Lacey & Ryan’s Laidback Petit Jean State Park Elopement Adventure

Lacey and Ryan planned a laidback and intimate elopement without the strenuous hikes. They wanted their day to reflect their love, so they found the perfect cottage and explored easily accessible trails and overlooks during their adventure in Petit Jean State Park before coming home and enjoying some cake together.  Get all the details from their elopement below.

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About This Elopement

Photography by Beaty Creative Photography

“Lacey and Ryan wanted an adventure elopement at one of Arkansas’ best elopement destinations, Petit Jean State Park, which is a mountaintop park in the central part of the state. They wanted to keep things relatively relaxed and easily doable for the day of. So instead of hiking or doing any kind of strenuous activity, we opted for going to multiple locations that are easy to access just to enjoy the views and see some of the staples of Petit Jean State Park.

They rented the Seven Hollows and Cedar Falls cabins through Beaumont Cottages so that they could each have their own space to not see each other until the ceremony, which we did right in between both cabins since it has overlook views from atop the mountain.

Ryan’s best friend officiated the ceremony and helped Ryan get ready in his cabin, while her wife helped Lacey get ready in the other cabin. It was just the four of them, myself, and a videographer, so it was a very intimate and private day.

We got ready at the cabins, did the ceremony outside, then headed out for our adventure around the park before heading back after sunset for cake and champagne.” [Caitlin, the photographer]

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Planning Your Elopement at Petit Jean State Park

“Petit Jean State Park has multiple areas where you can hold your ceremony at. You will need to contact the park and give them details of your ceremony, such as: how many people will be in attendance, what day/time you’ll be there, how long the ceremony will last, which specific area you want to use, etc.

They will let you know if you need the ceremony permit or not, and how much the permit fee will be for that spot. Permit fees are very affordable and go towards supporting the park. You do not need a permit to explore the park and take photos before or after your ceremony.

All general LNT rules apply throughout the park and will be your responsibility to follow, and your responsibility to make sure your guests follow, or else you may be fined.” [Caitlin, the photographer]

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Top Tips From The Photographer

“Get familiar with the park to come up with your itinerary for elopement day! There’s several places to check out here, and you’ll likely have time to hit up a few of them during your adventure. Many spots are drive-ups that require no hiking, but others do require upwards of a 2-hour roundtrip hike. Work with a photographer that both specializes in elopements and is familiar with the park so they can help you select spots you want to see, and what you have time to do.

I always recommend doing some kind of activity on elopement day so that it doesn’t just feel like a photoshoot. This could be something simple like a picnic at one of the scenic spots, or taking a canoe out on Lake Bailey, or hiking down to Cedar Falls. Stay in one of the many cabins/short-term rentals on the mountain and you can go back for cake and a dip in the hot tub after you’re done exploring!” [Caitlin, the photographer]

Deciding to Elope

“Our decision to elope was deeply influenced by a desire to prioritize our relationship and the intimacy of our union. We encountered some family challenges, which made us realize the importance of focusing on what truly mattered, our love for each other. We wanted to remove the stress of trying to please everyone and instead, create a moment that was uniquely ours… By eloping, we were able to savor every precious moment together, free from distractions, and truly imprint the memory of our union in our hearts forever.

“We envisioned capturing our special moments against the backdrop of nature’s beauty. Equally important to us was ensuring that the cabin provided a cozy retreat in case of unexpected weather, like a sudden thunderstorm. That’s why we sought out a cabin with generous windows and a breathtaking view, allowing us to bring the outdoors in and still have a stunning backdrop for our ceremony if the weather was bad.” [The couple]

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Elopement Planning Details

“Instead of dragging out the planning process day by day, I decided to jot down all my ideas and wishes at once. Within a week, I made it my mission to select all the necessary vendors to avoid any distractions along the way.

As the big day approached, everything fell into place seamlessly. Our dear friends Hannah and Christy, accompanied by their adorable daughter Leila, were by our side throughout the entire process, from the preparations to the ceremony and dinner afterward. Their support, along with the dedication of our incredible vendors, elevated our day beyond our wildest dreams, etching unforgettable memories in our hearts.” [Lacey, the bride]

Estimated Cost of This Elopement

Photography | ~ $2,000 (8-hour coverage & almost 450 photos)
Videography | ~$1,600 (5-minute video of our vows)
Hair & Makeup | ~$300 including a trial
Cabin | 4 nights at Seven Hollows A-Frame on Petit Jean Mountain for ~$1,100
Bouquet and 2 boutonnieres| ~$300
Cake Tasting & Cake | ~$200
Food and Alcohol | ~$350

Total | ~ $5,850

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Memorable Moments From This Elopement

From the photographer:

“I love that Ryan had his best friend officiate for them. It’s so special to get that honor. She and her wife were the only two that got to witness the ceremony and celebrate the day with them, and I can only imagine how much they enjoyed that special occasion. I think this is what eloping is all about. It’s meant to cater an intimate experience for the couple to share their love, and it’s their choice whether or not they invite other people into that sacred moment.”

From the couple:

“The sheer joy of being able to truly be ourselves, without any external pressures or expectations. It was a rare opportunity to simply unwind in each other’s arms, fully savoring every moment without a care in the world. Having the freedom to follow our hearts and indulge in whatever brought us happiness made it an experience we’ll treasure forever.”

Final Words of Advice

From the photographer:

“It’s important to hire an elopement photographer who is either a) familiar with the location or b) knows how to research a location to the point it’s like they’ve been there before, that way you get the best experience possible. Petit Jean State Park is packed full of different spots and it’s important to know the details of each one so you know what you can and want to do on elopement day.”

From the couple:

“Don’t worry about anyone but yourself and your partner. We all have dreams of sharing our wedding with our family, but sometimes that doesn’t work out. You can always have a party later and dress back up for them if you’d like. Make sure to make your voice heard if a vendor asks you to do something that you don’t feel comfortable doing or if you would like something specific done differently with your makeup, hair, photography, flowers, etc.

If you think it might get chilly during your photography time at various locations, don’t forget a
warm jacket! When walking to our photo locations we almost froze to death because of the sheer wind that was cutting across the mountain.”

Vendors

Photography | Beaty Creative Photography

Cake | Dempsey Bakery

Makeup | Styled by Michelle 

Florals | Evergreen Bride Florals 

Video | Wanderbloom Films 

Photos From This Elopement