5 Steps to Eloping in Any National Park
Guest post by Morgan Pirkle, Kept Record Photography
1. choose a location + a date!
Eloping in a National Park means selecting a location that’s more than a pretty backdrop. It’s a piece of history and the awe-inspiring landscape has the ability to totally shift your perspective. Before you choose which National Park you want to elope in there are a few things to consider. The biggest consideration is to research if weddings are allowed to take place in the National Park you’re dreaming of. Park rules vary, so it’s important to reach out before getting too far along with planning. Another important factor is tourism trends. If you’re seeking a more private and intimate experience you may want to consider the month, day of the week, and time of day you’re eloping around peak tourism times. Many National Parks see a surge in visitors during the summer months with families traveling, so in general you can expect less crowds on weekdays or in winter months.
KEPT RECORD PHOTOGRAPHY
Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean your planning has to be kept a secret, or that you can’t indulge in any of the fun traditions you may have been looking forward to. There are tons of myths about what eloping means, but If you’ve always wanted a bridal shower - go for it! Planning an intimate wedding or elopement means you have full reign over which traditions to include in your experience. I love Creative Union Design’s Virtual Bachelorette kit for couples who want to celebrate with friends and family who aren’t able to travel right now.
Invitation, Games, Virtual Background, Before/After Props and Drink Recipe Card
2. hire your key vendors!
When you’re planning an elopement or intimate wedding, your wedding vendors can be a great resource during the planning process. Many of the couples I work with reach out before they have a location or date set in stone which is perfect because then I can actually support them through the permit application process. If you’re planning from out of state, a great officiant can help with the headache of getting and submitting your wedding license. As an intimate wedding and elopement photographer, I help couples with location scouting, submitting permits, and creating their wedding day timeline. Seeking out the vendors you’ve prioritized early on in the process will help streamline the process and minimize stress on your wedding day.
KEPT RECORD PHOTOGRAPHY
3. Apply for your permit!
Once you have a general idea of where you’d like to get married and you’ve secured your key vendors, it’s time to apply for your permit! Most National Parks require an application for a Special Use permit. The cost of this permit varies but will still be much less than what you’d spend on a traditional wedding venue. Some parks need multiple permits if you’ve taking photos and having your wedding ceremony there. For Joshua Tree - the area I specialize in - you’ll need a Special Use permit for your wedding ceremony and a second Special Use permit for photography. Each of these are $120 at Joshua Tree National Park. When you’re applying for your permit, it may ask you for specific locations inside the park you’re hoping to photograph, the time frame you’ll be visiting, etc. Working with your photographer while you submit this information means you’ll be able to maximize your photography coverage and have your photos taken at just the right time of day!
KEPT RECORD PHOTOGRAPHY
4. Plan + personalize your day - and ENJOY it!
One of the biggest benefits to planning a wedding that’s more private and intimate is getting to truly personalize every aspect of your day. My husband and I eloped in Joshua Tree in 2018 (which inspired me to write this blog all about eloping in Joshua Tree!) As total coffee addicts, we thought it would be super special to brew coffee together after exchanging vows at sunrise. It was perfect and totally US. Other ways you could really personalize your day would be choosing a fun destination for you and your loved ones to experience together, like Bryanna and RJ’s Las Vegas Destination Wedding or bringing your puppy along, like Nikki + Randy did in this Redwoods Elopement photoshoot!
KEPT RECORD PHOTOGRAPHY
Before you visit a National Park for your wedding or any other trip, it’s important to review the principles of Leave No Trace. Leave No Trace, or LNT, is a 7-part guide of outdoor ethics to minimize our impact on the environment. As a LNT-certified elopement photographer, I help my couples plan their day with these seven principles in mind!
Your wedding day - no matter how large or small it is - will be special and significant. While you may not need an 8-piece invitation suite, I love when couples are able to incorporate keepsakes like these Creative Union Design’s Vow Booklets so we can take gorgeous photos of all the unique elements that make your day uniquely yours!
Easily type your wedding vows, print and fold!
On your elopement day, the biggest piece of advice I can give you is to let yourself soak it all in. You’ve put all the pieces in place and there’s nothing more to do! Don’t stress- just let yourself be present and enjoy the day you’ve crafted for yourself and your partner. When you’re able to do that, your photos can really reflect your happiness and personality! Your wedding day isn’t like anyone else’s, and your photos shouldn’t be either. Not sure where to even begin planning your elopement? Don’t worry - I’ve got you covered with a totally free Elopement + Intimate Wedding Planning Starter Kit!
KEPT RECORD PHOTOGRAPHY
5. Finally: spread the news!
Some of my elopement couples choose to bring their immediate family along for the journey, and others plan it totally in secret to announce later. If you’re excited to share the news with your extended family and friends, send a personalized announcement! Check out this creative and fun newspaper elopement announcement that you can print and mail to your loved ones. Your wedding photos deserve to be seen, enjoyed, and cherished as a time capsule of your one-of-a-kind wedding day. Printing them - either as announcements, thank-you cards, or simply framed photos to hang inside the home you build together - is a way to infuse these special moments into your daily life. Shop more elopement announcements!
Elopement Announcements
About Morgan Pirkle
Morgan Pirkle is the lead photographer and founder of Kept Record Photography, serving couples throughout the US who are seeking a different and daring wedding experience. She helps couples feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera, so they can remember one of the most special days of their lives through fun, authentic imagery that doesn’t feel staged or stiff. When she’s not working, you’ll find her on a road trip in her Jeep with her two huskies and husband or in the kitchen baking apple pie. Learn more about Morgan and see her work at www.keptrecord.com or www.instagram.com/kept_record.
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