How to Elope in Nashville, Tennessee (2026 Guide)

Nashville is one of the easier cities in the country to elope. The Davidson County license is $98.50 with no waiting period, no residency requirement, and no blood test. You can land at BNA in the morning and be legally married by sunset.

Step 1: Get your Davidson County marriage license

Marriage licenses are issued by the Davidson County Clerk’s office at the Howard Office Building (700 2nd Ave S). You and your partner both need to be there in person, with photo ID and Social Security numbers. The license is good for 30 days statewide and usable the same day you get it.

License fee: $98.50 (cash or card)
No waiting period
No residency requirement
If divorced, bring the date the divorce was finalized

Step 2: Pick your ceremony location

Most Nashville public spots do not require a permit for a small ceremony with no chairs, amplified sound, or vendor setup. The classics:

Centennial Park — Parthenon backdrop. Permit only required if you bring chairs/tents.
Shelby Bottoms / Shelby Park — riverside walking paths, lots of green.
The Gulch / 8th Ave murals — urban, photogenic, great for couples doing intentionally city elopements.
Franklin’s Main Street — historic downtown 25 minutes south.
Private cabins outside town — Leiper’s Fork, Joelton, and Pegram have weekend rental cabins perfect for intimate ceremonies.

Step 3: Book your officiant + photographer

Tennessee officiants don’t need to register — they just need to be ordained. Most Nashville officiants charge $250–$400 for a ceremony. Photographers for a 1-2 hour elopement run $800–$1,800.

Browse Nashville wedding vendors for officiants and photographers who specialize in elopements and small ceremonies.

What it actually costs

Marriage license: $98.50
Officiant: $250 – $400
Photographer (1-2 hr): $800 – $1,800
Bouquet + boutonnière: $150 – $300
Hair & makeup: $300 – $600
Cabin or hotel suite (optional): $200 – $2,000

Total honest range: $1,600 – $5,700 depending on how much you outsource.

Things people forget

Return the signed license to the clerk’s office within 3 days of the ceremony.
Order a certified copy ($16) — you’ll need it for name changes.
If you want amplified sound or set up chairs at Centennial Park, Metro Parks needs a permit ~$50.

Best months to elope in Nashville

April, May, October, November. July and August are humid; January and February are mild but unpredictable.

Browse Nashville elopement vendors →