Ohio Fall Elopement Guide
Planning a fall elopement in Ohio? This Fall Ohio Elopement Guide will take you through the best locations, activities, and stays for eloping in Ohio during this beautiful season!
Need help planning your Ohio elopement? As an Ohio elopement photographer, I help couples just like you through the planning process! Reach out here to get started.
Why Elope in Ohio During the Fall?
- Fall Foliage: Late September through October is the peak period for viewing fall foliage in Ohio. The exact peak will vary depending how far north or south you are in the state.
- Fall Activities: Fall has a lot of unique activities you can take advantage of. Everything from sunflowers to apple picking to Halloween-themed fun.
- Nicer Weather: If you want to try for a day that isn’t as hot as summer and isn’t as cold as winter, fall may be the perfect fit!
- Cozy, Romantic Atmosphere: Think cooler weather, cozy cabins with fireplaces, and cuddling up. If you want to work in cozy vibes to your elopement, fall is a good time.
Best Fall Elopement Locations in Ohio
Best Fall Foliage Locations
Hocking Hills State Park
Fall is a good time to elope in Hocking Hills because you’re more likely to see the waterfalls flowing. Fall also happens to be when the leaves are showing off their beautiful colors!
Some spots to consider are Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, and Old Man’s Cave.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park never disappoints. Perks to a fall elopement there? Beautiful fall foliage and fall-themed activities very close to the park.
The best spots for leaf peeping are the Ledges Trail and Kendall Lake. You can find my guide on Where to Elope in CVNP here.
Mohican State Park
More great waterfalls and scenic nature here. The best spot in fall is Lyons Falls!
Indoor & Historic Elopement Spots
Cleveland Public Library
If you’re looking for a stunning indoor location for elopement portraits, the Cleveland Public Library is an easy choice. The staircases and special collections rooms are a beautiful backdrop for book-loving couples.
Franklin Park Conservatory
Columbus has the beautiful Franklin Park Conservatory which would be a gorgeous backdrop for an elopement ceremony and can add a touch of nature to your day even if you’ve missed the leaves outside.
Squires Castle
This spot in the Cleveland area is situated in a metropark and is a beautiful location for a fall elopement that has some indoor elements but is also among the leaves!
Akron Art Museum
Located in downtown Akron, the Akron Art Museum has extremely photogenic indoor and outdoor spaces to choose from. Their booking process is easy and straightforward.
Check out my guide for booking elopement photos at the Akron Art Museum.
Ohio Statehouse in Columbus
The Ohio Statehouse is another stunning location for elopement photos. The exterior has huge pillars and the interior has a gorgeous atrium, stately staircases, and beautifully patterned floors.
Krohn Conservatory in Cincinnati
If you’re in Southern Ohio, Krohn Conservatory could be another great option for elopement photos.
Unique Fall Elopement Activity Ideas
Eloping in the fall means you’ll have no shortage of fun activities to include! Here are some unique activity ideas to do in the fall:
- Admire fall foliage
- Navigate a corn maze
- Visit a pumpkin patch
- Go apple picking
- Chase waterfalls
- Hike
- Visit a winery or brewery
- Stop in at a botanical garden
- Book a helicopter ride and explore from the sky
- Check out a museum
- Go horseback riding
- End the day with a bonfire and s’mores
Where to Stay For A Fall Elopement in Ohio
The key here? Pick somewhere cozy and scenic where you can properly view the changing season! Here are some interesting options throughout Ohio:
- The Pinnacle A-Frame in Logan
- The Alder in Sugarcreek
- Treehouse Village – The Box in Dundee
- Treehouse Village – The Arrow in Dundee
- Acadia Cliffs Treehouse Cabin #2 in Cutler
- The A-Frame at Creekside Dwellings in Beach City
- The Alto – A Modern Elevated A-Frame in Logan
- The Cliffs at Hocking Hills
- Dunlap Hollow A-Frame in Rockbridge
- The Haven Scenic A-Frame Cabin in Sugarcreek
Disclaimer: I have not personally stayed in these locations, I just think they’d make beautiful spots to stay for your elopement day!
Ohio Fall Elopement Tips
Check When Peak Leaf Season is Happening for Your Elopement Location
If the changing leaves are important to your elopement experience, there are ways to best ensure you catch them. Start with online trackers for fall foliage. Just search online for your location and “peak fall foliage” and you should be able to see the prior year’s timeline or predictions for the coming year.
Don’t Forget About the Time Change
As you are planning your elopement date, don’t forget that we lose an hour in early November and sunset will start to be around 5:30pm in Ohio. I always recommend couples to first aim for September or October for a fall elopement due to the time change in case they want a bit more daylight duing their evening. The leaves may have also already fallen by November.
Best Times of Day for a Fall Elopement
Aim for afternoon and golden hour for the warmest lighting, and go for a weekday elopement for more privacy if you are considering popular locations.
Prep for All Kinds of Weather
The weather is still changing in the fall and you could either have a pretty warm or cold day (I did tree farm mini sessions in November one year and was shocked when I was SWEATING in the sun!). The answer? Prepare for both the heat and cold so you have outfits prepped for both scenarios.
For the cold: plan to dress in warm layers (think thermal underlayers, wool-lined leggings under dresses, wraps, warm jackets, boots). Bring hand warmers & thermoses with hot drinks.
For the heat: this is pretty simple, but you can probably just plan to go without the extra layers! Just be sure to pack some sunscreen and extra water to stay hydrated.
Let’s Plan Your Fall Elopement in Ohio
If you’re having a fall elopement in Ohio, why not have an experienced elopement photographer and planner on your side? I specialize in Ohio elopements and am here to make your day stress-free and unforgettable. I’ll help you find the perfect location, plan your timeline, and capture your love story. Contact me here to get started!