Some couples plan their wedding for years. Mal and Shane planned their Long Hunter State Park elopement around a concert.

They came to Nashville from New England for a show and decided to make it official the morning before. Full wedding attire, a state park, and a bright February sky — that was the whole plan. I met them the day before for drinks and apps, and by the time we showed up at Long Hunter the next morning I already knew they were going to be SO fun to photograph.

I was right.

Long Hunter State Park as a Nashville Elopement Location

Long Hunter sits about 15 minutes east of Nashville and it doesn’t get nearly enough credit as an elopement location. The park consists of fields with tall grasses, evergreen trees, and several trails leading to the lake with rocky shores. In winter, when most outdoor locations lose their color, Long Hunter holds up relatively well. The evergreens stay green (duh), the lake stays beautiful, and the whole place has a quietness to it that feels right for an elopement.

February midday light is harsh. There’s no getting around that. But the bluff area overlooking the water gave us a place to work with the sky, and the tall grass sections softened things up a little. You adapt, and honestly the brightness of a clear winter day has its own kind of energy that suits two people who decided to elope on a whim before a concert.

What to Expect if You’re Eloping Here

The park is low-key and rarely crowded, which is one of its biggest selling points for an elopement. You’ll find grassy meadows, a lake with a dock, rustic trails, and boathouses along the water’s edge. There’s no single “elopement spot” — the whole park is your backdrop, and you can move through it however you want.

For winter elopements specifically, I’d recommend early morning light over midday if you can swing it. The sun is lower and more forgiving, and the park is even quieter. If you’re planning something in spring or fall, golden hour at the lake is going to be hard to beat.

No permits are required for a small elopement here, which makes logistics simple. Just show up and get married 🙂

Planning a Nashville Elopement at Long Hunter State Park

Mal and Shane’s elopement is a good reminder that eloping doesn’t have to be a compromise. It can just be the truest version of what you actually want. They wanted Nashville, they wanted each other, and they wanted to make it to the show on time. They got all three.

If you’re thinking about eloping in or around Nashville and want a photographer who’s going to show up, stay out of your way, and document the whole thing exactly as it happens, I’d love to hear about what you’re planning. Reach out through my contact page or take a look at more of my work here.