Wildflower Elopement at Eagle Creek Park, Indianapolis

For Indianapolis couples who adore sunsets in the summertime, a wildflower elopement at Eagle Creek Park might be a perfect fit. While keeping everything low waste and sustainable, an elopement like this is full of freedom to adventure and be present in nature. We’ve got all the ins and outs to help you plan the wildflower elopement of your dreams while staying local to Indianapolis.

Eagle Creek Wedding or Elopement

Colorful wildflower fields filled with buzzing bees on a beautiful summer night made for the perfect location for this evening at Eagle Creek Park with Kaitlyn + Kurt.

While looking to create a wildflower elopement styled session at Eagle Creek Park, Kaitlyn + Kurt volunteers and we are so glad they did! Being surrounded by the beauty of the outdoors brings us joy and it’s even better when we get to document love stories of other outdoorsy couples there.

Kaitlyn + Kurt enjoyed one another’s company in the serene sunset of the night—their love evident from the way they smiled at each other.

From a canoe ride on the reservoir to reading love notes to one another and having a sunset picnic, they celebrated their love. It was a magical evening and a reminder of how beautifully nature and love stories go hand in hand.

Leave No Trace + Sustainability

During our exploring, we made sure to Leave No Trace. This is so important to keep our parks and other wild spaces safe for years to come. It’s also important to follow the rules that these public spaces have in place so we can return to them in the future. We kept to known trails and were mindful of plants + wildlife.

We chose to use florals that were native or found locally in case any petals fell away that we missed. Using reusable glassware for the picnic helped to keep everything low waste and sustainable. Anytime there’s a “champagne pop,” we always opt for non-flavored sparkling water over using champagne to keep from polluting the ground and to not waste expensive alcohol that our couples could enjoy later.

We did our best to support local businesses and produce little waste for this shoot. It is possible to do this for weddings and elopements and if you’re curious about more sustainable wedding swaps, check out our blog, How to Have an Eco-Friendly Wedding in Indiana.

If this aesthetic feels like a breath of fresh air, then eloping at a local park might be the perfect fit for your amazing day. If you still have a lot of questions, keep reading to learn more about planning a wildflower elopement.

How to Plan a Wildflower Elopement at Eagle Creek Park

What do we need if we want to have our wedding/elopement in Eagle Creek Park?

To legally get married in Indiana, this is what you need to do:

• obtain an Indiana marriage license
• hire an ordained officiant (or bring a friend who is ordained)
• sign your marriage license (no witnesses required!)

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 (which in this case would be Marion County).

You will both need documentation that shows your date of birth as well as your Social Security Number. A marriage license in Indiana (as of 2024) is $25.00 for Hoosiers and $65.00 for those out of state. All that’s needed are both of your signatures and the officiant’s signature on the official license!

Something to note, depending on the county, they might require additional information or there might be additional fees so look ahead at the Marion County office that you’ll be visiting so you know for sure. Read this for additional marriage license information in the state of Indiana.

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.

What locations do you recommend for a wildflower elopement in/around Eagle Creek Park?

You have so many beautiful options in and around the park to spend your time! Depending on the location you choose will determine if you need a special permit for your elopement. You can inquire with Eagle Creek here.

Please respect the rules of these beautiful places so they may remain open, kept safe, and accessible to many for years to come.         

Epic Spots + Trails to Explore:

• Lily Lake (lovely for a sunset picnic)
• The Land Bridge (pretty for sunset portraits + good fishing spot)
• Earth Discovery Center
• Galyan’s Bear/Bear Overlook (great spot for a vow exchange with a few guests)
• Eagle Creek Park Marina
• The Red Trail (this is our personal favorite hike)
• The Orinthology Center

PRO TIP: Here’s a list of the trails with maps. Make sure you pick the best trail for your experience level and know that if you’re unsure about which trails might make for the best lighting and scenery for photos/video, you can always ask your photographers/videographers.

Places to have a Ceremony/Exchange Vows:

• Lily Lake
• Pollinator Habitat (in the area that’s mowed—do not trample or go into the tall grass)
• Near Galyan’s Bear/Bear Overlook
• At a Shelter in the park (be sure to rent it)
• On a less traveled trail (if it’s just the two of you and an officiant)
• Hideaway Overlook or Marina Overlook Facilities

NOTE: Depending on where you choose, you might need a special permit for your elopement or to reserve/pay for the space. Be sure to inquire with Eagle Creek here.

What activities could we incorporate into our summer Eagle Creek Wedding or Elopement?

• Hike Eagle Creek’s gorgeous trails
• Kayaking/Canoeing/Paddle Boarding/Pontoon Boat Rental
• Picnic at the many beautiful locations all around the park or at a shelter
• Kayak Tours
• Fish at Eagle Creek Reservoir
• Treetop Adventure Course or Zipline at Go Ape
• Bike
• Grab a bite at Rick’s Boatyard Café
• Swim

There’s lots of fun things you can incorporate into your elopement and when you decide what you want to do, it will assist you as you think through your timeline.

Simple Elopement Checklist:

1. Marriage License ($25-65 depending on the county and additional fees.)
2. Special Use Permit (This does vary depending on the size of the event and the park, so we recommend reaching out to Eagle Creek directly here.)
3. Park Entrance Fees ($6-7 daily fee)
4. Officiant ($50-$200 depending on if it’s a friend or a professional and how long they will be there.)
5. Photographer / Videographer ($3-8K)
6. Photography / Videography permit ($30, but in our case this is included with photo + video cost)
7. Lodging (~$150-250/night or less if you’re camping)
8. Outfits (Depends on if you thrift your wedding dress or buy designer or rent—you do you!)
9. Food (Whether you want a small cake or a picnic, a private dinner offsite, or all 3, this price varies if you hire it out or make it yourselves.)
10. Bouquet + Décor ($20-$200 depending on how elaborate you want or if you want to skip these things. Don’t leave ANYTHING behind. With Leave No Trace principles protecting the area, we encourage you to embrace nature as your décor and the “less is more” principle.)
11. Activities (Ex: picnic, hiking at a park, kayaking, etc.)
12. Bringing guests will affect the cost so think about if you want others to join or not.

Eagle Creek Park Wildflower Elopement Sample Timeline

Wildflower Elopement Vendor Shoutout:

Models: Kaitlyn Koby + Kurt Christian

Location: Eagle Creek Park

Canoe Rental: Wheel Fun Rentals / Eagle Creek Outfitters

Bowtie + Suspenders: The Bold Bowtie

Mini Cakes/Cupcakes: Miss May Designs

Florals: Ashley Vallosio’s Personal Garden, Foraged Locally, + Zinnias picked from Beasley’s Orchard

Create an Elopement Day You Love

You both deserve the wedding you’ve always dreamed of. If a wildflower elopement in the summertime is what you’re looking for, then that’s what you should do. Remember: no matter what kind of wedding you choose, make sure that it brings you both peace and joy. 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 your peaceful, outdoorsy day and any photo or video needs you might have.

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