So you are Ready to elope and Nashville sounds like the perfect location, Fantastic! I am here to to tell you everything you need to know to elope in Tennessee's Music City.
Photos By Destination Life Photography www.destinationlifePhotography.com
Photos By Destination Life Photography www.destinationlifePhotography.com
(Photos taken at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens, Nashville, Tennessee)
Where Should we elope?
The First thing to consider is location. Which since it's just the two of you can be be completely determinate on what type of backdrop you want for your elopement photos .
Do you want a city elopement, photos teeming with the city life, a ceremony on the river. Followed by a trip down broadway or through the gulch?
Photos By Destination Life Photography www.destinationlifePhotography.com
Maybe you'd like to elope on a bridge overlook where you can have semi privacy and city around you, like Nashville's Pedestrian Bridge?
A historic home, like the Belmont Mansion?
Photos By Destination Life Photography www.destinationlifePhotography.com
Something more modern like a city rooftop of the bridge building or in the W Hotel?
Photos By Destination Life Photography www.destinationlifePhotography.com
Do you want to take advantages of all the gorgeous nature in middle Tennessee; get married at a waterfall or an overlook, in the forest?
Photos By Destination Life Photography www.destinationlifePhotography.com
A Nashville Elopement can offer all of these options and so many more. I am an elopement photographer, planner and officiant and offer all inclusive packages to give you a perfect, easy, fun Nashville elopement!
Season
When is the best season to get married in Nashville? I'll give you a simple breakdown.
Spring: Eloping in Tennessee in the Spring will give you mild temperatures, beautiful blooming flowers and trees, and tons of outdoor activities in the spring. The state is known for its vibrant wildflowers and redbud trees which peak in late April and early May. It is also festival
season if you are looking to add some local culture to your elopement
Photos By Destination Life Photography www.destinationlifePhotography.com
Summer: Eloping in Tennessee in the Summer can be fantastic and is a popular time. It is a summer heat sensation. So you want to be prepared. Tennessee is full of lakes and rivers gives you the opportunity for swimming, boating, and fishing, and the weather is warm and sunny. Choosing a sunrise elopement in the mountains can also be a great way to stay cool at a Tennessee summer elopement.
Photos By Destination Life Photography www.destinationlifePhotography.com
Sunrise on Nashville's Pedestrian Bridge over the cumberland River and Nashville's Riverwalk
Fall: A Fall elopement in Tennessee is perfect for those mesmerizing autumn colors and cooler weather. The peak fall foliage season is in mid-late October and the first couple of weeks in November.
Photos By Destination Life Photography www.destinationlifePhotography.com
Winter: Winter is a great option for a less crowded elopement. If you want a little snow you can plan for somewhere in the north east Tennessee, Gatlinburg area. Though snow in Tennessee is pretty unpredictable. Tennessee give your winter elopement opportunities for many cozy holiday vibes.
Photos By Destination Life Photography www.destinationlifePhotography.com
What Time of day is best?
This is a multi factor question. Dependent on your weather, season, and light preferences.
Golden Light- during the hours of Sunrise and Sunset
Photos By Destination Life Photography www.destinationlifePhotography.com
Blue Light- The hour before sunrise and hour after sunset
Photos By Destination Life Photography www.destinationlifePhotography.com
bright light- to gather the True colors of the environment. though, I never suggest shooting midday unless your are going to be in the forest or have areas of shaded light.
Example Timelines
Your Nashville elopement can be as fun filled as your heat desires, but how exactly does that look? Below are three options to give you a little inspiration.
4-Hour Timeline
Hour 1: Getting ready, details, & first look
Hour 2-3: Ceremony & mini adventure
Hour 4: Portraits at golden hour
8-Hour Timeline
Hour 1: Getting ready, details, & first look
Hour 2-6: Ceremony & half day adventure
Hour 7: Portraits at golden hour
Hour 8: Dinner & drinks
12-Hour Timeline
Hour 1: Getting ready, details, & first look
Hour 2-5: Ceremony, lunch break, & adventure at first location
Hour 6-12: Adventure & portraits at second location
Let's Make it legal
3 easy Steps for your Nashville, Tennessee elopement to be official
1. APPLY FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE.
First things first :)
Marriage licenses are $100. You can apply for a marriage license at the local county clerk closest to your location or if you are a Tennessee local one close to home :) This must be done during the work week and in-person. There’s no waiting period or blood test in Tennessee. All you have to do is arrive in Nashville a day ahead of time and ensure you go to the probate court during business hours so you can pick up your license before the ceremony.
Things to know:
In Tennessee pre-marriage counseling will lower you marriage license fee to $60. You must have a notarized copy of your course completion.
To apply for a marriage license in Tennessee, you can apply ahead of time with a pre-application to save you time in the office.
You need:
your social security card, driver license or state id
proof of age (if 18-25) your drivers license, or birth certificate will be sufficient
Both you and your partner need to be present
You are now free to roam about Tennessee and elope anywhere that makes you happy! In Tennessee Your marriage license is good for (30) days.
Check with the applicable clerk of court before making plans to ensure You have everything you need to complete your Tennessee license application!
2. HIRE AN OFFICIANT.
If you want something as private as possible, I am an officiant with the universal life church and would love to marry you! This is a complimentary service in all my Tennessee elopement packages. Though you are absolutely welcome and encouraged to choose any officiant you would like.
This can be any ordained minister, priest, rabbi or other ordained clergy, judges of the state of Tennessee. There are a ton of option for you to find your officiant and I would love to help. I have worked with many amazing officiants in the past and would love to put you in contact with them.
3. SEND BACK YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE
The last and easiest step in your Nashville Elopement process is returning The marriage license to the issuing clerk of court for the recording of the ceremony.
If you are in love with the idea of eloping in Nashville, but you’re unsure where to begin, let me show you how I can help! See what an elopement experience with me can look like!
Nashville Elopement Photographer, Planner and Officiant
You are ready to elope in Tennessee! Yay! But maybe you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with all that’s involved? If this is you and you would love for someone to help with the logistics, give you recommendations and brainstorm ideas (this part is my favorite!) then I am here to help!
Hi, I am Nicole your elopement photographer, adventure planner and number one advocate, and I am Ready to make your elopement day special.
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