Who says you have to get married in a ballroom or at a golf course venue? Did you know that you can get married in a State Park? Yep! Not only do State Parks offer scenic areas to enjoy nature, but they can also make for a beautiful wedding backdrop! They’re a great option for couples looking for a unique, adventurous, or affordable venue for their wedding day.
Need help finding the right park for your wedding? Not sure how to even go about planning an outdoor wedding? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered, friend! As an elopement photographer, I specialize in helping couples plan weddings out in nature and in State Parks.
So keep reading to learn everything you need to plan a scenic wedding in your favorite State Park!
Why Get Married in a State Park?
A State Park might not be the first thing that comes to mind when researching wedding venues, but for a lot of couples, they’re a perfect option! If you want a casual, outdoor wedding then a State Park could be a great fit for you.
What Makes a State Park a Great Wedding Venue?
- They’re affordable
- They offer a beautiful backdrop
- Dates are often flexible
- You can get some stunning photos
While State Parks can make for a beautiful wedding venue, you should know that they come with a lot more work. Because they aren’t a dedicated venue, you will need to bring in your own tables and chairs, do more decorating, and be prepared for the possibility of bad weather. Take all of this information into consideration when deciding if a State Park is the right place for you to host your wedding.
8 Best State Park Wedding Venues
While not every State Park allows weddings, many are available for weddings of various sizes. I’ve compiled a list of the top State Parks that are equipped for weddings and elopements to help you find the perfect venue!
- Farragut State Park (Idaho)
- Fort Townsend Historical State Park (Washington)
- Smith Rock State Park (Oregon)
- Humboldt Redwoods State Park (California)
- Riverside State Park (Washington)
- Eden Gardens State Park (Florida)
- Baxter State Park (Maine)
- Deception Pass State Park (Washington)
Farragut State Park
Forests, mountain views, and lakeshore access, this park has it all! Located in North Idaho, Farragut State Park is a beautiful wedding venue for large weddings or intimate elopements. There are two day-use shelters you can rent for weddings in the park, or for intimate elopements, you can choose to explore the beauty of park.
Read my full guide to eloping at Farragut State Park!
Location: Athol, Idaho
Best For: Weddings up to 150 people
Best Time of Year: Late Spring through early Autumn
Permit Information: No permit required, but you must reserve the day-use area for weddings in the park. An Idaho State Parks Passport is required for all vehicles entering the park.
Fort Townsend Historical State Park
On the Washington Peninsula sits the Fort Townsend Historical State Park, an old Army site built in 1856. This park has moody forests and beach access along Port Townsend Bay. The park has a wedding day-use site, which includes electric heat, a gas fireplace, refrigerator, tables, chairs, a grill, and more, making it a very convenient choice for weddings.
Location: Port Townsend, Washington
Best For: Weddings up to 100 people
Best Time of Year: All-Year
Permit Information: A reservation must be made at the Friends Barn, which costs $300. A Discover Pass is required for all vehicles entering the park.
Smith Rock State Park
This state park is full of gorgeous desert scenery and less than an hour away from Bend in Central Oregon. Whether you’re into rock climbing or just want a desert backdrop, Smith Rock State Park has some unique and beautiful scenery for intimate weddings and elopements!
Location: Terrebonne, Oregon
Best For: Intimate weddings or elopements up to 50 people
Best Time of Year: Fall and Spring
Permit Information: A permit may be required for your wedding. You will need to contact the Park Manager or Park Ranger at 541-548-7501 for more information. A parking permit is required for all vehicles entering the park.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
If you’re dreaming of getting married surrounded by majestic old growth Redwood trees, then Humboldt Redwoods State Park is the spot for you! With over 53,000 acres, there’s no shortage of beautiful forests to explore. This park is ideal for couples wanting the most intimate of elopements with few or no guests.
Location: Weott, California
Best For: Elopements up to 10 people
Best Time of Year: All-Year
Permit Information: A Special Event Permit is required for weddings taking place in the park and costs $200.
Riverside State Park
With pine trees and winding rivers running wild through it, Riverside State Park is a beautiful piece of nature in Spokane, Washington. This State Park is home to hiking trails, campgrounds, and even rock climbing, making it a great location for adventurous couples as well as couples looking for a casual outdoor wedding venue.
Location: Spokane, Washington
Best For: Weddings up to 150 people
Best Time of Year: Spring through Autumn
Permit Information: No permit required, but a day-use area must be reserved for weddings inside the park. A Discover Pass is required for all vehicles entering the park.
Eden Gardens State Park
Eden Gardens is known for its historic mansion from 1897 and moss covered oak trees. It’s also a gorgeous wedding venue! With room to accommodate large wedding parties and a beautiful blend of natural and historical scenery, it’s no wonder it’s a popular location for weddings!
Location: Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Best For: Weddings up to 200 people
Best Time of Year: Autumn through Spring
Permit Information: A reservation must be made for weddings in the park. You will need to contact the parks Wedding Coordinator at 850-267-8320 for more information. There is a vehicle fee of $4 for all vehicles entering the park.
Baxter State Park
Home to beautiful rugged mountains, Baxter State Park is a wilderness area in northern Maine. This park allows for intimate elopements within its 200,000 acres, so if inspiring mountain views and an intimate wedding is what you’re after, this is the perfect spot!
Location: Millnocket, Maine
Best For: Elopements with up to 10 guests
Best Time of Year: Summer through early Autumn
Permit Information: A permit may be required for your elopement. You will need to contact the Park Manager or Park Ranger at 207-723-5140.
Learn how to plan a mountain elopement.
Deception Pass State Park
Deception Pass State Park is full of moody old growth forests and beautiful coastline! This park is perfect for couples wanting an intimate wedding in a beautiful but adventurous backdrop. With hiking trails, water access, and historic sites to explore, there’s no shortage of fun activities you can include in your wedding experience.
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Best For: Elopements up to 20 people
Best Time of Year: Summer
Permit Information: A permit may be required for your wedding. You will need to contact the Park Manager or Park Ranger at 360-675-3767 for more information. A Discover Pass is required for all vehicles entering the park.
Looking for a park in a different state?
I’ve compiled a link to every State Park’s page to help you find one in the right location for you. Use the dropdown to find yours!
How to Plan a State Park Wedding
Do you feel yourself drawn to a wedding outdoors, somewhere scenic, maybe in one of the locations listed above? Great! Next up, you’re going to learn all you need to plan your State Park wedding!
- Decide on a Location
- Hire Your Photographer
- Choose a Date and Get Your Permits
- Plan the Logistics of Your Day
- Have an Amazing Wedding Day!
Decide on a Location
The first big decision is going to be deciding on a State Park to host your wedding at. Take in mind how many people you want to involve in your celebration, the type of scenery you want, and what time of year you want to get married when deciding on a location.
Hire Your Photographer
Once you’ve found the perfect location, it’s time to find your perfect photographer to document your wedding experience! If you’re opting for a smaller elopement style wedding, an elopement photographer (like me!) can help you with getting any necessary permits and planning your day.
Take your time finding the right photographer, because you’ll be spending more time with them than any other vendor you hire and it’s important that you work well together. Take into account their photography style, their approach to posing, and planning assistance when researching photographers to find the best fit for you.
Choose a Date and Get Your Permits
Next up, it’s time to decide on a date for your State Park wedding! Remember that your wedding will more than likely be outdoors, so Summer is typically going to be the best season. Have fun choosing a date and take availability into consideration when deciding on a venue.
If a permit is required for your location, you’ll want to apply as soon as possible. Permits are usually given on a first-come first-serve basis, so you’ll want to apply for yours as early as possible.
Plan the Logistics of Your Day
Now it’s time to dive into the logistical details of your day, such as travel, transportation, and seating. One of the benefits of using a State Park as a wedding venue is that it’s very affordable, however the price you pay is bringing your own tables and chairs in since most parks aren’t set up for weddings.
Gather Your Planning Team
A good team is so important to a successful State Park wedding experience! Whether you hire a coordinator or have a friend step in, you need to put someone in charge to keep you on track. Also gathering a setup and teardown team is going to be important.
Décor and Seating
Unless you decide on one of the few State Parks that offers seating on-site, you’ll need to find a local company to rent tables and chairs from. You’ll also need a plan for getting it all to and from the park.
Also take some time before your wedding day to visit the location to get an idea of how you want to decorate it. Bringing in some curtains and fairy lights can add great ambiance to a picnic shelter!
Check out my guide to planning a meaningful wedding experience!
Book Travel and Accommodations
If you’ll be traveling for your wedding, you’ll want to book your transportation and overnight accommodations early. I recommended planning on arriving a few days early to be able to visit the location ahead of time to come up with a plan.
Create a Timeline for Your Wedding
Once you have an idea of what you want your day to look like, you’ll need to start building a timeline so the day can run smoothly. This is a service that your photographer should be able to help with. Make sure to include plenty of time for getting ready, your ceremony, portraits, and the other important moments in your day.
Read my guide to creating a timeline for your day.
Have an Amazing Wedding Day!
All that’s left to do now is have a beautiful wedding day out in nature! Have celebrating and enjoy the beauty of it all.
Tips for Planning Your State Park Wedding
- Hire a coordinator to keep everything on-track.
- Research the weather when choosing a date.
- Have a backup plan in case of bad weather.
- Have a good crew of family and friends to help set up and take down.
- Work with a local planner or photographer who helps with planning (like me!)
I specialize in helping couples plan intimate weddings outdoors. If you’re ready to start planning your own elopement, send me a message!
Happy eloping!
