Your West Texas Elopement Guide
West Texas has a lot to offer you, whether you’re looking for adventure or an authentic and intentional wedding experience. A West Texas elopement can be anything from a rural desert landscape to saying “I do” underneath an endless, open blue sky. It all depends on the elopement vibe and vision you have in mind.
As a photographer and planner for destination elopements, West Texas holds a special place in my heart - the landscapes and views are one-of-a-kind. Did you know I was one of the first photographers to ever go to Big Bend and photograph an elopement? You can view the day that made me fall in love with West Texas here. Read on to learn more about planning an elopement in West Texas.
How to Elope in West Texas
Here’s what you need to do to start planning your West Texas elopement:
Get your Texas Marriage License
The first thing to take care of is your Texas marriage license.
Here’s what you need to know about getting your marriage license in Texas:
You must get your marriage license at least three business days before your ceremony.
The cost of your marriage license is generally between $60 and $85, depending on which county you live in; a $100 surcharge may apply if you and your partner live out of state.
There’s a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued before the marriage ceremony can happen.
To apply for a marriage license, both parties must have a valid form of ID (driver’s license, certified copy of a birth certificate, passport, or Social Security card).
You and your partner must appear in person to sign the application. Some counties have an online application form to complete before your in-person appointment.
Your marriage license is valid for 90 days after it’s issued.
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official website of the county where you plan to get married or the Marriage in Texas website.
By the way, I’m legally ordained! I can plan and photograph your special day and sign your marriage license.
Pick the time of year you want to elope in West Texas
It wouldn’t be Texas without the heat! If you want to avoid the sweltering Texas sun, the best time of the year to elope in West Texas is during the cooler months from October to April. February is one of my favorite months!
You can always consider a sunrise elopement for cooler temperatures. Then, you can venture out again in the evening to avoid the midday heat.
Choose your location
In West Texas, there is no shortage of incredible elopement locations you could choose from for an unforgettable celebration. Here are some spots I’d recommend:
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is rugged and wild and is guaranteed to steal your heart. It has beautiful canyons, winding rivers, desert landscapes, forested mountains, and more.
There are several spots throughout the park where you can plan your elopement, such as Balanced Rock, Lost Mine Trail, Sotol Vista, or Santa Elena Canyon. Also, there are many accessible trails you can reach by foot or scenic spots you can access in a car if you don’t want a challenging hike to be a part of your elopement experience.
Terlingua
Terlingua is a ghost town in West Texas with a remote, desolate landscape. It is the gateway to Big Bend National Park and has a charming chapel, St. Agnes, where you can plan your celebration.
Marfa
Marfa is known for its art, culture, and jaw-dropping sunsets. You can even plan to elope at Calera Chapel, a chapel in the middle of the desert.
There is also an abundance of weird and quirky places to explore here, and a can’t-miss spot is the Marfa Prada. The Marfa Prada is a permanent sculpture located along U.S. Route 90 and a gorgeous backdrop for wedding portraits.
A mix of historic buildings here creates unique, clean lines that make for stunning, artistic wedding portraits.
Modern Solar Home
Modern Solar Home is a hidden gem that is one hour and 20 minutes south of Marfa and 20 minutes from Chanti Hot Springs. The house and surrounding property offer views in all directions for miles, with the Rio Grande River on the property's southern edge.
I will say that his property is remote and is definitely not for the faint of heart so be sure to do your research beforehand!
Check out a wedding I photographed at Modern Solar Home here.
Choose Where to Stay
If you’re looking for a unique place to stay that has incredible views and new spots popping up all the time, I would definitely recommend checking out Willow House.
Willow House is a series of modern, minimalist structures just outside the center of Terlingua. It’s a desert oasis where you can enjoy the views of the Chisos Mountain Range. Plus, it’s the perfect combination of remoteness and accessibility.
Choose additional activities you want to do during your elopement
There are limitless possibilities of activities to try while in West Texas. Here are some of my favorite recommendations:
Visit Chanti Hot Springs or soak in Langford Hot Springs
Hike one of the 67 trails in Big Bend State Park
Go stargazing
Go horseback riding
Float the Rio Grande
Try out an ATV or Jeep tour
Explore a ghost town like Terlingua
Additional Planning Tips for Your West Texas Elopement
Bring the right attire
If your elopement involves hiking, you’ll need a good, sturdy pair of hiking shoes. Never overlook the power of a good pair of socks with your outfit. Make sure whatever you wear for your elopement is comfortable and allows you to move easily. Breaking in your hiking boots prior is a MUST to avoid blisters!
Hire the perfect vendors
Want to make your elopement as stress-free as possible? Then, you’re going to want to hire vendors who know the area and unique obstacles it presents Your elopement vendors can help you with logistics and planning and give you valuable, expert advice. They will also ensure your celebration goes off without a hitch.
Pro tip: Look for an elopement photographer, planner, and officiant all-in-one, such as myself. I would recommend an official wedding planner for a guest count larger than 40. Otherwise, family and friends will be doing a lot of the duties on the day-of! This will make hiring your vendors much more efficient and easier.
Always be sure to leave no trace
The leave-no-trace principle is about minimizing your impact on the environment. Anything that you pack in needs to be packed out. Always stay on marked trails and don’t do anything that will create a noticeable impact on the area.
Kelly and Regan’s West Texas Elopement
I’ve spent a lot of time in West Texas, so I know the ins and outs of planning an elopement or small wedding here. I can help you create the day of your dreams, just like I did with Kelly and Regan.
A little background on the couple: Kelly and Regan have been together for 12 years and were engaged for four years. They love nature, hiking, traveling, and the outdoors, making West Texas a perfect backdrop for them to tie the knot.
Kelly and Regan planned their elopement around just the two of them and brought their dog with them to celebrate. Dogs are more than welcome in state and national parks, but there are some limitations. Big Bend National Park allows dogs in vehicles, but they're not allowed on trails, along the river, or even off-road, for example.
As avid travelers and hikers, they plan to hike Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, making their elopement in West Texas one of many incredible outdoor adventures they’ll share. Their passion for exploring made this location perfect for their wedding day.
I helped Kelly and Regan create their ideal elopement timeline, and in just one day, we visited several different locations. Each location had unique, standout features that created beautiful backdrops for their celebration.
Here’s a behind-the-lens look at their elopement timeline:
3:00 am - Hair and makeup arrives
3:15 am - Hair and makeup begins
5:15 am - 5:45 am - I arrive and take candids of hair and makeup
5:45 am - Leave Airbnb (40 min drive)
6:30 am - 6:45 am - Meet at Fandango Rock and arrange for the ceremony
6:45 am - 7 am - Ceremony
7 am - 7:30 am - Portraits at Fandango Rock
7:30 am - 7:45 am - Drive to Closed Canyon
7:45 am - 8:45 am - Photos at Closed Canyon Trail
8:45 am -10:30 am - Drive to Sotol Vista Overlook and take photos on the road along the way
10:30 am -11 am - Sotol Vista Overlook
We spent the evening in Marfa. Kelly and Regan explored the town, and we captured some stunning sunset pictures. We also found different and fun backdrops throughout Marfa to take photos in front of. Marfa, the artistic hot spot of West Texas, was the perfect ending to Kelly and Regan’s epic elopement day.
Ready to Plan Your West Texas Elopement?
I hope you found this guide helpful! A West Texas elopement promises to be nothing short of magical - it’s perfect for couples who want something one-of-a-kind and adventurous.
Do you want a wedding experience where you embrace genuine, authentic moments and have those documented? Would it be a dream to work with a photographer who can help you find specific vendors, trails, and accommodations?
If that sounds exactly like what you’re looking for, then let’s get started planning your elopement or wedding day in West Texas and beyond! You can get in touch with me or learn more about my services here.