How-to-Elope in Chattanooga | Chattanooga Elopement Guide
WIth nicknames like “The Scenic City” and “Boulder of the East”, Chattanooga is known for its natural beauty. Surrounded by mountains, ridges, and the Tennessee River, the scenery makes the perfect backdrop for an elopement. And Chattanooga isn’t just another pretty face. If you’re a history buff, you’ll probably be interested to know that it’s home to the first Coca-Cola bottling plant and MoonPies were invented here.
Why Chattanooga?
If the MoonPies haven’t already sold you on why you should elope in Chattanooga, read on, my friends and I’ll get into the specifics of what makes this such a great location to get married.
Nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Chattanooga is an outdoor playground just waiting to be explored by adventurous souls like you and your partner. Hiking, rock climbing, kayaking – you name it, and we’ll find a way to seamlessly intertwine your shared passions into your elopement celebration, creating memories that will forever be etched in your hearts. This is your chance to break free from the confines of tradition and embrace the wild, untamed spirit that brought you together in the first place.
Chattanooga is a destination that offers unparalleled accessibility, making it a great location for you and your loved ones to gather (IF you choose to include any of your family and friends) and celebrate your love story. From cozy bed and breakfasts to luxurious hotels, this city has a place to call home for every taste and budget, ensuring that your elopement experience is tailored to your unique desires.
Chattanooga Elopement Locations
Whether you’re imagining exchanging your vows amidst the gentle whispers of cascading waterfalls, the majestic embrace of towering peaks, or the charming allure of historic landmarks that have stood the test of time, Chattanooga has just the place for you.
As your elopement photographer and personal curator, I’ve scoured every nook and cranny of Chattanooga to handpick a collection of breathtaking locations that could serve as the perfect canvas for your love story. When deciding on an elopement location, you want to choose a place that is not only stunning, but also deeply personal and meaningful.
- Walnut Street Bridge | This iconic pedestrian bridge spanning the Tennessee River provides breathtaking views and a historic backdrop for your elopement photos. Not only is it one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world, but its color takes care of the “something blue” for your wedding day. Imagine the two of you standing hand in hand on the weathered boards of this bridge, as the gentle waters of the river flow beneath your feet. It’s like a scene straight out of a romance movie!
- Lula Lake Falls | If you want to incorporate hiking into your day, Lula Lake Falls is a great option. It’s about 4.2 miles to the lake and falls. One of the most breathtaking views in Chattanooga, it takes a little more planning than the others, but it’s totally worth it. Located on a trust about 30 minutes from downtown, this property only allows the public to visit with reservations during the first and last weekend of the month. Here’s some good news for dog-owner’s though, you can bring your fur baby! Just make sure they stay on a leash, and you pick up after them. Here are some other tips for including your dog in your elopement.
- Snooper’s Rock | Located in Prentice Cooper State Forest, Snooper’s Rock provides panoramic views of the Tennessee River Gorge, making it an ideal location for stunning elopement portraits. Imagine the two of you standing hand in hand, above the river and exchanging your vows as the sun comes up. It’s like the east’s version of Horseshoe Bend in Arizona! That being said, Snooper’s Rock is a popular location, which is why I would recommend sunrise vows. You can either hike to the overlook, or park in a lot right next to it.
- Coolidge Park | Looking for more of a city vibe for your backdrop? Coolidge Park is situated in the heart of downtown Chattanooga, and offers great views of the pedestrian bridge. There’s water fountains and a carousel, so you could really end up with some unique and fun photos! Take a stroll downtown and maybe pop into Clumpie’s Ice Cream Co for cones or go the Brewhaus for a couple of pints. The sky is really the limit for what you can do on your elopement day!
- Cherokee Falls- Cloudland Canyon | Located just across the Georgia state line, you’ll find one of my favorite state park’s east of the Mississippi. Cloudland Canyon has several breathtaking locations for an elopement, but at 60 feet tall, Cherokee Falls takes the cake. The falls cascade over curved rock formations into a serene pool below, surrounded by the forest. To get to the falls, you’ll need to hike for about a mile. This hike includes some metal stairs, but it’s totally worth it! For the truly adventurous, you can tack some additional mileage onto your hike and see an additional waterfall… or two.
- Foster Falls- Cumberland State Park | About an hour drive from downtown Chattanooga, Foster Falls can be found in Cumberland State Park. The 1.2 mile round-trip hike is a little steep in places, but has boulder fields to make your steps a little easier. You’ll cross over a swinging bridge before arriving at this 60 foot waterfall. Note, the waterfall can also be seen from an overlook that’s just a short drive the parking lot, but it doesn’t really create the best vantage point for photos. Here are some photos from an elopement at Foster Falls.
This is just a handful of the amazing places that you can elope in and near Chattanooga. The possibilities are endless! These state and national parks are within an hour’s drive of Chattanooga and they’re all brimming with elopement potential:
TENNESSEE STATE PARKS:
- Fall Creek Falls State Park
- South Cumberland State Park
- Burgess Falls State Park
- Cummins Falls State Park
- Pickett State Park
- Prentice Cooper State Forest
GEORGIA STATE PARKS:
- Cloudland Canyon State Park
- Fort Mountain State Park
- James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park
- Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park
And let’s not forget about the crown jewel of Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, which is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Chattanooga! Trust me, with so many incredible location options at your fingertips, your special day will be nothing short of LEGENDARY.
Best Time of Year to Elope in Chattanooga
Spring (March-May):
| PROS | CONS |
| The weather is absolutely gorgeous! Warm days, cool nights, and everything is in full bloom. Hello dreamy floral backdrops! | Pollen. If you have allergies, or maybe even if you don’t think that you do, you’ll want to stock up on allergy medicine. |
| You can catch the tail end of the waterfall flow from winter snow melts, making places like Lula Lake Falls and Cherokee Falls extra magical. | While it isn’t tourist season, it is spring break season. Those traveling for spring break may make popular locations like Snooper’s Rock a little more crowded. |
| Tourist season hasn’t started quite yet, so you’ll have more of the city and outdoor spots to yourselves. | Spring can be a little rainy, so you’ll definitely want to have a weather backup plan and have an open mind. If I’m being honest, I’m only putting this on the “con” list because I know a lot of people want *the* perfect weather for their wedding. Rainy day photos are some of my personal favorites. Especially when a couple is willing to just roll with it. Plus, rain is supposed to be good luck on your wedding day! |
Summer (June-August):
| PROS | CONS |
| Long sunny days mean more time to enjoy your day and soak up every last second of that newlywed bliss. | If you’re from the south, you understand that the humidity is no joke. I was born in Michigan, and though I’ve lived in the south almost as long as I lived in the north now, I still don’t think that I’ve acclimated to this absolutely disrespectful and brutal condition called humidity. |
| This is the perfect time of year to incorporate things like kayaking or hiking into your day. Summer is for all things outdoor adventure. | Peak tourist season means more people and potentially higher costs. |
| The city comes alive with festivals, and a vibrant energy. You could schedule your whole elopement around a favorite concert or activity that you both love! | Afternoon thunderstorms are known to roll in without much warning, and the potential for severe weather is higher. |
Fall (September-November):
| PROS | CONS |
| The weather is absolutely perfect- crisp, cool days and cozy nights. Think about how cute photos would be in front of a fire or snuggled up together under a blanket, enjoying cups of coffee or hot cider. | Popular spots, like Lookout Mountain can get crowded with leaf peepers. |
| Fall. Colors. Need I say more? | Unpredictable weather. One day it will be sunny and 70 degrees to cold and rainy with gusty winds the next. |
| It’s the sweet spot after peak tourist season, so you’ll have more space to yourself, especially if you choose to elope on a weekday after school is back in session. | Some attractions may have limited hours, or be closed for off-season. |
Winter (December-February):
| PROS | CONS |
| Fewer crowds, which means you won’t have to share locations as much, especially if you opt for earlier morning times. | Again with the unpredictable weather, but I mean c’mon. When is the weather ever predictable, really? But it could be downright frigid or roads could be closed due to ice or snow, making it impossible to get to some locations. |
| Potential for photos that look like a winter wonderland. | Shorter days, meaning less time for outdoor activities. |
| Serious snuggle weather. You could totally rent an AirBnB with a hot tub and get the cutest, coziest photos. | Some attractions might be closed for the season. |
No matter what season you choose though, Chattanooga won’t let you down with all of the indoor and outdoor activities there are to choose from. Just be sure to have a backup plan in case Mother Nature decides to have some fun. At the end of the day, as long as you’ve got each other and a kickass photographer to capture the magic, your elopement is gonna be freaking amazing.
How to Elope in Chattanooga
Ok, so now that you’re thinking about the time of year and location that you want to elope, let’s talk about the how-to. You’re gonna need to make things legal. Chattanooga is in Tennessee, but it’s also right on the edge of Georgia. The marriage license that you obtain is going to be based on what state your ceremony location is in. You can live in any state. That doesn’t matter. You’ll need to get the license in the state you get married in.
TENNESSEE
Obtain your marriage license from the Hamilton County Courthouse located at 625 Georgia Ave, Room 201, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- You can start the process online to save a little time, but both parties will still need to go in-person with valid IDs.
- There is no waiting period or blood tests required in Tennessee
- The marriage license fee is around $100
- No witnesses are legally required for the marriage ceremony, only the couple and the officiant
- Your marriage must be performed by an ordained officiant recognized by the state
- The completed marriage license must be returned to the county clerk’s office for recording within a specified time frame (usually 3-5 days)
GEORGIA
Obtain your marriage license in the county where you plan to get married. For example, if eloping near Chattanooga, you’d get your license from a county like Catoosa County or Walker County in Georgia.
Catoosa County Courthouse, Probate Court, 875 LaFayette St, Ringgold, Georgia
Walker County Courthouse, 101 S Duke St, LaFayette, Georgia
- You can start the process online to save a little time, but both parties will still need to go in-person with valid IDs.
- There is no waiting period or blood tests required in Georgia
- The marriage license fee varies by county, but is around $60
- No witnesses are legally required for the marriage ceremony, only the couple and the officiant
- The completed marriage license must be returned to the county probate court for recording within a specified time frame (usually 3-5 days)
Speaking of making the marriage legal, you’ll also want to make sure that you’re following all of the rules for the location that you’re eloping at. Every state park, private land, national area, etc. has their own set of regulations. Obtain any necessary permits by calling the specific location. Your elopement photographer should also be able to help you with this and provide more insight.
Where to stay in Chattanooga
Think about your elopement day. Do you want getting ready photos? Are you having a first look? Would you like to make a meal together or perhaps have one prepared for you? You’re going to need a cozy home base that also provides killer backdrops for all of those photos.
AirBnBs: Cozy and Romantic
I’ve already mentioned a few things that you could do at an AirBnB because they are such great options for couples that are looking to capture that intimate, homey aesthetic on their elopement day. Imagine getting ready together in a cute little cabin or a charming bungalow. All the vibes, right?
The Hotel Chalet: A Nostalgic Gem
Once known as the Chattanooga Choo Choo, Hotel Chalet excudes timeless aventure with restored Pullman train carriages that you can stay in among nostalgic grounds. There are photo ops gallore among these classic train cars, inside the stunning lobby and among and beautiful courtyard.
The Dwell Hotel: Mid-Century Modern
Or maybe you’re craving something a little more luxe . Check out The Dwell Hotel for some swanky, editorial vibes. Picture yourself getting glammed up inside on of their chic suites before stepping out onto the balcony for views of the city skyline.
Around Chattanooga Recommendations
These are my personal favorite places to eat and drink in Chattanooga:
- Milk and Honey for breakfast or brunch.
- Urban Stack for some of the best burgers ever.
- Wanderlinger Brewery for delicious craft beer.
- Tailgate Brewery is in Nashville too, and I absolutely LOVE their craft beer. Especially the schnacks.
- Feed Table and Tavern for dinner. I’m a huge fan of the Ricotta Gnocchi!
Chattanooga Elopement Photographer
So whether you’re looking for epic outdoor adventures, a touch of history and culture, or just a straight up gorgeous setting to say your I do’s, Chattanooga has you covered. Get in touch with me and let’s get started planning your happiest day ever!
