Have you thought about a Tennessee elopement?
Choosing to elope means getting married on your terms. If you want your wedding to be an epic adventure story (no sweat needed), Tennessee elopement locations may surprise you!
…From water, to cityscapes, to woods and sweeping overlooks…
…From city exploration to outdoor adventures to celebrate your wedding…
…And, no matter who is with you…private vows with your partner. Or your whole crew for a family elopement ceremony. Or some combination of the two.
The best places to elope in Tennessee can give you exactly what you are looking for. Likewise, something that is totally you for your wedding experience❤️️.
Read on to see all the options you may not have known that Tennessee elopements could provide!
THE BEST PLACES TO ELOPE IN TENNESSEE: WATER
If you’re looking for a water elopement, Tennessee has your number:
Greeter Falls:
If you want a signature Tennessee waterfall elopement location, these falls must be considered for your wedding experience! Without a doubt, these have a moderate hike to reach them, but the effort is worth it!
A trip to South Cumberland State Park gives a ton of reward for your efforts!
The short loop, Greeter Falls Loop Trail, leads to three beautiful waterfalls. Upper Greeter Falls, Lower Greeter Falls, and Boardtree Falls. Each one is beautiful and unique, and the flow and vibe of each varies by season. No matter the time of year, these can for sure be a great spot for your waterfall elopement ceremony!
PRO TIP: These images below are of Greeter Falls & the trail in August! Very low flow, but awesome for swimming and still beautiful!
For fuller flow, try early spring (Feb-March) and into early winter (late October into November-ish)
Falling Water Falls:
There is a quick 11-minute hike (.3 miles) to reach a great lookout above the falls. While the view of the falls is hidden from the overlook, the overlook is the “wow” feature of the space. On one hand, this location is accessible, though the trail is a bit rocky. The overlook is known for being exposed space so watch your step! The parking is extremely limited, so keep that in mind. If you choose these falls, I would recommend this spot for a “Just Us” elopement experience.
Rainbow Falls:
As our friends at VisitChattanooga.com say, “Where do we start? Rainbow Falls is beautiful, and it’s the closest waterfall on this list to downtown Chattanooga. It’s a no-brainer, and we would be remiss to leave it off” our list of amazing elopement locations. Except:
… Don’t go. Seriously. Don’t go to Rainbow Falls. Please.
Why? Well, for one, it’s not really allowed. There are signs on the Cumberland Trail which state that pretty clearly from above the slope. That’s trespassing, and we don’t encourage trespassing. It’s also super dangerous to try to access the falls, which has nothing resembling an actual trail down the slick, precarious slope from above. There has been more than one rescue (and one fatality) from this area in the last couple of years.
But the most important reason is that it’s become a conservation issue. The rogue “social trail” down from the CT is eroded badly. It gets worse with every rainfall and there’s no shortage of rain in Chattanooga.
https://www.visitchattanooga.com
- Pro Tip: Some sites like RootsRated.com show it as open, but land managers, local hiking groups, and others consider it closed. Long-term solutions are being explored to provide safe, sustainable access to Rainbow Falls, which, benefits us all.
- So in the meantime, worry not! With so many great waterfall elopement location options in Tennessee, you need find what’s right for you. I’d love to help you find the right one for you.
Hit the Rapids!
If you want to amp up your adventure, we can build a ceremony and/or vows adventure around river rafting. Tennessee’s three well-known rivers that offer white water rafting—the Pigeon River, Nolichucky River, and Ocoee River. With fun water for beginners & good time seekers, all the way to Class III+ rapids for a more thrilling ride!
Cruise a River!
Layer in some fun to your vows by hitting that water. Create a unique ceremony with a few cherished loved ones, or a fun outing for Just Us Two with a kayak or stand-up paddled boarding experience to some truly beautiful locations.
- Pro Tip – Chattanooga has some beautiful Riverboat or other commercial boat options for a beautiful wedding on the water!
NATIONAL + STATE PARKS FOR THE BEST TENNESSEE ELOPEMENT:
National and state parks provide endless scenic outdoor ceremony spots! Choosing a national or state park as your elopement location (or part of of your overall adventure!) allows space for so much of your own flavor.
With forests, rivers, waterfalls, endless trails, lakes, and breath-taking mountain views, you can make your experience yours.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
Located just outside of Knoxville (45 minutes) and not far from Chattanooga (2 hours). The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular areas for micro weddings and elopements in Tennessee. It has a range of pre-approved ceremony spots that require minimal walking. Or spots with easy access roadside that give location options for larger groups.
Pro Tip: There are no “backcountry” weddings or wedding portraits allowed (updated May, 2022.) This is because any areas beyond a very limited radius are considered wilderness and protected as such.
In addition, some pre-approved in-park locations have booking restrictions (eg: holidays, fall colors season). So, because there are limited locations, they do book up quickly! You’ll want to plan ahead!
Cherokee National Forest:
This national forest is the largest public area in Tennessee with 650,000 acres of forest space. It’s located just an hour outside of Chattanooga. This national forest is home to spots like Ocoee Rivers, Unaka Mountain, and Watauga Lake. There is a huge variety in these Tennessee elopement location vibes and scenery!
Fall Creek Falls State Park:
When you want it ALL, Fall Creek Falls is an amazing option! With a number of different waterfalls in different vibes (free-falling cascade, curtain, and more!) and at different intensity of hikes and ease accessibility, AND, gorgeously sweeping overlooks that Tennessee is known for, this park packs a punch for eloping couples.
Thinking about eloping with family for a beautiful micro-wedding? Go for it!
There are even some easy to access beautiful natural spaces that don’t require any hiking! I’ve found in my prior work the Park events team to be friendly, and, they were super stoked to work with couples looking to elope by themselves OR with family in the natural spaces around the park.
The event team was also excited to help couples customize a plan to use their onsite facilities at the hotel for a slightly more traditional leaning reception. So, that is another great option if you want to blend family into your adventurous elopement!
And, whether you want to take advantage of:
- Beautiful, novel treehouse or unique cabin lodging a short distance away via my Enchanted Canopy Collection, or…
- Stay onsite in the Park’s onsite hotel (it’s lovely!)…
- Book the family-style cabins on the in-park lake, or…
- Traditional camp at the park’s campground…
…you can enjoy all the things that make Tennessee amazing in this one great location;-)
PRO TIP: These images at Fall Creek Falls were taken in February! Trees are still mostly sleeping, but the waterfalls are WIDE awake, lol. Summer and early fall season will see these flows reduce quite or bit or in some years, almost completely dry up. Time of year matters if you want this dramatic view!
Roan Mountain State Park:
Roan Mountain is a very popular mountain spot in Northeast Tennessee. This park is perfect for the couple looking for sweeping mountain views. A relatively easy walk takes you up to the top of a lush, gorgeous mountain bald, for views that stretch for miles! But, if you love the forest, you still win, as the area is still surrounded by beautiful forest. This location is in the Blue Ridge of the Appalachian Mountains, and is an amazing option.
Love the ideas of Great Smoky, but not into the restrictions, limited timing, or needing to spend thousands? Tired of looking at spots that still don’t really get the vibe you want? Let me know what vibe you are looking for, and I’d love to help you find just the right spot to meet your needs!
TENNESSEE’S BEST – CHATTANOOGA ELOPEMENTS
While some of my favorite destinations to elope in Tennessee are forests, trails, and overlooks, I have a secret… You can get ALLLLLLLLL of that by eloping in Chattanooga.
With some serious accessibility, to amazing natural spaces and parks of all kinds, and, cool accommodations of any kind, restaurants, and other activities, you honestly need look no further than The Scenic City!
Prentice Cooper State Forest:
This bluff-top stretch of state forest has beautiful trails, lush ravines housing babbling brooks, and some TOP NOTCH overlooks that give with a panoramic view of the Tennessee River. One of my favorite overlooks is basically a small version of Horseshoe Bend, Utah, but in Tennessee?. Here, the summer phenomenon of a cloud inversion can happen, and it is amazing, with clouds sinking down into the river valley below your feet. Surprisingly located only 45 minutes outside of Chattanooga, the overlooks & trails across Prentice Cooper State Forest can give your Tennessee Elopement a unique twist.
Pro Tip: A a multi-use forest, Prentice Cooper has seasonal, rotating closures for hunting. Navigating those considerations is part of the elopement concierge service I provide as we finalize your dates and elopement plans!
Lookout Mountain – Sunset Rock:
Lookout Mountain makes for an epic elopement location (and undeniably great photos!) Located in Chattanooga with only a short hike, you can see amazing views above the city. A favorite of locals & tourists alike, a midweek elopement or microwedding is advised.
PRO TIP: Love the feel and vibe of Sunset Rock, but not up for the crowds? Chattanooga is stacked with options with varying levels of hiking & accessibility that I’d love to help you explore as options. Location scouting & options are part of every package!
Signal Mountain – Signal Point:
With more parking than many areas, seasonally available restrooms, and epic views for you and your crew, the options on Signal Mountain will not disappoint! With great accessibility options with no hikes, to moderate hikes that yes, even your older parents can do!, you have wonderful choices of overlooks, forest views, a waterfall, swinging bridge, and more for a truly unique Chattanooga Elopement.
BONUS!
Cloudland Canyon: Located right outside of Chattanooga, TN (and technically in Georgia!) Cloudland Canyon is a must on this list. Unquestionably, there is a lot to see and do at Cloudland Canyon. Deep canyons and sandstone cliffs to explore, hiking, mountain biking, disc golf, creeks and waterfalls, and so much more.
With space for a micro wedding with your closest crew, or, an awesome Just Us adventure (or some combo of the two!), if you and your partner want all the outdoor activity around your adventure elopement, then this is a great choice! The bonus? There are some super fun accommodations with camping, cabins, and vacation rentals local, too!
TREEHOUSE WEDDING LOCATIONS in TENNESSEE:
I would be missing out if I didn’t share one of the best kept secrets for elopement & microwedding venues and adventure home bases in Tennessee…. The amazing variety of Treehouses, Treelofts, Glamping and Unique Cabins all across the state!
When you want an amazing experience, but logistics that are much easier to navigate than a traditional wedding venue that works best for a huge wedding party, a treehouse elopement or micro wedding is absolutely the way!
My Enchanted Canopy Collection is a curated list of lodging with hosts & supporting vendors (think florists, caterers, event rentals & more) that are excited to work with you as an eloping couple to bring your vision to life!
Never imagined a treehouse wedding as location option in Tennessee? You’ve been missing out! 😉 Check out more info here!
SECRET TENNESSEE ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS:
The above lists include some great elopement locations in Tennessee, but I’ll be honest there are so many more I can’t wait to show you!
Location scouting and custom location lists are a foundational part of EACH of my elopement concierge services in my elopement packages, whether you’re eloping in Tennessee or on the search for somewhere else in the US!
What else might you find in Tennessee?
Take a spin below, and if any of these catch your eye, and you and your partner are looking to elope in Tennessee and want some expert support to bring all the pieces together, let’s talk❤️️!
IS A TENNESSEE ELOPEMENT THE BEST PLACE FOR YOU?
In summary, Tennessee has endless places just right for your special adventure elopement, and I can’t wait to help you find the “spot!” for your I Do!
Love Tennessee’s elopement locations, but curious to explore some other southern location options?
You can explore Georgia Elopement locations here, and see what true beauty is possible ALLLLLL across the South!
From waterfalls, to gorgeous overlooks…Treehouses, to mountain tops and more… The best place to elope in Tennessee is really about deciding your desired scenery, and, the time of year you want to elope, then using that to narrow down to the best locations! BUT…. If all these options feel a little overwhelming, know that I’m here to support you in finding the right spot, figuring out logistics from location access to ceremony planning, to figuring out how to include your family if you like!
I specialize in building a day that fits you two as a couple, allowing you to have the most personal, awesome wedding elopement experience, without the stress. Your wedding, made simple! Learn more on how your elopement actually comes to life!
