How to Elope in Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park is an incredible location to get married in!
It offers a unique blend of adventure and class meaning that your wedding day can be completely tailored to include what you and your partner enjoy doing together most (and nothing else!). Whether that is taking in the epic views at Hawksbill Overlook, hitting the Appalachian Trail, enjoying a forest picnic celebration with your closest friends and family, or some combination of all of those things, Shenandoah has it all!
Only about a 2-hour drive from Richmond, Virginia, Shenandoah is a quintessential getaway from the hustle and bustle of East Coast city life. It’s naturally, a picture-perfect location for you and your partner to focus on unifying your marriage in the most genuine way. Not only does choosing to elope create an escape from the stressors of traditional wedding planning, but it allows you the freedom to get married exactly the way you want. Eloping (or planning an intentionally small wedding) in a National Park is a way to get married in a candid and stress-free way all while being surrounded by nature. Can you say win-win?!
The term “Elopement” has come so far since those running-to-the-courthouse-because-we-feel-spontaneous-and-we-only-met-3-days-ago vibes, and thank goodness. In 2021, eloping means a couple is planning an intentionally small wedding experience that is centered around their story together. So pretty much the opposite of what it started as (hallelujah)!
Elopements typically stray away from aspects included in traditional weddings and instead incorporate more authentic and candid experiences for the couple and their guests. Think hiking a favorite trail together, enjoying a private winery experience, or taking the views in on a hot air balloon. Pretty much envision your best date ever and then plan to commit your lives together at some point during it! There is no “right way” to get married anymore and that is something I absolutely love. Having the freedom to plan a wedding around your interests is something I am truly passionate about.
I love helping my couples curate an out-of-this-world wedding experience that they are totally stoked about!
Shenandoah National Park offers a little bit of everything for any type of outdoor lover. With over 500 miles of trails, 100+ miles of the iconic Skyline Drive, and unique history around every corner you are sure to find something that speaks to you both.
Highlights from An Elopement Photographer
Hike the Appalachian Trail!
One of the most iconic trails in the United States (and part of the “Triple Crown”)! The Appalachian Trail is an incredible way to experience what Shenandoah has to offer with a boots-on-the-ground kind of experience, if you know what I mean 😜
It’s also the perfect way to take in one of the many insanely epic overlooks throughout the park. Like Hawksbill which just so happens to be the highest point in the park at 4,050ft!
Big Meadows
If you are looking for a spot to enjoy the wildflowers and warmth of a mountainous summer day, then Big Meadows is for you!
I was so impressed with this little slice of heaven and could see how it would be the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic and kick back and relax after a morning of exploring.
Go Waterfall Chasing
With dozens of named waterfalls throughout Shenandoah and the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’re sure to find one that calls to you!
Dark Hollow Falls is one of the most accessible waterfalls in the park with only a 1.4 mile round trip hike, whereas Whiteoak Canyon Falls, one of the most spectacular, is accessible by a few different trails ranging from moderate to strenuous.
Get a Bird’s Eye View
I don’t know about you, but I am a TOTAL heights junkie and will hike pretty much anything to get to an amazing lookout.
Shenandoah has some absolutely stunning overlooks, some with epic 360 degrees of the park!
EXPERIENCE SKYLINE DRIVE
If hiking isn’t your thing, but you still love to experience new places and crave adventure, driving the iconic Skyline Drive is perfect! Although the road closes occasionally due to bad weather (especially in the winter), it’s an amazing way to see the park as it’s the only road that crosses throughout the entire park.
From the azalea blooms in spring to the picture-perfect fall colors, Skyline Drive is unique and offers a different experience with each visit!
CURIOUS WHAT OTHER THINGS THERE ARE TO DO? CHECK OUT THIS LINK 👇🏻
Where to Stay
Lodges
There are two main lodges within Shenandoah National Park. Skyland and Big Meadows Lodge. Skyland has a slightly more luxury feel offering premium room as well as detached cabins. Big Meadows is a great option for those who want to enjoy the outdoors without sleeping in the outdoors. I see you, hotel campers.
Cabins
Cabins are the perfect way to blend hotel comforts while still experiencing the fireside charm of a camping trip. The Lewis Mountain Cabins are conveniently and centrally located within the park. If you are looking for a cabin experience that is “off the beaten path” then the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) might be a fun option! Many of their cabins require a hike to reach which offers a much more secluded and private experience.
Camping & RV’ing
Shenandoah has several public campgrounds with my personal favorite being Lewis Mountain Campground. It’s the smallest campground in the park with only about 30 first-come-first-serve sites. It has a quaint vibe and is *slightly* more private than some of the other campgrounds. It also offers some great RV spots!
There is also the option to backcountry camp! Backcountry camping means that you are not staying in the designated campgrounds and that the site you decide is only accessible by hiking. Backcountry camping is best suited for avid hikers and backpackers who are familiar with leave-no-trace principles.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PLACES TO STAY, CHECK OUT THESE LINKS 👇🏻
Don’t worry if you are starting to feel overwhelmed after taking a look at all that goodness.
I help all my couples navigate the logistical process of finding the perfect trails for what they are envisioning, help with any necessary wilderness permitting, provide customized timeline planning that optimizes the best lighting for photos, as well as aid in finding accommodations that fit their vision and preferences. I tell my couples that I am essentially their own personal resource to connect with and bounce ideas around with throughout their wedding planning process!
Getting Married in Shenandoah National Park
Okay, so now you know you want to get married in Shenandoah National Park, but you’re wondering where to start and how to actually make it happen? Well for starters, most National Parks require what is called a Special Use Permit for wedding activities to take place within the park boundary. This permit varies in cost just depending on the park, but typically ranges from $100 - $500. However, from the Shenandoah National Park Service, simple standing ceremonies within Shenandoah National Park with less than 16 participants and no setup/décor do not require a special use permit. This makes planning an elopement within Shenandoah quite straightforward for smaller, more intimate groups!
So to begin, start by envisioning how many (if any!) guests will be joining you on your day. If the number is over 16 (including vendors like me!) or you are wanting to incorporate a ceremony arch, chairs, or any other kind of set up, then you will need to apply for a Special Use Permit through the park. If that number is below 16 (including vendors like me!) and you want to keep your ceremony very simple with no additional set-up or decor, then your ceremony will not require a Special Use Permit (yay!). It’s always good to double check with the National Park Service as these regulations do tend to change from season to season.
Legalizing Your National Park Marriage
There are a couple different ways to go about legalizing your marriage up in the mountains.
First, is to simply work with an officiant who will travel on your behalf! I have worked with several officiants that go wherever their couples need them to be and it is always an amazing experience. It’s also a total plus to have someone who understands all the legalities that go into ensuring your marriage license is filled out perfectly and that the paperwork is submitted timely and efficiently without you needing to worry.
Another option is to have a dedicated family member or close friend become a one-time civil celebrant. It may be a little detailed but having a family member or close friend officiate your ceremony can be one of the most intentional aspects of the day. They know and understand your relationship in a much more personal and unique way than a hired officiant may.
And finally, one of the easiest ways to make your marriage legal is to run over to the courthouse and legally get married before your elopement or wedding day! I know it may sound crazy but trust me when I say that it is completely normal and can be a huge relief of stress for some couples. Having your legal documents completely taken care of prior to your elopement day means that you can solely focus on doing exactly what you want to be doing on your wedding day and not having to worry about paperwork (or keeping it safe for that matter!). You won’t need to worry about booking an officiant and instead can focus on sharing private vows, personal letters, and/or rings if you so choose.
What do you get when you book with me?!
Besides the fact that I am a total National Park Geek, I understand all the ins and outs of helping a couple elope and get married within the National Parks system, having shot in over 15 different National Parks!
1. Intentional wedding photos that tell your story through connection and authenticity.
2. Customized location guide tailored to your specific interests with unique accommodations, possible trails and overlooks, and creative elopement day activity ideas all outlined!
3. Access to a curated recommended vendor list.
4. Personalized timeline planning optimized around the natural light at the locations we have planned throughout your day.
5. I am a certified Leave-No-Trace Aware Photographer and have years of experience exploring and recreating in both the back and front countries of our public lands and National Parks.