If the thought of a giant guest list, seating charts, and dollar-sign stress makes you want to run for the hills—good news: you can. Eloping in Arkansas means swapping the overwhelm for waterfalls, golden-hour views, and a day that feels like you. Whether you’re dreaming of a barefoot ceremony in the Ozarks or a slow morning together in a cozy cabin, here’s how to plan an elopement that’s meaningful, peaceful, and entirely yours.
1. Start with Your Why
Forget the trends. Why do you want to elope?
Maybe it’s to escape pressure and expectations. Maybe it’s to be fully present with each other instead of hosting a party for everyone else. Maybe it’s just about being in nature. Whatever your “why” is—start there. It’s the foundation of every soulful, no-stress wedding day.
2. Choose the Right Arkansas Backdrop
Arkansas is wildly underrated for elopements—and that’s part of the magic. From forest-covered mountains to hidden waterfalls and sandstone cliffs, it’s full of intimate spots that feel untouched.
Some favorite elopement-worthy places:
- Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag): Iconic and jaw-dropping
- Petit Jean State Park: Waterfalls, trails, and variety
- Sam’s Throne or Richland Creek Wilderness: Moody, rugged, and lesser known
- Buffalo National River: Epic river views and fall foliage
- Cozy Cabin in the Ozarks: For slow mornings and private vows
- Mount Nebo: For scenic overviews
3. Work with Vendors Who Get You
Eloping doesn’t mean doing it all yourself. In fact, choosing vendors who align with your vision will take stress off your plate.
What to look for:
- A photographer who doesn’t force awkward poses and actually captures emotion
- A florist who works with seasonal/local blooms
- A hair/makeup artist who makes you feel like yourself, just a little extra
- Maybe an officiant, or maybe just a friend (or even no one—it’s legal!)
You don’t need a big team—just the right one.
4. Design a Timeline That Feels Like You
With elopements, time is on your side. No rushing from place to place. You can hike at sunrise, nap midday, have a picnic, or share vows at golden hour. Make space for stillness, movement, or both.
A sample slow-day timeline:
- Wake up slow with coffee + handwritten vows
- Get ready together (or separately!)
- First look in the woods
- Private ceremony at your dream spot
- Sunset photos, cake and champagne
- Stargazing, bonfire, or a soak in a hot tub
5. Don’t Overplan—Create Breathing Room
The best elopements? The ones that leave space to breathe, laugh, cry, wander. Give yourself permission to keep things flexible. The weather might shift. You might want more time alone. That’s the beauty of eloping—you can pivot.
Planning tip: Focus on the feelings you want to have that day. Build everything around that.
6. Make it Official (Without the Fuss)
To legally elope in Arkansas, here’s what you’ll need:
- Marriage license from any Arkansas county clerk office (no waiting period!)
- A registered officiant (can be religious or civil)
- Two witnesses (your photographer and a friend count!)
Want it private? You can get legally married at the courthouse and save your vows for the elopement.
7. Capture the Real Stuff
Your elopement is a once-in-a-lifetime experience—it deserves to be remembered for the way it felt. Choose a photographer who doesn’t just take pretty pictures, but one who helps you relive the emotion.
Photos should feel like you: wild, calm, in love, goofy, grounded—whatever makes you you.
Let It Be Simple. Let It Be Sacred. Let It Be Yours.
Your wedding doesn’t have to fit in a box. It doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfect. It can be soulful, spontaneous, and sacred. Arkansas is the perfect canvas for that kind of magic.
So if you’re ready to plan an elopement that feels like you—I’m here to help you tell the story.
📸 Ready to Start Dreaming Together?
Let’s create a wedding day that’s free-spirited, emotional, and unshakably you.
I would love to photograph your beautiful day. Tell me all about your elopement day dreams HERE
