How to Elope in Ohio
Ohio is an unexpected hidden gem for couples interested in elopements. Home to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the gorgeous Lake Erie coastline, Hocking Hills State Park and a multitude of fun cities and towns, there are a lot of options to choose from to ensure your big day is amazing and unique to you! Learn more about how to elope in Ohio with this comprehensive guide.
When to Elope in Ohio
Ohio experiences all four seasons, and no matter the time of year, the surrounding nature will be a beautiful backdrop for your day. To choose when you want to have your elopement, think about the types of weather you want on your day and the activities you’d like to do.
Spring (March – May):
- Spring in Ohio brings mild temperatures.
- Ohio puts on quite the display of spring florals. You have a lot to choose from between wildflowers, cherry blossoms, tulips, daffodils, and more.
- Spring is not as popular a time to elope, so if you are looking for more privacy on trails and popular overlooks, spring is the way to go.
Summer (June – August):
- Warm weather means more comfortable temperatures for your outdoor elopement adventures. This means you can more easily hike, do water sports/activities on the lakes or rivers, and just generally spend time outdoors.
- Long daylight hours can help you have an extended elopement day. You’ll have plenty of time to explore everything you want to see without worrying about limited daylight.
- There are a lot of interesting festivals in Ohio during the summer months – think hot air balloons, food festivals, carnivals and more.
Fall (September – November):
- It goes without saying, but fall in Ohio is one of the most scenic times of year. It changes year to year, but you can look up predictions for the peak fall foliage to try to gauge when the perfect peak leaf change will be happening. This can make for a romantic and colorful backdrop for your elopement.
- Fall often brings cooler and more comfortable weather to Ohio.
- If you time your elopement in early fall (September to early October), you can get more privacy than in peak leaf-peeping season.
Winter (December – February):
- Snow is never a guarantee, but an Ohio snow day can mean a dreamy, pristine landscape for your elopement. No snow on the ground? No worries – the stark trees and landscape can make for an equally stunning backdrop.
- Colder temperatures and snow mean fewer crowds, which could make for the private elopement of your dreams, even at the most popular locations.
Are you still deciding which season is right for you? Check out my blog on when to elope in Ohio here for a full breakdown with activity suggestions for each season.
Where to Have Your Elopement Ceremony in Ohio
From beautiful parks to Lake Erie’s shoreline, there is no shortage of stunning locations for your elopement ceremony in Ohio.
Here’s a quick list of location suggestions and links to more thorough guides:
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Brandywine Falls, Ledges)
- Lake Erie (Headlands Beach, Edgewater Park)
- Cleveland (Rockefeller Park Greenhouse, Wade Lagoon, Cultural Gardens)
- Hocking Hills State Park (Ash Cave, Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls)
- Mohican State Park
- Columbus (Columbus State House, Franklin Park Conservatory)
Need help brainstorming a spot? Book your elopement photography with me and I’ll help you plan your Ohio elopement, offering location and activity suggestions.
Choosing Fun Activities For Your Ohio Elopement
Beyond choosing how and where you’d like to have your ceremony, I recommend making a full day of your elopement and choosing some fun activities to do throughout your day.
Here are some ideas broken down by time of year to get you started:
- Year round: hike, visit one of Northeast Ohio’s wineries, stop in at a botanical garden, book a helicopter ride and explore from the sky, check out a museum, visit a zoo, go horseback riding, end the day with a bonfire and camping
- Spring: take in cherry blossoms, visit a local flower farm or flower field, chase waterfalls
- Summer: spend a day on the lake, kayak, paddle board, visit local flower farms, chase waterfalls, have fun at a county fair, stop at a hot air balloon festival, rent a hot air balloon, check out an alpaca farm, have a romantic picnic
- Autumn: admire fall foliage, navigate a corn maze, visit a pumpkin patch, go apple picking
- Winter: go ice skating, sled, snowmobile, snowshoe, explore a Christmas tree farm, end your day with a holiday light display
Check out my list of unique elopement activities for even more fun ideas!
How to Get a Marriage License & Elope in Ohio
If you are opting to get legally married in Ohio, you will need to first get a marriage license. There are two options for this:
- If you are living in Ohio, you can get your marriage license in the county where you live.
- If you are traveling from out of state, you will need to get your license in the county where your marriage is taking place.
Be sure to check with the county where you are obtaining your marriage license on their specific requirements, costs, and expiration dates.
Once you have your marriage license, you can officially elope (even as soon as the same day!). In Ohio, you just need to be married by an officiant, no other witnesses are required.
Want to keep your ceremony as small as possible? I’m ordained and can act as your officiant. Reach out here.
Hire the Right Vendors for Your Ohio Elopement
Just because you are eloping doesn’t mean your day should be any less spectacular than a typical wedding. I’d actually argue it can be even more spectacular. That said, you can still include the traditions and customs that are important to you, and you can still plan to look fantastic! Read on for a list of vendors to consider for your day.
Elopement Photography
Your photographer is one of the most important vendors for your elopement day. Why’s that? This is likely the one person other than your significant other that will be with you consistently throughout the day. Make sure you like them as a person, and make sure you trust them to capture this important day for you.
Looking for an elopement photographer local to Ohio? Check out my Ohio elopement services here.
Elopement Officiant
Are you doing the legal ceremony on your elopement day? Make sure you choose a trustworthy and qualified officiant for your ceremony. For an elopement, it may even be nice to have the officiant be someone you know and are comfortable with. If you want to keep things small, I can also officiate for you.
Florist
A bridal bouquet and a boutonnière are the perfect touch for an elopement. You can go for a local florist’s creations or look into silk flowers on sites like Etsy if you will be traveling or can’t practically store the flowers.
Hair & Makeup Artist
It’s your elopement day, and you should look fabulous! Consider scheduling with a local hair and makeup artist to start your day off.
If you will be doing a sunrise ceremony and no one is available in the early hours of the morning, don’t be afraid to DIY your hair and make up. My husband and I had a pretty remote elopement day in the Westfjords of Iceland, so I did my own hair and makeup. My tips are to practice beforehand, and if you are less experienced with hair and makeup, keep things simple and pretty close to what you normally do.
Food
You will, of course, need to eat during your elopement day. Don’t be afraid to order a catered picnic or make reservations at a favorite spot for your elopement day meals.
And keep in mind this is your day, and there are zero expectations on what a “proper wedding meal” looks like. Is pizza your favorite? Order it! Are you obsessed with Taco Bell? Go for it!
I’ve also put together a guide on all the unique foods you could include in your elopement day. Grab my food and drink ideas here.
Plan Your Elopement Timeline
There are a few essential pieces of your day you will want to account for as you plan a timeline for your day:
- Getting ready
- First look
- Ceremony: vows, ring exchange, any special customs
- Meals
- Any activities or sights you would like to visit
- Travel time between locations
As you plan things, you’ll also want to consider ideal times for photography. I generally recommend having your ceremony take place during golden hour at sunrise or sunset if outdoors. That will ensure you have the most beautiful lighting possible for photos during that special moment.
Want my best tips for planning your timeline? Check out my guide on building a stress-free timeline here.
Ready to Elope in Ohio?
Whether you are thinking of saying your vows in by a waterfall, along Lake Erie, or in a beautiful historic building, I’m here to help you have an unforgettable day that’s true to you. When you book your elopement photography with me, I’ll be by your side every step of the way from location scouting to activity ideas, timeline assistance, and even officiating if you need it!
Get in touch here and let’s start bringing your elopement vision to life!