If you’re ready to plan the perfect Missouri elopement, I’ve got you covered. As an elopement photographer originally from Missouri, it’s one of my favorite places to join couples on their wedding day.
Missouri’s diverse landscapes, fun activities, and welcoming atmosphere make it one of the best places to elope. There are also endless places to exchange your vows, so you can make it work for almost any budget. Whether you’re planning a simple wedding or an adventurous elopement, there’s something for every couple.
Below, I’ll share everything you need to know, including a step-by-step planning guide, the best places to elope in Missouri, and answers to common questions.
Step 1: Visualize Your Elopement Day
One of the best parts of eloping is not stressing over pleasing wedding guests and getting to create a day that’s authentic to you and your partner. Before planning the details, envision how you want your day to look and feel.
Here are a few things to consider before planning your Missouri elopement:
- Budget – Choose a spending range that makes sense for you, whether you want an affordable experience or plan to splurge.
- Location – Think of a city, venue, or outdoor scenery that reflects your style.
- Setting – Decide if you want an indoor space, an outdoor adventure, or a mix of both.
- Time of year – Missouri has four seasons, each offering a unique backdrop, so any time of year is a great option. Fall and spring are my favorites!
- Loved ones – You might want to invite a few loved ones or keep it intimate with just your partner, then celebrate with friends and family later.
Step 2: Hire a Missouri Elopement Photographer
An elopement photographer who offers planning support can help you every step of the way, while also capturing the special moments of your big day. This guidance makes it easier to plan the perfect wedding day without the stress of figuring it all out on your own.
When I work with couples, I offer location scouting, vendor recommendations, and activity ideas. I’m also a licensed officiant, so you don’t have to find someone else to lead your ceremony.
Since I’ve spent so much time exploring Missouri, I know the best locations, hidden gems, and fun things to do. Not only do you get beautiful photos to remember your day, but you also get help planning an unforgettable day.
Step 3: Choose Your Location
There are so many incredible places to elope in Missouri. Whether you’re a local or planning a fun getaway, you’ll find something that fits your vibe — laid-back, adventurous, nature-focused, or even a mix.
The best places to elope in Missouri include:
- Belleview – A peaceful escape close to Elephant Rocks State Park, known for its massive granite boulders
- St. Louis – A lively city and home to Gateway Arch National Park, one of the best places to elope in Missouri if you want an outdoor wedding adventure
- Columbia – A central hub that blends small-town charm with big-city energy and diverse landscapes
- Kansas City – A friendly city with romantic spots, great food, and many places to exchange vows and explore
- Branson – A southwest Missouri city with live entertainment, theme parks, and scenic Ozark Mountain views
Step 4: Plan the Logistics
Once you choose your location, it’s time to sort out the details.
Here’s what to consider when planning the logistics:
- When to elope – Give yourself at least three months if you want a simple, just-us day. If you’re planning a bigger adventure with guests, start planning nine months to a year prior. Missouri has four distinct seasons, and each creates a unique experience.
- Marriage license – Getting a marriage license in Missouri is simple, even for out-of-state couples. Start your application online, then finish in person at the county office where you plan to get married. There’s a three-day waiting period once you get your license, then you have 30 days to hold your ceremony.
- Attire and decorations – Choose outfits and decor that make sense for your plans and location. For example, you’ll need comfortable shoes for a hiking elopement and nature can be the best decor. If you’re eloping in the city, you might choose a more polished look and let the urban backdrop, like murals or architecture, add to the aesthetic.
- Travel & accommodations – If you’re flying to Missouri, compare prices across a few travel dates to get the best deal, then book directly with the airline. For accommodations, there are many hotels, b&b’s, vacation rentals, and campgrounds to choose from in Missouri, depending on the experience you want.
- Hire other vendors – If you want to book vendors like a florist, private chef, or hair and makeup artist, I share recommendations with the couples I work with.
Step 5: Plan Your Elopement Activities
One big perk of eloping is filling your day with things you love. My husband and I hiked at sunrise, sipped coffee, and hammocked together on our wedding day — meaningful and perfect for us.
Here are some fun ideas for your elopement day activities:
- Watching the sunrise or sunset
- Enjoying brunch or a picnic together
- Hiking, biking, or kayaking
- Exchanging personalized vows
- Reading letters from loved ones
- Enjoying brunch or a picnic together
- Exploring with your pets
- Having a first dance
- Taking a helicopter ride
Elope in Missouri: FAQs
Get answers to common questions that can help you plan the best Missouri elopement.
How to elope in Missouri?
To elope in Missouri, apply for your marriage license online and finish the process in person at a local county office. After the three-day waiting period, you can hold your ceremony anytime within 30 days. For a smooth and stress-free experience, consider hiring a photographer who also helps with planning.
Can you get married the same day in Missouri?
You can’t get married the same day in Missouri because there’s a mandatory three-day waiting period before your license is issued.
What is the cost to elope in Missouri?
Eloping usually costs anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. That said, the exact cost to elope in Missouri depends on the specific location, guest count, and vendors. With so many options for eloping, it’s easy to splurge or stick to a budget.
How much does it cost to get married at a courthouse in Missouri?
It costs under $100 to get married at a courthouse in Missouri – and often closer to $50. You’ll need to pay for your marriage license, and many courthouses let you have the ceremony for free. You can also get your marriage license, then exchange your vows at a local park for a more picturesque setting.
Missouri Elopement Packages
If you’re looking for stunning photos and planning support for your elopement day, check out my Missouri elopement packages. You can choose a multi-day, full-day, or mini-elopement experience — whatever best matches your vision.
Each Among the Pines Photography elopement package 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 Missouri Elopement
Eloping in Missouri offers endless ways to create a personal and special wedding day. Whether you’re dreaming of a quiet outdoor ceremony, a cozy indoor space, or a fun weekend getaway, I’d love to help you plan and capture it.
If you’re ready to start planning your Missouri elopement, let’s get started.
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."
