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When to Get Married in a National Park

December 27, 2021

If you’ve found yourself here, I might know I few things about you right off the bat! If you answer yes to these following questions this blog post is curated with you in mind! First off, Do you LOVE National Parks? And are considering planning a National Park elopement? If so, you are going to love these tips below!

I think we can all agree that National Parks are amazing.

Hands down, no question about it! They have been set aside and preserved for us to enjoy because of their beauty and the preservation of the environment. Which is a great reason to get married in one. Not only is it undoubtably beautiful, but what better moment to be connected to nature than when saying vows to your person?

But, if you are like me, the crowds are a major drawback. I mean, I certainly do not like waiting in traffic, struggling for a parking spot or having a ton of people around when I am trying to enjoy nature. This is especially true for your wedding day which is supposed to be intimate and personal. You want this moment to be quiet and serene, a representation of the weight of the occasion. It’s a promise from your soul to theirs. It’s completely understandable to want this moment to be just you two!

With that in mind, you just have to be flexible on the “when.” So, here are some ideas on when to get married in a National Park to help avoid those pesky crowds:

When to get married in a National Park

1.  Choose A Weekday.

It eliminates the “weekend warriors.” These are people who generally within live within a few hours from the national park. They plan their weekends around visiting the parks which makes the parks much more crowded on those days.

 And so, by planning to go to the park on a weekday, it will automatically make your wedding day more intimate because less people will be around. This is one of the many perks of eloping! Since elopements don’t include a long guest list, its easier to chose a day that fits your requirements. Including choosing a weekday instead of a Saturday or Sunday.

national park elopement

2. Avoid Holidays.

People travel around holidays because they (and their family and friends) have more time off or similar days off. And because of this, it is a great time for families and friends to enjoy the beauty of the National Parks.

But because this is YOUR elopement, you don’t need to go to the parks or plan your wedding day when its convenient for everyone else!

Consider taking some time off and really enjoy the trip and the parks at a less crowded time. Plan out your elopement day in the National Park to best fit your personal needs.

national park elopement

3. Visit at Off Hours.

Visiting at sunrise or sunset is absolutely great. Not only is it beautiful! (Hello golden hour!) Usually, the peak times to avoid are going to be 9 am to 4 pm. But this can highly vary depending on the days you visit the parks, the seasons, and the National Park itself.

These are the times people have not yet arrived, or they have left for the evening. If you can’t go during off season, going during off hours will be your best chance for finding an intimate spot in the park for your vows.

Plus, coming from a photographers stand point, the light is best for pictures at this time. AND you get to enjoy the beautiful colors! Not just in person in the moment, but in pictures for years to come.

national park elopement

4. Visit on the “Shoulder Seasons.”

Shoulder seasons are the travel season in between peak season and off peak season. (Such as spring and fall!)

A great option is to visit the parks when schools are in session. It’s the same idea as with the holidays. Summer time is when families will have more time and flexibility to travel together and so at these times the parks are more crowded. So during summer there is a higher chance of having families running around the parks.

But, the shoulder seasons are great because you’ll find that the weather is just as nice as the peak season. But with the added benefit of less people there!

No matter when you visit a National Park you will have a great time. But, I hope these tips help you enjoy your visit that much MORE, especially for your National Park Elopement!

And just remember, enjoy your time there and don’t let the crowds rain on YOUR wedding day parade!

Do you have any questions about National Park elopement timelines ?

Well, just send me a message!

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