You’re looking for an epic elopement location in the mid-west but also craving solitude and privacy?As a local you are probably already familiar with Elephant Rock State Park and its stunning landscapes and walking trails. With this being a well known state park you may be wondering how can we have a private elopement here? Let me tell you the process is easier than you think. It is perfectly possible to get this stunning location all to yourselves, With a simple free permit.
The park has pretty strict hours of operations. The rangers open the gates after sunrise and close the park before sunset or earlier depending on the season. The good news this actually your golden ticket accessing the park alone. The parks department is super easy to work with to request a special use permit with a as little as two weeks notice of your elopement. This permit will grant you access to the park outside of the usual operating hours. The process is pretty straight forward, As your elopement photographer I handle all the communications with the park employees coordinating our time spent in the park. The only information I need is timeframe you’d like to use the park, and number of people/vehicles in the group.
sunrise vs sunset
sunrise
Imagine waking up before the sun getting dressed and lacing up your hiking boots and starting your adventure with a short hike making your way to the summit of the rocks hand in hand, your path illuminated only by headlamps… once on top of the rocks say your vows as the sun comes up over the horizon. Then spend your remaining time in the park alone by enjoying a packed picnic and taking a stroll around the trail, visit the rail house and lake. enjoy the rest of the day as husband and wife. consider filling the rest of your day with local activities like renting a 4×4 vehicle from Midwest Sports Center Farmington and exploring St Joe’s State park
sunset
spend your morning at your own pace. enjoying breakfast together, and indulging with a cup of coffee together while you write your vows. dedicate the first hours to participating in activities you both enjoy together. My personal recommendations of things to do in the local area. For a summer elopement go a local swimming hole to partake in some tubing and swimming to beat the heat, followed up with a stop in Caladonia for some of their delicious hand scooped ice cream in the towns mercantile. get to Elephant Rock state park close to two hours before sunset to explore the trails and lake saw your vows at the summit as the sun dips low, casting the most beautiful sunset all around you. Sit on the rocks as day turns to night and enjoy the night sky as stars become visual since South east Missouri has relatively low pollution
Steal this timeline for your elopement
4am- Wake up + getting ready and grab a quick cup of coffee/ breakfast at the station
5:30am – Arrive at Elephant Rock and hike to summit
6am- Watch the sunrise together.
6:30am- private vows and ceremony +portraits
8am- park opens (couple leaves)
break in time time line
3:30- 4×4 tour around St Joes State Park
6pm – relax at The Well wellness center in their salt room
7:30- roast smores over a bonfire
You deserve to have the elopement of your dreams! But sometime logistics can seem daunting taking the fun out of the planning process. You don’t have to go it alone! As your dedicated elopement photographer and planner I’m here to hold your hand throughout the whole process and help steer you in the direction your wanting to take your day. From dedicated guides and unlimited planning calls with the right help your day can be everything your dreaming of and more! So stop dreaming about and and lets get the ball moving on your badass day!
XOXO, Alyssa
Your professional third wheel
