How to Elope on the Blue Ridge Parkway

If you clicked on this post- you must be thinking of eloping. Deciding on where and when to elope is a big deal, and I am so happy you are considering one of the most beautiful places in the world – The Blue Ridge Parkway. You have almost 500 miles of stunning mountain vistas to choose from and no matter where you decide to elope- I promise the BRP will not disappoint.

1. Decide Where to Get Hitched’

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Make sure when searching for a location you choose one that will suit your day best. If you want family who may not be able to go on a strenuous hike – you may want to consider locations with easy access.

The thing I love most about the parkway is that it literally has everything. If you want rocky cliffs? There’s a spot for you. If you want 360 views of the mountains? You got it. If you want waterfalls, rivers, or lakes- there’s plenty to choose from.

Here are some of my favorite Elopement locations on or near the Parkway:

2. Decide Your Date

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When deciding your elopement date- there is a lot to take into consideration. If you decide on a winter elopement- you need to make sure you choose a location that will still be accessible in the case of weather related parkway closures. Some of these accessible points include Thunder Hill, Beacon Heights, and Looking Glass Falls. Also- keep in mind that the Forest Service does not issue permits for the entire month of October because of how busy it gets.

I know a lot of you may want October weddings but let me tell ya- there are so many people on the parkway during peak week you would not want that anyways. If you still want some fall colors- book your elopement for the end of September when those colors start poppin’ off!

3. Getcho’ Permit

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You are going to want to get your permit at least 3 months in advance from the date you want to get married. Once you decide on your location- you check to see which district your location is which will determine if you need a permit or not. Fees for permits are cheaper than any other venue around- usually between $40-$100! Check out the locations I linked below for the application pages.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Great Smoky Mountains

Shenandoah National Park

4. Choose Yo’ Vendors

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Once you got the logistics down- we can focus on the fun stuff. The dress, tux, flowers, and all the bells and whistles in between. When choosing your vendors- make sure they are someone you can build more than just a business relationship with. You want vendors you can connect with. Especially when it comes to your photographer. Your photographer will be with you the entire step of the way – from helping you plan your elopement to third wheeling you on your big day. Make sure the photographer you choose has elopement experience- because it is entirely different from wedding days!

5. Par-tay Time

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One of the most important parts of your elopement is to decide what other options may benefit the logistics of your day. Are you hoping to have a reception? Do you want a space to get married in? What activities do you want to do after your elopement?

If you are eloping on the Parkway – I highly suggest looking into renting an Airbnb. Airbnb’s are an amazing addition to elopements because of their versatility! For example, this Airbnb above gave Molly and Andrew the option to get ready together before their elopement and place to have a reception with family and friends after. If you are more interested in booking an Airbnb for your elopement- check out my recent blog post on the best Airbnb’s in North Carolina!

Other fun after elopement activities could include a picnic, renting a hot air balloon, slack lining, chilling in your eno, or poppin’ bottles. No matter what- there is so much room to add your own personality in to your elopement!