Elopement Packages

Virginia Elopement Package

Virginia may be known as one of the 13 original colonies and for its historic landmarks, but Virginia is also a gorgeous place to elope. There’s a little bit of something for every type of couple if you decide to elope in Virginia. You can find gorgeous beaches, whimsical forests, mountain views, waterfalls, and more. If you’re thinking about eloping in Virginia, then this guide is for you!

How to Elope in Virginia

Vendors to Build the Perfect Virginia Elopement Package

When putting together your Virginia elopement package, you want to consider your overall elopement budget. Whether you’re planning an elopement in one of Virginia’s parks or a micro wedding, your budget is everything when planning! Elopements have a pretty big range when it comes to an average price because it all depends on what vendors you decide to include on your wedding day. Please note that you are not required to include every vendor type in your package.

Are you ready to start planning your Virginia elopement?

Check out our vendor categories to consider when thinking about your elopement package:

Photographers

These vendors are where most of your elopement budget will be going towards, but for good reason. On average, our photographers will charge $2,500-$6,000 per elopement. This depends on how many hours of coverage (half-day versus full-day) a couple is looking for their Virginia elopement package.

Featured Virginia Elopement Photographers

Videographers

Like elopement photographers, videographers are going to be a great investment for your elopement day to document your adventures together. On average, our videographers will charge $2,500-$6,000 per elopement. Keep in mind, this depends on how long you want your elopement footage to be. For example, a full-day video coverage would cost more versus covering just your elopement ceremony.

Officiants

On average, our officiant members will charge $500-$800 per elopement. Officiants are great to orchestrate your favorite traditions and wedding vows. It’s also important to note that some other vendors are also officiants, so we recommend always asking.

Elopement Planners

You don’t necessarily always need a wedding planner for your elopement adventure, but having a planner does help if couples have a very clear elopement vision. The average price for our planner members is $1,000-$3,000. Planners are also great for couples who don’t want to DIY or worry about anything, or couples who live far from their elopement destination.

Florists

Since you’re planning an elopement, you’ll need fewer floral arrangements than your average traditional wedding in Virginia. If you aren’t down to DIY your own bridal bouquet, then a florist in Virginia can average $300 to $600.

Venues

Even though there are plenty of public land options to consider eloping to in Virginia, there are also some pretty neat private venues in Virginia too to include in your elopement package. Our team loves private venues because they do offer you more privacy and flexibility when you two are going to elope. Private venues, on average, will charge $300 to $4,000, depending on the location.

Places to Elope in Virginia

Like we said earlier, there are some pretty awesome places to elope in Virginia. We are going to list some of our favorites to help you narrow down your list of some of the best places to elope in Virginia. However, we always recommend teaming up with a professional to elope in more remote locations. 

Shenandoah National Park

Probably one of the most popular places to elope in Virginia is Shenandoah National Park. This is a huge park with so much to offer including waterfalls and mountain views. 

Within this park, you’ll find Big Meadows, a field filled with wildflowers and grass in the middle of the park. This is a gorgeous spot for your elopement for the epic views all around you.

Another idea to find your elopement spot is to drive through Skyline Drive, which is the main road through the park. Here you’ll find multiple overlooks with epic views without the hike. If hiking is more of your thing, however, then explore one of the multiple trails in the park.

A special use permit is required ($150) for any type of wedding ceremony involving more than 15 people. If you’re planning on having fewer people with no wedding set up, then you don’t need a permit. 

Great Falls Park

This park is probably one of our favorites. Great Falls Park has giant rock formations and a gorgeous river. We love the way this park looks in elopement photos!

This is the perfect elopement destination if you’re looking for something whimsical. If you’re considering having your elopement ceremony here, then you need to apply for a permit.

All wedding ceremonies require a permit, which entails standard entrance fees. For more wedding rules at Great Falls Park, head over to their website.

Virginia Blue Ridge Parkway

This is a popular spot and pretty huge! Blue Ridge Parkway is so big that it spans from Virginia to North Carolina. We love this place because there are multiple trails to explore including Cold Moutain Trail, Humpback Rocks, and Raven’s Roost. 

Since this area is so expansive, it’s easy to find a remote spot for your ceremony or elopement portraits. Our members who specialize in Virginia elopements are pros at finding the best spots here.

A special use permit is required for all ceremonies ($60 for application + $40 for permit), regardless of how many people are attending. In fact, you can’t have more than 25 people during a wedding ceremony at this location.

A Beach

While Virginia is known for Virginia Beach, there can be a lot of tourists there for your elopement.

It’s important to remember there are multiple beach spots that will be less packed with people. We personally recommend Sandbridge beach. 

This beach is close to Virginia Beach, but it’s more private, intimate, and lined with houses. This place to elope in Virginia is a great spot to consider if you’re looking to include some family and friends on your wedding day.

Grayson Highlands State Park

Grayson Highlands is another park that offers visitors mountain views. This park is also relatively close to North Carolina, so it would be a great opportunity to elope in Virginia and then explore another state after.

One of the reasons why we love this location… ponies! Yup, you heard right! This location has wide open spaces, ponies, and mountain views. It’s pretty hard to top that. 

A special use permit is also required for this location ($25 application fee). For more wedding rules and permit information, head to their website.

When to Elope in Virginia

Like most places, Virginia does have specific times of year that are more ideal to plan elopements. While this state is beautiful year-round, we recommend staying away from weekends, specifically in the summer. 

Summers in Virginia are very hot, and a lot of tourists usually visit during this time of year. If you’re thinking about eloping in Virginia during Winter, then except mild temperatures but some rain.

We personally think the best time to elope in Virginia is during the spring and fall months. We love elopements in Virginia during the spring because of the gorgeous wildflowers and new blooms. During Fall elopements, you’ll witness some of the most epic changing colors of the leaves.

Whatever season you decide, consider having your elopement during the week. We usually recommend weekday elopements for all locations for multiple reasons including smaller crowds, cheaper prices, and more privacy. 

Consider teaming up with one of our awesome elopement vendors as you build your Virginia elopement package, so you can be prepared for multiple scenarios that may arise.

Virginia Wedding License

Obtaining a wedding license to legally get married in Virginia is actually really easy.

The license, unlike other states, can be used the same day you apply, but we always recommend applying at least a month before your wedding.

A Virginia marriage license has a $30 fee, and you don’t need to have witnesses sign your license. The only required signatures are your own and the officiant. 

The important thing to remember is to send your signed license back to the court within 5 days. 

Check out their website for more marriage requirements in Virginia. 

Are you still not sure if Virginia is the best place for you to elope? Check out some of our best places to elope!

 

Are you still looking for the best place to elope and not set on eloping in Virginia? Look into elopement packages in some of our favorite locations:

Washington – Iceland – Oregon – North Carolina – Colorado – Texas