and elope. Virginia is a very pet friendly state and your furry friends will be welcome in most locations.
Permits and Fees
Some of the locations will require extra fees for park entrance, eloping in the park or even just for parking. For instance Shenandoah National Park only allows morning ceremonies until 10 am in October due to it being the busy season.
However, if you have less than 15 people it is free to elope in the park. If you have more than 16 guests or require set up the permit will cost $150. Apply for your special use permit as early as possible but no later than 4 weeks before your elopement date. You should allow time for the paperwork to process. Most of the other locations don’t require a special use permit but check with your photographer about parking or entrance fees. I have a Virginia State Park Elopement Guide that can walk you through all of that.
Blue Ridge Parkway also requires a special use permit that costs $150 and should be applied for 30 days in advance.
Here is an example of an all day elopement in Virginia
6:00- Wake up and pack up the tent, get dressed, and prepared
7:00- Take photos of all the preparation and details
8:00- Do first look and some more formal shots
9:00- Prepare to hike out and find the wild ponies
10:00- Stopping along the way for beautiful photo ops and sweet moments
11:00- Stopping for a packed lunch and snacks along the way (wine & cheese)
12:00- Finally making it to the flat top, doing the ceremony
1:00- Some seriously mushy photos
2:00- Hiking out to the waterfall
3:00- Getting set up at the waterfall and taking pictures
4:00- Hiking to the overnight camping spot
5:00- Setting up camp before it gets dark
6:00- Eating a specially prepared meal by the fire
7:00- Watching the sunset over the mountains
8:00- Taking some shots by the fire with nightclothes and smores
Another example for Shenandoah National Park
- 5:00am – Meet at trailhead in Shenandoah National Park, hike to best view
- 5:45am – Official sunrise time, get changed into wedding attire, have a First Look
- 6:00am – Ceremony with officiant
- 6:15am – First Dance + portraits with mountain views
- 6:45am – Hike back down to trailhead
- 7:45am – Arrive at trailhead and drive 20 minutes to waterfall hike
- 8:05am – Hike 1 hour 15 min to base of waterfall
- 9:20am – Relax, exchange private vows + gifts, take photos with falls and have breakfast picnic
- 10:30am – Head back up to trailhead
- 12:00pm – Arrive at trailhead
- —— Break in coverage (this is a good time for a nap, relax at the Airbnb, have lunch, start tubing, etc.)——
- 5:45pm – Photographer arrives to capture the end of tubing and hanging out by the river
- 6:40pm – Drive back to Airbnb
- 7:00pm – Arrive at Airbnb, change and relax
- 7:30pm – Candlelit dinner on deck outside with private chef
- 8:30pm – Hop in the hot tub with a drink to enjoy the sunset
- 8:40pm – Official sunset time
- 9:00pm – Head inside to dry off, Facetime love ones and read letters from family
- 9:40pm – Cut mini cake for dessert
- 10:15pm – Head outside Airbnb to watch the stars come up and take photos with the milky way
- 10:45pm – Photo coverage ends
Virginia Elopement Packages
Keep in mind many venues offer micro wedding package discounts Monday-Thursday.
I have several elopement packages to offer you that work great in the state of Virginia. Some of these don’t even require a travel fee as I am currently located in Blacksburg, Virginia. Here is a link to all those great packages please feel free to reach out if you have any questions at all.
