As a native Tennessean, I’ve found Nashville to be the perfect place to plan an unforgettable elopement that is fun, affirming, and full of adventure. Nashville truly has everything you need for the elopement of your dreams!
I had the chance to capture Lily and Allison’s intimate Nashville elopement, and I loved being a part of this meaningful and joyous celebration!
Read on to learn more about planning a Nashville elopement.
Why Should You Elope in Nashville?
There are so many great reasons to elope in Nashville starting with the city itself! Nashville is a charming city filled to the brim with different places to explore, an amazing music scene, and stunning views.
Also, if you are an LGBTQ+ couple, Nashville is a fantastic place to elope. The city has a very welcoming LGBTQ+ community and has a variety of stunning venues that cater to LGBTQ+ couples. It is a city that is both inclusive and supportive!
You can also find many LGBTQ+-affirming vendors here. As a queer person, I understand the importance of feeling seen and respected in the destination you choose to elope, and Nashville comes with a glowing recommendation from me!
Furthermore, if you’re looking for a never-ending list of elopement activities with lots of variety, Nashville is the perfect place, whether you want to do something outdoors or something in the city. Looking for some super fun activities to add to your elopement? Check out my guide with 50+ Nashville elopement ideas here!
How to Elope in Nashville
To elope in Nashville, you’ll need to get your Tennessee marriage license, and luckily, it’s super easy.
Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Head to the County Clerk’s office with your partner. Every county in Tennessee has a country clerk’s office, and you can get your license at any of them as long as you plan on getting married in the state.
- Bring valid photo IDs with you (driver’s license, passport, etc)
- Pay the fee – the cost can vary, so you’ll want to check online prior to your appointment to confirm. The license fee is usually around $100 but it does vary slightly by county.
- Get your marriage license! Your license is valid immediately and for up to 30 days after you receive it.
Pro tip: Save yourself time by filling out the online marriage application before you go to the County Clerk’s office!
For the most up-to-date information on getting your marriage license in Nashville, head here.
Where to Elope in Nashville
If you choose to elope in Nashville, you’ll have plenty of absolutely incredible elopement locations to choose from—it all really just depends on what you’re looking for.
Some places that you can consider are:
- CJ’s Off the Square
- Centennial Park
- Cheekwood Estates & Gardens
- Pedestrian Bridge
- Scarritt Bennett
- Alabaster Creative
- City Winery
- Clementine Hall
- The Bell Tower
- Local parks
- Your own home!
Lily + Allison’s Intimate Nashville Elopement
Take a behind-the-lens look at Lily and Allison’s Nashville elopement!
Lily and Allison planned a super chill and casual elopement. The vibe was “just hanging out, but we’re getting married,” and they didn’t have a set venue other than their home and a public park.
Getting ready
We started their morning with them hanging out in their pajamas on their cozy couch, snuggling up with their pets and each other. For breakfast, they shared their favorite bagels from Crieve Hall Bagel Co. Then they got ready together, did their own hair and makeup, and helped each other get dressed while their pets eagerly “helped” out, too.
After they were ready, we headed out to a park. We started at one end and walked through the tunnels and murals. Then we made it to the bridge, where we met their officiant, who is also one of their friends.
The Ceremony
At the bridge, Lily and Alison had a really sweet ceremony with lots of smiles, hugging, and kissing. Their ceremony was just the two of them and their officiant.
They got their rings from Minor Jewelry, and something really unique was that they actually made their own bouquet, which they shared on their wedding day. By the way, the florist they used has half-priced stems on Saturday—check them out here.
Lily and Alison’s bouquet was inspired by the lesbian flag so, and it was a beautiful mix of dark orange, pink, and dark rose flowers. Also, shout out to the lesbian flag-inspired blanket we brought with us for adding not just warmth but a fun pop of color.
Post-ceremony
Once their ceremony was finished, we wandered through other parts of the park, exploring and celebrating the start of this new and exciting chapter in their lives.
After exploring every inch of the park that we could we went back to their place and they celebrated with all the pets! Then it was time for a nap before having a tasty dinner with some of their loved ones to celebrate their elopement.
I loved how intentional Lily and Alison’s elopement was. They truly created the perfect celebration for just the two of them adding special touches and elements that complimented each other and their love story.
Ready to Plan Your Nashville Elopement?
I hope you found this info on planning a Nashville elopement helpful! Remember, at the end of the day, your elopement should feel effortless and full of love. Your celebration gets to look however you want it to whether that’s planning a casual and chill elopement like Lily and Alison or having an epic adventure or a destination elopement – the possibilities are endless and can be completely customized to your preferences.
And..if you are still looking for a queer elopement photographer to capture your elopement in Tennessee or beyond, I’d love to chat! You can look at my services here or head over here to get in touch to discuss how we can get started planning your dream wedding!
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