Hayleigh and Dana’s Intimate Elopement at Hocking Hills
Elopements

Hayleigh and Dana’s Intimate Elopement at Hocking Hills

Hayleigh and Dana chose to elope to Hocking Hills, Ohio, to have a simple, intimate wedding day focused on their love for each other. They wanted a private, meaningful ceremony without the pressures of a large event, opting for a quiet vow exchange under the waterfall at Ash Cave. Despite the drought affecting the waterfall, the serene surroundings provided the perfect backdrop for their romantic day, followed by a stunning portrait session at Old Man’s Cave. Get all the details below.

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About This Elopement

“Hayleigh said they chose to elope to Hocking Hills, Ohio because she and Dana wanted to keep their wedding day simple and beautiful. To her, the most meaningful parts of a wedding day would be spending time with Dana, the photos, and feeling comfortable being themselves. She said, ‘We view this day as a day for our marriage and not just a wedding and would like it to be a romantic, intimate, and meaningful experience.’ Since Dana comes from a large Cambodian family and is 1 of 7 kids, they wanted to have a ceremony with just the two of them and not do a three-day Cambodian wedding with an extensive guest list. They both prefer to avoid being the center of attention and want to keep the cost of the ceremony down.

They decided to elope to Hocking Hills, Ohio. After some Getting Ready photos at their cabin, they had an early morning Private Vow ceremony under the waterfall at Ash Cave in Hocking Hills State Park. Unfortunately, the waterfall was a trickle due to drought. But they still had the park to themselves; it was a quiet and epic spot to say their vows. After Couples Photos at Ash Cave, we went to nearby Old Man’s Cave to finish up portraits.” [Elizabeth, the photographer]

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Permits and LNT

“Ash Cave is part of Hocking Hills State Park. A permit is not required for portrait photography. However, couples who wish to have their ceremony within Hocking Hills State Park must apply for a Special Activity Permit at least 30 days before the event by calling the park office at (740) 385-6842 extension 250.

According to the Hocking Hills State Park Wedding Restrictions, the park must always remain open to the public to enjoy in its ‘natural’ state. So weddings cannot block pedestrian traffic, and couples cannot bring in items obstructing views like altars or chairs. Visitors must stay on trails. They are also not permitted to stand on the edge of cliffs or in unsafe areas. Swimming and wading in the waterfall pool are not allowed. Additionally, any material not native to the area must be packed out after the wedding.” [Elizabeth, the photographer]

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Top Tips When Eloping in Ash Cave

“Ash Cave is one of the most popular locations within the Hocking Hills but is also a top destination for Ohio and the Midwest. Because it is an easy-access location with epic views, it attracts a lot of visitor traffic. While it does look great year-round and in different seasons, the site is the most magical in the morning before peak traffic. The cave’s acoustics amplify the sounds of nature while light trickles in through the forest canopy. And since the seasonal waterfall dries up in late summer and fall, the location is the most lovely in winter and spring.

The cave floor is made of thick, dry sand, so it’s best to wear lace-up boots or go barefoot.

There are lots of boulders inside that cave that make great spots for seated portraits. I carry a lightweight Turkish towel in my backpack to place on the rocks so couples don’t get dirty.

The cave is gorgeous, but having all of the photos taken against a sandstone background can be boring. Make sure to grab some photos in the forest surrounding the cave for pops of background color. The forest is a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees, so there will be some patches of color year-round.

The cave gets dark quickly in the evening because of its orientation in the gorge. Golden Hour light doesn’t reach the location, and it’s best to schedule several hours before sunset to have enough light.” [Elizabeth, the photographer]

Planning Process

“Elizabeth was such a huge help from initial planning of photography locations, cabins to stay in, recommendations for shoes, wedding dresses, and florists, and her communication throughout the entire process was incredible! She always had an answer to a question we had or was able to calm any nerves. ” [The couple]

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Memorable Moments During This Elopement

From the photographer:

“I photograph at Ash Cave often, but the light was particularly magical on Hayleigh and Dana’s elopement day. We arrived early in the morning and had the space to ourselves. We were in a public space, but it felt intimate and private.”

Final Words of Advice

“A local photographer is intimately familiar with the area, including hidden gems, scenic spots, and even the best times of day for photography. They can help you choose the perfect location that aligns with your vision and captures the essence of your elopement.

Elopement locations often have specific permits or regulations in place. A local photographer can guide you through the process, ensuring you have all the necessary paperwork and avoid potential issues.

A local photographer can connect you with other local vendors, such as florists, and hair and makeup artists. They also know which lodging options are closest to your elopement locations.” [Elizabeth, the photographer]

 

Vendors

Photographer | Elizabeth Nihiser Photography
Dress | Luxe Redux
Alterations | Carolyn Fang (alterations.by.carolyn)
Boots | Thursday Boot Company
Nails| Lisa Korm (doneby.lisak)
Flowers | Darlene Savely
Cupcakes | Hilliard Station Baking Co
Barber | Danny’s Barber Shop (barberdannycutz)

 

Photos From This Elopement

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