In my 6 years of living in Missouri, I’ve learned one thing to be very true for most of the people living here: you love to spend your time on the river! The Missouri waterways are great for cooling off during the summer heat, but they are also great for eloping. You already know you love rafting, fishing, swimming, and sunbathing with a drink in your hand… which is why a day spent on the river is truly the most Missouri way to elope.
The benefits of a slow morning.
I believe it’s extremely important for eloping couples to take advantage of the luxury that is a slow morning. Big wedding couples are always rushing around on a tight timeline or forgetting to eat anything with all the chaos that a wedding day brings, the focus being heavily put on only getting “pretty pictures” and a rowdy reception with family you haven’t seen since you were a baby. That is so not true for your elopement. This is not the day for you to finally be meeting your fiancé’s infamous Uncle Steve for the first time, even though you’ve been together for years… This day is for the two of you to focus on what truly matters most on this special day. Honestly, it should be a day spent with your best friend celebrating the journey you both have been part of to get you to this big moment!
I want you to take the time to soak in these first moments of your day together. Imagine waking up early in a fishing cabin right on the water and cooking a stack of pancakes together over a hot griddle, laughing playfully in the kitchen and being intentional with your time together without the rush of an overbearing timeline looming over your day. You should enjoy the sunrise and easy conversations together without checking your watch every 15 minutes, worried about when you need to rush out the door. This is a great time to write your vows over breakfast with a cup of coffee in hand as your elopement day begins.
Where to stay on the water.
Positioning yourself at a fishing cabin will give you easy access to some amazing activities to start your day with. Your first activity will take place right on the water. With so many options to choose from, whether you’re both avid anglers wanting to catch a few bites or just want to relax and explore via kayak, eloping near a river or lake makes that more than possible.
Here is where I would recommend setting up your basecamp for your Missouri waterfront elopement:
Spring Lake Ranch, which is located at the edge of the Mark Twain National Forest, is the perfect getaway! This property rental includes a private 60-acre lake perfect for swimming, fishing for bass and bluegill, and kayaking to your heart’s content. They also offer seasonal guided horseback riding, and with the property backing right up to the Mark Twain National Forest, you can take advantage of 20+ miles of onsite trails. This is the perfect option for couples wanting to skip the drive time from activity to activity and keep everything on the agenda close by.
Waterfront elopement ceremony hike.
After a relaxing morning of enjoying breakfast and fishing/kayaking, we’ll take a short hike to a beautiful spot overlooking the water and trees for your ceremony. If you’re leaning more towards a private ceremony but still want your loved ones with you in a unique way, I suggest having them write you letters that you can read at the overlook. Reading their words in a quiet, beautiful setting creates a deeply personal connection to home. These letters also make an incredible heirloom keepsake from your day! After you exchange vows and share your first kiss as husband and wife, do a celebratory champagne pop and settle in for a waterside picnic complete with your favorite drinks, a custom charcuterie board of your favorite finger foods, and a cozy, relaxed afternoon playing a friendly game of chess or Uno together as newlyweds.
Luxury river cruise ending.
After spending the majority of your day out in nature, conclude your elopement activities in luxury. Head to Augusta and board the Miss Augusta river cruise yacht for spectacular bluff views! Miss Augusta offers several different sailing options that range from light snacks to an elegant dinner. My personal favorite time of year to add a river cruise to your day is in the height of fall to really appreciate the fall foliage from the comfort of the top deck.
At the end of the day a Missouri waterfront elopement is about what makes the two of you happiest not just finding a pretty backdrop. Whether you choose to spend your morning fishing on the dock of your Airbnb or ending your night on a yacht with a drink in hand. Taking the time to slow down during your day ensures your leaving space to build memorable moments that feel wholeheartedly like you. If you’re dreaming of a stress-free wedding day by the water, explore our Missouri elopement packages
to start dreaming up your perfect day.
XOXO, Alyssa
