Hell yes.
Best Places in 2023 for your Elopement in Oklahoma
Why elope in Oklahoma?
If you’re looking to ditch the traditional big day in favor of a meaningful, intimate elopement in Oklahoma — You’re in the right place! Oklahoma might not be able to boast the scenic mountain backdrop of Colorado or the intense desert landscape of Joshua Tree, but we have BEAUTIFUL and scenic spots that are within a few hours of the metro, are budget-friendly, and that would be perfect places for your Oklahoma elopement. Oklahoma’s got game — maybe you just haven’t seen it yet.
Planning your day with intention
I think if you have read my blog or my website, you’ll know that I strongly encourage couples to plan their wedding day totally their way, with intention, and thought about what they really love doing together. I’ve talked a bit about eloping and about smaller intimate weddings and why you should consider them. I also want everyone to know that even if you don’t plan to take off to a bucket-list destination for your elopement or intimate wedding, eloping in Oklahoma offers beautiful, affordable options for your perfect wedding day.
This blog post specifically covers the best places to elope in Oklahoma — if you’re looking for something that completely unpacks the elopement planning process here in Oklahoma, I’ve got you covered with this post!
So without any further ado, I’ll list a few of my favorites on where to elope in Oklahoma below. Enjoy!
Broken Bow/Beaver’s Bend State Park, Oklahoma
Not only is the southeast corner of our state lush and brimming with pine trees, streams, hills and lakes, but Broken Bow also has the distinct advantage of many unique lodging options. If you’ve always imagined an intimate, outdoor wedding surrounded by nature with room for all of your family and friends to stay with you — you should definitely consider this part of the state.
Complete Guide to Broken Bow Elopements
I even wrote an in-depth guide on EVERYTHING you need to know about weddings in Broken Bow. You can find that here!
Quick list of unique spaces in Broken Bow:
Imagine being able to hang out around the pool with friends and family, stay a few nights, say your vows on a private, gorgeous deck overlooking the lake, and sit down to a sunset meal together! These spaces range from “off the grid” to “luxurious accommodations”.
Beaver’s Bend State Park
There are so many options for lodging here, and they’re all close to, or even inside of, beautiful Beaver’s Bend State Park. Some of the lodges boast amazing lake views and plenty of room for your family or guests to stay. Beaver’s Bend State Park is another great place for your wedding, and definitely one of my favorite state parks in Oklahoma! There are so many options for an intimate weekend wedding getaway in the woods. S’mores? YAS, I’m there! If you’re looking for a lot of room for a lot of folks, be sure to check also check out Beavers Bend Lake Lodge for suite lodging for up to 40.
Quartz Mountain State Park
This State Park is nestled in the southwest part of the state, and is a two-hour drive from Oklahoma City. Quartz Mountain State Park offers a rocky wedding backdrop compared to the lush hills of the southeastern part of the state. From boating on lake Altus-Lugert to bouldering in the area, this gateway to the Wichita Mountains promises unexpected adventure.
Best Scenic Spots for an Intimate Ceremony
Imagine trekking to find the perfect spot for your vows, followed by a dinner at the resort. It’s possible, and here are a few of my favorite scenic locations:
Lodging for Guests
The newly remodeled, Quartz Mountain Lodge Resort not only has plenty of room for any guests to stay, in addition, any of the large decks, patios, or even the natural stone could be amazing backdrops for your Quartz Mountain wedding ceremony with family in attendance. Also, they have wedding packages available!
Osage Hills State Park
Just outside Bartlesville in northeast Oklahoma, Osage State Park is like having the best of both worlds: Lush, rolling hills with trees, and rocky bluffs and rivers that run through them.
With cabins nestled into the hilly terrain and new glamping options available for rent, couples who prefer “roughing it” for their elopement experience over some creature comforts might be more interested in what this park has to offer.
Go Glamping
Glamp out in one of the Osage Hills canvas wall tents! These would be the perfect spot for relaxing and getting ready for the day together before trekking through the scenic hills and bluffs.
You can reserve camping spots and one of the few stone cabins by visiting the online reservation page, here.
Scenic Spots in the area
Robbers Cave State Park
Nestled in the San Bois Mountain due north of Wilburton, Robber’s Cave offers hilly hiking, lush trees in the spring, and gorgeous fall colors to match the rock formations in the fall. I love beautiful, lush, hilly hiking, and I also love how close Robber’s Cave Park is to a large town, so that lodging, food, and other creature comforts are all easily accessible when you’re thinking of eloping or having an intimate wedding there.
Camping or Lodging
Accommodations at Robbers Cave State Park include a lodge, cabins, a lake hut, yurts (YURTS!! You’ll have to book by contacting the main office), and two group camp facilities if you feel like group camping.
This sounds SO fun and I would love to photograph your wedding if you’re going camping! In addition to cabins and the campground in the park, There are 20 rooms available at the Robber’s Cave Lodge, which overlooks a lake and the green valley below it.
Scenic Hikes in the Area
Roman Nose State Park
Just an hour and a half from Oklahoma City, this small State Park has a scenic loop trail that overlooks a gorgeous, Oklahoma landscape as well as a lodge, visitors center, and golf course.
Sunrise Hike
Hiking to Inspiration Point for your vows at sunrise is an unforgettable experience. The trail is a moderate loop, and stopping for coffee or a picnic after your ceremony is a perfect way to relax and take in the scenery this park offers.
Natural Falls State Park
Near the Oklahoma/Arkansas border in the scenic Ozark Highlands region of northeast Oklahoma lies Natural Falls State Park. An incredibly beautiful and lush park featuring a 77-foot scenic waterfall. Hike through the stunning rock formations and rivers to find the perfect elopement spot among the rugged rock and serene atmosphere.
A unique camping experience
Natural Falls State Park has yurts! Imagine hanging out and getting ready for the day in a rustic yurt, which can be reserved online. Each yurt sleeps between four and six people and comes with a microwave, dorm fridge, ac/heat, ceiling fan, light, electrical outlets, dining table and four chairs, and coffee maker. Check out details on the park or go about reserving your yurt here!
Downtown Oklahoma City
How can we forget about the heart of the city? If you’ve dreamed of eloping, but the great outdoors doesn’t fit your vision — not to worry! Downtown Oklahoma City has SO many possibilities for your elopement and so many possibilities for beautiful city portraits on your day. Say “I do” inside your favorite bar or one of our beautiful local parks.
Unique, Urban Locations
With the added bonus of having so many unique venues and locations to get ready for your day, the sky’s the limit here. You can bar hop in your wedding gear, take in the skyline views of downtown together, explore the city, have a picnic … You name it. If you’re looking for an urban landscape and city vibes for your wedding day, look no further than downtown OKC!
Best OKC Venues for a Small Affair
If you’re looking for some incredible venue options in Oklahoma City, don’t miss my post here where I round up the best small venues in the city.
Did you know you can get married inside of a wine bar? Or share in post-ceremony french fries at Bar Arbolada? I love elopements in Oklahoma City because they can be so fun and so unique. There are so many options here to do your day differently!
Don’t forget about vacation rentals!
If you’re planning your Oklahoma elopement, or small wedding and want the guarantee of amenities and space, don’t forget about rental houses! Can you believe THIS cabin is in Oklahoma?
BnBs are great options to consider for lots of space and the guarantee of your most basic amenities. Not to mention that the price tag for an entire weekend is already significantly less than what you would spend on a typical wedding venue for one day.
Check out this list of the most unique AirBnB’s in each state, and let your imagination for your day run wild! If you’re having a hard time choosing a vacation rental, check out my guide to choosing the best type of vacation rental for photos, here.
A Few Last Elopement Tips
If you’re planning a wedding or elopement in an Oklahoma state park, always be sure to visit the park’s website for travel information, permit information, and reservation information on campsites, cabins, and even outdoor spaces. If your Oklahoma elopement or wedding will take place outdoors, always follow Leave No Trace guidelines — leave no trash, stay on designated trails, and respect the space. After all, we want to have weddings there because the space is so beautiful — make sure you help keep it that way!
Destination Elopements
If your marriage will be in a different county than where you live, always make sure to visit that county’s website or call their office to make sure you get your marriage license with no issues! If you obtain your license from Oklahoma County, it’s good for up to 10 days from the date issued. Always chat with your county clerk if you have any questions on paperwork, or check out my super in-depth post here about eloping in Oklahoma!
Your Elopement Photographer
Even if you’ve always wanted to elope, or are just figuring it out, there’s so many ways to celebrate your day in the best way for you. If you’re still searching for the perfect elopement location in Oklahoma to say. “I do”, need some help, have some questions, or just have NO idea where to start… shoot me an email! I love helping my couples come up with unique ways to celebrate and plan their dream day, their way.
And if you’re looking for an amazing photographer to capture your dream day, look no further. You’re definitely in the right place. 😉
Click here to email me, and let’s get to planning your dream elopement day!
great article thanks