Elopements have changed. A lot.
Ten years ago, eloping meant sneaking off to a courthouse and telling your family after the fact. Today it means something completely different. Couples are choosing elopements because they want the focus to be on the commitment itself, not on managing a guest list of 150 people and a seating chart that takes three months to finalize.
I've produced dozens of elopements at The Chapel at Dragonfly Farms, and every single one has been different. I had a couple drive in from Oklahoma and get married the next day. I've met folks at the courthouse with simple vows exchanged and an "I do" to seal the deal. I've traveled to other locations to officiate for couples who couldn't make it to us. Some couples bring their parents, their best friends, and their photographer, and turn it into a full afternoon. Some want flowers, cake, and a toast. Others want nothing but the ceremony and each other.
All of those are elopements. All of them are valid. And by their nature, elopements don't require months of planning or a long checklist. They should be quick, easy, and focused entirely on the two of you.
If you're considering eloping in Arkansas, here's everything you need to know.
What an Elopement Actually Looks Like
The word "elopement" covers a lot of ground, so let me break down what it looks like at The Chapel.
We offer two elopement packages, and they're designed for very different experiences.
The Me, The You, and The I Do is our simplest option. One hour, couples only, officiant included. You show up, you say your vows, you leave married. No months of planning, no vendor coordination, no stress. The entire five-acre property is yours for the hour, so you can take photos anywhere on the grounds. The Bridal Cottage and The Groom's Loft are both available for getting ready. It's as simple as a wedding can possibly be, and some of my favorite ceremonies have been exactly this.
The Intimate Elopement gives you two hours with up to 25 guests. This is for couples who want the elopement feel but still want their closest people there. You get full property access, day-of concierge, and everything else that comes standard with every rental. You bring your own officiant, or you can add ours through the A La Carte menu.
Why Couples Are Choosing to Elope
Every couple has their own reasons, and I've heard all of them.
Some couples are on a tight budget and would rather spend $500 on a meaningful ceremony than $15,000 on a production that stresses them out for a year. Some have been married before and don't want the traditional big-wedding experience again. Some are private people who want the day to be about them, not about entertaining a crowd.
And honestly, some couples just don't want the hassle. Wedding planning can be overwhelming, and not everyone enjoys the process. An elopement lets you skip the parts you don't want and keep the parts you do.
None of those reasons are lesser. They're just different. And I think the wedding industry has done couples a disservice by implying that bigger automatically means better.
What to Think About Before You Elope
Eloping is simpler than a full wedding, but it's not zero planning. Here are the things you'll want to think through before your ceremony date.
Your marriage license. You'll need to get this from the county clerk's office before your ceremony. In Arkansas, there's no waiting period, so you can pick it up the same day if you need to. Both parties need to be present with valid photo ID. Don't forget this. I've had couples show up without one and it's the one thing we can't fix on the spot.
Your ceremony location. You have four options on the property: The Chapel (indoor, historic, intimate), The Pavilion (covered, open-air, versatile), The Ceremony Grove (outdoor, dramatic, pine trees and stone arch), and The Gazebo (outdoor, private, set apart in an open lawn). Most elopement couples know which space they want within minutes of walking the property. If you're not sure, tour first and let the spaces speak for themselves.
Your officiant. Our couples-only package includes a licensed officiant to keep things simple. For the others, officiant services aren't included by default, but about half of our elopement couples choose to add ours through the A La Carte menu. You're also welcome to bring your own. If you do, just make sure they're legally authorized to perform marriages in Arkansas.
Your photographer. None of our elopement packages include photography, but I strongly recommend having someone there to capture it. Even if it's not a professional, having photos of the ceremony is something you'll be glad you invested in. We have preferred photographers we trust and are happy to recommend.
Your vows. You'll want to decide whether you're writing your own vows or going with repeat-after-me style. Our officiant can accommodate either one. If you're writing your own, there's no length requirement. Some of the most powerful vows I've heard at a ceremony were three sentences long.
What You Don't Need to Worry About
This is the part that surprises most elopement couples. Here's what's already handled.
Tables, chairs, and setup are included. You don't need to rent or arrange anything. The Bridal Cottage and Groom's Loft are unlocked and ready when you arrive. The property is yours for the full duration of your rental. Day-of concierge is available by phone or text throughout your event.
You don't need a wedding planner, a coordinator, a setup crew, or a cleanup team. You show up, you get married, and you enjoy it. We handle the rest.
The Best Time of Year to Elope in Arkansas
There isn't one. Seriously.
I've hosted elopements in every month of the year and they've all been beautiful for different reasons. Fall gives you foliage in the Ozark foothills that looks like it was staged for a photo shoot. Winter gives you bare trees and dramatic skies and a cozy ceremony inside The Chapel. Spring is wildflowers and green everywhere. Summer is golden light and long evenings.
The advantage of eloping is flexibility. You're not competing with peak wedding season for dates, you're not paying premium pricing for a Saturday in October, and you're not coordinating schedules with 100 guests. You pick the date that works for you.
Weekday elopements are especially easy to schedule and often come at a lower rate. If you have flexibility on the day of the week, it opens up a lot of options.
What Happens on Your Ceremony Day
Here's how the day typically flows, though every elopement is a little different.
You arrive at the property about thirty minutes before your ceremony. The Bridal Cottage and Groom's Loft are unlocked and ready for you. You get dressed, take a breath, and soak in the moment.
Your officiant meets you at your chosen ceremony location at your scheduled start time. The ceremony itself is as long or as short as you want it to be. Some last ten minutes. Some last thirty. There's no clock ticking.
After the ceremony, the property is still yours for the remainder of your rental. Take photos, walk the grounds, sit on the porch of The Bridal Cottage. It's your time.
Then you leave married. That's it.
It Doesn't Have to Be Big to Be Meaningful
Some of the most emotional ceremonies I've ever been part of at The Chapel have been elopements. Two people standing in front of each other, saying what they mean, in a space that feels like it was built for exactly that moment.
The Chapel has been standing here since 1882. It's seen a lot of love come through those doors. Yours doesn't need to be the biggest celebration we've ever hosted. It just needs to be yours.
Start Planning Your Elopement
The Chapel at Dragonfly Farms is a historic 1882 wedding venue in Dover, Arkansas, just north of Russellville in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. We offer two elopement packages starting at $250, with four ceremony spaces, five acres of property, and a team that genuinely loves what we do.
If you're thinking about eloping, reach out. We'll answer every question, walk you through the options, and help you figure out the version of this day that feels right for you.