For Hoosiers who want to ditch traditional wedding vibes, you might be wondering about how to elope in Indiana? Indiana often gets looked at as flat, boring, and filled with cornfields and-thankfully-that’s not true! Indiana is a perfect place for an elopement filled with the charm of the Midwest and peacefully scenic views. We’ve got all the details so you can relax and learn about how to elope in Indiana.
Before we jump into all the juicy details of how to elope in Indiana, we first want to talk about what an elopement is. The definition of eloping has evolved a lot—it used to be something shrouded in shame or done in secret. Now when eloping is discussed, it’s surrounded with an air of fun, adventure, and embracing the non-traditional. We talk all about this in our blog, “What’s It Mean to Elope” if you want to read more!
In our blog post, “Should I Elope?”, we define an elopement “to be when two people decide to get married and instead of a larger celebration, they decide to have a smaller celebration. It can take place anywhere that is important to the couple and they can bring along as many of their closest people to celebrate with them.”
If that resonates with you, then maybe you should elope! And if you’re wondering how to elope in Indiana, then keep reading.
Elopement Requirements for Indiana
If you’re here, we probably don’t need to answer this question, but for good measure we will. Are elopements legal in Indiana? Yes, they are. Whether you have an elopement or a traditional wedding, the same things are required to legally get married.
To legally get married in Indiana, this is what you need:
- an Indiana marriage license
- an ordained person
- a signed Indiana marriage license by officiants and couple (no witnesses required)
Indiana Marriage License
First, you’ll need to obtain a marriage license. It is valid for 60 days from when it is issued, and you can get married the same day. Both of you will need to visit the Clerk’s office in the county where one of you lives. If you’re visiting from out of state, then you’ll go to the office in the county where your ceremony will take place.
You will both need documentation that shows your date of birth as well as your Social Security Number and proof of residency. A marriage license in Indiana (as of 2024) is $25.00 for Hoosiers and $65.00 for those out of state—usually these need to be paid with cash, but it depends on the office.
All that’s needed from here are both of your signatures and the officiant’s signature on the official license and to send it into county’s office before the 60 days are up.
Who can officiate your elopement?
Anyone who is ordained can officiate your elopement. The Indianapolis government website has a list here and we’ve included a brief version of it below:
- Member of the clergy of a religious organization
- Member of a certified secular organization
- Judge
- Mayor (in their county)
- Clerk or a clerk-treasurer (in their county)
- Clerk of the district court
- Governor/lieutenant governor
- Member of the general assembly
- A friend or family member who is ordained
Indiana Marriage Law
Depending on the county, they might require additional information or there might be additional fees so look ahead at the office that you’ll be visiting so you know for sure. Read this for additional marriage license information in the state of Indiana or to begin filing online.
PRO TIP: To keep things simple, you can get legally married where you live before the date of your elopement. This keeps things very simple on your end. At your elopement, you can still share your vows and enjoy a ceremony or epic adventure without having to worry about legal logistics.
Best Seasons for Eloping in Indiana
While thinking through how to elope in Indiana, one of the first things you will need to decide on is the date. Your elopement can take place whenever you want and in the season that you enjoy most! On average, May through October will offer the best weather for elopements in Indiana.
If you choose to elope and have part of or all of your day outside, remember you are at the whim of Mother Nature. Let’s be honest, Indiana’s weather sometimes has a mind of its own so be prepared and monitor the weather.
Winter
From December through March is cold weather season in Indiana. If you really love the cold weather, then this might be the right season for you to have part of your elopement outside. For winter elopements, be sure to have hand/foot/body warmers, dress in warm layers (fleece tights are excellent), cozy blankets, and warm drinks.
Spring
Spring brings with it warmer weather, budding trees, green grass, and maybe a rainstorm. The end of March through mid-May marks spring in Indiana if this is the vibe you want for your elopement. For spring elopements, be sure to have umbrellas, towels, jackets in case you get chilly, stain-removing wipes (in case of any mud), and hair/makeup touchups.
Summer
Mid-May through the end of August is summer in Indiana which means lots of greens, flowers, and sunshine. This is a popular time to get married, but it could be more humid than a sauna or a be a wonderful day with a lovely breeze. For summer elopements, be sure to have sunscreen, bug spray, deodorant, hand fans, hair/makeup touchups, and lots of water.
Fall
Fall is one of the most popular times to get married in Indiana and occurs within the months of September through November. With the possibility of cooler temps, possible changing leaves, and cozy vibes, you can’t go wrong! Should you choose to invite any guests, they will also be comfortable in these temps. For fall elopements, be sure to have lightweight blankets, jackets in case you get chilly, hand/foot/body warmers, and warm drinks.
Eloping in Indiana Locations
We’ve written an entire blog that shares our favorite spots in Indiana for an elopement with lots of details. Like we stated earlier, Indiana often gets a bad rap for being boring and flat, but that isn’t true if you know where to look. Here are some of our favorite scenic spots for outdoor elopements.
- Brown County State Park
- Cataract Falls State Recreation Area
- DePauw Nature Park
- Eagle Creek Park
- Indiana Dunes National Park
- Shades State Park
- Turkey Run State Park
- White River State Park/The Canal
- Your own backyard
- A local winery or orchard
- A smaller park you love to visit
PRO TIP: If you want to avoid crowds for an elopement at a more public location, choose to elope on a week day or at sunrise/sunset.
How to Elope and Include Fun Activities in Indiana
With so many unique locations all over Indiana, there’s also many unique activities that can be included in your elopement day. Here are just a few of them!
- Picnic
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Skiing
- Star gazing
- Build a campfire with s’mores
- Sledding
- Bouldering
- Watch the sunrise or sunset
- Snowball fight
- Dance together
- Visit a winery/brewery/distillery
- Pick apples or pumpkins
- Build a snowman
- Kayaking/canoeing/paddle boarding
- Bird watching
- Mountain biking
- Walking your dog together
- Cozy up by the fireplace
- Hammocking
- Hot air balloon ride
- Lakeside/beach walk (there are beaches in Indiana!!)
- Camping
Choosing Your Elopement Outfits
When you choose to elope, you have the freedom to truly do whatever you want and this includes your outfits! Wear what you want to wear and if you have any fun activities planned for your elopement day, take that into consideration as you choose your outfit(s)!
If you hike on your elopement day, wear your hiking boots with your wedding attire. If you want fun colors for your wedding attire, then embrace colors! From capes to veils to jumpsuits, you have tons of options for your own personal style to shine.
You can go custom made for your attire or wear something well-loved from your closet or find a unique thrifted gem. Just pick what makes you happy and confident.
Costs + What to Vendors to Book
The average cost for elopements is usually somewhere between $5,000 and $15,000. Obviously, it can cost less depending on what you choose to do or skip.
Cost breakdown really varies on how elaborate you want your elopement to be. Having a picnic by a lake just the two of you will cost less compared to having a small, decorated dinner party with 20 guests.
What we will say is that the items below are ones we 10/10 recommend for elopements. This is also the order we would recommend booking them. More items can always be added if you want to do something more (ex: fun activities, guests, videography, hair and makeup artists, catering, florist, special lodging for travel, etc.)
- Venue
- Officiant
- Photographer
- Outfits/Accessories
- Meal to Share Together
Decide on what your budget is and then go from there to find a vision that brings everything together for your day. Remember, simpler can be better to create a more peaceful elopement experience.
How to Elope in Indiana Checklist:
- Choose a Date
- Pick a Location/Venue
- Book a Photographer/Videographer
- Book an Officiant
- Book Lodging
- Wedding Day Special Use Permit (if required)
- Photography/Videography Permit (if required, photographer/videographer will do this)
- Choose Your Outfits
- Decide on Food/Dessert + Book Caterer/Order Food
- Book Florist/Order a Bouquet + Decor
- Book Activities
- Invite Guests (if you want any guests present)
- Apply + Pick Up Marriage License (60 days before wedding day)
- Get Married!
Never forget that you both deserve the day you’ve always dreamed of for your wedding. If you’re considering how to elope in Indiana, then go for it and have fun! No matter what kind of wedding you choose to have, make sure that it brings you happiness and peace. That is what matters most as you start your marriage.
If this is what you’re looking for, you can reach out and contact Jonathan and I here. Then we can start talking about how to elope and any photo or video needs you might have.
If you liked this post, then we think you would enjoy looking through these as well:
Incredible Places to Elope in Indiana
Elope in Turkey Run State Park
