Cleveland Ohio Elopement & Wedding Photographer

For the Adventurous souls

& rebels at heart

Eloping doesn’t have to be a spur-of-the-moment decision! In fact, planning an elopement can be just as involved as planning a traditional wedding – but with far less stress (and often a fraction of the cost).


If you’re considering eloping in Ohio, here are a few tips and tricks to help you plan the perfect day. From choosing the right location to getting the best vendors on board, these tips will help you pull off a seamless elopement that you’ll remember forever.


1. Decide on the Type of Elopement You Want

The first step in planning any elopement is deciding on the type of elopement you want. There are three general types of elopements: traditional, court-ordered, and destination.


A traditional elopement is typically planned in advance and involves a small ceremony with close family and friends in attendance. A court-ordered elopement, on the other hand, is typically only planned a few days in advance and involves getting a marriage license and having the ceremony officiated by a judge or other court-appointed officiant.


A destination elopement is exactly what it sounds like – an elopement that takes place in a destination location, often far from where the couple currently lives. Destination elopements are often just the two of you, but they can also involve a small group of close family and friends.


2. Set a Budget

Once you’ve decided on the type of elopement you want, it’s time to set a budget. Elopements can be as simple or as extravagant as you want them to be, so it’s important to have a clear idea of what you can afford before you start planning.


If you’re working with a limited budget, there are plenty of ways to save money on your elopement. For example, you can opt for a courthouse ceremony instead of a traditional ceremony, forgo professional photography in favor of having friends or family take pictures, or choose an all-inclusive elopement package that takes care of everything from your marriage license to your accommodations.


3. Choose Your Location

One of the best parts about planning an elopement is choosing the perfect location. Whether you want to get married in your hometown or elope to a far-flung destination, there are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing a location for your big day.


If you’re stuck on where to start, take some time to think about the type of setting you want for your ceremony. Do you want an outdoor or indoor ceremony? A rustic or formal setting? Once you have an idea of the overall vibe you’re going for, narrowing down your location choices will be much easier.


If you’re planning a Destination Elopement in Ohio, some popular locations include Hocking Hills State Park, Mohican State Park, Inland Seas Education Association in Put-in-Bay, and Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky.


4. Book Your Vendors

Once you have your location picked out, it’s time to start booking your vendors. If you’re having a traditional ceremony, you’ll need to book an officiant (if you don’t already have one), choose any readings or music for your ceremony, and decide whether or not you want professional photography or videography. You’ll also need to book transportation to and from your ceremony site if necessary, as well as figure out where your guests will be staying if they’re coming in from out of town. If you need help finding vendors in Ohio, check out our preferred vendor list!


5. Get Your Marriage License

No matter what type of elopement you’re planning, you’ll need to get a marriage license before getting married. In Ohio, couples can apply for their marriage license online through the Ohio Department of Health website or in person at their local county probate court.


To apply for your license online, both partners will need to create an account and provide basic information such as their full name, date of birth, social security number, drivers license number, and mailing address. Once both partners have completed the online application, they will need to pay the fee and schedule an appointment to pick up their license at their local county probate court. If applying in person, both partners will need to appear at their local county probate court with picture ID (such as a driver’s license) and pay the fee. After receiving your marriage license, you will have 60 days to get married before it expires.

Intimate and Adventurous Photography

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Cleveland Ohio wedding photographer

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Art Goans Photography is an LGBTQ+ friendly, body positive elopement and portrait photography company located in Ohio.

My mission is to create beautiful, authentic images that reflect my clients' uniqueness and celebrate love in all its forms.