How to Elope in Georgia
So you want to elope in Georgia…. Congrats on coming to that decision, I think it’s a great one! Deciding to elope is the first step, now comes the logistics. How to elope in Georgia? Marriage license, permits and locations. These logistics and legalities can be frustrating to figure out. Every state and county can vary widely with frequently changing regulations leading to nonstop stress. Don’t worry, I am here to help!I live in Georgia and stay up-to-date on all things weddings and am constantly scouting locations to help make your elopement planning as stress free as possible.
Hi, I’m Jenna- a coffee obsessed adventure finder and epic photo taker. I’m not just a photographer, I’m here to be your planner, guide AND adventure buddy! I’ll tell the story of your wedding day– from the crazy fun adventure filled moments to the quiet in-between moments and the endless love you share.
Trying to find a hike with beautiful views, waterfalls to picnic by, a lake to swim in then a great restaurant or winery to celebrate at after? Keep reading to learn more about how to elope in Georgia! Georgia is known for having the cutest downtown areas in each city with great breweries and wineries for celebrating. You can hike a variety of mountains, trails, waterfalls or lakes that are all close by, then head to a nearby downtown to eat and drink! You can have it all- intimacy and privacy for your ceremony, endless adventures in nature and a great celebration after.
Where to Elope in Georgia
Many couples I work with may have a broad vision of how they want to elope in Georgia. Here’s where I can help! Here are some ways to nail down your dream elopement day to make your planning easier!
- Are there any specific places you want to visit / stay at before or after your elopement? (if you aren’t from Georgia the North Georgia mountains and mountain towns offer lots of wineries, food, and fun activities for you to explore!)
- What activities are you interested in doing before / during / after your elopement? (think… hiking, paddle boarding, rock climbing, spelunking, hot air balloon ride, picnic)
- How do you want to get to your location? Hiking, off-roading, or a drive up spot
- What views do you want? Lake, mountain, waterfall, forest, beach
- Who are you bringing? Does it need to be pet friendly? Is there anyone with mobility issues?
These questions are a great starting point to begin narrowing down your elopement locations! Check out my Guide: Best Places to Elope in Georgia for some of my favorite spots!
Popular Georgia Elopement Locations
Tallulah Gorge
Toccoa Falls
North Georgia Mountains
Making your Elopement Legal
The marriage license for Georgia depends on if you or your partner are GA residents. If either of you are, you can both head to your local county probate court to get your license. You must both be present and will need to provide them with photo ID showing proof of age, proof of prior divorce (if applicable), SSN, and a payment method. The cost of a GA wedding license is about $56. If you have done approved premarital counseling, you will receive a $40 discount! Refer to their website to see if appointments are necessary.
Non-Georgia Residents
If you and your partner are not GA residents you must go to the probate court in the county you are getting married in to apply for your marriage license. All of the above requirements still apply, so make sure to check those out!
Making it Legal – How to elope in Georgia
You can get married the same day you get your marriage license but, it is recommended to plan ahead and not wait until the last minute to prevent any issues! In Georgia, you can get your marriage license as early as you want. You must return your marriage license to the probate court within 30 days after your wedding. It can be done via the mail or in-person.
If you have an officiant sign your wedding license, then you don’t need witnesses! I am ordained and can help you with this to keep your elopement as small and intimate as possible!
Now that we have the logistics out of the way, next the fun part- planning!!! But don’t worry, planning doesn’t have to be stressful. I am here to be your main resource – your planner, adventure buddy, and expert packing guide. I do this for a living and I know the ins and outs of not only photographing your elopement but planning the day from start to finish and knowing what you will need! If you are looking for all this and more, click below for more info!
Click here to view my Georgia elopement photography!
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