Sound the alarms…YOU’RE ENGAGED!! I am so excited for you!
Once that ring slides into place (if a traditional engagement is your style) the questions start flooding in. When is the wedding? Where will the wedding be? Who will be involved? It can be overwhelming! I’ve done you a little favor and created a guide on How to Elope in Georgia! Enjoy ? (and again- congratulations!!)
Let’s start with often the first questions couples get asked- when and where?
Location:
We all know of traditional wedding locations, but when it comes to an elopement, your options are endless! I really encourage my couples to start by thinking about the spots where they’ve had the best experiences together at. If one of those would make the wedding experience that you are looking for, go with that!
Or maybe you’re looking for something big and wild- like a place that you two have always wanted to go to. Sometimes, big dreams need an occasion. And what occasion is better than your wedding?!? It’s totally appropriate to bring up your bucket list here.
But if Georgia has your heart, as it has mine, then check out this blog post to see some of my very favorite spots all over the state.
When:
When eloping you could take your sweet time when planning it, or even get married fast! Check out this blog to get inspired by how good an elopement can be with a two-week timeline! The important decision around this “when” is that the timeline works for you two. You can see what I recommend for a wedding timeline, here!
Another thing to consider when deciding on when to get married is the seasons. No one can decide “which season is best” but you two, this is a celebration for you all to remember! But, the most popular season for weddings in Georgia is fall. I can’t blame the people, the trees are stunning. The fall in Georgia provides warm days, cool nights, and less chance of rain. But all the seasons have their own kind of beauty, just consider it when deciding on your date!
Finally, there is a cheesy pressure to “have a good date” for a wedding, which is no reason to pick a day if you ask me. lol. If there is a date or number that is important to you, use it! But if there isn’t don’t let any cheesy wedding industry pressure you into picking a date that you don’t align with.
How to elope in Georgia: PRICE.
Price is a crucial part of figuring out how to elope in Georgia, but no matter your budget- I promise it’s possible!
“We eloped to save money” is a phrase you hear swatted around, right? And for good reason! Visioning a lower cost to elope can feel good. But choosing to elope to limit yourself to saving money can put you in a weird mindset. And it’s one that doesn’t set you up for creating the day that feels the most meaningful, either.
I know I’m an elopement photographer + concierge, so you might think I’m biased, and perhaps I am – but I broke it down a bit more here. There’s no right or wrong answer with price, truly. You don’t need to spend $20,000 to elope, nor, should you feel you can only spend $500.
So, the key takeaway is that an elopement means getting married on your terms and your budget needs to feel like your terms, too.
Next up, how to elope in Georgia – Vendors you may need!
I recommend making a task list of all the things you want and need to do to make the wedding experience that you need…
It’s likely that list is filled with vendors that you think you need.
Vendors include photographers, videographers, food, decor, florals, music, and anything else you need someone else to provide/do for your wedding experience.
Now, take that list of to-do items you’ve thought of, and smash it up against your list of priorities you set up front to compare the two.
What action items support your priorities? Be honest. And if they don’t, cross them off your list. Truly. It will not break your experience to say “no” to some items and you’ll be so stoked that you saved yourself from that stress.
This blog highlights some really good vendor recommendations and guidance when picking your vendors!
I’m obviously very biased when it comes to an elopement photographer for your experience, but more than I think you should work with me, I think you should pick a photographer that you vibe well with (we’ll spend lots of time together!) and that has the planning experience, outdoor knowledge, and photography skills to create and honor your adventure and to tell your story well.
In this blog, I share the 7 most important questions that I think you should ask any potential photographer.
Pro Tip: Picking a photographer that knows what they are doing and how to elope in Georgia is crucial! When working with me, I’m so much more than just a photographer… count me as your photographer, an ordained officiant, and concierge to help you find hair/make-up artists, caterers, and other vendors as appropriate for your on-the-ground elopement plan and timeline.✅
Maybe the most important part of how to elope in Georgia….how to make it legal!
Okay, I’ll be honest, I lied a little. Lol! I don’t think the legal paperwork is the most important part of an elopement, but if you’re going for government approval…it is important!
PERMITS: Your location and/or lodging might require permits or pre-approvals for your elopement use. These permits include access permits, special use permits, and/or commercial photography permits.
When exploring what your location requires, you want to keep in mind your entire party to get the right approvals for the permits you’ll need.
Sound like a lot to manage in your elopement planning timeline?!?! No worries! I help provide my couples information on how + when + from whom for your required permits when planning!
TO OFFICIATE OR TO NOT OFFICIATE: You have a choice to have an officiant or not?! Haha! Yup!
Having an officiant can be helpful to keep the “ceremony” part of your elopement flowing, but isn’t necessary. If you do want an officiant there, then you’re going to want to secure someone that is open to your elopement plan and is available for your day! That someone could be an officiant you hire, or, you can tap a loved one into duty!!!
Marriage License: In order to get your marriage license in Georgia, you need both parties present. If at least one of you is a resident of Georgia, you can get your marriage license at any probate court in any county, but if neither of you are residents, you’ll need to get the license in the county that the ceremony is taking place in. Bring with you proof of age (license, birth certificate, or passport), proof of divorce (if applicable), and a method of payment ($56 as of January 2023)! The license will be viable for 30 days.
Let the Georgia elopement party planning begin!
If you’re ready to get your Georgia Elopement planned, I am here to help. Contact me here to chat about how we can work together to make your elopement planning and experience as seamless as possible with my elopement concierge and photography services! Or see more of my work here.
I’ve had couples book elopements in as little as 2 weeks and as long as 2 years. Your elopement planning can happen as quickly as you want it to! If you’ve got a quick planning timeline, I encourage you to think about how to be close to a city-hub. It will make all your vendors go by quicker.
