Eloping in Northwest Arkansas

First Things First: Getting Married in Arkansas

Before you fall in love with a venue, handle the paperwork. In Arkansas, you’ll need a marriage license from the County Clerk’s office in the county where you plan to marry. There’s no waiting period, you can get the license and get married the same day, and licenses are typically valid for 60 days. There is a small fee (around $60, though this can vary by county).

For a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough of the process, check out our guide to getting a marriage license in Northwest Arkansas.

The Best Places to Elope in Northwest Arkansas

Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel

Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel is the first on the list. This chapel is absolutely stunning! It sits on a wooded hilltop and overlooks Lake Norwood surrounded by immense pine trees and gorgeous oaks. The design of this chapel is transparent letting in natural light and shadows changing the interior with the seasons. With a friendly and helpful staff, this venue is sure to never disappoint.

Thorncrown Chapel

Thorncrown Chapel located in the adorable town of Eureka Springs is another beautiful option. Similar in structure to Mildred B. Cooper, it is nestled in the woodlands and raises forty-eight feet into the picturesque Ozark sky. The chapel contains 425 windows and over 6,000 square feet of glass allowing lots of natural light and blending perfectly with its surrounding. The beauty of this venue is something you must see!

Mount Nebo State Park

Ok, I must admit that this is located more in Central Arkansas, but it is so spectacular it just had to make this list! Just an hour and a half drive from Fayetteville, Mount Nebo state park is Arkansas’s highest peak with surroundings including the sparkling river, enchanting valley, and distant mountains. A very peaceful location with lots of wildlife and spectacular views. It’s the perfect park for an outdoor or indoor wedding as a reception hall is just as romantic. You can make this location anything you dream of.

What Vendors Do You Actually Need for an Elopement?

The short answer: fewer than a full wedding, but probably more than you’re thinking.

• Photography is the one vendor most eloping couples don’t skip — and for good reason. An elopement is still one of the most important days of your life, and the images are what you’ll have forever. A professional wedding photographer who shoots intimate ceremonies understands how to work with natural light, small settings, and just two people rather than a full wedding party. Many elopement photography sessions run 2–4 hours rather than a full wedding day, which makes packages significantly more accessible.
• Videography is worth considering even more seriously for an elopement than for a full wedding. With no one else in the room to remember the details for you, a short cinematic film becomes the record of the whole day , vows, emotion, setting, all of it. Complete’s videography packages include options scaled for intimate ceremonies.
• Day-of coordination might sound unnecessary for two people, but a day-of coordinator for an elopement mainly means someone managing the logistics so you’re not looking at your phone all day. They handle the timeline, communicate with your photographer and officiant, confirm the venue access, and troubleshoot anything that comes up — so your only job is showing up.

Complete Weddings + Events Northwest Arkansas

Planning your dream wedding or event should be simple and fun, and we firmly believe that having all our services under one roof makes planning easier for you. So, relax. We’ve got this. Our job is to make this easy for you, your job is to enjoy the party! Complete Weddings + Events, Northwest Arkansas’s leading provider of event and wedding photography, videography, DJ, photo booth, coordination, and up-lighting.