Yes, you can plan an elopement in Atlanta this month. Georgia has no waiting period once your marriage license is issued, so a last minute elopement really can come together in a matter of days. The part that takes the most planning is lining up the people: a courthouse ceremony or an officiant, and a photographer who’s free on your date.
As an Atlanta elopement photography studio, we love last-minute elopements. Below is how quickly our team can usually be there, how to get your Georgia marriage license, and how to choose a date and location that make the whole day feel easy.
How Quickly Can We Photograph Your Elopement?
Our fastest turnaround is usually two to three business days from our first call. For example, if you book a Monday morning call over the weekend, we can often be ready to photograph your ceremony by Wednesday or Thursday.
A few things help us move that fast:
- Schedule a call with us. For availability and the details of your day, book a call in our online scheduler, with times Monday through Friday. It’s the quickest way to confirm your date, coverage and location.
- Need someone right away? Our office line is answered any time. Our office team can share general studio information and book your call with us. Emails and contact forms get a reply within two business days.
- Plan your team size. Coverage with a single photographer can come together within a few days. Additional team members, like a second photographer or lighting assistant, are scheduled based on availability, so a little more lead time gives us the best chance of including them.
Elopements are made for short planning windows. We love booking elopements anywhere from a few days to about three months before the date. That window keeps planning simple and lets you choose your day with your schedule, and the forecast, in view.
Step 1: Get Your Georgia Marriage License
In Georgia, marriage licenses come from the county Probate Court. A few things to know before you go:
- Both of you need to be there in person, each with a current photo ID.
- There is no waiting period. Once your license is issued, you can marry that same day.
- If either of you lives in Georgia, you can apply in any Georgia county. If neither of you lives in Georgia, apply in the county where your ceremony will take place.
- A Georgia license is only valid for ceremonies held in Georgia.
- Fees vary by county, and completing a premarital education program lowers the fee.
- Some offices see couples by appointment. In Fulton County, the downtown office requires an appointment, and the North and South Service Centers accept walk-ins.
Check your county’s Probate Court page before you go, since hours and appointment rules change. Our Georgia courthouse wedding guide compares the metro Atlanta counties side by side.
Step 2: Choose Your Ceremony Location
The two quickest paths are a courthouse ceremony or a ceremony at a place you love with your own officiant.
A Courthouse Ceremony
Several metro Atlanta courts hold civil ceremonies on a set schedule, which makes the courthouse one of the fastest ways to get married. Each county runs its program a little differently, so check the current schedule and any guest limits before you choose a date.
Courthouse ceremonies always start at 2 hours of coverage. Courthouses run on their own schedule, and it’s common to wait well past your appointment time. Two hours means we’re there for the whole experience, from the nervous wait to the ceremony to your first portraits as a married couple, without anyone watching the clock or needing to add time on the day.
A Park, Garden or Indoor Space
For a ceremony somewhere personal, you’ll need a location you can use on your date and an officiant who’s available. Our guide to eloping in Atlanta covers favorite spots across the city, and our elopement timeline shows how a few hours of coverage usually unfolds. Any coverage that includes a ceremony starts at 2 hours.
Step 3: Choose a Weekday or a Weekend
Weekdays, Monday through Thursday, are the easiest dates to plan on short notice. Courthouses, parks and popular photo spots are quieter, you’ll have more open dates to choose from, and weekday outdoor elopements can move to a new weekday if the forecast turns.
Weekends, Friday through Sunday, are our most requested days and are priced to reflect that demand. Weekend dates are still possible on short notice when our calendar allows, so reach out and we’ll check what’s open. You can compare weekday and weekend coverage on our elopement collections page.
Step 4: Have a Rain Plan
A ceremony happens at a set time with an officiant, so every elopement should have an indoor backup. Weekend elopements go ahead rain or shine. For weekday outdoor elopements, contact us at least 24 hours before your coverage begins and we’ll work with you on the best option, whether that’s moving indoors or finding a new weekday date, subject to availability. Our inclement weather policy has the full details.
Planning a Fall or Spring Elopement?
Fall and spring are the most requested times to elope in Atlanta. Fall brings mild temperatures and changing leaves, and spring brings dogwoods and azaleas blooming across the city. Within our booking window of a few days to about three months, these are the dates that fill first, so if your date falls in either season, reach out as soon as you have it in mind.
Ready to Plan Your Elopement?
Tell us your date, your location ideas and who’s coming, and we’ll set up a quick call to put the plan together. Contact our team and let’s get you married.
Last-Minute Elopement FAQs
Can You Get Married the Same Day in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia has no waiting period, so once your marriage license is issued you can hold your ceremony that same day, as long as you have a courthouse ceremony or an officiant lined up.
How Fast Can You Get Married in Georgia?
As fast as you can get to the Probate Court together with your IDs and line up a ceremony. Many couples get their license and marry within the same week. For photos, our team can usually be ready within two to three business days of our first call.
Where Can You Get Married Last Minute in Atlanta?
Courthouses are the quickest option, since several metro Atlanta counties hold civil ceremonies on a set schedule. Parks, gardens and indoor spaces work well too when you have an available officiant. Our elopement guide walks through your options.
Can You Get Married at the Courthouse in Georgia?
Yes. Many Georgia counties offer civil ceremonies, though schedules, appointment rules and guest limits vary by county. Our courthouse wedding guide compares the options around Atlanta.
How Far in Advance Should We Book an Elopement Photographer?
For an elopement, anywhere from a few days to about three months ahead works beautifully. Fall and spring dates are the most requested, so if your date falls in either season, reach out as soon as you know it.
