So you want to elope in Tennessee. Congrats on coming to that decision, I think it’s a great one! Deciding to elope is the first step, now comes the logistics. 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 work hard to 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! I’m a coffee obsessed adventure finder, water lover, reader, and epic photo taker. I’m not just a photographer. I’m here to be your planner, guide AND adventure buddy. I’m here to 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 Tennessee! Tennessee is known for having cute downtown areas in each city with great breweries and distilleries 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 Tennessee?

Many couples I work with may have a broad vision of how they want to elope in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee the Smoky Mountains and mountain towns offer gorgeous views and wildlife, food, and fun activities for you to explore! Chattanooga is also a fun city with lots to do!)
• 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, city
• Who are you bringing? Does it need to be pet friendly? Is there anyone with mobility issues? Do you require bathrooms?

These questions are a great starting point to begin narrowing down your elopement locations! Check out my Guide: Best Places to Elope in Tennessee for some of my favorite spots!

Popular Tennessee Elopement Locations

Making your Elopement Legal

The marriage license for Tennessee is fairly easy to obtain. You and your partner can obtain a marriage license from any county clerk’s office in the state regardless of where you are from or where you are getting married. You can fill out an online application ahead of time to speed up the process. 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 TN wedding license varies from county to county but ranges from is about $90-$100. It is actually cheaper (~$41) if you are from out of state! If you have done approved premarital counseling, you will receive a $60 discount! Refer to their website to see if appointments are necessary.

You can get married the same day you get your marriage license however, it is recommended to plan ahead and not wait until the last minute to prevent any issues! You can get your marriage license earlier than your wedding date, just keep in mind that the license is only valid for 30 days from the date it is obtained. The signed marriage license must be returned to the county clerk’s office within 30 days after your wedding and is typically done by your officiant. You will receive your marriage license via mail afterwards.

Tennessee does not require witnesses to sign your marriage license, although you can have them sign if you wish! All that is required is the signature from your ordained officiant!

Now that we have the logistics out of the way, next the fun part- planning!!! 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!

Check out my Tennessee Elopement Photographer page here!