Ready to Get Married in a National Park?
Here in the U.S. we are so very lucky to have protected lands that are well cared for and open for us to explore. Some of the most unique and beautiful views in our country can be found in our 62 National Parks (even more if you count the national memorials, forests, and recreation areas!), and with the "adventure boom" we're experiencing, many people have found joy and excitement in the outdoors! So much so that our National Parks are receiving more requests than ever to host weddings. And it's understandable for sure! If you've loved spending time together adventuring, it only makes sense that you'd want to incorporate adventure into the happiest day of your relationship. So the big question is, how do you get married in our National Parks?
There are SO many aspects that go into planning a wedding, but planning a traditional wedding is very different from planning an adventure wedding. Rather than planning seating charts and floral arrangements, you're choosing whether you want to hike to a waterfall or go off-roading in the desert! But that's not the wedding world most people have experienced growing up, so there are a lot of questions and uncertainty surrounding the subject of eloping in the great outdoors. But no worries! Here are some things to consider if you're thinking about eloping in our National Parks...
1. Hire the pros who are experienced with adventure weddings!
Firstly, it's crucial to ensure you're hiring someone capable of guiding you through your adventure! As an adventure wedding guide and photographer, I assist all my couples in planning the perfect day and offer advice on best practices to ensure their success. Adventure wedding guides assist with location scouting, selecting appropriate trails, obtaining necessary permit information, providing packing lists, creating timelines, and more. Additionally, with them also serving as your photographer, your guide will be with you throughout the day, capturing the experience and ready to handle anything that arises.
It's also important to ensure that the officiant, musicians, and any other vendors involved in your day are aware of the demands if you're planning a significant hike or off-road adventure. Fun Fact: I became ordained for any of my couples who might struggle to find an officiant willing to join them on a hike!
2. Secure the correct permits
Nearly all national parks permit wedding ceremonies, but similar to a large wedding, you can't just arrive and get married without notifying the venue and paying for the space. It's important to contact someone at their office to ensure you're completing the necessary paperwork and adhering to their rules and regulations. You certainly don't want a park ranger interrupting your ceremony! Additionally, make sure to submit your permit well in advance. Some parks require submission within a specific timeframe (at least 30 days' notice).
The cost of permits varies by park, ranging from $50 to $500. For instance, Zion National Park charges a $100 permit fee, New River Gorge's fee is $50, and Rocky Mountain's fee is $300.
You could get around that though...
Alternatively, you can have your ceremony outside of the park (at your cabin rental for example) and just do portraits within the park. Places like Arches National Park don't require a permit or fee (other than park entry) in that case! But again - each park is different so you always want to make sure you have permission to do photos in the park first. NPS has been known to look through social media and fine people who post photos from parks they didn't secure a permit for.
3.
Adhere to the park's rules & regulations
Guest Count Limits - This varies by park, but is crucial to consider if you're inviting family and friends to the event. The limits can range from as many as 100 people to as few as 10, including your vendors.
Ceremony Location Restrictions - Parks often have specific areas designated for weddings, regardless of whether you have guests or it's just the two of you. Unfortunately, you might not be able to hold your ceremony at a particular spot you had in mind, but you can still take your portraits there later.
Flower Limitations - Yes, some parks have regulations regarding flowers! This is to prevent seeds from invasive species from entering the parks and disrupting the natural environment. Some parks prohibit real flowers entirely, while others require the use of local flowers only. For instance, Grand Teton National Park prohibits flowers on Wyoming's Noxious Weed list, such as baby's breath.
Know What You Can & Can't Bring - Often, setting up altars, arranging chairs, using decorations, or throwing items (like birdseed and rice) is not allowed.
Music & Sound Restrictions - Parks impose limits on amplified music, so if you use a speaker or hire a musician, be aware of these restrictions.
Pets - Many couples who elope choose to include their dogs, but ensure that pets are allowed in the park beforehand.
4. Timing is everything
Planning a successful elopement relies a lot on the time of year, week, day you choose!
Best Time Of Year - Consider two factors: the weather and peak tourist seasons. In the southern U.S., temperatures are extremely hot from late June to September, and even longer the further south you go. Therefore, I strongly advise against planning a wedding in places like Zion National Park and Lake Powell (part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area) during the summer. Conversely, many northern and high-altitude parks experience early snowfall in the fall and late snow in the spring, making some roads and park areas inaccessible. If you love snowy landscapes, it's crucial to do your research, be prepared, and stay flexible.
Summer break and holiday weekends are also peak travel times, meaning places like Arches and Glacier National Park will be crowded with visitors. This can significantly diminish the experience. Additionally, both parks have reservation systems that require you to book months in advance just to enter. For those seeking privacy, favorable weather, and minimal stress, planning a visit in the fall and spring is an excellent choice!
Best Time Of Day - My preferred time for capturing an elopement during the busy season is at sunrise. While an early wake-up might not appeal to everyone, consider this: it's cooler in the summer, and there are far fewer people competing for parking and scenic views. Plus, the lighting at that time is truly magical! Sunset is also a wonderful time for photos and ceremonies, but you're more likely to encounter others if you choose a location that is easily accessible.
Best Time of the Week - If possible, I highly recommend opting for a weekday instead of a weekend! Avoiding crowds is key to ensuring you can fully enjoy your wedding day.
5. Leave No Trace
I could go on and on about the principles of Leave No Trace, all of which are pretty much required to be followed by every park. But instead, I'll direct you straight to the source: lnt.org/why/7-principles
But here's what that means in wedding terms:
Leave with what you brought - This means all garbage, flowers, decor, etc.
Leave what you find in the park behind - you can't pick flowers or collect rocks
Respect the wildlife - Meaning you can't carve initials into trees, rocks, etc. You must stay on the trails so as not to destroy the environment. Many parks have very delicate plant life, and even if you can't see it growing, your footsteps can have a huge impact. And you always want to keep your distance from animals you may encounter - don't feed the bears or the chipmunks! (not being able to make friends with the chipmunks is probably the hardest part of LNT for me)
Plan ahead and prepare - I make sure I provide information and resources to all of my clients to help them prepare but be sure to pack the right clothing and footwear for the environment and weather you'll be in, stay hydrated, bring sunscreen, and keep your phones charged just in case of emergency.
Be considerate of others - Remember that while this is your wedding day, we are not the only people there to enjoy the park. So unless we have a reservation for an exact spot, we cannot expect others to sacrifice their experience for our photos and your ceremony.
6. Plan some fun in your timeline!
Adventure weddings aren't just about the ceremony and portraits - it's about doing what you love with who you love! And there's a whole lot to do than just go hiking. Here are some ideas...
Plan an off-road Jeep Tour! Sometimes this can be a great way to get to a beautiful and secluded ceremony spot that has far less visitors to encounter without the hike.
Kayaking or boating are a great way to cool off, and you can find some seclusion this way too!
Hot air balloon ride
Helicopter ride - another means of transporting to a remote location!
River tubing - pack up the cooler and float down the Colorado River in your white wedding swimwear!
Ride a ski-lift or gondola to the mountain top in the summer for some great views
Find a nearby brewery or winery and have a couple of drinks
Pack a picnic and share a charcuterie at an overlook together
Stargazing - head back out after dark and watch the stars from your favorite park!
Sandboarding or Sand Sledding
Skydiving
Soaking in a hot tub
Roasting marshmallows around the campfire
7. Figure out state marriage laws
If you're planning from outside of the state you'll be getting married in, be sure to research the marriage laws for where you'll be traveling to. Find out what you'll need to bring, how far in advance you'll need to apply before having your ceremony, if you have to apply in-person or if you can apply online in advance, who can perform the ceremony, etc.
Finding the right park for your needs can be exhausting. Or perhaps you're looking for a similar alternative to a National Park you love? Let the pros handle it!
After booking, all Wild North Weddings couples complete a questionnaire to share their vision for their ideal wedding destination. Once I have this information, I begin location scouting and present them with options they will adore! We'll discover the best views, trails, and activities to ensure it's the most unforgettable day. Then, we'll capture every incredible moment of their shared experience in photographs.
Are you ready to plan the adventure of a lifetime? Let's chat! Fill out the contact form at the bottom of any page, or find out more about what Wild North Weddings offers here:
More Resources and Inspo for Planning your Elopement Day!
Hey there! I'm Carly D'Angelo-Hall - a photographer specializing in documenting weddings across the U.S. If you love adventure, experiencing new things, and if you like to live "outside of the box", let's talk about how I can help you create and capture the wedding day of your dreams! Visit wildnorthweddings.com to view all-inclusive wedding day and adventure session packages.
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