Full day adventure elopement in Shenandoah National Park
In my experience, not many people realize what you can do with a full day adventure elopement in Shenandoah National Park. There is a tendency to keep things short when really there is so much to do and see in the area! B&A’s November elopement day shows what can be done in the area if you allow yourself a full day to explore. In fall, Shenandoah elopements are especially beautiful because of the foliage, and it’s a great time to visit.
Here is what we packed into this elopement:
Timeline for a full day elopement in Shenandoah
Getting ready at an A-frame cabin
Detail photos and first look
Fun portraits under the foliage while everything is fresh
Wine tasting tour
Ceremony and ring exchange
Small sunset hike with cake and champagne
Getting ready, first look and fun wedding day details
Starting at the Airbnb, B&A got ready in a very cute A-frame cabin. I really recommend considering your elopement accommodation carefully, as it makes a huge difference in your photos. Having a large, bright space that’s well decorated is key! It’s also helpful to find a place where you both can get ready separately, like B&A did.
In order to have a first look, he got ready in the basement separately. We then arranged a quiet first look on the cabin deck.
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Something they both agreed they wanted to see was beautiful architecture. Andrew works in architecture and construction, and this felt like a nice way to include something special to him. We admired an old courthouse building nearby for a bit more urban and architectural vibes.
Considering little details like this on your elopement day is the best way to make it feel unique to you!
Winery tour, vow ceremony and chasing fall colors
One activity to include in your full day elopement in Shenandoah is a wine tour. Virginia’s vineyards actually date back a couple hundred years, and are best known for their white and riesling varieties. The area’s limestone rich soil and system of underground caverns gives the wines a unique taste, and what better way to take in the rolling hills than with a glass of chilled white wine?
After the winery, we headed into Shenandoah National Park. We worked our way to one of my favorite spots in the park, The Point overlook. This was where the officiant would meet us for their ceremony.
They read their vows there at the overlook and exchanged rings. When we got back to the parking lot, we signed the official paperwork and then went off to explore.
With the fall colors on their way out at this time, we chose a trail with lots of pretty leaves on the ground. We walked, taking in the colors and the wildlife.
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Cake and champagne at the Airbnb
We ended their day at Hawksbill summit. It’s one of the higher areas of the park, and a great place to watch sunset. When the sun was down, it got chilly fast. They headed back to the airbnb to change into comfy “hubby-wife” sweatshirts and cozy up with cake and champagne – the perfect way to end their Shenandoah elopement day.
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PHOTOS FROM THIS FULL DAY ELOPEMENT IN SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK
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