Your Guide to Eloping at Cheaha State Park

Everything You Need to Know About Eloping at Mount Cheaha

It’s the morning of your wedding day. You wake up in a beautiful Airbnb tucked in the woods or a chalet with a gorgeous view. You make a cup of coffee, sit in the stillness, watch the sun rise, & finish writing your vows. All of your details are gently laid out & you can’t believe this day is finally here. You start getting ready for the day. Your photographer arrives & starts documenting your details while making excited conversation about the weather and that little eatery downtown. You’re finally all dressed, ready to load up & drive to the trailhead. We start our hike, make our way past the tall pines, fog creeping through the tops of the trees. There are rocks everywhere and little collections of plants growing through any nook they can find. The breeze starts to pick up and we turn the trail to meet the most beautiful Alabama valley you can imagine. You stop and stare for a minute. We step onto to the overlook and you grab your partner’s hand. You’re finally here. The two of you face each other, pull out your vows, take a deep breath, and try to find the words to convey the weight of this moment and your love. There are tears, there is laughter. You are hanging on to every second, wondering how it could be any more perfect.

Why You Should Elope at Cheaha State Park

There are state parks, non-state parks, nature preserves, national forests, gardens, trails, waterfalls, landmarks, & unique locations all over the state of Alabama. But if you aren’t familiar with Cheaha, it is the highest mountain located in Alabama, situated in the Talladega National Forest.

 With many overlooks, winding trails, a lake, waterfalls, dense woods, pavilions, & other facilities to use for elopements & weddings - it’s hard to not love. It truly offers some of the most beautiful views in the entire Southeast! Cheaha is the location I receive the most inquires for every year.

Advantages to Eloping at Cheaha

Scenery

Wilderness, mountain overlooks, boulders, a lake, waterfalls, rolling hills, ancient trees, & over a dozen hiking trails.

Accommodations

A mountain store, campgrounds, cabins, chalets, glamping tents, hotel, lodge, pavilions, & event center. 30 minutes away from nearby towns, attractions, & AirBnbs.

How to Plan a Cheaha Elopement

Remember that at the end of the day, what matters the most is that you are getting to marry your best friend. What that looks like is up to you. There are some great questions on Your Guide to Eloping in Alabama that can help with this. Start here.

research All Things Cheaha

If you aren’t sure where to start, I would suggest checking out the Alabama State Parks website, All Trails, & Mountain Forecast.

Favorite Places to Elope at Cheaha

Bald Rock

Bald Rock Trail

Rock Garden

Pulpit Rock

Pulpit Rock Trail

Cheaha Lake

Questions About Eloping at Cheaha

What do we need to get legally married at Cheaha?

Alabama makes getting legally married incredibly simple! You don’t need a formal ceremony, an officiant, or even witnesses to make it official. You aren’t required to appear at a courthouse either — though you will need a notary to sign your marriage paperwork.

Start by completing the Alabama marriage certificate form online. After filling it out, print the document, but don’t sign it yet — you’ll need to do that in front of a notary. Notaries can be found at banks, public libraries, and some shipping or postal centers. Some offer their services for free - others may charge a small fee.

Important: The date you and your notary sign the forms becomes your official marriage date - so be sure to coordinate this carefully.

Next, you must submit your signed and notarized marriage certificate to any Alabama probate court within 30 days. Missing this deadline will invalidate your marriage - plan accordingly. If you’re heading off on your honeymoon, a trusted family member or friend can submit the paperwork on your behalf.

For some couples, it’s easier to visit the courthouse in person. This way, you can ask questions, sign and notarize your forms, and have everything filed at once. Administrative fees will vary by county.

Once your marriage is official, you can request a certified copy of your marriage certificate online through the Alabama Department of Public Health. A first certified copy costs $15 - additional copies are $6 each.

And that’s it - your marriage certificate is literally the only legal requirement to be officially married in Alabama!

When is the best season to elope at Cheaha?

Cheaha State Park has its own unique rhythm through the year - hot summers, mild winters, and a touch of humidity even in cooler months.

• Spring - trails and overlooks come alive with budding flowers and fresh greenery - perfect for soft, airy photos

• Summer - the mountaintop forests are lush and vibrant, wildflowers dot the paths, and the long days give you golden light for hours

• Fall - the park transforms into a tapestry of reds, oranges, yellows, and browns - peak foliage usually hits in the first two weeks of November

• Winter - crisp air, sweeping panoramic views, quiet trails, and the chance to cozy up with your partner in a serene mountaintop setting

Where do we stay for a Cheaha elopement?

Most of my couples opt to book an Airbnb near Oxford/Anniston, Talladega, Lineville, or Heflin. Cheaha does have some beautiful cabins & chalets to rent. OR, if you like camping, they offer a primitive campground & RV campgrounds.

What is the weather like at Cheaha?

Cheaha weather has a mind of it’s own. I’ve been there on sunny days, cloudy days, rainy days, foggy days, windy days, hot days, & cold days. Even the local weather is not 100% indicative of what is happening at Cheaha. It definitely comes with being in a location with such high elevations, blended with Alabama’s mixed bag of weather. The best thing we can do is prepare for anything.

What is visitation & foot traffic like at Cheaha STATE PARK?

Cheaha State Park sees the most visitors from Friday through Sunday - weekdays are generally quieter. Most Alabama state parks experience heavier foot traffic on weekends, so if privacy and intimacy are important for your elopement, consider planning your ceremony Monday through Thursday.

Weekday elopements give you a greater sense of seclusion along the trails and overlooks - perfect for capturing those intimate, uninterrupted moments.

what is the cost of eloping at cheaha?

If you are just referring to the permit at Cheaha State Park, usually around $100 (updated May 2025). If you mean in general, most elopements could be anywhere from 5K-15K depending on how you choose to budget for vendors, attire, accommodations, activities, etc. One size doesn’t fit all. What matters is that you build a day around what’s important to you!

How to do I get permits for our cheaha elopement?

You will need to contact the event coordinator at Cheaha State Park to obtain documentation & pay your fees. You can do this through the website or by calling the park!