Unforgettable Places to Elope in Tennessee

Elope with your special someone with spectacular lake and woodland views as your backdrop at Lichterman Nature Center in Memphis. The ever-changing beauty of the space will compliment whatever season you decide to tie the knot. If you prefer a small reception afterwards, there are a number of options available to accommodate your wedding party size. For instance, the Davidson Special Events Pavilion is an open-air facility on the forest edge that includes a serving kitchen, 18 picnic tables and restrooms. 

Say your vows in an intimate garden ceremony at Dixon Gallery & Gardens. They offer several intimate locations like the South Lawn, Cutting Gardens, Formal Gardens, Conservatory and Dixon museum back porch that are perfect for up to 15 guests including the couple and the officiant. Booking must be done three months in advance and is $275, which includes a Sponsor-level Dixon membership, for two hours during museum hours.

Sandy Creek Farms in Springville offers six different venues and locations to choose from depending on wedding size. For elopements and micro-weddings, the lakeview cabin and charming greenhouse are the perfect setting. You could also choose the 20-acre island for a secluded ceremony. The Elopement Package includes bride and groom dressing rooms, one overnight accommodation for the newlyweds, access to the decor on site and more.

Discovery Park of America has affordable elopement packages for couples who want to exchange vows in a more intimate setting. From just the bride and groom, minister and witness to minimony and affordable, micro-wedding packages that accommodate up to 10-50 guests, you can be sure the on-site wedding planner will help you make your small wedding meaningful. Choose from a variety of locations including the stunning Japanese Garden, the rustic Covered Bridge, The Settlement or the graceful Chapel among others. 

Want to elope at the King of Rock n’ Roll’s retreat? You can at Graceland’s Chapel in the Woods, as seen in the Hallmark Channel Original Movie “Wedding at Graceland.” The chapel is tucked away on the historic grounds, deep in the woods with high-beam wood ceilings, spacious bridal and grooms’ rooms and floor-to-ceiling windows. Every ceremony includes a photo in front of the iconic Graceland. Special services include coordinating your ceremony, floral arrangements, arranging photography, wedding cake and a limousine. You can even webcast your elopement for family and friends.

If you love music, why not elope at the Hooper’s Chapel AME Church inside Stax Museum of American Soul Music surrounded by the music of Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas and many more. Hooper’s Chapel AME Church was originally built by hand by the congregants, including carving the rustic pews, in 1906. It eventually was relocated to the Stax Museum to help tell the story of African American gospel’s influence on R&B and soul music. 

The historic Belmont Mansion, located on the grounds of Belmont University in Nashville, is a great example of Victorian opulence and is located on the third highest hill in Nashville. Several elopement and intimate wedding packages are available for your special day. Choose the Studio Elopement affordable package which includes the couple, no guests and is a 10-minute ceremony. If you would like photos, venue preview and witnesses, choose the Just Married Elopement package, Getaway Elopement (eight guests) or Getaway Plus Elopement (16 guests). The officiant is Rev. Brandon Rich and photography is provided by Elopements of Nashville. 

A dreamy retreat in the heart of Nashville just steps from downtown, The Germantown Inn offers the perfect backdrop for romantic elopements and intimate weddings. With pricing starting at $225, your options include a personalized 10, 15 and 30-minute ceremony with a local wedding officiant to guide you through your vows in the outdoor Courtyard or indoor Parlor for you and your partner and up to 15 guests; accommodations in one of the inn’s 10 bespoke guest suites with the option of a full property buyout for up to 20 guests; and access to their extensive list of local vendor partners from photographers and florals to wedding planners. To start planning your Nashville elopement, email Kellie Lapelle at or call 615-581-1218. 

Elope at Ravenswood Mansion in Brentwood where you can enjoy the stately getting-ready rooms and then make your way downstairs for a beautiful ceremony and reception for up to 50 guests. Tables and chairs are included and you have the choice of an indoor or front porch ceremony and choice of indoor or back porch reception. Elopement packages are available Friday-Sunday Dec. 1-March 20.

Escape to Drakewood Farm for your elopement wedding, which can include up to 40 guests. Drakewood Farm is located on 40 acres and specializes in affordable, all-inclusive wedding packages, micro-weddings and elopements. Multiple ceremony sites are available for your choosing. The Wedding in the Woods location is the most popular, nestled in a cedar grove surrounded by the sounds of birds and breezes in the trees. Packages can include a wedding coordinator, officiant, sound system, boutonnieres, cake and photography. Drakewood Farm makes it easy for just the two of you to say “I do.” 

Tennessee State Parks are stunning locations if you’re wanting an intimate outdoor ceremony under a canopy of trees. Elope at one of Tennessee’s 22 state parks that offer wedding amenities like Cumberland Mountain State Park for instance. With its beautiful stone bridge, rock formations and stone lodge, it’s the perfect backdrop if you want a enchanting rustic setting for your elopement. Choose to say your vows at the Mill House, Coon Hollow Cabin, Recreation Lodge (which includes banquet tables and chairs, wood-burning fireplace and stage) or the outdoor patio and pavilion. The Homestead Harvest Restaurant provides all on-site catering if you would like a reception as well.

Located about 40 miles from Chattanooga, Howe Farms offers elopements and micro-weddings for up to 25 guests. Indoor and outdoor options with gorgeous panoramic views are available. The Woodlands is a Tuscan-inspired, Italian villa perfect for an outdoor ceremony while The Highlands Chapel is the perfect indoor ceremony location for its vintage pews, chandeliers and cathedral windows.

Chattanooga has several destinations around the city that make gorgeous backdrops for your elopement. Sculpture Fields at Montague Park is located in the Southside District and is 33 acres full of more than 30 large-scale sculptures by local artists and landscaped gardens. Snooper’s Rock at Prentice Cooper State Forest Park is easily accessible with a 0.6-mile walk from the parking lot, perfect for brides who want to wear a long dress for their elopement ceremony on the overlook. Snooper's Rock provides an expansive horse-shoe view of the Tennessee River Gorge which will look stunning in your wedding photos. For an architecturally-beautiful elopement setting, head to the Walnut Street Bridge with its breathtaking views of the Tennessee River. It's one of the longest pedestrian-only bridges in the world and connects to restaurants and hotels in case you want to honeymoon immediately after your vows are exchanged. Atlas Alley, commonly known as Umbrella Alley, is in the West Village and is lined with rows of brightly colored umbrellas with lights creating a whimsical atmosphere. Finally, Lover’s Leap at Rock City provides expansive valley views and leads you to gardens, geological wonders and the Swing-A-Long Bridge, perfect for post-elopement photos.