The content in this blog post first appeared in my monthly newsletter in January of 2026. Sign up here for first access to more content like this!
Hi Friend! And hellooooo 2026!
I hope this new year brings you (and me!) peace and joy. I’m starting the year off strong with the possibility of buying and moving into a new (to us) house! We will find out later this week if the seller has accepted our offer, so keep your fingers crossed for us!
This month’s newsletter is on a topic that I am extremely passionate about! I know I say that a lot, but I really do mean it lol. I’m just pretty passionate about elopements and weddings in general, so it’s a hazard of the job I guess.
Anyways, today we’re talking about permits. And I know, I know, you may be thinking “Paperwork? That’s what she’s so passionate about?!” But trust me, by the end of this newsletter you may just be passionate about permits as well.
Why is Bree so passionate about permits?
First and foremost, I care deeply about the planet. That’s why I do everything in my power to run my business as sustainably as I can. And I also work very hard to provide resources for my wedding and elopement couples so that they can plan a sustainable celebration (check out some of my past blog posts for engaged couples: “Sustainable Weddings: Tips for Planning an Environmentally-Friendly Celebration”, “Planning A Sustainable Wedding Shower”, “How to Have A Sustainable Wedding Gift Registry”, “Bride and Groom Gift Guide for the Sustainable Couple“ and so many more!).
And by the way, permits, and sustainability in general, are not elopement specific topics – though the vendors who specialize in elopements are often very knowledgeable and very passionate about the topic. I firmly believe that there are things every engaged couple can do to reduce the impact their event has on the earth, whether they are planning a small outdoor ceremony, a mountain top elopement, or a big wedding at a venue.
Permits are a huge part of sustainability! I like to think of them as the gatekeepers of all our favorite locations. They help to prevent overcrowding, they help ensure that adequate park or venue staff are available, they empower you to feel confident that your wedding or elopement will not overwhelm natural resources, and they help pay for future rehabilitation and improvement of the area.
Are you starting to understand why I’m so passionate about permits?
Unfortunately, some people are tempted to try to get away with things that are against the rules. Whether it’s for financial reasons or just plain ignorance, I truly believe that if they knew the actual harm they were doing by foregoing the permit process, they might make a better choice. I mean, I only paid $200 for the permit to get married in Rocky Mountain National Park, and I don’t know many other venues that can be rented for that low of a price!
A few specific examples of natural areas that can be harmed by human groups of any size are the cryptobiotic soil in southern Utah, alpine wildflower fields in Washington, and the Buffalo National River right here in Arkansas!
In preparation for any size of group celebration, it’s always best to be upfront about everything and follow all rules and regulations at your elopement location. Permits and fees ensure that the beautiful place you’ve chosen for your wedding or elopement stays beautiful.
When do I need a permit?
It’s always best to talk to someone from your venue directly – either on the phone or in person – just to be sure that they are aware of everything having to do with your celebration. And when I say “venue”, that includes city, regional, state, or national parks, national forests, and natural areas.
It’s always best to speak with someone directly since sometimes websites can be vague or ambiguous. Often I have been pleasantly surprised when a location I inquired about has no fee or permit requirements!
Popular Arkansas elopement locations and permit requirements
Here are some of my favorite ceremony locations in Arkansas and their permit requirements:
Buffalo National River
Permit application fee: $50 (non-refundable)
Administration fee: $100 (non-refundable)
Blog Post “Recommended Vendor Profile: Buffalo National River“
Website Link
*Photography permit is included
**There may be additional management or monitoring fees as needed
Petit Jean State Park
No permit or fee required for a wedding permit or photography permit
Blog Post “Recommended Vendor Profile: Arkansas State Parks“
Website Link
Thorncrown Chapel, Eureka Springs
1 hour weekday elopement: $595
Website Link
*Photography allowed, officiant provided by venue
Ozark-St. Francis and Ouachita National Forests
When I reached out to each National forest office, it took about a week for someone to get back to me, but they were very kind and helpful! Basically the permit and fee requirements depend on group size and celebration location.
Ozark-St. Francis National Forest Website
Ouachita National Forest Website
Arkansas Marriage License
Don’t forget that an Arkansas marriage license* costs $60 (and there is no waiting period for applicants over the age of 18).
Final Thoughts
I hope this was helpful! If you’re considering eloping in Arkansas but you don’t know where yet, send me an inquiry and I will send you a list of amazing elopement locations. Whether you’re wanting an urban or nature setting, indoor or outdoor, vintage or modern, there are so many cool locations to elope here and I know you will find the perfect place for you.
Also, subscribe to my email list (one email per month, never any spam!) and take advantage of allllll the freebies I have that are exclusively accessible to you as a subscriber to my email list! With titles like “Non-Hiking Elopement Location Inspiration”, “Wedding Planning Dream Date Worksheet”, “Wedding Day Emergency Kit” (and more), there are so many free resources for someone planning their dream wedding or elopement!
*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 portraits/elopements/branding 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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