So you’ve decided you want a Georgia elopement, congrats! Georgia is a beautiful place and will make the perfect backdrop for your big day. Now that you’ve decided what state to elope in, I’m sure you may be overwhelmed with the specific location, activities, stays, and vendors to choose from. That’s where I can help! Being a Georgia elopement photographer means I have traveled and explored the state extensively to bring you the best information on Georgia elopements! Check out this guide for all your elopement needs!

Picture this……

Waking up by your loved one’s side, having a relaxing morning cup of coffee watching the sunrise from your mountain overlook airbnb. You have a perfectly slow morning enjoying each other’s company and getting ready for the day. 

First on your to-do list is paddle boarding out on the lake soaking up all the sunshine. You enjoy an afternoon picnic lounging in the shade and take a nap or read a book. 

We head back to the airbnb to freshen up and head out to your dream location, a mountain overlook with a sunset view. You read your vows, declare your love and are officially married! We celebrate with a quick hike to some waterfalls and you enjoy every minute of your first few moments as a married couple. We continue the celebration back at the airbnb with cake, dancing, and your closest friends and family. 

Does this sound too good to be true? It might, but that’s why I am so glad you’re here. I am the person to make your too-good-to-be-true happen. I’m here to help you plan the perfect adventure elopement while capturing it all for you to look back on.

---

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. When is the best time to elope in Georgia?
2. How to choose an elopement location in Georgia
3. What adventure activities can I do for my elopement?
4. Who to include in your elopement
5. Getting married legally in Georgia
6. What to pack for a Georgia elopement
7. How much does a Georgia elopement cost
8. Georgia elopement photography packages

---

When is the Best Time to Elope in Georgia?

The good thing about Georgia is that there is never a bad time to elope! You can elope year-round depending on what you want. There are more recommended and *ideal* times of year when it’s not too cold or too hot but it mostly depends on your specific wants!

***My favorite times of the year for a Georgia elopement are May, October & November!***

To narrow down when you want to elope, you need to ask yourself this question:

• What activities are you wanting to do and what weather is required for them
  • Swimming and water activities – perfect for those hot summer days
  • Hiking – better during cooler times like winter, spring + fall
  • Frozen waterfalls and snow – winter
  • Fall foliage – fall
  • Wildflowers – summer + fall
  • Blooming trees and flowers – spring

The seasons in Georgia

Winter

Winters in Georgia tend to be more mild than elsewhere! The weather still can get pretty cold at higher elevations in the mountains and sometimes even snow for those looking for a white winter elopement! For those wanting to elope in the winter and not freeze, southern GA or lower elevations are a great option. GA is known for having milder temperatures in the winter and the occasional 50-60 degree day. The good thing about the winter is that the trails are less busy than other times a year which can offer more privacy for an intimate elopement.

Spring

Spring is a beautiful time in Georgia with all the trees and spring flowers blooming. The weather is much more mild than winter and summer allowing for a comfortable elopement day. March tends to be a very rainy month however, this means waterfalls will be flowing strongly creating a great backdrop for the big day. It’s also a great time to have an adventurous hike before the weather gets too warm.

Summer

Summertime in Georgia is known for its heat, humidity and constant chance of rain, but don’t let this scare you! Everything is a beautiful lush green and wildflowers are blooming! Summer is the perfect time to elope for those wanting to incorporate water adventures into their elopement. Eloping at the base of a waterfall or out on the lake will keep you cool even on the hottest of days. Out in the woods there’s plenty of shade to keep you out of the sun. For mountain elopements the temperature can be much cooler at higher elevations! Even though rain and storms are frequent in the summer, they pass through quickly leaving plenty of time for an elopement or quick adventure!

Fall

Fall is my ideal time to elope in GA. The leaves are changing, the temperature is much more tolerable and it’s some of the driest months! One downfall to fall is that trails and parks are much more busy this time of year due to the nice weather and fall foliage. Weekday elopements are highly recommended during this time of year to avoid the crowds and maximize privacy. The good news is that there are so many different trails and mountains that it’s easy to spread out, especially when I know all the secret spots to get away from the crowds!

How to Choose an Elopement Location in Georgia?

Between living in GA, loving adventures and frequenting these places for photography, I have found some of the best hidden and private locations to have your elopement based on your wants and needs. Whether you want a private waterfall, an open field, or endless mountain views, I’ve been there and found that just for you!

One of my favorite things about GA is how diverse the nature here is from one end to the other. You can have an elopement in the mountains, at the lake, on the beach, in the mini grand canyon, or in a field of wildflowers. The possibilities are endless! Keep reading below for some of my favorite locations!

Cloudland Canyon

Yonah Mountain

Toccoa Falls

• This is a beautiful waterfall backdrop for your elopement. You must reach out to reserve the waterfall ahead of time (contact Toccoa Falls College for reservations and pricing: https://tfc.edu/the-waterfall/weddings-events/). This allows for a totally private ceremony and reception that can accommodate up to 200 guests. They also have a cottage, in case of rain. It is a Christian college so no alcohol is allowed on-site and they do have restrictions on who can officiate the ceremony. There is lots of hiking around this area and cute downtown areas! There is even a nearby airbnb with its own private waterfall!
• No permits required, reach out directly to the college for pricing.

Providence Canyon

• Known as the “little grand canyon”, which is one of GA’s 7 natural wonders, located in Southwest GA. It has great overlooks into the canyons on the rim trail and you can hike down into the canyons to explore all 9 of them! It is a great place to have a western vibes wedding without actually heading out west! Have your elopement at the overlook with friends and family and then head down into the canyons for a celebratory picnic! Head to the local brewery or winery after to continue the celebration! This location is a little more secluded than others so lodging can be a little more challenging. Camping at the state park is always an option!
• $50 permit for weddings, must reserve in advance 

Beaches

• For all you coastal lovers, I can’t forget the GA beaches! St. Simon Island, Jekyll Island and Cumberland Island all make for beautiful backdrops for your wedding day. Since we are on the East Coast these are great options for sunrise ceremonies if you’d like more privacy. They all have great little downtown areas to explore, old Oak trees for great photo opportunities and endless adventures await! Elopements are best here in the Spring or Fall before it gets too hot and humid and the beaches are packed with vacationers. 
• Special use and photography permits may apply depending on location

Ok, we have when, where and a great location. Now let’s plan some adventure activities!

What Adventure Activities can I do for my Elopement?

The opportunities are endless when it comes to activities in Georgia! Here are some fun ones to get you started!

The possibilities are endless. I am here to brainstorm a meaningful adventure for your perfect elopement that is memorable to you!

Who to Include in your Elopement?

This is a common question when it comes to elopements. There is often guilt around not inviting certain family members or, you might be choosing to elope to escape certain people and family drama. Here’s the thing… it’s YOUR day. There is no right or wrong when it comes to your elopement. Invite them all or invite no one, there’s no wrong way to do it as long as you stay true to yourself. One thing to keep in mind is that some locations won’t be able to accommodate guests or may restrict the amount of guests. Keep this in mind when thinking about locations and who you want to invite.

Just because you are wanting to invite guests, doesn’t mean it still can be intimate and private. I highly recommend planning something for just the two of you on your wedding day. Chances are, you are eloping for a reason and wanting a private, intimate and low key day celebrating you and your love. Have an adventure hiking, paddle boarding, have a picnic or watch the sunrise. Say your vows in private and hike back to your family for a small, short ceremony afterwards. Or have a day to yourself with private activities, vows, and a ceremony and have a celebration after with your closest friends and family at an airbnb with a private chef or a local restaurant. It truly is about what you want and how you want to celebrate your love. There is no wrong answer and you shouldn’t be guilted into doing something not true to yourself. I am here to help you plan the most authentic and true-to-yourself elopement of your dreams. 

Getting Married Legally in Georgia

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!

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. 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!

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 as early as you want. The signed marriage license must be returned to the probate court within 30 days after your wedding and 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! If you prefer witnesses, 2 are required without an officiant’s signature. 

What to Pack for a Georgia Elopement

Packing for a trip can be hard, packing for your elopement can be even harder. Don’t worry, I am here to help take any packing stress away from you! I frequent these areas, know the weather patterns and have the experience with elopements to know what you will need and what you can leave at home! Let’s first talk about how the season’s can affect your packing.

Summer Weather

• Summertime tends to be hot and humid with a chance of rain or a thunderstorm at any point. The average temperature is 80-95 degrees. Sunscreen is a must to prevent any sunburn. It is also important to make sure you have enough water to stay hydrated whether you are out on the hiking trail or lake. Rain gear is also important for those pop up showers. I have umbrellas I carry at all times and you should bring outer shells/ponchos to stay dry from the rain. You can often buy very compact ponchos to not add any extra weight to your gear or luggage!

Fall Weather

• The weather cools off and the humidity drops, however it’s not uncommon to have a hot day, especially in the sun, or have the temperature drop suddenly requiring warmer gear. The average temperature ranges from 55-75 degrees in the fall. It’s best to bring a variety of layers that are easy to take off or put on as needed. It’s also important to remember that temperatures run cooler at higher elevations so it’s important to plan accordingly! The good news is that rain is less common however, it is never a bad idea to be prepared with some rain gear. 

Winter Weather

• Although Georgia stays warmer than other places in the US, it can still get pretty cold in the winter! The average temperature ranges from 34-50 degrees but can get colder, especially at higher elevations. It’s not uncommon to have a snow or ice storm at those higher elevations. January tends to be the coldest month with temperatures starting to come back up in February. If planning a winter elopement, it is important to bring layers to keep you warm. Thick wool socks, hats, gloves and hand warmers are a good starting point along with base layers to keep as warm as possible. 

Spring Weather

• Spring tends to be similar to Fall temperatures with much more rain. The weather tends to vary between 65-80 degrees making it a great time for hiking and camping. The weather can be cooler at higher elevations so it’s important to bring lots of layers for this time of year. Springtime can also be a rainy season so it’s important to bring rain gear such as jackets, ponchos, etc. 

Elopement Packing List

• Essentials for your suitcase
  • Comfortable shoes – broken in hiking boots/shoes easy to walk in
  • Socks – comfortable moisture wicking socks to wear under your hiking boots
  • Warm layers – flannel, light down jacket
  • Rain gear – poncho, light rain jacket
  • Warm accessories – gloves, hat, scarf, hand warmers (if eloping in winter or at sunrise/sunset)
  • Base layers – tights/legging base layers to wear under your dress for winter elopements or sunrise/sunset ceremonies 
  • Swim gear – swim suit for an airbnb hot tub, or trip to lake/waterfall
  • Sunglasses/hat
  • Hair accessories – safety pin, bobby pin, hair tie, barrette, veil, hairspray 
  • Accessories – jewelry, cufflinks, tie pin, rings, watch
  • Undergarments – bra/sticky pads for dress
• Hiking packing list
  • Hiking backpack – can hold dress and flowers
  • Plenty of water – minimum of 32 oz depending on the hike
  • Snacks – anything to keep the hanger away!
  • Bear spray – Georgia does have black bears so bear spray or a bear horn is a must for safety
  • Rings
  • Vow books
  • Touch up bag – extra makeup for long days or sweaty hikes, sewing kit, hair accessories for touch up, mirror, lipstick, safety pins
  • Bug spray and sunscreen – essential for those summer months
  • Celebratory drink! 

This is a great start but not an exhaustive list, once we schedule your elopement I will send over a more detailed list based on the time of year and location.

How Much Does a Georgia Elopement Cost?

Now that you’ve decided to elope, you’re probably here because you want to know what elopement photography costs. Elopements have changed over the past few years, they are no longer a quick ceremony with a couple pictures. They are now day long adventures celebrating your love and marriage in an intimate and authentically epic way instead of having a big wedding. Even if you are looking to elope just the two of you, it is important to make sure you choose a seasoned elopement photographer that can plan the perfect day for you filled with adventure, secret locations off the beaten path, all while capturing your most authentic emotions.

Keep reading to find out what an elopement photographer should cost and what to look for in a photographer to create the most epic adventure elopement.

What’s the average Georgia elopement photographer cost?

An adventure elopement is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is the most intimate and authentic adventure you are embarking on to start your marriage. You are hiring a photographer to capture the epic emotion filled moments to hang on your wall, share with your family and to look back on for the rest of your lives. A great elopement photographer will get to know you and your relationship, work with you to find the perfect location and assist in planning to ease your stress and create the most memorable day. An elopement photographer is truly an investment in not only helping to create the perfect adventure elopement but to also capture every emotion and memory you felt during the day.

The average Georgia elopement photographer can cost $4000-8,000. 

What should you expect from your elopement photographer?

Your elopement photographer should AT THE LEAST be well versed in your location, weather patterns, marriage licensing, permitting, and places to stay. They should offer options that are lesser known and not found on google unless you want everyone in a state park watching you get married (my guess is you don’t- that’s probably why you’re eloping)

Someone who knows more remote locations will allow a greater adventure to get to the elopement spot and allow privacy and intimacy for your vows. A remote location can make you feel like the only people on Earth and feel like one with nature. 

An elopement photographer should also assist in planning your elopement day from start to finish. They should be meeting with you to find the perfect location and adventures, help you plan your stay and lodging, assist in getting permits, and give you customized packing lists. They should help take the stress of planning off of you, especially if you have only visited the state a few times. Having a photographer to guide you through the process, scout locations, and understand your needs are key to having an epic and stress-free elopement day.

Here are some key services to look for when selecting an elopement photographer:

• Location scouting –
  • you should have confidence that your photographer has the best locations that are off the beaten path
• Time-line planning
  • Having someone to help guide you through the day to make sure you get in all the adventures while accounting for snack breaks and travel time
• Vendor recommendations
  • Look for a photographer who knows the area, where to eat, local stays and local vendor recommendations to make planning stress-free!
• Back up plans
  • We have plan A but what if something happens? Having a photographer with a back up plan and who can come up with creative solutions to any problem will ensure a stress-free day!
• Permitting assistance
  • Find a photographer who knows the area, permit requirements and can help you obtain these permits so you aren’t stuck wasting hours playing phone tag with a park ranger!
• Experience creator –
  • Most importantly, find someone you want to be around on your special day. Someone who brings great energy, happiness, and will get to know you to help create the day of your dreams. You only get married once, make sure it’s perfect for YOU!

Make sure your photographer specializes in elopements…

There are a lot of photographers out there. One of the most important things you can do is find one that specializes in adventure elopements. Some ‘wedding photographers’ may offer a cheap 1 or 2 hour elopement. This is a very different experience than us photographers specializing in elopements. Often, with the ‘wedding photographers’, they don’t offer planning services and you are stuck wasting hours googling vendors, locations, permits, and timelines leading to increased stress and frustration. 

Hiring a local photographer specializing in elopements will help ease any stress and worry by providing you with planning resources. They will assist in all aspects of planning, organizing and scheduling to ensure the perfect elopement. 

You’ve made it this far, now what!?

You’ve made it to the end of this guide, which is great! You just read a lot of information and may be feeling overwhelmed, but don’t worry I am here to help! I will plan your elopement day from start to finish so you can have the perfect day, without stress, to focus on your love and adventure.

Click here to view my Georgia Elopement Photographers page!