The content in this blog post first appeared in my monthly newsletter in March of 2024. Sign up here for first access to more content like this!
Hi Friend!
Happy March! I hope you are enjoying these slightly warmer temps as much as I am – sitting on my porch with the sun in my face, re-potting my indoor houseplants, and hiking have been filling my cup lately and it’s been so sweet.
This month’s newsletter is about all of my favorite Arkansas elopement locations. The Natural State has so many beautiful outdoor places that are perfect for intimate weddings and elopements, and I’ve loved getting to explore so many of them since moving here! I can’t help but feel that most people who don’t live here tend to overlook Arkansas, but hopefully today I will prove that this could be the perfect place for you to elope.
Before I dive into this topic, I acknowledge that the boundaries of the land that is now called Arkansas were once home to Kadohadacho (Caddo), Wahzhazhe (Osage), Okáxpa (Quapaw), and countless other native groups. I recognize and show respect to the contemporary and vibrant cultures of the First Nations of all the Americas.
Eureka Springs, AR
A list of Arkansas elopement locations would not be complete without mentioning “The Wedding Capital of the South” – aka Eureka Springs. It’s definitely my favorite place to visit in Arkansas; a small mountain town with an eccentric downtown surrounded by lots of places to hike and explore? Say less.
Elopement locations include a glass chapel, haunted hotels, tree house cabins, and a totally unique and eccentric downtown with delicious restaurants and stunning views. Are you interested yet? I wrote a whole blog post about eloping in Eureka Springs, check it out for even more info!
Glass Chapels
Did you know that Arkansas is home to not one, not two, but THREE stunning glass chapels? Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel in Bella Vista, and Anthony Chapel in Hot Springs. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting 2/3 (and can’t wait to visit the third!), and they are truly such unique venues. I was very close to getting married in one myself, if our wedding had taken place in Arkansas. If you’ve never seen a glass chapel before, you have to check them out! Surrounded by forests, each of these stunning chapels are the perfect place to say your vows during any season.
State Parks
The adventure and the beauty found in Arkansas’s state parks are perfect for any elopement. Whether you are planning to elope during a multi-day backpacking trip, a sunrise hike, beside a waterfall, on a boat, or in a mountain lodge, you can find your perfect elopement location in one of Arkansas’s state parks! I am so passionate about state parks in general, and specifically Arkansas’s, that I wrote a whole blog post on how to elope in any one of the 52 state parks in our state – click here to check it out.
National Forests
Between Ozark-St. Francis National Forest and Ouachita National Forest, more than 2.9 million acres in Arkansas are designated as national forest. These protected lands are beautiful and full of hiking trails, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks. Perfect for an elopement, if you ask me.
As of March, 2024, there are no permit requirements to elope on National Forest land in Arkansas – although I highly recommend reaching out to the local field office if you’re interested just to make sure your activities are in compliance with federal land regulations. Although I could not find any information on this issue on their website, I reached out to each of the offices via phone and heard back from them within five business days. You can find contact information for each of Arkansas’s national forests at the links below:
Ozark-St. Francis National Forest
Ouachita National Forest
Buffalo National River
With its distinctive bluffs towering over the deep green winding waterway, our country’s very first national river stretches 135 miles straight through the heart of Arkansas. Every time I visit, I find myself not being able to wait until I am able to visit again! Beautiful in any season (but especially mid to late Spring and peak Fall colors), the Buffalo is the perfect setting for any elopement. Check out this post to learn more about how to elope at the Buffalo National River.
Eloping in Arkansas
I hope you enjoyed this newsletter and were inspired by all of the beauty that Arkansas has to offer as you plan your wedding or elopement! I am constantly in awe of this state, and I’m so glad to call it home. Especially since I didn’t grow up in Arkansas, it’s been so fun to discover the many hidden gems here. I’d love to know in the comments below which of these locations is your favorite!
If you’re interested in hiring me to photograph your wedding in Arkansas (or beyond!), click here to send me an inquiry. I promise I’ll do everything I can to help your elopement dreams come true!
*All my blog posts contain a selection of images that I’ve taken. If you are interested in booking a wedding or session with me, I am more than happy to send you a full gallery upon request!
I’m a wife, a dog mom, a foodie, a wanderer, a registered nurse, and a couples/intimate wedding/elopement photographer … and this blog will cover it all! If you enjoyed this post, first of all thank you, and second of all please follow me on Instagram + Facebook and sign up for my monthly newsletter to get exclusive wedding planning advice and access to all of my new (and old) freebies! If you have any questions about elopement photography, my journey from nursing to photography, or my time spent as a full-time RVer, drop a comment and I just might write a blog post answering your question (but I definitely will)!
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