If you’re dreaming of the perfect place for a just-us wedding, eloping in Kansas City is ideal. As a Kansas City elopement photographer, I love how this area offers so many beautiful locations to celebrate your love — from lush gardens and peaceful parks to charming barns and elegant city spaces.
Planning a wedding can feel stressful and expensive. But eloping lets you slow down, focus on what truly matters, and make your day meaningful and fun. Whether you want a simple, affordable elopement in Kansas City or a weekend getaway with loved ones, this guide will help you plan your dream day.
Below, I’ll share why Kansas City is the perfect elopement destination, where to tie the knot, and helpful tips for getting married.
Why elope in Kansas City?
There are so many amazing reasons to consider eloping in Kansas City, Missouri.
- Scenic backdrops – Kansas City is full of charm, with stunning architecture, city views, and natural scenery. Whether you love the energy of the city or a peaceful outdoor location, there’s something for every couple.
- Romantic settings for every season – No matter when you plan to elope, Kansas City is beautiful year-round. Appreciate flowers and greenery in spring and summer, colorful foliage in fall, and a cozy vibe in winter.
- An inclusive community – Kansas City is known for being warm and welcoming for all couples to celebrate their love.
- Affordable and free options – Whether you’re ready to splurge or plan a budget-friendly elopement, Kansas City offers everything from free parks to affordable venues. And I love helping couples find the perfect location that fits both their vision and their price range.
- Easy marriage license process – Getting your marriage license is simple, even if you’re from out of state. Simply start the application online, then finish in person at the Jackson County Courthouse. There’s a three-day waiting period before the license is issued, and you’ll have 30 days to hold your ceremony.
- Authentic experience – Eloping lets you plan a day that feels true to you and your partner without worrying about guests. My husband and I even went on a sunrise hike and hammocked together before our own elopement, and it was perfect!
Best Places to Elope in Kansas City, Missouri
From elegant gardens to peaceful nature trails, there’s no shortage of elopement and small wedding venues in Kansas City. Here are some of my favorite spots:
- Rose Garden Fountain at Loose Park – This romantic and affordable outdoor venue has a gorgeous pond, rose garden, and fountain. It’s especially magical in late spring when the roses bloom or in fall when the trees turn vibrant shades of red and gold.
- Nelson-Atkins Art Museum – If you love art and architecture, this is the perfect place to elope. You can exchange your vows outside, surrounded by beautiful gardens and sculptures for a simple yet timeless backdrop.
- Weston Red Barn Farm – This working farm is a hidden gem just outside the city and offers a rustic, countryside vibe. It’s the ideal place for a just-us Kansas City elopement or a small celebration with friends and family.
- Parkville Nature Sanctuary – This wildlife preserve offers a peaceful escape, with trails, creeks, and waterfalls. It’s the perfect spot for adventurous couples who want to plan a hiking elopement surrounded by nature.
- Shawnee Mission Park – Elope at one of the largest parks in the area, with a scenic lake and wooded trails. It’s a gorgeous spot for a private, dog-friendly elopement with plenty of space to explore afterward.
- The Brim – This charming hilltop chapel offers an affordable place to elope and a picture-perfect setting. It’s ideal for couples who want a traditional ceremony without the stress of a big wedding. The Brim even has free weekday options and lets pets join your big day.
- The Kansas City Mansion – If you want to plan an all-inclusive elopement in Kansas City, this restored estate is the perfect choice. Packages include a two-night stay for up to 13 guests, planning support, and event cleanup.
When to Elope in Kansas City
The best times for eloping in Kansas City are spring and fall. Spring brings colorful blooms, lush greenery, and mild weather. Fall is known for its beautiful foliage and crisp air, making it the perfect wedding backdrop.
Summer and winter elopements can be just as beautiful. Summer offers long days and warm evenings, great for outdoor ceremonies and golden-hour photos. Winter can get chilly, but it’s perfect for a cozy indoor elopement.
The Best Kansas City Elopement Activities
One of my favorite parts about eloping in Kansas City is how many fun things you can do to make your day feel special. Whether you’re planning a quick ceremony or a weekend-long adventure, you’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate.
Some of the best experiences for couples include:
- Exploring scenic parks
- Visiting local museums and art galleries
- Grabbing coffee at a local cafe
- Strolling through downtown
- Enjoying the delicious food scene
- Relaxing with a couple’s spa treatment
- Having a rooftop drink at sunset
Eloping in Kansas City: FAQs
How much does it cost to get married in Kansas City?
It costs between $29,590 and $36,166 to get married in Kansas City for around 175 guests. But elopements can cost much less — from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Your total elopement cost depends on your venue, number of guests, and how you spend your day.
How to plan an affordable elopement in Kansas City?
For an affordable elopement in Kansas City, choose a free or low-cost location like the courthouse, Shawnee Mission Park, or The Brim. A just-us elopement is often the most budget-friendly because you don’t have guest expenses. And you can celebrate with your love with a fun activity, dinner for two, or a picnic at a local park.
Can you get married the same day in Missouri?
Missouri has a three-day waiting period after you apply for your marriage license, so you can’t get married the same day. Once you receive the license, you have 30 days to have your ceremony.
When should I start planning my elopement in Kansas City?
Start planning your elopement anywhere from one month to a year before your big day. Having more time gives you flexibility to secure your photographer, find a venue, and plan fun details. If you’re planning a simple just-us elopement, you can often make it happen in less time. I always recommend reaching out to a photographer early because we can help with timelines, locations, and planning tips to make the process smooth.
Kansas City Elopement Packages
Not only can I document your elopement with authentic, fun photos, but my Kansas City elopement packages also include personalized planning support. You can choose from multi-day, full-day, or mini-elopement experiences — whatever best fits the vision of your special day.
Among the Pines Photography elopement packages includes:
- Phone consultation
- Location scouting
- Timeline planning
- Vendor recommendations
- Access to all-inclusive elopement planning resources
- Custom online gallery with all edited high-resolution images
- 48-hour sneak peek photos
- Rights to printing
Let’s Plan Your Kansas City Elopement
Eloping in Kansas City offers so many ways to create a meaningful day to celebrate your love. Whether you’re dreaming of a quiet park ceremony, a cozy indoor wedding, or a weekend getaway surrounded by family, I’d love to help you plan and capture it all.
If you’re ready to start planning your Kansas City elopement, let’s make it happen!
kinsley + caden
“Brooke was the perfect choice for our wedding day! We had a micro wedding at Sapphire Point in August. I had never been to Sapphire Point and Brooke was so helpful suggesting vendors, picture locations, parking, marriage license info etc. She was so kind and helpful before and during the whole process and was a large part of why the day went so smooth. She does so much more than just show up and take pictures, Brooke will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect! The photos are gorgeous and I keep getting so many compliments! I truly cannot recommend her enough!”
"Brooke was a large part of why our day went so smooth and will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect!"
We chose Brooke to capture our Colorado elopement and she did exactly that and more. She made it easy to plan our day out with locations and timelines so that we could focus on ourselves. We decided last minute to change our afternoon/evening elopement to a 6am sunrise one so beat the heat of the day. Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise. She was kind and understood what we wanted in terms of our elopement and we are so grateful to have her capture the day. Our photos turned out beautiful and truly helped us relive the day. I would recommend Brooke to anyone wanting their special day photographed.
"Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise."
erica + stacy
kirstie + colin
Brooke not only photographed our mountain elopement beautifully, but she put so much thought into the details and knew all of the answers the questions I didn’t even know to ask. She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had. She even helped pick the perfect spot for us and advised us on the logistical details like securing a reservation at the mountain lake where we wanted our ceremony. She is SO easy to work with and very friendly and chill. My husband and I are super awkward in front of a camera but she made it so natural and easy - and the shots came out better than we could have imagined.
"She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had."
amanda + jace
Brooke is many things; talented, calm, flexible, experienced/ knowledgeable, patient, incredibly responsive, organized, resourceful in a pinch, supportive, creative, professional yet a blast to work with, and goes above & beyond w her clients. Our wedding was a spectacular dream and we couldn't be more grateful that she made that single day last forever. Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be. We couldn't recommend her more and we look forward to booking with her for all of our vow renewals, seasonal and family pictures for as long as she'll have us.
"Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be."
linden + brent
Working with Brooke was a dream come true! Before we even met, my husband Brent and I were impressed by her portfolio. After meeting, we were even more convinced that her photography skills and knowledge, and her fun and easygoing personality were exactly what we were looking for in an elopement photographer. Brooke was able to take our vision and facilitate everything so that it worked out beautifully, especially when it came to finding the perfect location (the incredible mountains surrounding Ouray). Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible, and made it clear that her goal was for us to be 100% happy. In the end, her creativity and our happiness totally shine through in every single photo.
"Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible."
lauren + branden
I can't begin to express my gratitude for the intimacy and beauty behind Brooke's photographs. In capturing our wedding day, she went above and beyond to document our story, our families, and the depths of our love in ways that I'll forever be grateful for. Brooke has an eye for not only capturing the adventure and magic of your love, but deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way. She is truly an artist and tells your story in an authentic and creative way for you to look back on for years to come. We are forever grateful to Brooke for spending the time to get to know us, our story, and capturing the memories that we'll relive for years to come.
"Brooke deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way."
heather + jedd
“If you're contemplating which photographer to go with, THIS IS YOUR SIGN TO CHOOSE BROOKE!!!! She is so so so talented and was able to capture our elopement exactly how I pictured and wanted! We eloped in Ridgway, CO this past September and she was so helpful figuring out picture locations, recommendations of timeline for the day, and just made the whole day feel so smooth. She schedules multiple check ins, phone calls, etc., leading up to the big day to ensure everything is as you want it. Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever after just the first time of meeting."
"Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever."
christy + austin
Brooke is the absolute best. She truly went above and beyond for my fiancé and I to be able to get our engagement photos taken with the fall colors. Brooke is so sweet, fun, personable and incredibly talented. We could not be more in love with our engagement photos! Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever.
"Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever."
