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. If you can honestly answer the questions below, it will help you to lay the foundation of your wedding/elopement planning & then you can build everything else on top of it.
Before you get started, ask yourself these questions.
✨Who are we planning this for?
✨What do we want to do & why ( elope, have an intimate wedding, have a big wedding)?
✨What is the most important to us?
✨When we look back at our day, what is it that we want to remember?
Once you know the answer to the questions above, then you can start asking the things like:
✨Who is paying for it & what is our budget?
✨When do we want to do it (date & season)?
✨Where do we want to do it (location/venue/place that’s special to you)?
✨Who do we want to be there (vendors, guests, wedding party)?
✨and all the other details like theme, decor, attire, etc.
How do we find our elopement location?
✨ Where do you see you & your love standing while you are exchanging your vows?
✨ What best represents you & your relationship?
✨What season are you thinking? Spring, summer, fall, winter? What about the weather? Are you open to rain or shine?
✨What about accessibility? Is this spot easy to get to? Are you up for more of a challenge?
✨What permits do you need/regulations do you need to follow to take care of this space
✨Is privacy important to you? Do you prefer seclusion or are you okay with crowds? Does it give you the freedom to be yourselves?
✨What does this place mean to you? Why is it important?
✨Are there any special activities you want to do there? Picnic, star gaze, jeep-ing, helicopter ride, kayaking, etc.?
✨Do you plan on having others with you? Is this location accessible for your guests?
✨Is having a beautiful view important to you?
Do some research.
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
Frequently Asked Questions About Eloping at Cheaha
What do we need to get legally married at Cheaha?
Alabama is one of the easiest states to get married in!
You are not legally required to have a ceremony, an officiant, or witnesses. You don’t even have to appear at the courthouse, though you will still have to find a notary to sign your form.
You will need to fill out the Alabama marriage certificate online. After completing the form, print it out. Do not sign it yet, as you will need to do that in front of a notary. You can find a notary at a bank, a public library, and some shipping/postal centers. Some notaries are free & some may charge a small fee for their services.
The date that the forms are signed by you and notarized is your legal marriage date, so make sure that is considered when looking for your notary.
Then you are going mail or deliver your form to any probate court in Alabama. Your form must be delivered within 30 days of signing it. If you don’t make the deadline, your marriage is not valid, so make sure it gets taken care of! You can also ask a trusted family member or friend to mail in the forms for you if you are going on your honeymoon.
It is sometimes easier for couples to go to straight to the courthouse with their form, be able to ask questions, sign & have their forms notarized, & filed all - at one time.
There is a small administrative feel for submitting your marriage certificate. Fees will vary depending on the county you submit in.
Once you’re officially married, you can request a copy of your certificate through the Alabama Department of Public Heath online. Certified copies are $15.00. You can order additional copies for $6.00 each.
This certificate is literally the only thing you need to be legally married in Alabama!
When is the best season to elope at Cheaha?
Alabama has hot summers & mild winters. Even months that are usually considered cold can be a little warm & humid.
Spring | light blooms
Summer | lush, rich greens & wildflowers
Fall | red, orange, yellow, & brown foliage (peaks in first two weeks of November)
Winter | clear views, stillness, and every reason to cozy up
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 the visitation & foot traffic like at Cheaha?
There are more visitors Friday - Sundays & less Monday - Thursday. Most parks are going to see heavier foot traffic on weekends. If privacy & intimacy are something you value for your elopement experience, I would considering booking a weekday elopement!
How much does it cost to elope at Cheaha?
If you are just referring to the permit at Cheaha State Park, usually around $50. 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?
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!