How to Elope in Georgia

If you’re looking for how to elope in the Georgia, then look no further! You’re probably here because you and your partner decided that the Georgia had the perfect mix of nature and adventure that you were looking for in your Georgia elopement, but now you have no idea what’s next or what you need to do. Maybe you’re even feeling a little overwhelmed. Am I right? That’s where I come in!

In this How to Elope in the Georgia blog, we will cover:

• Where to Elope in the Georgia
• When to Elope in the Georgia
• How to Elope in the Georgia
• What to do during your Georgia Elopement
• What to Bring to Elope in the Georgia
• Example Timeline 
• Georgia Elopement Packages

Where To Elope in the Georgia

Once you have your marriage license (skip to the bottom of how to get legally married in the Georgia), you can elope almost anywhere in Georgia! Keep in mind that there may be permits needed from island to island, park to park, or location to location. It’s important that you find a Florida elopement photographer who can help you navigate these waters (pun intended) and suggest locations that fit your vision!

Here are some of my favorite elopement spots in the Georgia:

• Blue Ridge Mountains (Appalachian Trail, Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rabun Bald, or Yonah Mountain)
• North Georgia (Mineral Bluff, Elijay, Black Rock Mountain State Park, Anna Ruby Falls, Tallulah Gorge, Cloudland Canyon State Park, or Amicalola Falls)
• Atlanta (Piedmont Park, Botanical Gardens, Ponce City Market or any Atlanta breweries)
• Georgia Coastline (Savannah, Tybee Island, St. Simons Island, or Cumberland Island)

Want some guidance on finding the perfect Georgia elopement location? Learn about my elopement packages and how I can help you plan and capture your elopement vision! 

When To Elope In the Georgia

Georgia experiences all four seasons, which makes planning your spring, summer, fall, or winter Georgia elopement a breeze depending on the vibe you’re going for! You can learn more about Georgia weather by visiting ExploreGeorgia.

Generally, here’s what you can expect:

• Spring: Warm (65-80F) with tons of blooms; thunderstorms are common
• Summer: Hot (80-90F) yet lush; thunderstorms are common
• Fall: Brisk (50-75F), dry and sunny yet crowded
• Winter: dry, mild winters (30-60F)

Keep this in mind before setting a date! Hurricane season starts in June and goes all the way until November. While Georgia does experience less frequent hurricanes compared to their southern neighbor of Florida, the coastal cities of Georgia may be impacted. Even if you’re planning a summer elopement not on the coast, it’s important to keep in mind that significant rain may impact your area. If you plan to elope during hurricane season, get some travel insurance and plan an early summer (June/July) as hurricane activity picks up later in the season between mid-August and mid-October.

If you want to avoid crowds, plan your elopement during an off-season, non-holiday weekend, or during the week.

Need help figuring out the best time to elope in Georgia? Let me help guide you!

How To Get Legally Married In the Georgia

According to the Georgia.gov marriage website, you must meet these requirements to get married in the State of Georgia:

“You must be at least 18 years old, of sound mind, and have no living spouse from a prior un-dissolved marriage in order to be issued a marriage license. A 17-year-old may be issued a marriage license if certain conditions are met.

If at least one of the people getting married is a resident of Georgia, a marriage license can be issued at a probate court in any county. If neither person is a resident of Georgia, the license must be issued in the county where the ceremony is taking place. Both parties must be present in order to obtain a marriage license.

You will need proof of age, proof of divorce (if applicable), and a method of payment when applying for a marriage license. The signed marriage license should be returned to the [issuing] probate court within 30 days of the ceremony. You will then receive your marriage certificate in the mail within 30 days.”

While these are the general guidelines, each county has their own set of rules that you’ll need to follow. In all cases, you’ll need to bring one of the following:

• Valid driver’s license
• Original or certified copy of birth certificate
• Valid passport
• Valid military ID

Marriage license costs vary from county to county, but the ballpark cost is around $60-$90. If you complete the pre-marital course, it does lower the cost of the license!

Regardless of resident status, there is no waiting period for marriage licenses! That means you can elope the same day you pick up your marriage license.

You will need someone to officially marry you; however, you do not need witnesses! This makes it much easier to make things official!

Need help figuring out what you need for your Georgia marriage license? Let me help!

What To Do For Your the Georgia Elopement

With a never-ending supply of adventure, Georgia is the best place to explore! Here are a few of my favorite things to do for Georgia elopements:

• Hike to an awesome waterfall
• Visit a lake and have a picnic
• Explore downtown Elijay
• Sunrise ceremony over the ocean followed by outfit change into swimsuits for fishing and shotgunning
• Visit local breweries and wineries
• Rent off-road vehicles and explore the mountains
• Go horseback riding in the mountains
• Take it downtown in Atlanta and find all the best foodie spots
• Rent a charter boat, pop champagne, then meet friends and family for brunch

There’s endless opportunities to make your Georgia elopement exactly how you want it with YOUR kind of adventure!

Need help brainstorming ideas? Let’s create something epic together!

What To Bring To Elope in the Georgia

I want to ensure that my couples are fully prepared for whatever Georgia may throw at us. Depending on the time of year and the weather, here’s a quick list of all the things to have handy for your Georgia elopement:

• Marriage License
• Pen
• Backpack
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Umbrella
• Rain coat
• Snacks
• Water
• Towel (if we plan to get into the water)
• Change of clothes (if you tend to sweat)
• Some form of celebratory drinks for post I do’s!

Example Timelines

If you’re wondering how your all day Georgia elopement could look, here are some example timelines!  

4-Hour Timeline

Hour 1: Getting ready, details, & first look
Hour 2: Ceremony
Hour 3: Quick hike to a waterfall or lake for a picnic
Hour 4: Portraits at golden hour

8-Hour Timeline

Hour 1: Getting ready, details, & first look
Hour 2: Ceremony
Hour 3-6: Half day adventure
Hour 7: Portraits at golden hour
Hour 8: Dinner & drinks downtown

12-Hour Timeline

Hour 1: Getting ready, details, & first look
Hour 2: Ceremony
Hour 3: Lunch break
Hour 4-7: First Adventure (at one location)
Hour 8-12: Second Adventure (at another location)

Georgia Elopement Packages

If you’ve made it this far, it means you’re ready to elope in the Georgia, but maybe you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with all that’s involved? If that’s you and you would love for someone to help brainstorm ideas, plan out the logistics, give you recommendations, andddddddd capture epic photos, then I’m your girl!